This week Pegman is on the lush tropical island of Mauritius. WHAT PEGMAN SAW is a growing prompt challenge hosted by the talented writing team of Rawson and Carroll whom I appreciate as time goes by.
Link to this week’s stories here:
As I began my research trail on the Island of Mauritius, I was led far afield by a documentary on the History channel. 😉 Blame it on my husband who turned it on. The photo I chose is from Mauritius, but that’s as close as I came.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 150
UNRESOLVED
“Look, Vovô. I bring a present for you,” Marina held up a glistening seashell.
Clarence hoisted his great-granddaughter onto his lap, took the shell from her and kissed the top of her head. “Belíssimo, like you, my little mermaid.”
“Tell me a story, Vovô. About when you and Tio John stole away from the island on the big rock.”
“1962.” He gazed at the sea and squinted at the setting sun, a brilliant ball against the amber sky, reflecting off the waves. “A whole lifetime ago.”
“Two lifetimes. Nearly fifty years.” Clarence’s brother John sank into a beach chair beside them. “Wonder if they still remember us. Wish we’d had a chance to say goodbye.”
“I shore do miss Mama’s fried chicken, ain’t nothin’ in Brazil holds a candle to it.” Clarence could still hear the prison bars clank behind him. He pressed his cheek against Marina’s. “Inescapable Alcatraz. Ha!”
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It does indeed seem like a good place to hide out for a lifetime. Your wonderfully written tale wraps up so much intrigue into a tiny package. You make it look easy–but then you’re used to doing it in 100 words!
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Dear Karen,
Seriously, you guys should watch the documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otD9uFILHLI&t=801s Fascinating! Thank you for your generous compliment, too. Sometimes it’s easier than others. Although 150 words is luxurious for the veteran FF’r. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this piece. I did a bunch of research on Alcatraz for Miramar, including the great 30 Years of the Rock by Alvin Karpis. Whether the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris escaped is one of the great mysteries of the Rock.
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Dear Josh,
I thought of you when I wrote this. I figured it was your type of story. We watched this yesterday. I’m convinced they made a clean getaway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otD9uFILHLI&t=803s
Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great little fiction story based on historical facts. I believe that the Anglin brothers did successfully escape and made it to Brazil. The evidence and facts greatly support it. The documentary was very good. They would be in their mid-eighties if still alive. Would love to see a follow up investigation in Brazil.
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I knew you’d like it. The story grabbed me as soon as I walked in the door. It was begging for a story. I, too, believe that the evidence points to their successful escape. So my question is, what will the FBI do if they do find them? 😉 Thanks m’luv.
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Mauritius isn’t all that far from India in the Indian Ocean. There are a lot of people of Indian descent on it. They offer vacation trips there from here. Good story and writing, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Before settling on a story set in Brazil, I watched a documentary about Mauritius. According to it, 69% of the island’s population is Indian. It looks like a nice place to vacation. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve drawn the relationship between the two brothers and the great granddaughter very nicely and very believably. It makes an endearing story despite the originally grim history.
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Dear Penny,
This one was kind of fun to write and imagine. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So much story there, nicely done! You are the expert at hinting at tons of backstory with just a few words. And obviously the word “inescapable” was not as accurate as some would have hoped!
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Dear Joy,
From the latest evidence, I’d say those two pulled off the escape and ended up in Brazil. Who knows what they’ve been doing for the past 50 years. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Laying very, very low, it would seem!
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Brazil seems to be the destination of choice for escapees (as well as Mexico). I read the article, and how one of them got left behind because he couldn’t fit through the hole he made 🙂
Nice story! Could it be true…?
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Dear Ali,
Latest evidence points to a successful escape to Brazil. If so, surely they’ve made some kind of life for themselves. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for this skilfully crafted take on a real incident Rochelle. I’d always thought that no one had escaped from The Rock. If the brothers did make it to Rio, they might have rubbed shoulders with Ronnie Biggs, a British petty criminal turned “Great Train Robber” who served only a fraction of a 30 year sentence before escaping and fleeing to Brazil in 1965. He avoided extradition in 1974, but returned voluntarily in 2001 to seek medical treatment. Rather than receiving this directly from the National Health Service, to which he’d made no contribution, he was treated in prison. Biggs was released on compassionate grounds in 2009 and died soon afterwards. I can’t help being puzzled at the way in which people like Biggs became folk heroes/celebrities. At least nowadays people who are not prepared to spend years of honest toil to perfect their craft can achieve celebrity status without committing crime, thanks to reality TV.
