Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for choosing my picture for this week’s Friday Fictioneers. This was taken in Jeonju, South Korea. Pungnammun, the historic south gate of the city is in the background.
He nodded when I pointed to the gate and proffered my camera. I walked towards it . . . and turned to see him take off running.
He picked the wrong tourist.
I screamed like a berserker and tore after him. He was almost at the road, a patch of wet cement between us.
That Nikon was two weeks old.
I made a flying leap and grabbed his ankle, just before crashing into wet goo. He flailed frantically but I death-gripped him ten minutes til the cops came.
We made the evening news.
I hear they put up a statue to commemorate it.
February 13th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
I love your take on it David! It is amazing how all our minds have different perspectives.
I loved screaming like a berserker!
February 13th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Thanks! That’s one of the most fun things about this group, just seeing how everyone can look at the same picture and get totally different ideas for it.
February 13th, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Too true
February 13th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Hahahahahahahahaha! Love it!
February 13th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
I love it! The action!
February 13th, 2013 at 8:15 pm
This is just how they would tell it, if they could speak.
Lot of action in your piece. Hilarious!
I like the title you chose too. Tourists are often under-estimated.
February 13th, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Oh and a challenging prompt this week. Thanks for the snap.
I love the art!
February 13th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Oh, yes, thanks for the picture!
February 13th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Thanks~
Everybody thinks they take advantage of tourists. Not all of them though. My friend’s father tackled a guy in an African airport who tried to steal his suitcase.
February 13th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Fun stuff, David. Love the photo. A bit of confusion…he proffered the camera so the guy could take his picture? Tell me if I’m getting it.
Nice ending.
Shalom,
Rochelle
February 13th, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Yeah, I meant that the narrator was giving the man the camera to take the narrator’s picture. Let me know if you can think of a clearer way to express that.
February 13th, 2013 at 9:36 pm
“He nodded when I pointed to the gate and handed him my camera. Then I turned to see him take off with it.” Something like that. Of course, it’s my opinion and you need do nothing. I just found personally that proffered sounded stuffy and confusing.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:17 pm
hahaha a statue… for that? really? ^^ lol this made me laugh so hard. reminds me of the time i ran after some guy who took my wallet. i was in high school or something. of course, that was very stupid of me. lol
February 13th, 2013 at 10:18 pm
ps. thanks for the prompt. it was damn hard ^^
February 13th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
Your welcome. ^^ Actually, I found it a bit hard too. It made me think for a while.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:41 pm
You can’t end the story there! Did you get the wallet back?
February 13th, 2013 at 10:45 pm
of course not! i’m most certainly not wonder woman lol my father just scolded and scolded and scolded me cos i could’ve ended up with a knife in my gut had i been able to reach the thief ^^ some guy tried to help, ran after the snatcher too.. but damn he was heavy and thus very slow hahaha
February 13th, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Well, you never know. he could have panicked and dropped the wallet
Glad you were not knifed.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:54 pm
me too haha ^^ would’ve been silly if i was cos there was only about 500 pesos in that wallet and a bunch of my photos. lol
February 13th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Best not to endanger your life over it, but still, it’s the principle of the thing!
February 13th, 2013 at 11:13 pm
haha i was in my P.E. uniform and not in a skirt which’s rare, and i guess that’s why i was..i dunno… feeling athletic lol and yeah, the principle of the thing
February 13th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
How much is that in dollars?
February 13th, 2013 at 11:09 pm
about 12.30 USD lol
February 13th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
February 13th, 2013 at 11:04 pm
maybe they had a lot left over in the statue budget at the end of the year.
Now I’d like to know who made the real statue. I’ll have to find out. Did you get your wallet back after? Gutsy thing to do but yeah, maybe a bit dangerous.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Where is this statue?
February 13th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
This is in Jeonju, South Korea. It’s the city where I live. Here’s the location, although the satellite photo shows a building where there’s a plaza is now: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.813859,127.148254&spn=0.001107,0.002642&t=h&z=19
February 13th, 2013 at 11:24 pm
Interesting, although with a name like David Stewart I am guessing you weren’t born there. Where is the blog post that tells the story of how you ended up there? I’d love to read about it.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:28 pm
I haven’t told the full story here before, but maybe I will sometime. I’ve been over here for about 8 years. I’d highly recommend it.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:29 pm
I looked it up on Wikipedia and it’s a haven for chefs so it seems. I’m guessing you are not a chef though, i see no recipes on your blog :/
February 14th, 2013 at 12:49 am
Very well done, David. I like your take. I notice your blog indicates that you write mostly “dark” stories, but you are very good at the “light” stuff. Do more.
February 14th, 2013 at 1:06 am
Thank you. I write mostly dark or quirky stories, but I also write whatever I feel like at the time. I don’t like to put too many limits on it. My parents usually ask that I do more “light” stories if I happen to do a bunch of dark ones in a row.
February 14th, 2013 at 1:26 am
Hehe.. Now that’s the kind of tourist I like..
