LOST CONVERSATIONS VI 1. WHERE SIMON AND DOBSON BOOK PASSAGE ON SERENITY FROM THE PILOT “Serenity” EXT. SERENITY, DOCKING BAY, PERSEPHONE - DAY Kaylee helps Shepherd Book carry his bags up the ramp to the cargo bay. KAYLEE This all you got? BOOK Yes. I rid myself of most of my worldly possessions before I entered the abbey. INT. CARGO BAY - DAY KAYLEE How come? He stops to thinks about it. BOOK I’d spent a lifetime gathering them and suddenly, the day before I entered and took my vows, I realized that they had no value to me. Not for where I was going, to be closer to God. KAYLEE I guess that makes sense. I ain’t got much myself. Most would fit in one of these bags. BOOK I believe its not what we have that makes us special, but who we are. She smiles at that thought. KAYLEE That’s real nice. Makes sense, too. Kaylee leads Book toward the center where some crates are and she helps him place his bags nearby. KAYLEE (CONT’D) You can leave your stuff here for now. We leave in about an hour. I’d show you around but I gotta try to..you know, get some more folks for our trip to Boros. BOOK That’s fine, Kaylee. I’ll take a walk and say goodbye to this little world before we leave. They walk back out and down the ramp. EXT. SERENITY, DOCKING BAY, PERSEPHONE -DAY Book walks off and Kaylee sits down in her chair with her umbrella again. She looks at some people walking by, smiles at them, but they keep going. A man walks by in a fine suit. He looks at Serenity, pauses for a brief moment, shifts a heavy suitcase from one hand to the other. She smiles and stands. KAYLEE Heading to Boros? Serenity’s the sweetest... MAN (snobbish) I wouldn’t be caught dead in this piece of junk of a Firefly. He keeps walking. She’s livid. KAYLEE (angry) Piece of junk! Now you get back... She stops as she notices another man in a suit and dark glasses looking at her. It’s Simon Tam, standing by the electronic notice board. He looks from her to Serenity and then the electronic notice board, reading the information. Kaylee approaches him, puts on her best smile, calming down. KAYLEE (CONT’D) Hi. Heading to Boros? Cause I got the best ship in the ‘verse for those heading to Boros. Simon looks at her slowly, then removes the glasses. Kaylee catches her breath a bit at the look of this handsome stranger. SIMON Boros? (pause) Yes, I’m heading to Boros. When do we leave? KAYLEE Oh, in about an hour. I’m Kaylee and this here’s Serenity. She indicates the ship and then sticks out her hand all smiles. He hesitates for a second and then shakes her hand. SIMON Doctor Simon T...sorry, it’s Simon Tam. KAYLEE Doctor, is it? SIMON It is. But just call me Simon. KAYLEE OK. Is it just you or is there...a Mrs. Doctor Tam? SIMON Pardon me? KAYLEE Ah, I mean are you alone or traveling with someone? SIMON Oh, yes, no, I mean, its just me. And some luggage. KAYLEE I hate to ask such a question, seeing as you’re a doctor and all, but can you...pay? He is surprised and a bit offended. SIMON What? Of course I can pay. Why wouldn’t I? KAYLEE Some folks barter for their passage but the Capt’n prefers cash. SIMON Oh. I see. Captain...? KAYLEE Capt’n Reynolds? SIMON Reynolds. Uh...Kaylee, isn’t it? KAYLEE Yes, that’s the name my daddy gave me. SIMON I have some luggage in storage nearby. One piece is rather large. I was wondering... KAYLEE Sure, we can move it. (she turns at a sound) Mule just getting back. Wash shows up with the Mule and some supplies. Kaylee moves to meet him and Simon follows. SIMON Mule? KAYLEE Yeah. We call it the Mule cause its our beast of burden. WASH The beast needs an overhaul, Kaylee. Stalled on me twice. KAYLEE I’ll take a look at her engine once we’re in the air. SIMON (surprised) You know how to fix it? KAYLEE Sure. I’m Serenity’s mechanic. WASH Best in the ‘verse. She blushes a bit at this as Simon looks at her with a little grin. Wash gets off the Mule, sticks out his hand to Simon. WASH (CONT’D) (mock serious) Hoban Washburne, the intrepid pilot of the good ship Serenity. Simon shakes his hand warily, not used to all this friendliness. SIMON Pleased to meet you. KAYLEE Everyone just calls him Wash. (indicating Simon) Wash, this here’s Simon Tam, a passenger. He’s got some luggage needs collecting. WASH Let’s unload the Mule Kaylee and then we’ll tend to your luggage, Mr... KAYLEE Tam. SIMON Fine. I’ll wait here for you. Wash gets on and drives the Mule up into the cargo bay as Kaylee follows him.

EXT. SERENITY, DOCKING BAY, PERSEPHONE -DAY - LATER Lurking nearby is Dobson, looking at where Simon is getting on the Mule. Simon and Wash exit on the Mule as Kaylee takes her seat again Dobson walks by the notice board, sees the destination, approaches her as she stands. DOBSON How you doing? I’m looking for passage to Boros. Kaylee smiles. KAYLEE Well, today’s your lucky day cause Serenity is the sweetest ship in the ‘verse for those going to Boros. DOBSON (looking at ship) It’s a Firefly, isn’t it? KAYLEE (defensive, smile fading) Yeah, so? He’s surprised at her reaction. DOBSON Oh, no, I like her. Been up a few times in them. Great little ships. Kaylee’s winning grin comes back. KAYLEE So, heading to Boros? We leave in about thirty minutes. I’m Kaylee and you are... DOBSON Late if I’m going get back in time. Have to get my things. Don’t leave without me! He starts to head off in a hurry. KAYLEE Hey, can you...pay? He’s gone. Kaylee turns and goes back to her chair, sits and smiles at the people walking by. KAYLEE (CONT’D) (to people walking by) Best ship in the ‘verse for those heading to Boros.

