So far in London, John has appeared quaint, innocent, and - with the exception of his refusal to join Bernard's party - agreeable. In her attempted seduction, Lenina uncovers a disturbingly violent side to John. In this chapter, Lenina determines to approach John for sex directly, rather than continuing to wait for him to take her. The chapter ends with a phone call for John with the news that his mother is dying. Horrified by Lenina's sexual freedom, John pushes her away, threatening to kill the "impudent strumpet." Lenina retreats in fear. The pilot of the helicopter tells Lenina not to worry, that the savages have enough experience with gas bombs to be of any danger to her.Frustrated by John's shyness, Lenina determines to take the sexual lead with "the Savage." When John addresses her with the formality of Malpais tradition and Shakespearean poetry, the confused Lenina simply undresses and approaches him directly. They see electrocuted animal corpses around the fences. They fly to the valley of Malpais, where the reservation is located.
Bernard wonders what it would be like to have a great affliction without taking soma, and Lenina persuades Bernard to take some soma. He describes the contents of the reservation: Indians, half-breeds, marriage, Christianity, superstitions, extinct languages such as Spanish, ferocious animals, diseases, priests, and lizards. He tells them that there is no escape from the reservation, that those who are born there are destined to die there. The Warden tells them of the electric fence surrounding the grounds. They spend the night in a very nice hotel, but Bernard warns her that there will be none of the hotel amenities at the Savage Reservation. Bernard and Lenina arrive via rocket in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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