Ariel

She feels everything; she can't not.

Cast  ·  Intro  ·  Act 1  ·  Act 2  ·  Act 3  ·  Act 4

 

Guest Cast

 

 

Intro

Transcribed:	Elena B
Written:	Jose Molina
Directed:	Allan Kroeker
Aired:	November 15, 2002

EXT. SPACE

Serenity in flight, music.

INT. SERENITY - KITCHEN AREA - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE cleans a gun, INARA sits on a couch next to KAYLEE they are playing a game (Mah Jong?), SIMON dishes much into a bowl for RIVER who stands next to him

RIVER

I don't want any.

SIMON

River, you have to eat. It's good. It tastes like...

(uses chopsticks to eat some)

... It's good.

JAYNE

Smells like crotch.

KAYLEE

Jayne!

JAYNE

Well, it does.

WASH and ZOE enter through the corridor, conversation in progress

WASH

We don't even have to go someplace fancy. We can just go to the park or something. Feed the pigeons.

ZOE

Sure.

(puts arms around WASH)

Feed the pigeons. Probably get the firing squad for littering.

(walks into room)

WASH

Come on, it's not that bad.

ZOE

It is. It's a Core planet, it's spotless. It's got sensors, and where there ain't sensors, there's feds. All Central planets are the same.

WASH

Could you please tell my wife the fun she's missing out on?

INARA (laughs)

Ariel's quite a nice place, actually. There are some beautiful museums, not to mention some of the finest restaurants in the Core.

WASH

But ... not boring, like she made it sound. There's a .. .. Um, ah, um.

(looks to SIMON for help)

SIMON

There's hiking.

WASH

Yeah!

SIMON

And you can go swimming in a bioluminescent lake.

WASH nods encouragingly.

ZOE

I don't care if it's got sunsets twenty-four hours a day. I ain't setting foot on that planet.

MAL (walking into room)

No one is setting foot on that fancy rock. I don't want anyone leaving the ship. Come to think of it, I don't want anyone looking out the windows or talking loud. We're here to drop off Inara, that's it.

(dishes mush into bowl)

JAYNE (assembling his gun)

What's the point of coming to the Core if I can't even step off the boat?

MAL

You could have got off with Shepherd Book at the Bathgate Abbey. Could have been meditating on the wonders of your rock garden by now.

JAYNE

Well it beats just sitting.

WASH

It is just sitting.

We don't see KAYLEE and INARA; RIVER is looking at JAYNE as he licks his knife.

KAYLEE (V.O, to INARA)

So, how long you gonna be planetside?

INARA

Shouldn't be more than a day or two.

WASH

Big stop just to renew your license to companion. Can I use companion as a verb?

INARA (laughs, plays game)

It's Guild law. All Companions are required to undergo a physical examination once a year.

JAYNE hocks and spits on his gun.

SIMON (pauses eating in disgust)

Could you not do that while we're... ever?

JAYNE spits on his gun, looking straight at SIMON. SIMON stares at JAYNE, appalled, then looks away and starts to get up from the table.

WASH (to INARA)

So, two days in a hospital? That's awful. Don't you just hate doctors?

SIMON (standing right here)

Hey.

RIVER walks to the cutlery bin.

WASH

I mean, present company excluded.

RIVER takes out a BIG knife, no one notices. SIMON sits.

JAYNE

Let's not be excluding people.

(smirks at SIMON)

That'd be rude.

RIVER walks up to JAYNE, we can see a flash of reflected light on his smiling face just before RIVER slashes him across the arm with the BIG knife.

JAYNE (in pain)

Sonofa GAH!!

WASH

What the hell?!

KAYLEE and INARA jump up from the game table. JAYNE's face contorts with anger and he backhands RIVER across the face. RIVER falls to the deck, the knife is knocked out of her hand. JAYNE looks down at the bloody gash across his shirt. SIMON runs to RIVER.

SIMON

River! NO!

KAYLEE

Oh my god!

INARA

He's bleeding.

ZOE

That's deep.

KAYLEE

Are you okay?

SIMON helps RIVER sit up, she's bleeding from the mouth. INARA, KAYLEE and MAL crowd around JAYNE who is examining his wound.

SIMON

River?

JAYNE (in shock and pain)

Oh, uh.

RIVER

He looks better in red.

Everyone stands around in confusion and shock. MAL looks between RIVER, who seems surprised by the fuss, and JAYNE, who is seething with anger.

INT. SERENITY - INFIRMARY - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE reclines on a gurney, bare-chested, while SIMON stitches his wound. MAL stands back.

JAYNE (gasping in pain)

Gorram freak's completely off her axel.

