Chapter 2, Shrublands Summary

A personable young taxi driver shuttles James Bond to Shrublands. At first, Bond thinks the boy is arrogant because the driver combs his hair haughtily after Bond gets in the taxi. The boy turns out to be an excellent driver, and the two begin talking. The driver gives Bond the low-down on Shrublands, explaining how the clients cheat on their diets by binging at the local tea-shops and how the local prostitute, Polly Grace, made a small fortune on the clients and is now too expensive for local boys.

Bond arrives at the clinic and meets Joshua Wain, the head naturopath. Wain looks over Bond and his medical records, noting the scars Bond has accumulated in his life of adventure. Bond passes them off as accidents or results of war duty. Wain outlines a plan of diet, massage, and other treatments...