EXT. JAHRENE. LANDING STRIP - DUSK

Serenity came to a swift, and graceful landing. The Loading Bay doors opened. Mal and Zoe stood at the top of the ramp; taking a good look around before they started walking down.

MAL: What do you think? ZOE: I don't like it. MAL: Have you ever liked it? ZOE: Depends on what we're talking about.

Beat.

MAL: What's off about this planet? ZOE: It has a really eerie aura. Also, that sunset is kinda freaking me out.

Indeed, the sunset looks a little too much like a Matte Painting for comfort.

Mal laughs.

MAL: I'm beginning to think you're not a big fan of travel. ZOE: The travel I don't mind. It's the staying I'm not fond of. MAL: You never mentioned this before. ZOE: Never cared to.

They walk on the soil; clay mud. Zoe looks disgusted; Mal is in his element.

GRUBS walks up to them. Thirty-two and balding, he makes a grubby impression.

GRUBS: Morning. First-time? MAL: Yeah. I heard you had some business. GRUBS: Sure do. 24/7 in fact. Life never stops on the Big Planets. MAL: This is a big planet? GRUBS: Sure. Compared to Kilhone.

He starts off. Mal and Zoe follow.

INT. SERENITY. MESS HALL

Book takes a seat at a table. Wash is already sitting there.

WASH: Morning Preacher. BOOK: Morning Wash.

They eat for a sec.

BOOK: Not planning to take off any time soon? WASH: Huh? BOOK: We seem to be rather more stationery than usual. WASH: Oh, right. No. Zoe and Mal seem to think there's work here. I'm assuming so anyway. Somehow I get the impression that there really isn't that much of an attraction between them. BOOK: Funny, I got that two.

Kaylee joins them.

KAYLEE: Morning. BOOK: Morning.

Wash nearly jumps off his seat when she arrives. He spills his food. Book shoots him a foul look.

KAYLEE: Wow. My Pa always told me I'd get some lucky guy to spill his food some day.

Book stares at Kaylee; who stares at Wash; who grins nervously, trying not to meet her gaze. Something is up.

WASH: I think I'd better go, do, be, that pilot guy. Excuse me.

He hastily leaves.

Kaylee turns to Book.

KAYLEE: Was it something I said?

Book says nothing.

INT. SERENITY. MEDICAL BAY

Jayne sits on the operating table. Simon jabs a syringe into his arm.

Jayne knocks Simon across the room. He crashes into the wall, hard.

Simon gets up. Looks at Jayne strangely, while rubbing his arm.

JAYNE: Sorry. Reflex.

Simon dusts himself off.

SIMON: You should be fine. Just try not to get bitten by anymore mutated horses.

As he leaves:

JAYNE: Beggars can't be choosers.

INT. SERENITY. INARA'S SHUTTLE

Inara sits on the bed. River walks around, gazing at everything with child-like enthusiasm.

INARA: The Academy? It was... fun. I got to see a whole new world. RIVER: I know. INARA: You do? RIVER: I can sense it.

That freaks Inara out.

RIVER: This shuttle. It speaks to me. Such stories. Good times, bad times.

She looks at Inara. Suddenly the childish enthusiasm is gone. Concern takes it's place. Even some pity.

RIVER: I am so sorry.

The comment hits Inara hard. She forces a smile, but it's fooling no-one.

EXT. JAHRENE. RESERVOIR - NIGHT

The Reservoir is a pretty sight.

Mal and Zoe sit on the edge. Grubs is nowhere to be seen. Restless looks abound.

ZOE: I'm starting to see a pattern in the planet's we visit. MAL: Least space is unchartered. Never run out of places to visit.

Grub reappears. With a briefcase.

GRUBS: Sorry to keep you.

He passes Mal the briefcase.

GRUBS: I wish for you to make a delivery. MAL: A delivery? I'm not a delivery boy. I do believe in a past-life I was a jukebox repair man, but that's for another time and place.

He stands. Gives Grubs the briefcase back.

MAL: Come on Zoe - let's get out of here.

Grubs stands in their way.

GRUBS: You will be adequately compensated by my contact in Persephone when it is delivered. MAL: It ain't the money. It's the principle. My honour will not be mocked... well, not again at any rate.

Mal and Zoe start off.

ZOE: Honour? MAL: I think Wash is having more of an influence on you than you are on him. Might be an idea to try and change that. ZOE: Don't worry - my husband and I are perfectly happy. We have layers. MAL: Oh. Layers?

Click: A gun is reloaded. Mal and Zoe freeze. Put their hands up.

MAL: Well, this ain't good. GRUBS: Turn around.

They do.

GRUBS: You will deliver this, or I will shoot you. Many times.

Grubs stands before them. Holds briefcase in one hand, Shotgun in the other.

Zoe's eyes drift towards her gun.

GRUBS: I think not. Make another move Missy, and he dies.

Mal does the same.

GRUBS: Did I not make myself clear? If either of you make a move, the other will die. Hell, I'm not really an incentive kind of guy. Do you not understand the rules of the gun?

Mal sighs.

MAL: Okay. We'll make the delivery GRUBS: Excellent.

He throws Mal the case. Lowers his gun.

GRUBS: You have four working days.

Starts off. Stops. Turns.

GRUBS: Make it five.

He leaves.

ZOE: Another adventure. MAL: Looks like.

They lower their hands, saunter off.

EXT. JAHRENE. LANDING STRIP - NIGHT

Serenity is stationery. A Cloaked Figure circles the ship. His face is hidden from us.

CLOAKED FIGURE Did you think you could escape?

BLACK OUT:

TO BE CONTINUED