SIMON

I'm sorry about this. I don't know what--

JAYNE (to SIMON)

Shut up, I ain't talking to you.

(to MAL)

She's gotta go. Both of them's gotta go. Ariel's as good a place as any to leave 'em. Might even pick us up a reward for our trouble.

MAL

No one's getting left.

JAYNE

She belongs in a bughouse. You don't pitch her off this boat right now, I swear to you...

MAL

What? What are you swearing, Jayne?

JAYNE

They don't get gone, you better start locking up your room at night. Next time little sister gets in a murdering mood, might be you she comes calling on. Maybe Kaylee. Or Inara. You let them stay, we're gonna find out.

MAL (leans in very close to JAYNE)

Finish your work, doctor.

(SIMON turns away)

This is my boat. They're part of my crew. No one's letting left. Best you get used to that.

JAYNE looks at MAL, swallows visibly, looks very unhappy as he gets up from gurney, pushes bloody shirt at SIMON, who clutches it to his chest.

JAYNE (to Simon)

You owe me a shirt.

(Leaves room)

MAL walks over to Simon

MAL

She's to stay confined to her room, at all times, no exceptions.

(SIMON nods, unhappily)

Take her to the kitchen, the infirmary, whatever, you ask me first, understand?

SIMON

I do.

MAL

When I took you and your sister in, the deal was you keep her in check. You can't hold up your end, we're going to have to revisit the deal.

SIMON nods, looks down. MAL looks away.

MAL

She's getting worse, isn't she?

SIMON

Yes.

EXT. ARIEL - DAY

Serenity is landing in a futuristic city, full of gleaming spires and flying cars.

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

KAYLEE and INARA walk across a catwalk. JAYNE and MAL are below.

KAYLEE

Just look at the bright side. Maybe you'll meet a young, handsome doctor and he'll ask you out and...

(beat)

What's the Companion policy on dating?

INARA (laughing)

It's ...complicated.

KAYLEE

Mmmm. Well, that figures.

INARA

Stay out of trouble.

INARA and KAYLEE hug and kiss cheeks.

KAYLEE

You, too. Bye.

INARA walks through a corridor. KAYLEE walks down the stairs.

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY - LATER

Cargo bay floor. JAYNE and MAL play horseshoes. MAL is playing blue, JAYNE, red.

JAYNE

Ah!

(he's thrown a ringer)

How're we going to find a job if we don't leave the ship?

MAL (lines up throw)

It's Alliance territory. Ain't any jobs worth having.

WASH sits on some barrels, ZOE standing beside him

WASH

Nor the last three places we've been.

JAYNE (makes a throw, missing)

My pop always said, 'anyone who can't find work ain't looking hard enough'.

(walks over to gather up horseshoes)

We ain't even looking at all.

KAYLEE walks down to the Cargo bay floor. SIMON enters.

SIMON

You can stop looking. There is a client.

(beat)

Me.

ZOE and WASH, JAYNE and MAL look at him as music twangs.

SIMON

I have a job for you.

BLACK OUT.

 

Act 1

 

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY

Right where we left off. Crew minus Inara and Book are all staring at Simon.

MAL

You've got a job for us?

SIMON

One that will pay for itself ten times over.

Everyone circles close to SIMON.

JAYNE

Aw, forget it. We ain't that desperate.

SIMON (holds out a vial)

You know what this is? It's a common immune booster called isoprovaline. Street value for a dosage this size, fifty platinum.

JAYNE looks intrigued; KAYLEE and MAL exchange looks.

SIMON

Maybe twenty credits.

ZOE takes the first vial; SIMON holds up another vial.

SIMON

Propoxine, maybe eighty.

JAYNE takes the vial; SIMON gives another to WASH.

SIMON

Hydrozepam, two hundred. And all of these are just from the medkit I had with me when I came on board. At a hospital like the one in Ariel City, they'll have shelves of that stuff. Whatever the take, it's more than enough payment for what I have in mind.

WASH

So, the medvault isn't the job?

SIMON

That's the payment. I tell you how to get in, get out, and what's worth taking; if you help me get River into the hospital's diagnostic ward.

MAL

What's in the diagnostic ward?

SIMON

A 3-D neuroimager. If I can get River in there, I might be able to figure out what they did to her at the Academy.

MAL

So we get you and your sister into the whatchathing and you tell us how to clean out the hospital.

SIMON

Yes.

KAYLEE

Not to be negative, but, don't the hospital need that medicine?

ZOE

Government run facility. They'd be restocked in a matter of hours.

SIMON

She's right. They'll never miss it.

MAL

Plus, folks on the rim sure could use it.

WASH

You know, it's all very sweet; stealing from the rich, selling to the poor, but you're talking about breaking into a highly secure Alliance facility. How do you on plan getting around security?

