Steve hated Halloween. He hated dressing up. He hated Big Al’s Pizza Emporium. All three had conspired to have him standing in the street dressed as a furry Frankenstein’s Monster holding a placard that read: ‘Big Al’s Pizza Emporium: Halloween Special – All You Can Eat For £5’
He couldn’t get to the irritating itch on his nose. Another trickle of sweat ran down his back. The saving grace was the anonymity that the large, green uncomfortable head gave him.
A mother pushed a small girl towards him.
‘Get your photo next to the monster,’ she said, the smartphone ready to take the photo.
The child resisted.
‘Come on. Don’t let the big scary monster frighten you!’
The girl looked up at Steve. ‘He doesn’t frighten me,’ she said, and punched Steve in the solar plexus.
Steve crumpled to the ground, curled up in agony. The large, green head rolled off, revealing him to the crowd of onlookers.
The next day the local paper ran with the headline: ‘Halloween Special: Local School Girl Takes Down Frankenstein’s Monster’. There was a picture on the front page of the moment Steve had been struck, another of him hobbling away. There was a link on their website to video footage.
Big Al’s Pizza Emporium had its best Halloween trading ever.

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). For more details visit HERE.
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
I think Steve was set up by Big Al, and the little girl is a hit man/person.
Excellent piece, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good conspiracy theory! Thanks CE.
LikeLike
Poor Steve. I think he deserves a bonus for that. A month’s free piza at least! Nice tale Iain 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lynn 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Steve. I agree with the previous commentors that he was set up and that he needs free pizza for a week. Good story Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I think Steve is just the sort of person these things happen to! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty sure when the mother said, ‘Get your photo next to the monster,’ she was talking to Steve. Great story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, I like that! Thanks Jac 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! Loved it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This could be the start of a media career for Steve. No such thing as bad publicity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure he wants to be known for this, maybe he’ll enjoy the game in the end 🙂
LikeLike
Love it! And that’s coming from a guy who’s played many an animated character. I can’t count the number of kids who say “Is he real?” just before deciding their own way to figure it out. Sorry, Steve, I know how you feel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks John. I feel for you and all those adults who have to do this sort of things to entertain kids 🙂
LikeLike
Fantastic story, Iain. V funny.. Poor guy 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any thanks, much appreciated 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Steve. Hope the media attention gets him some quality job — and as you point out monsters don’t have to be big and green.
Great take on the prompt and now I want a pizza.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I always want pizza. I’m surprised I haven’t written about pizza more to be honest 🙂
LikeLike
Write about pizza anytime — You’ll have my interest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Steve. He deserves a free pizza.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think Big Al is going to give him one 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Miserable swine….
LikeLiked by 1 person
So the kid gave the pizza guy a topping he never expected!
Visit Keith’s Ramblings
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely put, thanks Keith 🙂
LikeLike
Funny take Ian. To be downed by a little girl, with that costume on, that’s terribly embarrassing for him. YouTube, FB, shares every moment in life now. Good for the pizza place though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’ll never live it down in the world of social media today! Thanks Mandi 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the laugh! Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Poor Steve. He got no respect, but then that doesn’t sell pizza. Funny story and good writing, Iain. 😀 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, glad you enjoyed, and yes, poor Steve! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like how you made me pity and laugh at Steve at the same time. 🙂 Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sonny, everyone has a soft spot for people down on their luck 🙂
LikeLike