His camera was precious of course! Such a humorous take.. Enjoyed reading. And what a lovely shot, although pretty darn tough to write something!
February 14th, 2013 at 1:34 am
Yeah, I submitted it because it was quirky, not because I knew what to write for it. When I saw that she had chosen it I was overjoyed, and then though, “Hmm, now what…”
February 14th, 2013 at 1:42 am
I could not think of a better take on this photo… were your knees skinned?
February 14th, 2013 at 1:43 am
p.s. great pic, btw… thanks… does it have a name?
February 14th, 2013 at 11:04 am
The statue? I don’t think so, but I can look again when I’m down there next.
February 14th, 2013 at 2:17 am
I’d feel the same way, David. I often wonder when I offer to take a picture of people with their cameras if they worry about something like that. And I’ve thought of it if someone else offers to take my picture, too.
janet
February 14th, 2013 at 7:17 am
Dear David,
Your story was fantastic. The last line tied everything together beautifully. I’m still laughing.
Aloha,
Doug
February 14th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Thanks, Doug. I’m sure in some town, somewhere they would do something that absurd.
February 14th, 2013 at 7:48 am
Lively and great ending!
February 14th, 2013 at 8:45 am
I’m afraid by the posture of the thief that your camera has suffered some blunt trauma. As a fellow Nikon owner, I cry. And I hope you have a warranty. Good story!
February 14th, 2013 at 10:48 am
That occurred to me as well, that at some point the principle of catching him outweighed the camera. Of course, maybe they just didn’t put the camera into the statue.
February 14th, 2013 at 11:35 am
Let’s go with that – the camera wasn’t in the statue. I’ll be able to sleep at night, knowing the camera survived.
February 14th, 2013 at 9:30 am
ha! a wonderful take on the prompt. great photo too. loved the word berserker.
February 14th, 2013 at 10:42 am
Yeah, “berserker” has a lot of imagery in it.
February 14th, 2013 at 10:38 am
That put a smile on my face, David…
I enjoy your quirkiness….
February 14th, 2013 at 11:06 am
I’m glad. Apparently quirky is one of my talents.
February 14th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
In my younger days, yes. No, couldn’t do it. So sad.
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/3734/
February 14th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Sooo funny. And a great take on a great photo. I’d never have thought of that interpretation Well done.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
We all have different ways of looking at things, I guess. It was all I could think of. Glad you liked it.
February 14th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
Excellent! Just like the photograph, which I really like, too. This is a perspective I could never have come up with.
February 14th, 2013 at 7:10 pm
was thinking of writing a story on commemorating someone brave..but ultimately thought of something else..your take on the photo was perfect and brilliant..very apt
February 16th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
There are a lot of ways to take it. I really liked your idea for it too.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:49 am
You know I have always had that creeping feeling when i offer a camera to a stranger. I am sure it has been done more than once and find your version very entertaining.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:55 pm
It’s somewhat of an odd social convention, that we can walk up to a stranger and hand them a piece of expensive equipment and then walk away. Luckily, most people aren’t sociopathic enough to run for it.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:51 am
[...] The Wrong Tourist – Friday Fictioneers (greenwalledtower.wordpress.com) [...]
February 15th, 2013 at 2:13 am
Loved this David…They should make statues for people who fight for their stuff. Good laugh over this one and thanks for your comment on mine. I think I figured out what the hell I was writing about….
Tom
February 15th, 2013 at 8:24 pm
Tom, there could be a whole sculpture park for epic things that normal people do. I’d go to that park.
February 17th, 2013 at 3:41 am
I’d go with you and by the way this was a great photo…It struck me right away..There was a few second delay and then my fingers typed out my story…Great prompt!
February 15th, 2013 at 3:51 am
Ten minutes in wet concrete? You deserve a statue. Great story, great prompt–challenging.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:56 pm
Luckily it wasn’t quick drying or he might have become the statue permanently.
February 15th, 2013 at 5:45 am
This really made me laugh! I love it, especially that last line. It’s a great photo too – do you know what the real story behind the statue is?
February 15th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Thank you. I’m not sure what the story is; Korea tends to have random statues here and there. I went down there today and it doesn’t have a name on it. Also, I noticed that up close the whole statue is textured like the people are made of wood. Very interesting.
February 16th, 2013 at 5:09 am
Thank you – I love statue art like this and it really made me wonder. I guess it’s better that there’s no explanation, then anyone who sees it can come up with a different story or interpretation.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:45 am
Oh nice catch! That will teach him! Great story.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Thanks!
February 15th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Oh that is awesome. But what I want to know is? How did the camera make out? Is it still in one piece? Great Story and I love this picture.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:22 pm
I’m going to assume it was okay. The whole story would be a tragedy if it got smashed.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
I wondered what your tale would be, having given us such an unusual photo prompt. Really great story, I enjoyed it. And now one of the other stories makes even more sense, too.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
Yeah, I just read that one too, about Achilles coming to Korea for treatment.
