When Agents Meet Party People

The world's wealthiest citizens reside in the Bahamas. They are lured to the pristine beaches and warm weather. The island nation is also a tax haven. These folks have an enviable lifestyle, but money can't buy everything.

"Quantum of Solace" was one of Ian Fleming's short stories, where a compilation was published in 1960. It has no semblance to "The Quantum of Solace", the second James Bond picture featuring Daniel Craig in the iconic role. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli updated the 007 franchise for the current generation of moviegoers, but this short tale described James Bond in an unusual setting.

Hobnob with the rich and famous

Bahamas was an exciting place during the 1960s. Fidel Castro ruled Cuba, and his presence made America wary of Soviet invasion. Bond completed his mission (on Castro and his possible connection with SMERSH), and he attended a dinner party hosted by the Governor of Bahamas. He didn't fancy the guests, particularly a rich Canadian businessman and his wife. They were a dull couple, he thought.

Bond had a chance to chat with the Governor when the party was over. He believed someone like an air hostess would liven up the place. He would marry her right away. Bond's host told him about an air hostess in the room hours ago. Rhoda Llewellyn was her name, and she happened to be the wife of the wealthy businessman.

Without you

"Quantum of Solace" would illustrate how a married couple give and take, until they have no feelings for each other.

Rhoda was married to a (British) civil servant. Those who knew them thought the union would last, until news of Rhoda's affair with the son of the wealthiest man in Bahamas was known all over. Hubby was hurt, but divorce wasn't an option. He wanted to humiliate her.

It had been some time since the couple parted ways, but the residents still talked about it. Bond was baffled. It could have been the danger in the region, if Castro would invade the Caribbean. They might have argued about his setting foot on American soil. Riches turned these small-minded folks into something else. They didn't see Rhoda as one of them, but the Governor believed she paid her dues. No one could tell the reason why she wanted another man, even if it drove her then-husband to self-destruction.

Bond would learn to appreciate his profession. Agents came from both sides. (He would remember Vesper Lynd.) There were days when he didn't like sitting in front of his office desk, looking at the drenched streets of London. And then he recalled his next meeting. They attended the governor's party.

Fleming could have vilified these people, who never cared anyone other than themselves. But he couldn't imagine a world without them. An uninteresting conversation would be fine. Bond will miss it, which is rather strange.