Thanks for the additional comments. I just got back from my local Honda dealer, where the parts guy looked-up the shifter area on his computer. As a few of you said, the nut should be there on a 2002. It's part #13 on that page of his computer program. They're going to order me one. BTW, I did look below the boot before ordering the part... no nut there.

Thanks again,
gil

Oh, Ludedude. My car was supposedly never on the showroom floor; it was in the dealers off-site lot. At least, that's what they told me. I bought the car over the phone.