James walked into M's office. Miss Moneypenny was behind the desk. She smiled when she saw him.

"James! On time, as usual."

"Always." Her shoe-less feet were on the desk. He looked at them. "Uncomfortable shoes?"

"My feet hurt!"

"Well, let's see what we can do about that."

He began massaging her feet. She cooed happily. "You should quit your day job!"

"You aren't the first to tell me that!"

"I'll bet I'm not!" She turned on the intercom. "Mr Bond is here, sir."

"Send him in."

"Come on in."

He did this.

M was at his desk. "Sit down, James," he said.

He sat down, and M gave him a metal jewelry box. Inside was a tie clip. It had two circular-cut diamonds, each one caret.

James stared at it. "Sir, does this mean. . ."

He nodded. "Your work during the Brighton Affair has convinced us. We have decided to give you the Double-O license. Six other British agents have this; you will be number seven."

"Sir!"

"And along with this here is a special gift."

He gave James a box. He opened it; it was a gun.

"A Luger SK-47," he said in awe.

"An SK-47JB, actually. It was specially made for you, James."

"This is an honor!"

"Now, there is something I must tell you, James: Do not use your license to kill indiscriminately. Kill only those who are trying to kill you, or who we have directed you to kill. I'll have you know that we can rescind your Double-O license at any time, if we feel you are abusing it."

"Yes, sir."

"And if you ever kill an innocent person—advertently, or inadvertently—we can, and will, have you arrested for murder!"

"I understand, sir."

"Good. Oh, of course, there will be an appropriate increase in your salary and compensation."

"Yes, sir."

"Congratulations, James!" They shook hands. "Nothing major is going on, at the moment, so you may have a 3-day weekend."

"Thank you, sir!"

He got up and left M's office.

Miss Moneypenny was still sitting with her feet on the desk. "Congratulations, James!," she said.

"Thank you."

"Here, let me put the clip on, for you."

She got up and walked over to him. She took the tie clip out of the box and clipped it onto his tie. Then she kissed him on the cheek.

"I tell you what, Moneypenny: Let's celebrate. I'll take you to the Soho Club."

"Let me put my shoes on!"

"No, stay barefooted."

"Stay barefooted?"

Yes. If the waiter object, I will simply tell him about my License to Kill!"

She smiled. "Fine with me, James!"

They left.