IAIN KELLY

PETE’S MARKET STALL

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.


Copyright Roger Bultot

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more detailsย 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 weekโ€™s prompt, visit HERE.

71 responses to “PETE’S MARKET STALL”

  1. Sadje Avatar

    Where did he go?
    Great story Keith.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sadje – it is a mystery!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        Sorry Iain, got your name mixed up!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        No problem Sadje ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Sadje Avatar

        ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™

        Liked by 1 person

  2. neilmacdon Avatar

    Sounds like Pete is on the up

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Or possibly six feet under. Who knows?

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Susan Joy Clark Avatar

    Pretty good. ๐Ÿ™‚ That’s a pretty random assortment of things he sold the police. LOL

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s a crafty salesman ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Susan Joy Clark Avatar

        Ha ha. Seems that way. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  4. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    The last line was a little more than speculation, almost veiled hint at who could have been behind Pete’s disappearance.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think y9ou may be onto something there! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Suzette Benjamin Avatar

    Great storytelling Iain. I enjoyed it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Suzette

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Dora Avatar

    Iain,
    What an interesting character Pete is! Mr. Rowntree has some ‘splainin’ to do.
    ~๐Ÿ•ŠDora

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He is certainly at the top of the suspect list!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Yamini Ali MacLean Avatar

    Hari OM
    LOL – witness protection and static position? Oh the possibilities… YAM xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There could be many explanations ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  8. Mason Bushell Avatar

    That was fun. Love him selling the police things to get them to go away! And a mysterious ending. Great story, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mason

      Liked by 1 person

  9. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Entertaining! I liked your list of the items that Pete could sell which included objects from the photoprompt – that’s a nice touch!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Penny, glad you spotted it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  10. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It seems the police may be susceptible to a little bribe…

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    A new opportunity perhaps,

    Liked by 1 person

  12. notestowomen Avatar

    Great story, Iain. I love a good mystery, although there could be a simple explanation for Pete’s disappearance.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. magickmermaid Avatar

    I have a feeling Mr Rowntree made Pete disappear….:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He certainly has benefited…

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a dog eat dog world.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. The Abject Muse Avatar

    The plot thickens. I’m intrigued! I’d love to know what happens next. Good writing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Who knows – will Pete reappear?!

      Like

  16. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Sinister goings on in the high street! Good stuff

    Liked by 1 person

  17. ahtdoucette Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You are welcome to believe whatever you wish!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. earthskyair Avatar

    Sounds like foul play. Methinks the police need to set their new trifles aside, and go sniffing around Mr. Rowntree’s shop.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Investigations are ongoing ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  19. msjadeli Avatar

    A good story, told just right.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  20. plaridel Avatar

    sounds like he became a victim of “killing the competition” complex. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a cut throat business world.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Tannille Avatar

    Nothing lasts forever. Business is cut throat.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It certainly is.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Anita Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That’s an optimistic outlook ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  23. rochellewisoff Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  24. GHLearner Avatar

    Uh-oh, I smell foul play. Poor Pete, great story.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. draliman Avatar

    He has either been tempted to be a top salesman at Mr. Rowntreeโ€™s Discount Store, or Mr Rowntree has eliminated the competition… ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re either with Mr Rowntree or against him.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Elizabeth Young Avatar

    Not sure what happened here – or is that the point!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Read it again. There’s a clue at the end!

      Like

  27. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    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 ๐Ÿ˜Ž

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Isadora ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  28. writelindy Avatar

    You made me wonder. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oooooooo was Pete *removed* to drive his business elsewhere? Fascinating mystery, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It would take a lot to move Peteon, that’s for sure.

      Like

  31. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    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. =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brenda:-)

      Like

  32. Bear Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Now there’s an ambition ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  33. subroto Avatar

    I am guessing Mr. Rowntree got rid of the competition. Nice one.

    Like

  34. writerzenstateofmind Avatar

    Quite short but lovely

    Like

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