To tell you the truth, I had no story planned for it when I sent it to Rochelle and when I saw that she had chosen it, I had to think pretty hard about it.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:04 pm
A really great photo, and a chuckle-generating story too. Good job all around.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/suzuki-method/
February 15th, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Very funny and I’m glad he got the thief because it compensates for the handbag I had snatched 3 days after moving to Paris. I was jetlagged and so not very alert. I had a lot of money in the handbag. I chased the man screaming ‘Voleur!Voleur! (Thief! Thief!) He ran into and through a crowd of people and down some steps to a bus station. But my knees buckled with shock and I couldn’t run any more! The crowd did nothing. Two people laughed at me. He was a professional. He stroked the palm of my hand to loosen my grip and I’ve never forgotten what I refer to as the ‘soft violence’ of his touch. Chilling. I like to think of him cemented into the statue in your story! Ann
February 15th, 2013 at 10:29 pm
That soft violence is creepy!
February 15th, 2013 at 10:38 pm
At least it’s something I can use in a story!
February 15th, 2013 at 11:06 pm
I like it when thieves get what’s coming to them too. When we were in Paris, my parents both got robbed on the subway. Those guys were definitely pros too. I think I’m spoiled living in Korea, since although there’s crime anywhere, it’s really very safe here.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
I suppose at 61 and 5 foot 2 and three quarter inches, I shouldn’t challenge such people but it’s my feisty nature! Two kids rang my doorbell last week and ran away. I was three floors up at the time, but I caught up with them and gave them a real dressing down!
February 18th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Amazing!
February 18th, 2013 at 7:57 pm
it must be the extra three quarters of an inch.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:52 pm
I’m laughing over here, David. I can imagine it.
Very nice story and interesting prompt. 
February 15th, 2013 at 11:08 pm
Thanks. I’m not sure if I would do this in real life, but I think I’d at least give chase. Who knows though.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:39 am
I loved it the minute I started reading. So real, like you could already see so much of the narrator’s character.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:54 am
Thank you, I appreciate it.
I had to restart this one a few times to fit the essentials into 100 words, so I’m glad I captured what I was going for.
February 16th, 2013 at 2:04 am
Fab! I love it! Brilliantly written and laugh out loud funny
February 16th, 2013 at 9:57 pm
Thanks!
February 16th, 2013 at 2:18 am
Fun story!! (and great pic!)
February 16th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Thanks.
February 16th, 2013 at 2:33 am
Hahaha, perfect!
Thanks for the picture to boot!
February 16th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Thanks. A lot of people have said they liked the picture and asked more about it. I’ll have to do some research, I guess.
February 16th, 2013 at 2:47 am
I loved your story and the photograph. It was a tough prompt, but you pulled it off brilliantly.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:09 am
Yeah, it was a bit tough. Thank you though. Glad you liked it.
February 16th, 2013 at 4:12 am
GrinZ~ That one made me laugh David. I had not considered putting myself in the picture (so to speak) as the one beneath the cement, but you did that well!
February 16th, 2013 at 10:00 pm
It’s quite a different type of story, when the main character is the one struggling to get away, or the one struggling to hold on.
February 19th, 2013 at 3:57 am
Yes, it certainly is.
February 16th, 2013 at 5:51 am
I love this – what a great interpretation of that half-submerged woman hanging on for dear life!
February 16th, 2013 at 7:19 am
[...] time for Friday Fictioneers. Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting, and to David Stewart for the intriguing [...]
February 16th, 2013 at 7:36 am
Great this explains the odd statue very well. Love the story.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Thank you.
I’d like to know what the sculptor was thinking when he made it. Up close the texture is all that of tree bark.
February 16th, 2013 at 8:47 am
You did well here, David, to explain this statue. Very creative take. I love the picture, although a struggled with a story for awhile. Thanks for the challenge, mister! Do you happen to know the history of this statue? I enjoyed this!
February 16th, 2013 at 11:03 am
Thanks, Amy. I found it a bit challenging too. I don’t know what the history is. It doesn’t even have a name on it, but if I find out, I’ll let you know.
February 16th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
this line: “… but I death-gripped him ten minutes til the cops came.”
is it possible you meant “death-gripped him FOR ten minutes…”?
February 16th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Well, that is the meaning. I guess it is colloquial to drop the “for” from time expressions. I hadn’t really thought about it before, but maybe it’s a regional thing.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
good to know. thanks very much.
February 16th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
loved loved loved it
February 16th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
You’re sweet. I’ve missed seeing your encouraging comments, my friend.
February 17th, 2013 at 1:57 am
After “He picked the wrong tourist”, I knew it was on and you did not disappoint. Really enjoyed this!
February 17th, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Hah! I was trying to work out what the sculpture was of, and now I know…
February 20th, 2013 at 6:20 am
what some folks do for fame…ha ha! love the scene you created…& thank you for the photo.
April 24th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
[...] February 13, I posted the story The Wrong Tourist, about a person posing and getting their camera stolen. So, in a fit of meta-fiction, I went down [...]
April 25th, 2013 at 11:49 am
So glad you put the link in. I’ve been a tad busy and I’m glad to have enjoyed this piece.