Two Tamas In Paradise: Episode 5, The Decision

This is the fifth episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview. 

It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle.

The Decision

A little more than half a mile from the marina, Trace was at the wheel. He grabbed the mic and put it close to his mouth. “Let’s drop the sails and prepare to dock. We’ll motor in the rest of the way.”

Sean’s and Chuck’s conversation stopped. They slowly moved from leaning against the roof of the forward cabins. Trace eyed their movement. They were casual and slump-shouldered. They moved reluctantly and with scorn. It did not set well with Trace. They appeared ungrateful.

‘Three hundred years ago,’ Trace thought, ‘those men would have been flogged.’ 

Trace hung the mic on the hook. And Sage came up the companionway.

“You don’t look so good,” Sage said.

“I’m fine,” Trace replied.

“I saw you talked with Sean and Chuck,” Sage said. “How did it go?”

“They want the gold split three ways, them and Makani,” Trace chuckled. “They claimed you and I already have enough and I’m holding out on them.”

“I was in the forward cabins’ hallway, listening to them,” Sage said. “They were right above me. I heard every word. They think because you gave in so easily that you do know where more gold is.”

“That’s what I wanted them to think,” Trace said.

Trace started the engine and steered toward the marina.

He grabbed the mic. “Makani, pilothouse.”

Makani climbed up the companionway immediately. “Yes, Captain.”

“You got a list of rations we need?” Trace asked.

“Sure do,” Makani said.

“The moment we dock, I want you off the boat,” Trace said. “Can you get everything in an hour?”

“Sure, Cap,” Makani said. 

“Go and make sure of what we need,” Trace said.

Makani gave an affirmative nod and slipped down the companionway.

“What have you got for me to do?” Sage said. 

“In one way, I hate to do this,” Trace said, “but in another way, it will be best for the ship.”

“Hard decision?” Sage asked.

“Yeah,” Trace said. “Go below and pack all of Sean’s and Chuck’s gear.”

Sage paused and said. “That is quite a decision.” 

“Makani, you and me will be sailing The Tramp Islander back to Suva,” Trace said. “We all know enough about what to do to get us there.”

“Do they have any clue?” Sage asked.

“Until a moment ago, I didn’t wasn’t sure,” Trace said.

“What about the gold?” Sage said.

“What about the gold?” Trace replied.

“Do they get their share?” Sage said.

“I made an offer weeks ago,” Trace said. “I have to assume they agreed to that offer. They sailed and worked under that assumption.”

“So do you want me to split up the gold and give them their share?” Sage asked.

“They reopened negotiations with me,” Trace said. “They could have said they were getting off at Bora Bora, and I’d given them their share; no questions. I’ve tried to justify sharing with them but I can’t. Ever since I won The Tramp Islander, I’ve paid them back wages I didn’t have to pay. I gave them extra pay when it came my way. I’ve improved their conditions on this boat at my expense. I can’t hate them but I can’t trust them or reward them.”

“I better get busy,” Sage said and hurried down the companionway.

Two Tamas In Paradise; Episode 4, Negotiations

This is the fourth episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview. 

It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle.

Negotiations 

Trace decided to speak with Sean and Chuck before docking at Bora Bora. He had everything in mind about how to proceed. No exceptions to the final plan came to mind, though. Much depended on their reaction. He feared for the worst. He tried to force it far from his thoughts. He wanted to think the best of them, but the information from Sage and Makani, along with the change in their attitudes seemed predictable.  

He turned in the captain’s chair to the chart desk. After glancing at the clock, he made a quick calculation. He used the compass to approximate how far to Bora Bora. “Two hours,” he murmured.

He leaned back, grabbed the mic, and pressed it. As his mouth opened he saw Sean and Chuck moving along the side deck toward the pilothouse. Trace returned the mic to the hook. They came around to the aft door and walked in.

Sage cocked his head and squinted, “What’s up?”

“We want to talk,” Chuck said.

“Sure,” Trace said. “Have a seat.”

They sat on the bench like stone statues. Chuck rubbed his knees. Sean twitched his mouth. 