SIMON

It's not easy; but it can be done.

(SIMON reaches over and takes the vials from the others).

You see, like all Core hospitals, St. Lucy's has its own dedicated security force.

INT. SERENITY - KITCHEN AREA - CONTINUOUS

The others stand and sit around a table looking at schematics while SIMON walks around.

SIMON (continuing his speech.)

A small battery of local Alliance Federals substationed here.

(he points at a computer screen, the others look)

Now, every floor, every doorway is equipped with sensors, and at all points of entry - patient ident scans. However, once clear of those checkpoints, movement within the facility itself should be relatively unhindered.

(Everyone seems rather nonplussed at SIMON the planner.)

Now, the standard layout should put the medvault somewhere...

MAL (interrupting)

Now, let's go back to the ident scans. You and your sister are tagged fugitives. How do you figure we're going to get you in the building?

SIMON

Through the front door.

(MAL scoffs)

Believe me, Captain, getting the two of us in is going to be easy. The rest of you, that is going to be the real trick. We'll need to procure a few items off ship. I've made a list. Now, given my status as a fugitive, someone else will have to --

KAYLEE, JAYNE, and WASH all preemptively raise their hands, grinning. ZOE smiles over at MAL.

SIMON

We have some volunteers. Good. Now, before we ever make it to the front door we're going to have to breach the perimeter. Only official vehicles are allowed in, so, we'll need one.

MAL lifts an eyebrow.

EXT. ARIEL CITY - JUNKYARD - DAY - CONTINUOUS

A junkyard. KAYLEE is looking at engine parts.

SIMON (V.O., continuing his speech)

Now, obviously we can't steal what we need. Any illegal activity in the planning stages could end this thing before it starts. St. Lucy's Hospital contracts with the local municipal dumpyard for all its large disposals.

KAYLEE gathers up spare parts.

KAYLEE

Figures. First time on a Core and what do I get to do? Look through trash.

(walks over to WASH, who is looking through trash)

Couldn't he send me shopping at the Triplex, or Oooh!

(picks up a piece of pipe)

Synchronizers!

SIMON (V.O.)

Big hospitals mean big waste, so we shouldn't have any trouble finding what we're looking for.

WASH walks around a corner and throws a piece of junk, hitting a small ship. He gestures to KAYLEE, pleased at his discovery.

INT. SERENITY - KITCHEN AREA - CONTINUOUS

SIMON walks around while the others sit at the table.

SIMON

We'll have to look like we belong.

EXT. ARIEL CITY - DAY - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE, off ship, signing off at a Telefonix console. He waits furtively, watching the crowd pass by.

SIMON (V.O.)

All we have to do is slip a couple of bills into the right hands.

A PARTICULARLY DRESSED MAN in a beret drops two duffel bags near JAYNE. JAYNE stands and picks up the bags as he walks by. Successful trade off.

SIMON (V.O.)

That gets us uniforms, ID badges and keycards.

INT. SERENITY - JAYNE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE dumps contents of duffel bags; uniforms, medical equipment.

SIMON (V.O.)

A little creative forgery and we've got ourselves a working alias.

JAYNE takes out a knife and starts cutting pictures of the crew.

INT. SERENITY - KITCHEN AREA - CONTINUOUS

SIMON is still talking to the group, detailing his plan.

SIMON

Now, all of these items are easy to obtain. They'll get us up to the door. Now, in order to get us in...

INT. SERENITY - INFIRMARY - CONTINUOUS

SIMON sits, ZOE, MAL, and JAYNE stand in front of him.

MAL

The patients were cynical and not responding and we couldn't bring them back.

SIMON

They were cyanotic.

MAL

They were cyanotic and not responding --

SIMON (with MAL)

Not responsive.

MAL

Responsive.

SIMON (coaching)

And we were unable to ...

MAL (together)

Res.. Res...

ZOE (together)

Resuscitate them.

ZOE (CONT'D)

Yes!

JAYNE looks confused.

SIMON

Resuscitate them.

MAL & ZOE (together)

Resuscitate them.

SIMON

Good.

MAL

They were cyanotic.

SIMON (to ZOE)

What methods did you use?

ZOE

We tried pulmonary stimulators and-and cardiac... We ...

SIMON

Infusers.

ZOE

Infusers... Infusers. Pulmonary stimulators and...

ZOE, MAL, JAYNE, SIMON (All together now)

...and cardiac infusers.

SIMON (to JAYNE)

What about cortical electrodes?

JAYNE

Oh! Uh, we forgot 'em.

SIMON

Let's try that again.

MAL

Yeah.

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

WASH is working with circuit boards. KAYLEE is welding.

