Have you ever wished you could run away to a tropical island and escape from all of your problems? In Shelly Taylor’s Wages of Sin, Penny did just that. Stalked by a notorious gang, Penny takes a suggestion from a T-shirt and buys a one way ticket to Maui. She is immediately adopted by a cave dwelling, pot growing Viet Nam vet. From hippies to druggies to restaurateurs; Penny spends years flopping to and fro from the frying pan to the fire. Eventually she settles into a seemingly safe routine of work and friendships. One can’t run away forever, though. Sudden events bring the past reeling back full force. A choice must be made. Which way will she go?
Shelly Taylor was born in Anchorage Alaska. Her mother was the teen-aged party animal daughter of old time homesteaders. Shelly grew up on moose meat, caribou, reindeer sausage, and smoked salmon. She began her adult life at an early age. She’s been called ‘wild and crazy’ by friend and foe, and her misadventures have taken her to the farthest reaches of the globe. Shelly finally settled on Maui, where she has become a veteran in the hospitality industry. Currently she works for a gourmet catering service. Wages of Sin is based on a few of her notable early incidents-and she assures us; “There is more to come.”
Penny stepped out of the hole. Her legs and arms were covered with mud, “You know Arjuna; at the last job I had in Alaska, there was a sign in one of the waitress stations. It read:
Great people talk about ideas.
Average people talk about things.
Mediocre people talk about other people.
“And, you know something?” Penny continued, “I can’t be around people, who talk shit about other people, without remembering that sign. What’s got me freaked out is YOUR fear-of me being alone with someone really who knows you.”
Until that moment, Arjuna had brushed off the nagging sense that he had no real grip on Penny’s heart. He said nothing so Penny turned back to her task.
“Would you like to go for a drive?” He asked weakly.
“No thanks. I just got started,” she answered, without turning around.
He walked away contritely, but when he returned he was in a temper.
“Well, I am going for a drive. Maybe I’ll be back.”
Penny called behind her, “Have fun.”
Arjuna drove to Baldwin beach. He backed in and set up his tail gate: Krishna pose…playing his flute...burning his incense. Naturally, the hippy chicks flocked. So, who should pull up next to him?
It was with concern, but Das couldn’t help but ask, “Are you pau with Penny?”
Das was the last person Arjuna was going to discus his relationship problems with, “Of course not! She just didn’t feel like going out.”
“I hope it’s not serious.”
“No. She’s fine,” Arjuna affirmed with irritation.
Das glanced subtly at the girls seated on both sides of Arjuna, “And you leave her alone?”
GOD!!! Das is irritating! Arjuna wanted to smash his goody-goody face in. Das took his sweet time unpacking his beach blanket and snorkel gear, too-all the while glancing judgmentally at Arjuna and the sexy underdressed girls, passing a doobie around his tailgate. Arjuna decided to leave. Then his paranoid mind began to weigh the implications of Das' question... What if some guy had stopped by the pyramid? And Penny's there alone, all beautiful and covered with mud...?