I don't agree that this woman is an actual prostitute as is implied by saying it is 'secret.' More likely the story is a rollicking parody of the hieros gamos, the Pagan sex ritual which its detractors in the Hebrew Bible called 'prostitution,' and which was well attended, at least according to Dan Brown. That she "continued kissing Jesus' feet from the time he entered the room," would indicate lots of agility on the part of the 'sinner.' It's supposed to be funny. And what are 'feet' in Hebrew tradition?? The Lukan author seems to share the negative view, calling the one doing the anointing a 'sinner.' In the traditional Pagan story of the Bride and Bridegroom, Her anointing would be done after the dying of the young Lord and result in his resuscitation?? So getting the story backwards, and calling Her a sinner, and not allowing Her to say a word of prophesy, as would be expected, is mocking, abuse, intolerance. No wonder people became angry enough to want to 'martyr' the Paulists