This fanfic episode takes place write befor the Episode “Shindig”. It is completely made up.

PROLOGUE

INT-SERENITY-ENGINE ROOM Kaylee and Mal. Kaylee is fixing something under the turning thing. She comes up. KAYLEE That’s it, she’s good

MAL Will she make it to Persephone?

KAYLEE Yup! Nothing can stop her now!

MAL Good, I do-

KAYLEE Oh…wait…this might

MAL What seems to be the problem?

KAYLEE Oh, nothing, just a little out of gas-ige

MAL Grate! We’re never getting to Persephone, are we?

KAYLEE Well, you better ask preacher to see if gods involved. we ain’t goin nowhere

MAL Jin-qua-jong!

KALYEE Couldn’t of put that bit better than you, jin-qua-jong is right!

INT-SERENITY-BRIDGE Mal walks up to Wash, who is taking a short nap

MAL Wash, I need you to set a course to the nearest moon or planet, we have a little---(notices he’s sleeping) your sleeping!

WASH (waking up from a dream) Linj-yai-I-I-I didn’t touch those girls Zoe, I swear! Don’t! not with the--- (wakes up) oh. Captain. Yeah. Sorry about that.

MAL You know, every time I do some of my captain talk you seem to be sleeping. I actually had a very nice line about how you need to set a new course and that we have a gas problem and such…

WASH Sorry for that captain, slap me on the back the next time you feel one of those coming to you!

MAL Ok, whatever. What’s the nearest planet?

WASH We have Laurain coming up, its small, but we can get gas there…

MAL Why does that name sound familiar? Laurain……Laurain…

WASH Favorite food maybe?

MAL No! I know! Do you think he still lives there? Get there as fast as you can! I cant believe it………tell me when we’re down! (as he walks away) god!

WASH o---k

OPENING THEME

ACT I

SOME EXT SHOTS OF SERENITY APPROUCHING LAURAIN

INT-SERENITY-BRIDGE

MAL What’s the situation?

WASH Were coming in to steep, too fast. All is as usual

MAL Good, good. Keep her on that way

WASH Will do…

INT-SERENITY-HALLWAY AT SLEEPING QUARTERS Mal is walking in the hall, right next to the infirmary, as Simon sticks his head out of his room.

SIMON Are we almost there?

MAL Your not getting off the ship, were here for gas and that’s about it, I also have something I have to do, an old friend, maybe someone that can help us a little.

SIMON Mal, I understand, but River could use some air, you know? Really, let us off for just a while.

MAL Listen doc, I understand your little sis’ needs………….or, well I don’t…………but Laurain is a dangerous place, a lot of kids here would love to get there hands on you and your sis for the cash that’s in it.

SIMON (as they walk to the infirmary) Ok, but next time you need medical attention…

MAL Oh you must be kidding me, oh you Better not be! I don’t like kiddin’…. Your not going anywhere that is out, get that right?

SIMON Right, ok All-of-a-sudden River comes into the infirmary

RIVER YoU mIgHt NoT kNoW hIm, YoU kNoW?

MAL Sorry?

RIVER SoMe OnE vErY DaNgErUs….. As iF iM tElLiNg ThE tRuTh…

SIMON River, what….

MAL Mister doctor, do you mind telling me what the hell she is talking about?

SIMON I don’t know…..I usually understand her…..its usually kind of clear…

MAL o---k, you know what? You have my permission to take here off the ship for a short while, as long as you don’t get far off

SIMON Good, thank you captain! Pleasure doing business with you

MAL Yeah, whatever. Just keep her in check

CUT TO EXT SHOT OF SERENITY LANDING

EXT-DESERT FEALD ON LAURAIN, WHERE SERENITY IS PARKED Mal and Zoe walk off the platform onto the surface.

MEL Alright, go into town get a refueling shuttle back here. Take Kaylee with you.

ZOE Yes sir. But do you thing they use fueler shuttles here?

MEL It’s the only method they use here for refueling if I remember correctly. Much better profit.

ZOE Oh, well I guess that makes sense. Ill see you back on the ship

MAL Ok, I have a place to go, not far from here.

ZOE Your old friend?

MAL Yeah

KAYLEE (coming up from behind) Have fun captain, don’t forget to send our worm regards!

MAL Hey, don’t forget this isn’t a day at the town! You get the shuttle and bring it asap!

ZOE Asap, sir? I thought you hated---

MAL Oh ju-ya-jong just get outa here………sunofa…

KAYLEE Weeeeeeere leavin!

EXT-JACKHAMMERS RANCH Mal comes up to Jackhammers ranch. The ranch house is a small nearly falling building at the edge of a fenced field where, presumably, he grew horses, cows and such. The gate to this field is a classic round wooden gate, completely open, with a bull scull at the top.

Mal walks through the field towards the hut. He peaks in through the half-sealed windows, and sees nothing much.

All-of-a-sudden Jackhammer comes running through the door. Jackhammer if a tall, short brown haired guy, about the same age as Mal. He has a distinctive cowboy look to him.

JACKHAMMER Who would believe it? Captain Malcolm Reynolds! God bless it be!

MAL I believe I know you from somewhere…

JACKHAMMER Come’ere! (they hug)

MAL Its good to see you again

JACKHAMMER So good to see you too

MAL We haven’t met since…

JACK Yes… (a long silence) what’s going on here? Where are my manors? Come in! you want some lemonade?

CUT TO EXT- MARKET PLACE, TOWN ON LAURAIN Zoe and Kaylee walk through the market looking for a gas dealer. It’s a very small town, though one of the bigger ones on Laurain. Its clear that only a small amount of people have any kind of resources, due to the extensive use of carriages and horses.

KAYLEE Who’s this friend Mal was talking about? Do you have any clue?

ZOE No clue, honey. Maybe an old war friend…I don’t know

KAYLEE Mal hade friends back then?

ZOE You’d be surprised. (sees a gas dealer) there we go! (they both walk to through door)

INT-GAS DEALERS OFFICE

GD How can I help you ladies?

ZOE We need a shuttle. Our ships drained. Its not too far from here we c---

GD Your from that Firefly that landed just half an hour ago at the out skirts?

ZOE Yes….how did you know?

GD We have our ways, but no worries there beauty! You’ll get your shuttle. You can go back to your ship and leave the money here, we’ll get to ya in bout half an hour.

ZOE I’d like to stay here and make sure everything’s going smooth, if you don’t mind.

GD But I do, miss. You see, out here, its either our way, or no way, ok beauty?

Zoe and Kaylee walk out of the office. Zoe it a little worried.