Trace’s eyes roved from Sean to Chuck several times. He could see and sense hostility. They were ready for confrontation. Trace appeared relaxed. 

Trace thought, ’It is never good to allow your opponent know how willing you’re ready for the fight. Surprise them and suddenly you will be on the offensive. They know there will be a counterattack. Faked surprise and weakness is like having all your buddies behind them—holding clubs.’

“What’s on your mind,” Trace said smiling and unassuming.

“Nobody has worked harder than me and Chuck,” Sean said.

Trace smiled and thought, ‘Wow, I can see where this is going already.’

Then Trace spoke, “Yeah, I’ve never worked with better men. You two make this whole thing purr like a kitten.’

“I’m glad you agree,” Chuck said. 

“In fact, I was looking at my books and I think you two and Makani can have a raise. Business has been real good. Oh wait, I forgot about the gold. You two probably are telling me you want to quit. I’m right there with you. If I was in your shoes I’d do the same thing. But can you a least stay on until we get back to Suva.”

Their heads quickly turned toward each other. Confusion flashed on their faces.

Trace thought, ‘You two are on your heels.’

Each had looks on their faces as if one was coaxing the other to speak. Neither seemed to have the nerve. 

Finally, Chuck cleared his throat. “Ahem, Sean and I don’t feel right about things.”

“Oh,” Trace feigned interest, “We can talk about anything.”

“Okay,” Sean said, “For one thing, we think we should have a larger share of the gold. We did most of the work.”

“Well,” Trace appeared agreeable, “let’s talk. What do you think is fair? We got to start somewhere.”

 They both swallowed and their eyes bounded around like a pinball. 

Trace smiled. “I guess you haven’t got that far yet, so let’s talk. Like I said, start with a number. You two are getting twenty percent each; together that’s forty percent. Where do you want to start, forty-five percent, fifty percent, twenty-five percent each? ”

They both had looks on their faces that this was easier than they thought. They sat back and relaxed.

“Well,” Sean said, “basically Makani is a cook. He hardly did any work at the site.”

“So cut him out or you two take his share?” Trace said.

They quickly glanced at each other. They appeared surprised Trace followed their reasoning.

“We do have some other concerns,” Sean said confident he would be heard favorably.

“Hey,” Trace said, “I’m here to help and listen. We’re a team. We always have been.”

Trace changed his expression to serious. He lowered his eyebrows. ‘I’m appearing too eager,’ he thought. Then he said seriously the them, “Keep in mind we had an agreement.”

“But we had no say in it,” Chuck said.

“Maybe you should have spoken up,” Trace said.

“There was little reason to,” Sean said. “All of us thought deep down there was no gold. We were making a deal based on a dream.”

“I see your point,” Trace said. “So you want to renegotiate.”

“No,” Sean said, “we just want to negotiate for the first time; knowing what we’re dealing with.”

“You know, if we found nothing, I’d have still paid you,” Trace said. “Looking at it that way, it was all one-sided. I got paid for the charter but not enough for all my expenses.”

“You see,” Chuck said, “we never had a chance to dig around where you did. There may be more there and you’re holding out on us.”

“Have I ever held out on you?” Trace said.

“No,” Sean said, “but this kind of money can make a man think differently.”

“You should look at yourselves in the mirror,” Trace said. “I think the amount of money has changed you two more than changed me or anybody else on this boat.”

“You could be holding out on Makani and your buddy, Sage,” Chuck said.

“Look,” Sean said, “you have the boat, you have land, and we have nothing. It’s about time we get a break in life.”

“You will each have over a hundred and thirty thousand dollars worth of gold when it’s all divided,” Trace said. He paused and studied Sean and Chuck. “You think it should all be yours.”

“We figure we should get two-thirds,” Sean said, “Me and Chuck and you can divide the other third any way you like to.”

“So if I was to split what’s left evenly between me, Makani, and Sage that would be a little more than ten percent each. That’s still a lot, Trace said. “But you’d be happier if you had it all?

“You two have plenty already,” Chuck seemed to plead with his hands open.