INT. SERENITY - INFIRMARY - CONTINUOUS

Back to the practicing.

MAL

Pupils were fixed and dilapidated --

SIMON

Dilated.

MAL

Dilated! Dilated!

(pounds table, swearing in Chinese)

Ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng!青蛙操的流氓
Frog-fucking bastard!

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

KAYLEE and WASH (in tank top) work on the salvaged ship.

INT. SERENITY - INFIRMARY - CONTINUOUS

Throughout this scene there are several different cuts of the speech, giving the impression that this is being done many, many times. MAL stands, sits, walks around; SIMON looks on, gesticulates, coaches, looks long suffering; ZOE paces, sits; JAYNE watches, sits, stand, writes.

MAL

We got there and the patients were cyanotic... Not responding... Non responsive... And we tried to reviv... Resuscitate them.. And, despite our best efforts.. Ah, they kicked... Despite our best efforts. Ah, they...

SIMON (to ZOE)

Which methods did you use?

ZOE

We tried pulmonary stimulators and cardiac infusers.

SIMON (to JAYNE)

What about cortical electrodes?

(sees what JAYNE has been writing)

What is that?

(takes away what is presumably a crib sheet, balls it up)

JAYNE (looks up)

We applied, we applied the cortical electrodes. We used them electromagnetic... Reacted from... We were unable to a ... We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either... Unable to get a neural...

(pounds table, swears in Chinese)

MAL

Response.

JAYNE

Response... Hell, I don't know. If I had wanted schooling, I'da gone to school. I'll get it.

ZOE stands in a prayerful pose.

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

SIMON walks into the cargo bay, standing between KAYLEE and WASH.

SIMON

That's amazing! You two did an incredible job.

All three walk toward a fully restored ambulance ship.

KAYLEE

And now, for the finishing touch.

KAYLEE presses a button, opening the shuttle door. Out steps a uniformed ZOE, MAL, and JAYNE, all looking very medical, indeed.

SIMON (smiling)

If I didn't know better I'd say you were ready to save some lives.

MAL

Now all we need is a couple of patients.

SIMON (losing his smile)

Corpses, actually. For this to work River and I will have to be dead.

JAYNE (smiling)

Huh. I'm starting to like this plan.

INT. SERENITY - RIVER'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

SIMON and RIVER sit on the bunk.

SIMON

We're going to be asleep. Captain Reynolds and the others will have to pretend we're dead to sneak us into the hospital. But once we're inside, we'll wake up. Everything will be fine. You understand?

RIVER

You're going to suspend cerebral, cardiac, and pulmonary activity in order to induce a proto-comatose state.

SIMON (nodding)

That's right.

RIVER

I don't wanna do it.

SIMON

I know.

RIVER (getting upset)

I don't wanna go to that place. I don't want to die.

SIMON

No, now, no one is going to die. It's okay. The others will take care of us while we're asleep, and when we get back --

River begins moaning in fright.

SIMON (CONT'D)

Shh, shh. River, it's okay. It's okay. This, this could be what we've been hoping for. When this is over, I'll be able to help you. I'll be able to make the nightmares go away. Okay?

RIVER (nods, whispers)

Okay.

SIMON

Okay.

(takes a deep breath)

Lie back.

RIVER reclines on the pillows. SIMON fills a syringe and prepares to inject RIVER as she looks on.

SIMON

It's time to go to sleep.

RIVER nods, crying silently.

EXT. ARIEL CITY - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Establishing shot.

INT. AMBULANCE SHIP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

The salvaged ambulance ship, the faces of the crew are light by interior panels; JAYNE's lips are moving, there are beeps and rattles and other background noise.

MAL

We speak only when spoken to, we avoid all unnecessary contact, and we stay together until we reach the morgue. Understood?

ZOE

Yes, sir.

JAYNE (mumbling)

We applied the cortical electrode...

MAL

Jayne?

JAYNE (mumbling)

...were unable to get a neural response.

(louder)

Yeah, yeah, I got it.

MAL

Are we gonna have a problem?

JAYNE

I know what I gotta do.

MAL

That's not what I'm talking about. Am I gonna have a problem with you and Simon?

JAYNE

That's up to him.

MAL

Look, you got a little stabbed the other day. That's bound to make anyone a mite ornery, so I figure --

JAYNE (interrupting)

It's a good plan.

MAL

What?

JAYNE

The doc did good coming up with that job, don't mean I like him any better. Nothing buys bygones quicker than cash. Maybe I'll give him a tattoo while he's out.

MAL

Let him do his thing, and then you get him out. No messing with him for laughs.

JAYNE

Don't worry about me, as long as I get paid I'm happy.

