PHOTO PROMPT © Björn Rudberg
“Dribble said it was in the goatherd’s hat. There’s loads of ‘em.” Fingal bit his lip; this could get ugly.
“Why Spanish goatherd hats in Liverpool? It’s not exactly goat country.”
He began rifling the mound of woollen hats.
The shopkeeper approached the pair dismantling his display, “Need assistance gentlemen?”
Fingal exchanged looks with Crammer, “Just fancied a goatherd hat.”
“They’re Peruvian alpaca herders’ hats. The goatherd’s are there. We’ve only one…”
“I’ll take it,” blurted Crammer.
Outside, his shaking hands fumbled a tobacco pouch from inside the hat.
“Thank heavens,” sighed Fingal, “I wish Dribble would quit hiding his gear.”
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
Four characters in 100 words! Well done, Michael
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Thanks Neil
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I often get the goat and alpaca herder hats mixed up too 🙂
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It’s becoming a serious problem and there’s no government help o overcome it. 🙂
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Amusing and at the same time depressing that their so dependent on the gear.
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Yeah, he really does have a problem
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Must be a cultural thing, but I didn’t get the ending. What is a gear? Something like drugs?
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Thanks for reading and commenting. Gear is often used to describe the paraphernalia of drug taking or in this case smoking. It would include his tobacco, rolling papers and filters.
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Aah OK, got it. Thanks 🙂
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He probably needs a hat for his next trip anyway. Good one.
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Thanks, Sandra
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Ha! What a fun take on the prompt.
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Thanks, Alicia
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Ha… good that it was so easy to tell the difference….
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Yeah, if they hadn’t found it quickly I think he would have blown his top. Thanks Bjorn
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How magically convenient that there was only one…. Must be that whole Christmas spirit thing coming into play… 😉
Happy Christmas to you and yours, Michael!
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Thanks, Dale. Merry Christmas to you as well.
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🎄
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Dear Michael,
Gear…a new one on me. A hat’s a great hiding place (so I’m told 😉 ). Alpaca is very soft and non-itchy. I have a sweater…very comfortable.
The dialogue brings your story to life.
Merry Christmas..may it be filled with cheer.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, have a good one
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Your story shows the desperate drive of an addict so well. Great story .
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Thnaks
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I enjoyed the humor–and the characters in this one, Michael. I guess you could say the shopkeeper was a “hat herder?”
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Thanks. He was certainly an expert in the herding hats of the world. Happy New Year
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I don’t understand why anyone would need to smuggle tobacco into a country. Drugs I can understand. I didn’t understand “gear” either. Thanks for explaining. Good writing, Michael. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks and Happy New Year to you too
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Oh! And you’re not telling us what’s in the pouch? Tsk.
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It’s his tobacco and papers and lighter etc
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I thought for sure it would be some shocking surprise. Guess my own imagination is on overload 🙂
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Could be, 🙂
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Such a full story with some many characters – the desperation comes across so well, sadly. So well done.
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Thanks Sarah Ann
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I learned something new in reading your story and comments! “Gear!” Very well written, imaginative and clever. (Loved the names, too!)
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Sorry for the late reply, I’ve just noticed your comment. Thank-you very much
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Always take care where you hide your stash – rule one. Good snapshot of their ramshcakle world Michael
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Thanks Lynn
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My pleasure
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That was meant to read ‘ramshackle’, but ‘ramshcakle’ sounds kind of good too!
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Yeah, you’ve given us a new word to use
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Like the emotional immediacy of your story, and the sparseness of the prose – I felt gripped !
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Thank-you
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