“And you guys did nothing,” Trace said. 

“We did all the work,” Chuck again seemed to plead a case.

“But you found nothing,” Trace said. “I—I’m the one who found the gold and could have kept it for myself—never said a word about it.”

Sean’s and Chuck’s planning had not even remotely considered that sort of counterargument. Their eyes looked to the heavens for some sort of imaginative intervention. 

Trace nodded and smiled. “You know what, let’s get this thing docked at Bora Bora. We’ll talk this over. Keep in mind, I should have something.”

Their eyes tried to look at each other without moving their heads. 

“Well,” Trace said, “that looks as if that’s about it for now.”

They stood and left the pilothouse through the aft door. They walked around to the foredeck and leaned against the roof of the forward cabins. 

Trace murmured, “There’s two guys who have never negotiated for cattle with a Texan.”

Two Tamas in Paradise; Episode 3, Where's The Plank?

 

This is the third episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview. It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle. 

Where’s The Plank?

The sound of Sean and Chuck muffled talking rose from the companionway. It sounded as if they were eating breakfast with their mouths full. 

Sage came from below with a cup of coffee and a toasted egg and bacon sandwich. He took a bite and sat on the bench. With a bulge in his cheek, he said, “I can’t eat with those guys anymore. They’re getting bold.”

“Makani confirmed what you told me,” Trace said.

“When?” Sage said.

“A little while ago,” Trace said. “He brought me breakfast and we had a chat.”

“How are you going to handle it?” Sage said gulping the coffee. “Do they still make mutineers walk the plank?”

“Do me a favor,”  Trace said, “In a few hours we’ll be docking in Bora Bora. We have to take on water and some food supplies. Until then treat those two as if you know nothing.”

“I ain’t gonna eat with ‘em,” Sage said. 

“That’s okay,” Trace said. “I get it, but just don’t be rude or hostile.”

“You have a plan?” Sage asked.

“Yeah,” Trace said. “I want to run it over in my mind a few times before I do it.”

“Will it be a surprise?” Sage said.

“I can guarantee it will be a surprise,” Trace said, “especially to Sean and Chuck.”

“Can ya give me a hint?” Sage said.

“I did,” Trace grinned. “It will be a surprise.”

“Okay,” Sage heaved a swallow of coffee, “where’s the plank at?”

“Actually, I had a rope and yardarm in mind, matey,” Trace said with a gruff pirate voice. “But just in case, find me a plank. That sounds like a good plan B,”

“I think it’s best I go and catch up on the sleep I lost last night,” Sage said.

“I’ll make sure you're up when I spot Bora Bora,” Trace said.

Sage took another gulp of coffee and inquired, “Not even a hint?”

“Not even. Who knows,” Trace said, “I may be the one surprised.”

“Now ya got me worried,” Sage said and climbed down the companionway.

Trace heard Sage say in a friendly cowboy way, “Keep it down out there, boys, I going to catch a beauty rest.”

‘He’s great,’ Trace thought. ‘If those guys knew him they’d know something was up.’

Trace stepped onto the aft deck with a sextant. He took a reading and returned to the wheel. He made a slight starboard turn and waited for Bora Bora to appear over the horizon. 

Two Tamas in Paradise; Episode 2, Not Standing Alone

 This is the second episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview.

It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle. 

I hope you enjoy.

Not Standing Alone

After fifteen minutes with his eyes closed, not knowing if he slept or not, Trace turned his head aft. A pale red/orange glow spread along the eastern horizon. He opened the back door and stood on the aft deck. The sun slowly rose and cast a shimmering red ribbon leading to The Tramp Islander. With the sun in full form, he returned to the pilothouse. From below came the sound of Makani preparing breakfast. The gulls who enjoyed the free ride on The Tramp Islander began to swirl overhead and squawk. Soon the odor of bacon wafted up the companionway.

Makani brought a breakfast tray with a fresh thermos of coffee.

He sat the tray on the chart desk. “Good morning, Cap.”

“Good morning to you, Makani,” Trace replied.

“I come up when you look at sun,” Makani said. “Get thermos for fresh coffee.”