(mumbling)

We applied the cortical electrodes and were unable to get a neural response. We applied the cortical electrodes...

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - LANDING PAD - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

The ambulance lands outside the hospital. The door opens. MAL and JAYNE, and ZOE and WASH each load a casket onto a gurney.

WASH

We've only got a few hours left before the morning shift.

MAL

Won't be an hour.

WASH returns to the ambulance; ZOE, JAYNE, and MAL wheel the gurneys past some guards, into the hospital.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT

Inside the hospital, very sterile and white; people milling about. MAL walks up to a nurses' station, where a Receiving Doctor is standing there in her scrubs.

RECEIVING DOCTOR

What do you got?

MAL

Got a couple of DOAs, by the time we got there...

RECEIVING DOCTOR (interrupting, uninterested)

Take them down to the morgue.

MAL looks back at ZOE, ZOE starts to push the gurney forward.

JAYNE

We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

The RECEIVING DOCTOR looks at JAYNE for a second, then looks down, still uninterested. MAL grimaces at JAYNE. They head toward the morgue.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - MORGUE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

White, bright, a few bodies on gurneys, draped with blue mesh cloth.

They open the caskets, move RIVER and SIMON to gurneys. MAL injects RIVER in the left arm.

MAL

That should bring them out of it in a few minutes. Once they're up, get them to the imaging suite.

(injects SIMON in the right arm)

Let Simon do his thing, and haul it back to the rendezvous. Fifty minutes.

MAL and ZOE take the empty caskets out of the room.

JAYNE

Got it. I'll just sit right here.

JAYNE sits back, looking around uneasily. Sighs, stands, and leaves the room. JAYNE goes to a terminal and swipes a card, pressing the screen to reveal the Telefonix logo; he's making a call. A man in an Alliance uniform comes on screen.

AGENT MCGINNIS

Ni hao?你好？
Hello?

JAYNE

I'm in.

AGENT MCGINNIS

Do you have the fugitives?

JAYNE

You got my reward?

AGENT MCGINNIS

Yes, just like we talked about.

JAYNE

Then I got your fugitives.

AGENT MCGINNIS

Good. We'll see you shortly. Congratulations, you're about to become a very rich man.

BLACK OUT.

 

Act 2

 

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - MORGUE - NIGHT

JAYNE walks into the morgue, looks into an empty holding drawer. Behind him, RIVER sits up.

RIVER (smiling)

Copper for a kiss.

JAYNE (spinning, startled)

Jesus! What did you say?

RIVER looks confused. SIMON starts to cough convulsively, thrashing.

JAYNE (to SIMON)

What the hell's the matter with you?

SIMON (coughing)

Nothing. Just the after effects of the drugs. I'll be fine. Just give me a second.

JAYNE

Well, your sister seems okay.

Over SIMON's coughing we can hear retching and splashing, RIVER is vomiting. Jayne shoves some white clothes at Simon.

JAYNE

You've got to get dressed. We gotta move.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

ZOE and MAL push the caskets off of an elevator, moving down the hall.

MAL

Two lefts, two rights, and we're there. You see anyone, smile.

ZOE

I don't think anyone smiles in hospitals.

MAL

Of course they do, it's the Core. Everyone's rich and happy here, why wouldn't they smile?

POMPOUS DOCTOR (coming up behind them)

Excuse me.

(they keep walking)

Excuse me.

MAL (smiling)

Hi.

POMPOUS DOCTOR

Where're you taking those bodies?

MAL (pointing)

Just downstairs to the morgue.

POMPOUS DOCTOR (pointing in opposite direction)

Downstairs is that way.

MAL (looking)

Right. Must've gotten turned around.

DOCTOR (snorting)

Let me see your badge.

The DOCTOR looks at MAL's badge; looks at ZOE's badge.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - RECOVERY WARD - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE walks with SIMON, dressed as a doctor or orderly, as SIMON pushes RIVER, who is in a hospital gown in a wheelchair. They are passing through a recovery area, doctors, nurses, patients in beds.

RIVER

They're doing it backwards; walking up the down slide.

JAYNE (whispering, to SIMON)

Keep her quiet.

SIMON (whispering, to RIVER)

This is the recovery ward. This is where patients come to get better.

RIVER

They're going to die.

SIMON

No one is going to die.

RIVER (pointing to a bed)

He is.

SIMON (pushes down RIVER's hand)

No he's not. That man standing next to him is his doctor. He's going to help him.

RIVER

He's not going to help him right.

SIMON

River, the doctors here are the best in the system. This is one of the top hospitals in the Core, or anywhere else.

RIVER

Where you should be.

RIVER looks at the patient she indicated as monitors start to beep wildly. She starts to rise from her wheelchair, and SIMON and JAYNE hold her down.

