It was a few weeks later when Jayne saw Mal with a sandwich board. Kaylee

was following behind him. She was wearing a floral jacket over her

coveralls and carrying a multi-coloured parasol.

"Mal, whatcha doing?" Jayne asked watching Mal put up the board on the

ground outside Serenity.

Kaylee had already set up a beach chair for herself but she moved it

closer to the sign.

"Gonna audition for a new keyboardist," Mal answered rereading the board

to make sure everything was right on it.

"Aww, diyu Mal. What for we need a new one? We sound fine without," Jayne

said.

"No, we don't. We've lost our sound," Mal said looking at the bigger man.

"Book agree?" Jayne asked.

"He don't make the final decisions on band hires. I do. My band," Mal said.

"It'll be shiny to have someone new in the group," Kaylee said all smiles

as she sat in her chair.

Jayne and Mal went back into Serenity.

People stopped and looked at the sign. But they just kept going by even with

Kaylee saying howdy to them.

It was late in the day when Mal pulled both Kaylee and the sign in.

Over supper Wash asked, "Get any bites?"

"Nope," Kaylee answered. Her chopsticks tapping a light beat on her bowl.

"Lots looking out of curiosity but no one stopped."

"Tol' ya Mal," Jayne said looking at his boss.

"Someone will stop," Book said. "You practising tonight?"

"Don't know," answered Mal. "Why?"

"Was wandering about getting some sleep," Book said.

"Maybe we should," Wash said. "Hearing us play might drum up some interest

for tomorrow."

"Jayne break out your bass," Mal said.

"Shiny. Vera's been gettin' board," Jayne said smiling.

Next day after breakfast Kaylee set up outside Serenity again.

Jayne with some pushing from Mal was setting up to play in the bay.

"Nuthin' fancy," Mal said. "Just something to attract some attention."

"I know Mal," Jayne said.

Mal left as Jayne started playing some cords on Vera.

It was around noon when a young man walked up to Serenity with a young woman.

"Simon," said the young woman pointing at the sign.

Kaylee sat up then stood up, twirling her parasol around as she walked up

to them.

"You a musician?" Kaylee asked looking at Simon. Taking in his lean form

dressed in a suit, carrying two bags.

"Yes, I am," Simon answered as he was reading Mal's sign.

River started wandering towards the open bay, following the music.

"River!" Simon called. "Sorry."

"S'okay. Ifin' you want to audition, you gotta go inside," Kaylee said

following Simon, who was following his sister.