Fabrizzio heaved the extra crate onto the roof and tied it down, next to his regular cargo of fresh seafood.

Tourists had already begun to emerge into the Venetian dawn, among the bustle of barges delivering and collecting goods along the canal.

He motored slowly along the narrow passages until he emerged into the lagoon. The sailboat was waiting as usual.

He maneuvered alongside and handed the crate to the waiting man. They nodded in acknowledgement, but neither said a word.

Fabrizzio turned and headed back. The money would appear in his bank account later that day.

No questions asked.

venice-fatima
Copyright Fatima Fakier Daria

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

96 thoughts on “NO QUESTIONS ASKED”

  6. Once again a fabulous take on the prompt, Iain. I love that whole emphasis on no questions asked. It’s a phrase we know, but you’ve given it an added emphasis and gravity. Well done. You also recreated that theatre of an early morning at the markets.
    I personally struggled with trying to process the place in this prompt, although the photo was named Venice. While I’ve been to Florence, I haven’t been to Venice and I was trying to avoid transporting another dead body down the canal. My efforts have ended in murder a bit lately and I wanted to try a different route and set it here in Sydney instead where I’m much more comfortable.
    Hope you’ve had a great week.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ha, it’s tricky isn’t it? Writing so many stories and trying to find a different angle each time. That’s why I ended up going for a crate but not revealing what was in it. Venice is definitely worth a trip if you get the chance, a unique place, although I think I prefer Florence and Rome 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. I didn’t get to Rome either. My cousin is currently in Milan for a few months on a scholarship playing Baroque cello. I don’t know if she’s been able to travel much but she’s had the experience of a lifetime performing in very old surrounds, which is particularly mind blowing for an Australian.
        Best wishes,
        Ro

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Milan is also lovely, although a bit more of a modern city too. I remember being in Rome and overhearing a group of American tourists being unable to comprehend how some buildings could be thousands of years old!

        Like

      3. My Dad went to the Palace at Versailles and wrote in his diary: “I wonder how much it all cost?” He was an accountant at the time. Fortunately, he went back and did an arts degree in his 40s.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

        Liked by 2 people

  29. Sinister goings on in the canals of Venice. It’s a strange, smelly, floating enigma of a city, odd and on its own and shouldn’t really be there at all. The city creates its own identity and so has Fabrizzio – great writing Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  37. Beautifully described. I’m sure Fabrizzio is up to no good, but he’s doing it in a lovely setting, and comes across as a nice, so maybe he’s not up to nefarious activities?

    Liked by 1 person

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