RIVER

You have to help him.

SIMON

River, we don't have time.

RIVER (fighting JAYNE's grip)

He's killing him!

CRASH TEAM NURSE (in the b.g.)

Code Blue.

SIMON

Stay here. Don't move.

SIMON runs toward patient in distress; JAYNE looks on angrily. SIMON breaks through the crowd at the bed.

SIMON

What do we have?

(starts examining patient)

YOUNG INTERN

Forty-two year old double-bypass post-op, prognosis was positive.

CRASH TEAM NURSE

BP's 60/20, pulse is thready.

YOUNG INTERN

Who are you?

CRASH TEAM NURSE

He's crashing.

SIMON

Get the cart.

CRASH TEAM NURSE

We have flatline.

YOUNG INTERN

We've got to crack it.

SIMON

We're not cracking a post-op.

CRASH TEAM NURSE

He's non-responsive, should I call the code team?

SIMON

Get the infusers and point-four of atropine.

(to YOUNG INTERN)

What did you give him?

YOUNG INTERN

Just twenty of alprazoline push.

SIMON sighs disgustedly, holds syringe in his teeth, takes defib paddles.

SIMON

Clear.

(looks at monitor)

Clear.

(monitor shows a heartbeat)

CRASH TEAM NURSE (in b.g.)

We've got rhythm.

YOUNG INTERN

He's going tachy.

SIMON

Yeah, but his heart's beating.

SIMON injects the atropine, monitors stabilize, NURSE and YOUNG INTERN look on.

YOUNG INTERN

He's okay.

RIVER smiles; JAYNE's expression is difficult to read.

SIMON (confronts YOUNG INTERN)

Explain to me how you justify administering a vasoconstrictor to this patient.

YOUNG INTERN

Alprazoline is a pain killer, not a vaso --

SIMON (interrupting)

Unless you combine it with dilaftin. Which any first-year should know is the standard prep medication your patient was taking before surgery. Your patient should be dead.

SIMON walks back to JAYNE and RIVER.

SIMON

Let's go.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

Back to MAL and ZOE and their problem DOCTOR.

POMPOUS DOCTOR

Walk with me a minute.

MAL

Where're we going?

ZOE looks around, starts to walk away.

POMPOUS DOCTOR

You see this badge?

(turns to face MAL, points to his badge)

It says 'doctor'. I say walk, you walk.

MAL

Yeah, but, where're we going?

POMPOUS DOCTOR

You must be new.

(ZOE walks up behind him)

Don't get comfortable, your type never lasts long around here. When your supervisor hears about the rude and disrespect--ARGH!!!

The DOCTOR falls to the ground, revealing the defib paddles that ZOE is holding. MAL looks from the fallen DOCTOR to ZOE.

ZOE (shrugging)

Clear.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - NEUROIMAGING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

A large, empty room with a machine in the centre of the room, the function of which is not apparent, yet remains vaguely threatening. JAYNE, SIMON, and ZOE enter. JAYNE shuts the doors behind them.

SIMON (to RIVER)

Ready?

RIVER looks apprehensive, but nods.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

ZOE and MAL push the caskets down the hall and stop in front of the door to the medvault.

MAL

Twelve-oh-five. Here it is.

(swipes his keycard, no go)

Zoe.

ZOE takes MAL's place. She swipes her keycard, nothing happens.

ZOE

Must've been demagged.

MAL opens a casket, revealing the unconscious POMPOUS DOCTOR. MAL grabs his keycard and swipes it. The door opens, MAL and ZOE stand in the opening.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - NEUROIMAGING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

SIMON is gently lowering RIVER into the machine. SIMON goes to the controls, pressing some buttons. A humming fills the room, JAYNE backs away from the machine. RIVER closes her eyes stoically.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - MEDVAULT - CONTINUOUS

ZOE and MAL enter the medvault, pushing the gurneys before them. They open the caskets, MAL deposits the unconscious DOCTOR on the floor. ZOE starts scanning bottles, picking up the ones she wants and putting them in her casket. MAL pushes back his uniform sleeve, revealing a list of names written on his wrist. ZOE and MAL work quickly and silently until their caskets are full. They close the caskets and start to move out.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - NEUROIMAGING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

SIMON types instructions into the computer. A series of holographic images appear over RIVER - her skeletal system, her circulatory system, paring down until only her brain remains, hovering over her head.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

ZOE and MAL push the full caskets into the hallway.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - NEUROIMAGING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

The computer screen informs us that it is downloading data. SIMON stands by RIVER's head, taking the holographic image between his fingers as if it were a picture and studying the changing angles.

