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.

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.
Great sense of place, Iain
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Thank you Neil
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Dear Iain,
I suspect someone’s going to ask questions. Well done scene set up. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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At some point someone will ask, and who knows what will happen then! Thanks Rochelle
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While drugs are never mentioned, I guess that’s because there were no questions asked 🙂 Good one.
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Exactly, just look the other way please 😉
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Sinister.
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Best not to ask anymore…
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What, that was in the create? I just thought it was laundry. I had no idea I was doing anything illegal 😉
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Deniability is the key word here 🙂
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Yep, that’s the way it looks
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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
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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 🙂
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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
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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!
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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
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Hmmm….wonder what was in the crate?? 🙂
Oh to be back in Venice again on a gondola, but now I wonder, what was being transported in the barge next to us! LOL!
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Lol, don’t ask, better to not know I think. Thank you 🙂
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🙂 🙂
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I was right there with him. Sounds like easy work but I think there is a risk involved. Great story, Iain.
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Thank you Jilly, perhaps it’s better for him to be ignorant of how much risk he may be taking!
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At some point, questions will be asked. It’s the way our world works.
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For him I guess it just depends who comes asking those questions!
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Super writing, Iain, as smooth as a fine cognac. Just another delivery among scores every day. Why would anybody question that?
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Exactly, I’m sure it’s not the only delivery no one is asking questions about either!
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What the eye doesn’t see…. Nicely done Iain.
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Thanks Keith
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I’d love to know what story he has ready for when a question is asked! Great writing, Iain.
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True Edith, he’ll have to think of a good one! 🙂
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Love how much you communicate in so few words. I bought Collected Sketches from the Kindle Store and am nearly done reading it – really enjoying it.
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Thank you Frances, very much appreciated and so glad you are enjoying. About time I got round to publishing something new as well! 🙂
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It should be risky business but among the hustle and bustle, maybe not so much.
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They certainly know how to blend in.
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Mmmmm … much going on yet nothing being said. The beginning of a pretty good crime story you described so well, Lain.
Intriguing ….
Isadora 😎
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Thank you
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No way I’d do that job. I’d be looking over my shoulder all the time.
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I’m assuming he gets paid well to make it worth his while, and worth the risk
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See no evil, say no evil…
See how long they can keep it on the down-low before they get discovered…
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Perhaps it depends how closely anyone is looking or taking an interest…
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Lots happening here … like any other large city. Great atmosphere..
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Very true, except with more canals! 🙂
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Nice little bit on the side. Whatever it may be!
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Nice little earner, as they say.
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I like the ambiguity, the casual efficiency of the operation. Nicely done.
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Thank you Sandra
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I was tricked until i read the last to know the suspense.. Mind blowing fiction, Iain.
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Thank you so much
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I too was planning to take the smuggling route, but thankfully, didn’t 🙂
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Great minds 🙂
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I liked the growing tension in your story and the questions it left in my mind about the “rest of the story” and what’s in the crate. Well done!
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Thank you Jan 🙂
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Oy, what might be in the secret extra crate..?
Here’s what I think: it was your Liebster Award nomination:
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2018/06/liebster-award.html
Case solved. Congratulations 🙂
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Well, he wasn’t expecting that! 🙂
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What you don’t know, you can’t be forced to testify to… sometimes best not to ask questions. Great write this week!
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Thank you Jelli 🙂
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I really like the way your story starts with the innocent early morning scene and moves quietly to illegal transactions. Well done.
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Thank you
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Wonder what the crate contained- drugs or armaments?…
We won’t get to know. Many illegal deals like this keep happening.
I Spy You – Anita
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They certainly do – best not to ask! 🙂
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I like this – wish people wouldn’t always ask me questions, Iain.
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Haha, that’s true (although I hope your not involved in any illegal smuggling…!) 🙂
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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
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Thank you Lynn, a place I must get back to one day, definitely a city with a unique character.
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My pleasure
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A crate of Chef Boyardee Ravioli, I suspect. Fabrizzio is obviously in cahoots with the Riddler.
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He’s saying nothing… 🙂
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Hmmm wonder what the delivery was. Though I guess that doesn’t matter as long as the money is good.
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Sometimes you have to look out for number one first…
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i could visualize the scene as it actually happened. excellent writing as always.
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Thank you so much
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Great piece Iain that leaves the reader intrigued.
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Thank you Lisa
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Interesting take. Not at all where I went, but that’s what I like about the challenge. Great job!
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Thanks Russell
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Loved the word pictures, I could almost smell the seafood and the smell of the water. Loved the intrigue too 🙂
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Thank you, much appreciated 🙂
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Lots of intrigue and atmosphere!
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Thanks Ellie
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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?
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Possibly, or perhaps he doesn’t realise he is?
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To channel Brad Pitt in “Seven” … WHAT’S IN THE BOX??? WHAT’S IN THE BOX, MAN?!
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Nothing as gruesome as that I hope! 🙂
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Nicely told, Iain. Surreptitious exchange of contraband, just the right level of brooding understatement
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Thanks Michael
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Nice take on the prompt. You described it so well. Perfect excerpt for a story which can transform in so many ways!
http://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-ride.html
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Thank you
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You created a vivid scene of Venetian life along the canals. I really want to know what was in that crate! The beginning of a longer story? =)
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Maybe, thanks Brenda
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Excellent. Everything is so nonchalant.
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Thanks Sascha
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Right out of a thriller!
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Thank you
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“Venetian dawn” sounds just dreamy. Can’s say the same for the contents of that suspicious box. 😉
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Thanks Fatima 🙂
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Sounds like a great start for a short story!
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Thank you
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