The story about the origin of this Artwork begins with the exhausting physical labor of repairing Serenity after the crash landing. Mal decided that the crew needed rest and recreation. So, one evening they went to Carnival for hotdogs, sticky-pink cotton candy, games, and rides.

"Pretty Ladies," called out Rob Jones, an artist working the midway at the carnival. "Do you want your boyfriends to buy each of you a lovely hand-drawn portrait?" The women stopped to look at the display of his art. The men had to turn around and come back.

"There's no boyfriends here," said Mal with irritation. He stares, hard, at Simon. Mal can't read Simon's face but can surely read Kaylee's. She stares death-rays right back at Mal.

Mal looked away, losing the contest of wills. He muttered, "Better not be any boyfriends."

"How about a group portrait of the ladies?" asked the artist. "Four exquisite beauties for the price of one?" Discounts can motivate reluctant buyers.

Mal considered for a moment. "If it ain't a good likeness of them all, I ain't paying."

The bargain was made. Rob Jones, the artist, took a photo of the women for reference. The hand drawn sketch, "...totally without the aid of computer graphics!", would be finished while they enjoyed the carnival. When the crew returned, Jayne had an armful of prizes he won shooting pellet guns and throwing baseballs at targets.

Mal inspected the completed artwork and found it satisfactory. He asked the artist, "Will you take teddy bears and unicorns for payment?" Yes, the artist would.

"But they're mine!" Jayne protested, squeezing his prizes to his chest.

"Jayne," Zoe said, giving him the ice-cold stare. "The Cap'n is out of money. You could not have eaten tonight... or played games... 'less he'd bought you tickets."

Mal takes a Raggedy Anne doll from Jayne. "Is it now the manly fashion to cover your bunk with stuffed toys? 'Cause if it is..." Mal puts Raggedy Anne's hair of red yarn against his cheek. "I should have a dolly of my own."

Jayne grumbled, "It's unfair I got to give up my hard-earned winnings and she keeps hers." River smirked, which made Jayne furious. "I'm keeping the purple dinosaur!"

The next day, Inara framed the sketch of the firefly women and placed it in Serenity's galley as a memento. If you look close, you might be able to see the sketch at the end of the movie.

Cute! Love the artwork, too.

Love the story, and the sketch. Excellent work!

Good one, two.

Brilliant artwork! Did the Captain get his raggedy doll? - Ali D :~)
"You can't take the sky from me!"

Just awesome. I wish I could draw like this.

amazing and a gr8 story :)