SIMON

They opened up her skull.

(JAYNE walks over to look)

That's a scalpel scar. They... they opened up her skull and they cut into her brain.

JAYNE (looks troubled)

Why?

SIMON

The only reason to make an incision in someone's brain is to... lobotomize them. To go in and remove damaged tissue. Why...

(deep breath)

...anyone would cut into a healthy brain is... They did it over and over...

(studies the scan)

They stripped her amygdala.

JAYNE

Her what?

SIMON

You know, ah, you know how you get scared or worried or nervous, but you don't want to be scared or worried or nervous, so you push it to the back of your mind? You try not to think about it.

(cut to JAYNE's unreadable face)

Your amygdala is what lets you do that. It's like a filter in your brain that keeps your feelings in check.

JAYNE reaches toward the image of RIVER's brain. SIMON stays his hand. JAYNE angrily jerks out of SIMON's grip.

SIMON

She feels everything; she can't not.

JAYNE (looking around)

Well, that's fascinating; let's get moving.

SIMON

We still have twenty minutes.

JAYNE

Oh, plan changed while you were out. We're meeting out the back way in five.

RIVER's brain hovers eerily above her head, phantom words scroll out beside the image.

SIMON

Well, I, I could use another couple minutes. I-I'm sure if we get in touch with Captain Reynolds--

RIVER opens her eyes; SIMON walks toward the computer.

JAYNE

Captain gave his orders, we play it by the book.

River SCREAMS.

JAYNE covers RIVER's mouth; SIMON shuts down the machine, grabs the information and comes over to RIVER. SIMON pushes JAYNE's hand away and gently cradles RIVER's face.

SIMON

River, River, shh, shh, it's okay. It's okay

JAYNE

Get her in the chair, let's go.

SIMON

Shh, shh, shh.

RIVER

No, no, no, they come out of the black. They come when you call.

JAYNE watches SIMON try to comfort RIVER.

SIMON

River, it's okay. It's over. We're leaving.

RIVER

Your toes are in the sand.

JAYNE

And you head's up your--

SIMON (interrupting)

Hey! Back off.

JAYNE

You just make sure she keeps her mouth shut. Don't need her screeching while we're trying to make a quiet getaway.

JAYNE opens the door while SIMON tries to calm RIVER while getting her up.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR

A crowded hallway. A subdued RIVER is being pushed by SIMON while JAYNE hurries them along.

SIMON

You should have let me know when the plan changed.

JAYNE

I told you when you needed to know. What are you griping about? You got what you came for.

INT. ARIEL CITY HOSPTIAL - CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

A deserted hallway. JAYNE walks ahead of SIMON and RIVER.

RIVER (distressed)

No, no, I can't go back. I don't wanna go back.

JAYNE opens a door at the end of the hall.

SIMON

Shh, shh. It's okay. We're just going back to the ship. We're almost home.

RIVER and SIMON go through the door JAYNE is holding to,

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - REAR EXIT - NIGHT

AGENT MCGINNIS

Federal Marshals! Don't move!

(a shotgun action is heard)

River and Simon Tam, by the authority of the Union of Allied Planets, you are hereby bound by law.

The feds close in on RIVER and SIMON.

BLACK OUT.

 

Act 3

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - REAR EXIT - NIGHT

Right back where we left off.

AGENT MCGINNIS (to minions)

Take them to Processing.

Minions grab SIMON and RIVER, cuffing their hands behind their backs. A minion grabs and cuffs JAYNE, who looks shocked. RIVER and SIMON are led away.

JAYNE (whispering, to AGENT MCGINNIS)

So, you gonna take me away for questioning now? How you wanna play it?

AGENT MCGINNIS

You're under arrest for aiding and abetting Federal fugitives. Better get a lawyer.

JAYNE

You're kidding, right? What about my rutting money?

AGENT MCGINNIS

You mean my money? For apprehending the three fugitives? I expect I'll be getting it soon.

JAYNE lunges for AGENT MCGINNIS, and is shot in the chest by a minion and falls to the ground, groaning.

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - LANDING PAD - NIGHT

WASH is cooling his heels, sitting by the ambulance. ZOE and MAL come out of the hospital, pushing the loaded caskets.

WASH (helping ZOE pick up a casket)

How much did we get?

MAL

Enough to keep us flying.

ZOE

Can we fly somewhere with a beach?

WASH

Maybe a naked beach?

ZOE

Ooh.

WASH

Ahh.

ZOE and WASH have themselves some smoochies.

MAL

Cut it out. Job's not done until we're back on Serenity.

ZOE

Sorry, sir. Didn't mean to enjoy the moment.

MAL (looking worried)

Where are the others?

