Michael (Shady) Tree was a high ranking member of the Spangled Mob crime syndicate; responsible for operating the New York City end of their diamond smuggling pipeline. The character was introduced in Ian Fleming's 1956 novel Diamonds Are Forever and was subsequently re-imagined as a stand-up comedian for EON Productions' 1971 cinematic adaptation.
Biography[]
Operating from a building on West 46th Street, New York, Tree handles the Mob's various illegal activities such as narcotics and organized prostitution; something which is attested to by his five previous convictions for various offenses. James Bond encounters the criminal whilst infiltrating the organization's diamond-smuggling pipeline. The mobster is described as a hunchback attired in an expensive yellow silk shirt, with "very bright red hair and a big peaceful moon-shaped face". Thinking about his peculiar physical attributes, Bond notes that the combination would be useful for keeping the "small fry" in-line through fear. Seen drinking a glass of milk, it is also hinted that the man suffers from stomach ulcers.
After sizing Bond up, Tree informs him in a sharp, high pitched voice, that he will be paid in full for his services and proceeds to explain the system of payment. He gives Bond $1000 for the diamonds as a down-payment and tells him to bet on a horse in Saratoga, Kentucky with it to redeem the rest. 007 and Felix Leiter fix the race so that it is disqualified after initially winning, causing much disruption on the pipeline. Bond then contacts Shady after the race to get his $1000 back. Later, Shady sends mob enforcers, Mr. Wint & Mr. Kidd, to rough up the jockey, severely burning him inside a mudbath, witnessed by Bond. His fate is ultimately unrevealed.
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