DOWN ISLAND TRADERS

‘You got any reels?’

‘Nope.’

‘Any lures?’

‘Nope.’

‘Lines?’

‘None a’them either.’

‘Okay, bait?’

‘Live or dead?’

‘Live.’

‘Nope.’

‘Dead?’

‘Not that either.’

‘Okay, what about boat equipment?’

‘What like?’

‘A boat hook?’

‘Nope.’

‘Cleat hooks?’

‘Nope.’

‘Rope?’

”Fraid not.’

‘Do you have anything for a fishing trip?’

‘I got fresh fish.’

‘How does fresh fish help?’

‘You buy the fish. Take ’em home. Tell your folks you spent all day catchin’ ’em. Meanwhiles, you gotta whole day to do whatever you want.’

‘And what am I meant to spend my day doing?’

‘Well now, that I can help you with. Care to step through the back, sir?’


Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Written for Friday Fictioneers 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.

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84 responses to “DOWN ISLAND TRADERS”

  1. Dear Iain,

    Love the dialogue with a strategic “Nope” tossed in here and there. I’ve a hunch that going through that back door isn’t a good idea. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I guess it depends on what you think is ‘good’. I’ve heard some men can have ‘loose morals’! 😉

      Like

  2. Very interesting story.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome Iain

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Yep – that was fun!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Now just what will he find once he goes through the doors? Hopefully not HIS turn to say NOPE!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Whatever it is, he’s going to take the risk!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I think the best way to answer the question in the last line would be “NOPE” 🙂 Delightful story Iain!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Don’t you want to know what lies behind the door? Who knows? You might enjoy it!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. A business that is based on pretense would not have anything good at the back, Iain 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Excellent, Iain, had me chuckling.
    And I’ll ignore the lady commenters above and nip through the back too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. More than welcome, make yourself at home.

      Like

  7. Fun dialogue, Iain. My first chuckle for the day 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, glad it raised a laugh 🙂

      Like

  8. lol, Nope, I wouldn’t go back there. Yep, I have a few ideas what is in the back. I’ve also heard that what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas…

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Loved that. Almost pythonesque. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Now that is high praise, thank you 🙂

      Like

  10. Ah, the false front! Good one

    Liked by 1 person

  11. O my word! A den of iniquity!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It would appear so 🙂

      Like

  12. Oh, NO! DON’T follow him through that back door!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think he may be too tempted! 😉

      Like

  13. This is a great take Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Well, he did ask! Love the “Mark Twain” flow of the dialogue.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Dora, nice compliment 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My pleasure, Iain. Such a fun story 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Very creative! A tale told right.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. You had me smiling, Iain. That’s a wonderfully convoluted sales pitch for a brothel!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. But what if you weren’t a man on the prowl? Then the shop does no business 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The owner must have an eye for the customers 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Ooh, what’s happening out the back? I’m not sure whether you’d be brave or an idiot to take a look. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Trish – remember what curiosity did to the cat?…

      Liked by 1 person

  18. what a bait and switch salesman. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Ha! Hilarious! Love every single word.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Intriguing! What awaits behind the door?? Enjoyed your dialogue too😊

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Well laid out, Iain. The last line makes it work.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Its a brothel probably, love that. Inexplicably thought of the Fork Handles sketch. Good stuff

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Ha! Ha! The dialogue reminded me of a Two Ronnies shop sketch. I am sure he is in for treat at the back 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  24. This is wonderful. Short, smart dialogue with a zinger at the end. I kinda’ want to go through that back door.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. LOL. This place does not sound like any kind of a respectable establishment. I wonder how much the … fish costs?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Definitely not respectable! 🙂

      Like

  26. Down Island Traders…Where you trade your innocence for what vice??

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Whoa haha I reckon that back room could tell some stories!
    Love this one. The dialogue is spot on.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Laurie, much appreciated

      Like

  28. I love the mysterious ending. If it were me, I’d go back just in case he was selling mogwai.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Who knows what you might find?

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Might find the back room a bit more fun than fishing all day. Enjoyed the dialogue, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It will certainly be entertaining. Thanks Brenda 🙂

      Like

  30. Nope, haha, Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

  31. Love the conversation. Curious about the back door. A bit lost there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perhaps you are too innocent Oneta! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Hahaha! Ingenious. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  33. I wonder what was there… I can imagine all kind of things that is better than fishing

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Definitely better than fishing!

      Like

  34. Wonderful story. I love the energy of the dialogue.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Planned outing! Backdoor entry is also there!
    Fishy business 🙂
    Great take!

    Liked by 1 person

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