“You never miss a trick, do ya?” Trace said.

“No trick,” Makani smiled. “My job.”

Makani grabbed hold of the top of the companionway. He made one step down and stopped. He turned and faced Trace. 

Makani grimaced. Trace leaned formed. He squinted curiously because Makani’s only expression besides nothing was a big smile.

“Is something wrong?” Trace said.

Makani breathed deeply through his nose and pressed his lips. That was even more surprising to Trace.

“Just say it,” Trace smiled. “You want to leave the ship. I get it. You’re a rich man now. If I were you, I’d be doing the same thing.”

“No,” Makani said, “I not ready to leave. Like it here.”

“Then from the looks on your face, you need fiber,” Trace said.

“What you mean?” Makani said.

“Sorry,” Trace said, “I’m making a joke to make this easier for you to talk about. You have a look on your face like you haven’t pooped in a while.”

Makani chuckled. “I see now. That good.”

“They say if you have to explain your jokes then they ain’t that funny,” Trace said. “So, let’s have it. I’m glad you like it here and you want a raise, right?”

“Nothing like that,” Makani said. “Chuck and Sean they good to me. I like them. Two days they not treat me good.”

Trace’s smile turned to the face of a stoic judge. “If they hurt you, they hurt me.”

“They not hurt or hit,” Makani said. “First, they ask me if I think you have more gold. I say, no. And if more gold, it not my business. I got much. Then they treat different. No, ‘thank you,’ Makani.’ No, ‘please, Makani.’ No talk like friend. I hear them talk. I not listen, just they not know I close. They think more gold and you and Sage keep it for self.”

“Makani,” Trace said, “I tell you the truth, the only gold I have is the bag in my room. And we are going to split it five ways. Everyone will get the same amount.”

“I believe you,” Makani said. “But Chuck and Sean no believe.” Makani nodded toward the tray. “Eat, eggs get cold.”

Trace smiled. “Thanks.” He began eating and Makani turned away. “No stay.”

“You think, I go,” Makani said. “I in way of thinking.”

“Nah,” Trace said, “I think better when you and Sage are around. You are honest and true. Do you know why Sean and Chuck think I’m holding back on them?”

“They think you cheat Spence out of boat,” Makani said. 

“How long have they been talking like that?” Trace said.

“Only since gold,” Makani said.

“It is strange,” Trace said, “when a person gets more than they expect or deserve they think more should be coming their way. It’s like if you get something more than what you hoped for; if you hoped for, you should get more. Hope doesn’t change reality.”

“I think I know,” Makani sadi. “If a man give one fish for nothing, he think man should give two if ask for another. Not respect first fish.”

“That’s right,” Trace said. 

“I know other man who thinks that way,” Makani said. “Always want something not work for. They think Trace don’t need because you got big land in Texas. They say something about silver spoon in mouth. Do you have one?”

“That’s an American expression,” Trace said. “Born with a silver spoon in your mouth.”

“Yes,” Makani said, “that’s it. How can that be?”

“It means from the time you were a baby your parents had enough money to feed you with a silver spoon,” Trace said.

“Is that true?” Makani said.

“We have a lot of land and cattle, a big house,” Trace said. “We have men who work for us. We got tractors and trucks—a lot of stuff. We also have blisters, calluses, blood, sweat, tears, and worry. We go days without sleep. We work in blistering winds and sun. If I had a silver spoon, it was earned. And one thing for sure, my Dad made me work harder than any man who worked for us. That’s the way he was raised. That’s the way my grandpa was raised and so on. When my buddies were having a good time, I was repairing fence or shoveling manure. I don’t know how Sean or Chuck were raised but I can guarantee they never worked until their hands bled. And Sage was raised the same way.”

Makani stood motionless. He felt uncomfortable making eye contact with Trace.

“Sorry, Makani,” Trace said. “I’ve over-said my welcome.”

“You talk, I listen,” Makani said.

“You better head back down and fix breakfast for the crew,” Trace said. “And Sage has already told me much of what you have. So you’re not standing alone.”