PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
The eldest would do the haggling. It would be done in whispered tones, so those who followed in the queue would not know at what price a deal had been struck.
Once a price was agreed, the younger would discreetly withdraw the sum not required for today’s purchase, before hoisting to the counter a bucket so laden with coin, it had taken both of them to carry.
It would never do for the shopkeeper to be privy to how much they held in reserve. As were he, the cost of a loaf would surely be just that much higher tomorrow.
This is my 100 word response to this weeks Friday Fictioneers Photo Prompt.
Thru Violet's Lentz 
Filled with grim menace and quiet resolve
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It sounds like hard times for your hagglers and the others in the queue.
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Indeed it does. Thanks for stopping by draliman.
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Such is the law of supply and demand as in: You supply hints of more dosh, I’ll demand more 🙂
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Capitalism at it’s best!
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🙂
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It would indeed. And it’s great to see you again after so many years 🙂 If you go back on my site and click the keyudos button on the header, you’ll find a schedule of the main prompt sites available nowadays. I think you’ll enjoy them. Oh, and you’re on one of them now.
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A dismal scenario. Great writing as usual.
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Thank you Sadje.
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You’re welcome 😉
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You’ve written that story very well. It has a distinct ring of truth to it, and made me think of Zimbabwe, with its terrifying inflation.
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A truth of many times in many countries histories. I only hope I do not live to see it become a reality in my own…
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Absolutely – don’t let him know what you could afford to pay, they will only take advantage. That’s the downside of capitalism.
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It certainly is especially when demand is high.
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a grim scenario. it’s often observed in time of chaos and disorder like when an government is toppled.
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It does indeed. Thanks for stopping by.
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Interesting story and totally believable, Violet. Well done!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan. I am just hoping it isn’t a prophecy….
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Let’s hope it never comes to this, but then again, nothing surprises me any more. Great take, Violet
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Thank you Keith! Glad to have you stop by.
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Thank you Keith!
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It makes me nervous, I was never too good at haggling. So realistic, well penned.
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Sorry to make you nervous, but you know what they say, fore warned is fore armed!
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Clever, clever, clever, one in each paragraph.
Rampant inflation explained by the bucket, superb.
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Thank you CE!
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So much unspoken tragedy between your lines….That is one great story.
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Thank you so much, Snow. Sometimes writing within the confines of a word count create a need for inference. Glad it worked well in this case.
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Nothing like a good haggling to make friends when both sides get a bargain.
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I’m thinking you didn’t read beyond the first line… But thanks for stopping by anyway.
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Trust me I did. When haggling the shopkeeper knows you can pay more (even if you keep your coins in a bucket) and the buyer just has to wear him down – the friendlier the better.
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Sorry if I was abrupt. But my intention was to show they needed a bucket full of coins to pay for one loaf of bread. Could just be my descriptive skills that are lacking..
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Dear Violet,
As others have said, a grim story. To think of children having to do this is heart rending. Well told story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. It was my pleasure to be able to participate again this week.
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Tough tale and very realistically told
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Thank you Michael For both reading and leaving your kind words.
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A bucket full of coins? Sounds like a lot!
(Though I’ve wondered what would happen if you went to a car lot and tried to pay cash for a vehicle with change)
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Never heard of wheelbarrows full of money during times of extraordinary inflation ? That’s kind of where I took my inspiration
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True – but coins tend to at least retain metal value, so they don’t devalue the same as “ragg money”.
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So when dollar is worth $.30 how much are 4 quarters worth?
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I dunno – just know that metal stays relatively constant, and at a point the metal of the coin is worth more than its denomination. An ~3x devaluation of the dollar probably wouldn’t change the quarters’ value relative to the dollar.
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Haggling can be both a game and something very very serious….
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Well told, Fear keeps the masses in check…Hard times, I have seen them come and go.
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Haggling (bartering) is a lot of fun and in some places expected. I haggled in Mexico and enjoyed it very much as I think the owner did because he smiled when we were done.
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