Pete was well known around the local area. No matter where he set up his market stall a crowd would gather.
Pete could sell anything to anyone: air conditioning units, bike parts, chopsticks, fake tattoos, parking meters.
When his stall illegally blocked a street, the police were called. They left with a packet of fudge, two traffic cones and a stainless steel cutlery set.
The day Pete disappeared his marquee was found abandoned. The only stock left was cigarette lighters – three for a pound.
Speculation spread – emigrated? aliens?
Meanwhile, Mr. Rowntree’s Discount Store is now thriving on the high street.
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.
Iain Kelly 
Where did he go?
Great story Keith.
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Thanks Sadje – it is a mystery!
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Sorry Iain, got your name mixed up!
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No problem Sadje 🙂
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🙏🙏🙏
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Sounds like Pete is on the up
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Or possibly six feet under. Who knows?
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Pretty good. 🙂 That’s a pretty random assortment of things he sold the police. LOL
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He’s a crafty salesman 😉
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Ha ha. Seems that way. 🙂
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The last line was a little more than speculation, almost veiled hint at who could have been behind Pete’s disappearance.
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I think y9ou may be onto something there! 🙂
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Great storytelling Iain. I enjoyed it.
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Thanks Suzette
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Iain,
What an interesting character Pete is! Mr. Rowntree has some ‘splainin’ to do.
~🕊Dora
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He is certainly at the top of the suspect list!
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Hari OM
LOL – witness protection and static position? Oh the possibilities… YAM xx
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There could be many explanations 🙂
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That was fun. Love him selling the police things to get them to go away! And a mysterious ending. Great story, Iain!
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Thanks Mason
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Entertaining! I liked your list of the items that Pete could sell which included objects from the photoprompt – that’s a nice touch!
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Thanks Penny, glad you spotted it 🙂
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When the cops have finished their fudge, I guess they’ll be paying Mr Rountree a visit. He’ll probably sell them some fruit pastilles!
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It seems the police may be susceptible to a little bribe…
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A new opportunity perhaps,
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Perhaps.
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Great story, Iain. I love a good mystery, although there could be a simple explanation for Pete’s disappearance.
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Thank you
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I have a feeling Mr Rowntree made Pete disappear….:)
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He certainly has benefited…
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How much for one of those parking meters? That could be a good investment.
I didn’t realize the discount sales business was so… cutthroat.
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It’s a dog eat dog world.
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The plot thickens. I’m intrigued! I’d love to know what happens next. Good writing!
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Who knows – will Pete reappear?!
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Sinister goings on in the high street! Good stuff
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Thank you
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I have two theories about that ending. I prefer to believe that Pete IS Mr. Rowntree and I don’t want to know any different. Fun story. I love the police shopping list detail.
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You are welcome to believe whatever you wish!
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Sounds like foul play. Methinks the police need to set their new trifles aside, and go sniffing around Mr. Rowntree’s shop.
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Investigations are ongoing 🙂
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A good story, told just right.
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Thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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sounds like he became a victim of “killing the competition” complex. 🙂
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It’s a cut throat business world.
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Nothing lasts forever. Business is cut throat.
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It certainly is.
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Someone’s loss is someone’s gain!
Am sure he is somewhere else selling his fares. Looks like a master salesman.
Here is my story- The Red T-Shirt
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That’s an optimistic outlook 🙂
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Dear Iain,
It does leave many questions in the mind of the reader. I like the way the police came and snagged a few items for themselves. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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Uh-oh, I smell foul play. Poor Pete, great story.
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Thank you
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He has either been tempted to be a top salesman at Mr. Rowntree’s Discount Store, or Mr Rowntree has eliminated the competition… 🙂
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You’re either with Mr Rowntree or against him.
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Not sure what happened here – or is that the point!
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Read it again. There’s a clue at the end!
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Lots of questions left unanswered in your tale, Iain.
A great deal of story telling in such few words.
Have a good weekend … Be Safe
Isadora 😎
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Thanks Isadora 🙂
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You made me wonder. Well done.
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🙂
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Pete sounds quite a character, so I’m sure he must be OK, perhaps even the force behind Mr Rowntree. (His fruit gums used to stick to your teeth.) Nice one Iain.
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Thanks Michael
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Oooooooo was Pete *removed* to drive his business elsewhere? Fascinating mystery, Iain
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It would take a lot to move Peteon, that’s for sure.
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Hmm. Seems suspicious to me. Where was Mr. Rowntree when Pete went missing? Hopefully, Pete was only shooed away and can start again. Very enjoyable tale. =)
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Thanks Brenda:-)
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That was a great story. From small stall to brick and mortar…where will he go next? perhaps the next “amazon”…. Have a great week!
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Now there’s an ambition 🙂
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I am guessing Mr. Rowntree got rid of the competition. Nice one.
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Quite short but lovely
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