2. WHERE INARA AND KAYLEE CHAT ON THE WAY BACK TO THE SHIP FROM THE STORE IN “Safe” EXT. ROAD - DAY They walk along a dusty road, Kaylee carrying some things in a wooden box. Kaylee is still stung by Simon’s remarks, her face sad. INARA I don’t think he meant it. KAYLEE Just when I’m liking him so much, was gonna buy him a gift and everything, he’s gotta go and say that. Men are such... INARA Idiots? Kaylee laughs a little. KAYLEE Yeah. He’s such a...snob sometimes, too. INARA I don’t think he means to be. He’s just not used to being out here. KAYLEE Yeah, but you’re from the Core and you never said things like that. INARA Remember, I’m well trained in the art of making people feel comfortable and telling them what they want to hear. Kaylee stops and looks at her. KAYLEE You mean you..lie? Inara laughs at her innocence. They start walking again. INARA Of course. You’re one of the few people I know who never does. KAYLEE But does that mean you feel the same way about us and Serenity as Simon does? INARA No, of course not, Kaylee. I don’t think he does either. Serenity is my home, too. And my station in life, while legal and somewhat glamorous, is not respected by all elements of society, especially not the women folk. According to guild history, a Companion is not too many generations removed from what the captain thinks of me. KAYLEE Capt’n don’t think you for the worse. INARA He has a funny way of showing it. (beat) I don’t believe Simon meant what he said back there. He’s under a terrible strain. His whole world is turned upside down. He’s sacrificed everything for his sister. The poor boy barely has a moment to himself trying to care for River. KAYLEE (small voice) I guess. INARA Now don’t be mad at him. You do still like him, don’t you? KAYLEE Yeah. But his words...felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. INARA Kaylee, do you regret living this life we lead? KAYLEE No. It’s just..I was hoping...he’d want to be part of it..of my..life. Now I think he never will. INARA Give him time. KAYLEE He doesn’t even see me. INARA He saw you in that dress for the ball, didn’t he? Kaylee smiles, remembering. KAYLEE Yeah. His mouth was wide open and he said “wow”. I couldn’t even say a word. Made me feel warm all over. INARA Jayne told Zoe and she told me that Simon stood looking at the door after you left and then said that he never realized how pretty you were before. KAYLEE No! Really?! INARA Yes. Give him a second chance. KAYLEE If he apologizes for what he said...I’ll think on it. She smiles as they approach the cow pen where Mal and Jayne are negotiating the sale.

3. WHERE MAL AND WASH EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL TO ZOE WHY JAYNE IS A HERO OF CANTON IN “Jaynestown” INT. SERENITY, DINING AREA Zoe, Mal, and a drunk Wash enter from the aft hall, all three laughing. WASH So his hair was like...a big ball of snow? Mal moves to get something from the kitchen as Zoe and Wash sit at the table. ZOE It was frightening. Said it was the practice of his order. Scared little River half to death. WASH Remind me to never take vows. Mal has come to the table with a bottle of some Chinese liquor and two cups, sits and talks as he pours. MAL (half joking) You do, you best find another berth. One preacher is enough on my boat. He hands the other cup to Zoe as Wash has a “why am I left out” look on his face. WASH Guys...? ZOE You had enough for one night, husband. Mal and Zoe drink as Wash gives his best “Ok, I’m agreeing with my warrior wife “ look. WASH Enough..yes, Mudder’s milk is just...enough. ZOE So, Jayne is a real hero? How in the verse did that happen? WASH The box dropping hero Canton. Even got a song for him. ZOE A song? MAL And a statue. Zoe is clearly shocked. ZOE A statue? Now you musta had too much to drink, too, sir. MAL Damnest thing you ever seen. WASH His eyes followed you wherever you moved. MAL Seems Jayne robbed some bigwig a few years back and accidently lost the cash boxes right over Mudville, dropped all that cash right on the Mudder’s heads. Money rained from the sky. They thought he did it on purpose, turned him into a folk hero. ZOE So where’s our big hero now? MAL Getting soused with his admirers. ZOE I think you also left two other crew behind, sir. MAL Asked Simon and Kaylee to keep an eye on Jayne. WASH They’re soused too, worse than me. Doc’s drunker than Jayne even. MAL (knowingly) Well, I’m sure Kaylee will keep a close eye on Simon. ZOE Of that I’m sure. WASH (contemplating) You know, I think Kaylee’s sweet on our good doctor. MAL (sarcastic) What? You don’t say! It never occurred to me. Zoe? ZOE I’m just as shocked, sir. WASH I’m a pilot, you know. Got keen...eye sight. Doc don’t even know it, but Kaylee is so...sweet. Zoe gives him a fierce glare. WASH (CONT’D) (sobering up) In a sisterly sorta way! ZOE (cold) Uh, huh. Mal stands. WASH Mal.. MAL That’s my exit call. Now don’t hurt him too much Zoe. Still need him to fly us outta here in morning. With that Mal exits toward the bunks as Zoe still glares at Wash and he gives one of his patented sheepish grins.