BBC.co.uk/news/uk-25426914
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Dear JS,
This is a case that’s baffled the FBI for 50 years. Naturally, it left J. Edgar Hoover wiping egg from his face. 😉 The latest evidence, however, points to successful escape from the Rock to Brazil. Who knows? Perhaps they did rub elbows with Ronnie Biggs. Thank you for sharing the link and for your kind words re my storytelling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re more than welcome Rochelle.
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Compelling mystery and for me, I’m content not knowing the answer. As long as they did no harm after their escape, the fact they were able to pull it off and survive (if they actually did survive) means they earned their freedom.
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Dear James,
Who knows whether or not we’ll ever know the whole truth. 😉 Thank you for the read and the comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha! Another great history lesson from you, Rochelle! I thought no one ever escaped. It would be kinda cool if they made it to Brazil for real. Once again you offer up history in an entertaining way.
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Dear Eric,
The documentary I watched yesterday with my husband offers strong evidence that the two brothers did indeed make it to Brazil. Of course the rest of the story is my imagining what they might’ve been doing all this time. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love your take on the prompt – and yes- of course – this makes complete sense – this is where the escapees would end up. yes….
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Dear Yvette,
Any way you slice it the Anglin Brothers’ story is fascinating. I let my imagination have its way. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 it truly is….
peace to you too
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I have been to Alcatraz and have always wondered about the escape. I believe they did it. The facts are interesting… great story Rochelle! ❤
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Dear Courtney,
They certainly orchestrated their escape to the finest details. The evidence leans heavily in their favor. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Brilliant. What an interesting link you provided as well. I love how you do what you do so very well.
Ironically, I had barely ever heard of Mauritius and now, my late friend’s daughter is living there with her boyfriend who is originally from there.
Just love where you go with all these prompts…
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
This is what happens when I watch a documentary with the hubsand. 😉
I’m with you. Up until Josh posted the prompt I’d never heard of Mauritius. You’re one up on me. Pretty sure I don’t know anyone there.
At any rate, I went to Brazil instead. 😀 Thank you.
Lotsa love back atcha,
Rochelle
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That is true… you did kinda cheat. Not that any of us are complaining… 😉
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I didn’t really cheat. The ‘rules’ are pretty much like Friday Fictioneers. Use the photo of your choice from the location and go wherever the muse leads. 😉
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I know… was teasin’ ya… 😉
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Whoa! Another brilliant slice of history. I’ve never heard of these brothers. Thanks (I think) for introducing them to me. Lish
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Dear Lish,
Up until my husband turned on the History Channel Saturday I’d never heard of the Anglins either. I never know when a story will just ‘drop’ into my lap. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s good you catch them when they fall.
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Great story, I’ve always wondered if they made it. Good to see that in your story they did, and what about that other photograph, interesting? I’ve missed the Friday posts, but life does take it’s turns, maybe some day I’ll come back and join the club again, but right now, too much else is going on. Take care, Rochelle, loved the visit!
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Dear Yolanda Renee,
The latest evidence does point to a successful escape for the two brothers. In a documentary I watched this past week a forensic artist stated that he was pretty sure the photo is of the missing prisoners.
Although this is a different challenge than Friday Fictioneers, you are missed in as well. Hope you’re able to rejoin the fun soon. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle: I hope so too. The blogging world is filled with flash fiction challenges. It’s a wonderful writing and reading opportunity!
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There are way too many to take part in all of them, aren’t there? But since friends are facilitating this one, I couldn’t resist the lure of 50 extra words. 😉
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Well, you have to admire their ingenuity, the great lengths they went to to escape, even if you don’t admire the men themselves. They were bank robbers after all, though not violent ones by the sounds of things. Intrigued by the mobster link and the fact their pal seemingly died while the brothers escaped – could it be the Anglins looked out for each other to the detriment of their extra? Nicely told tale, Rochelle, with warmth and a smidge of humour too. Thanks for sharing the story – fascinating
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Dear Lynn,
Perhaps they’d have received some leniency had they not made so many escape attempts before the final one. I do think, having come from a large family (18 kids I think) I believe that in the case of the Anglin brothers, blood was definitely thicker than water. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow escaped convicts is a unique take and the back story was fascinating. Enjoyed both the reads very much thank you 🙂
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Dear Dahlia,
This was one of those stories that seemed to dropped into my lap. Glad you enjoyed. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, good surprise for me at the end.
Scott
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Thank you,Scott. Sorry it took me so long to answer.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Never a problem.
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