"It's money." He said. Realizing this, the boys dug in with both hands, scraping the dirt clotted coins out of their hiding place.
"Six." Criston said.
"I found three more." Konnor worked his hands deeply through the dirt, sifting it with his fingers and caking it into all the skin wrinkles up to his elbows.
<<<<>>>>
Books by R. Scott Tyler
Smugglers in Paradise Series
Game of Wit and Chance: Beginnings (Book 1)
Available in 2016:
One Fish, Two Fish, Big Fish, Little Fish (Book 2)
Psychology of Choosing (Book 3)
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/RScottTyler
Goodreads Author Page
Blog: karthlake.com
Author Email: RScottTylerauthor@gmail.com
Acknowledgements
I began this writing journey with enthusiastic optimism a few years ago. This was quickly overcome by the previously unimagined pitfalls that became apparent between writing words on paper and publishing a book to the discerning literary public. Specifically, publishing a book I would be proud of calling my own even if I wasn't a literary giant. As the final stage of birthing this book via publishing comes to pass, my enthusiasm has returned not only for ‘Game of Wit and Chance’, but also for the story remaining to be told in the ‘Smugglers in Paradise’ series.
I dedicate this book to my parents, who both passed away prior to its completion, but were supporters of my reading from an early age. My father was a voracious reader and loved to write limericks. My mother wrote journals constantly after being told they were good therapy. Together, the two of them walked for health and stress relief. Reading, writing and walking continue to be three pillars of my life today. Without them, who knows where I would be.
I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support and encouragement during this often overwhelming process. Thank you to Andrew, Jay and James for their early encouragement, helping me believe that I had it in me to tell stories others might like to read. Special thanks to Paul, Dan, my family and other people that were summarily ignored when I needed to focus. Thanks to Friday, Linda, Paul, Jim, Diane, Dan and Gillian for honest critique that helped make me a better writer. A big thank you to Caddy for lots of technical help and for introducing me to Indie Minnesota when I needed to see others walking a similar road, and finally, thanks to Mike, who introduced me to the cover artist who helped make the book look like something I would pick up and want to read.
Chapters
News at Sea 1984 3
Sophia, Portland 1942 6
Uncle Raymond 1939 9
Marge and Sophia, Portland 1941 11
Willapa 1941 15
Gilberto, Portland 1944 17
Escape 1945 21
Decision Time 1945 22
Resolve Evaporates 1945 25
Married 1945 27
Entering Manila Bay 1945 28
Manila Life 1949 30
Memories of Zambales 1950 32
Relocation 1950 33
Visit from a Childhood Friend 1951 34
Christmas in Zambales 1951 36
Navigation Test 1961 45
Test of Courage 1961 49
Boris' Beginnings in Manila 1966 51
The Mayor’s Associate 1966 52
Lucky Charms 1966 54
Julia Sings on the Bund 1982 56
Back in Manila 1982 58
Grand Shanghai 1982 60
Orlando 1982 64
Steven's 1st Visit to Shanghai 1982 66
Touring With The Singer 1982 71
Boris Visits Shanghai 1982 76
Departure 1982 80
Virgin Smuggler, Shanghai 1982 81
Red Umbrella Meet 1982 84
Checking Out the Neighborhood 1982 91
Getting to Know the Block Captain 1982 97
Getting to Know the Harbor 1982 100
Tea and Education 1982 104
Mitten Crabs 1982 106
The Exit 1982 111
Back Across The Water 1982 113
Julia's Death 1984 118
Steven Receives the News 1984 123
Business Picks Up for Boris 1985 127
Mayor’s Associate 1985 128
Steven and Bettina 1989 131
Konnor 1989 135
Marge and Konnor 1989 136
Family Trip 1995 140