Now ZOE looks worried; WASH is still smiling.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - SECURITY SUBSTATION - CONTINUOUS

Federal Processing room. Minions push SIMON and JAYNE onto a bench; RIVER sits quietly beside them without being forced.

SIMON (whispering, to JAYNE)

If those officers hadn't been armed, I think you'd have had a chance.

JAYNE

A guy shoves me, I shove him. Not like I was trying to mount a rescue.

SIMON

Still. I appreciate you trying.

JAYNE

You know what I'd appreciate? You stop flapping that pretty mouth at me. I'm trying to figure a way out of here; can't do it with you yammering.

RIVER

They took Christmas away.

JAYNE and SIMON look over at her.

JAYNE

What the hell now?

RIVER

Came downstairs for the shiny presents. They took the tree and the stockings. Nothing left but coal.

JAYNE (to SIMON)

Will you shut her up!

RIVER (smiling)

Don't look in the closet, either. It's greedy. It's not in the spirit of the holiday.

JAYNE (rolls his eyes)

You shut the hell up, right now, or so help me, I will shut you up.

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - LANDING PAD - NIGHT

MAL

Time?

ZOE

Ten minutes past rendezvous.

MAL

Something's happened.

WASH (entering the ship)

Kaylee, are you linked?

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

KAYLEE is on the radio.

KAYLEE

Uh...

(punches some keys)

I am now. What do you need?

INT. AMBULANCE SHIP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

WASH

Find out if there's any kind of security alert in the hospital.

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

KAYLEE

Hang on.

(punches more keys)

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - LANDING PAD - NIGHT

ZOE

Could be they're just late.

MAL

Not this late. Jayne would have sent up a flag.

KAYLEE (V.O.)

Nothing from hospital security, nothing on the local pipeline, either.

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

KAYLEE

Although I am getting some weird chatter from the official two-six-two. Sounds like...

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - LANDING PAD - NIGHT

KAYLEE (V.O.)

... They're talking about ducks.

ZOE

Code.

MAL

Feds got 'em.

(to WASH)

Have her bring up a hospital schematic on the Cortex. Find me a way into that security substation.

ZOE hands MAL a communicator and they put on the earpieces.

WASH

Wait a minute, you don't even know for sure if they're in there.

MAL

Gonna find out.

(testing his com)

Check.

ZOE

Coming in clear.

ZOE hands MAL a gun. Straps another gun to her ankle.

WASH

So, you're just going to walk in through the front door?

MAL

No.

(chuckles)

You're gonna find me a way around back.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - SECURITY SUBSTATION - CONTINUOUS

AGENT MCGINNIS

Get up.

RIVER and JAYNE stand up, SIMON remains seated. AGENT MCGINNIS pushes JAYNE back down. JAYNE is not happy.

SIMON

What's going to happen to us?

AGENT MCGINIS

I said, get up.

AGENT MCGINNIS pulls at SIMON's jacket, SIMON shrugs him off and stands up on his own. SIMON and FED are standing face to face.

SIMON

Agent McGinnis, I'm certain you're working under a superior who is keeping close tabs on this case. I'm certain of that because important people don't do field work. I'm also quite certain your superior wants me and my sister alive. Now, I'm not going to move from this spot until one of two things happens. You answer my very simple question; or you shoot me.

AGENT MCGINNIS (very precisely)

We are transferring you into a holding area, until you can be retrieved.

SIMON

Retrieved? By whom?

RIVER looks distressed; JAYNE looks angry.

AGENT MCGINNIS

People who want you alive. People not me.

(to minions)

Take them.

Two minions come and take RIVER, SIMON, and JAYNE into,

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE is led in first. He strikes out with his elbow, hitting the guard in the face; the second guard gets kicked in the stomach. JAYNE pins the first guard to the wall with his shoulder while SIMON does the same to the second guard. Both SIMON and the second guard fall to the ground, dazed. JAYNE knocks the first guard to the ground and cracks skull. JAYNE rolls away and brings his bound hands under his legs, his hands are still bound, but are now in front. RIVER looks on. JAYNE climbs on top of the first guard and starts throttling him. RIVER looks away, crying. The first guard manages to roll over until he is on top of JAYNE. The second guard starts to rouse, and SIMON presses a knee into his chest, holding him down. The first guard punches JAYNE a few times; then JAYNE regains top position, hauling the first guard to his feet. SIMON still holds the second guard immobile.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

A smiling MAL and ZOE walk through a crowded hall.

MAL (into his radio)

Uh, Wash, we need a little direction here.

INT. AMBULANCE SHIP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

WASH is on the radio.

WASH (to MAL)

Working on it.

(to KAYLEE)

Kaylee, what do you got?

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

KAYLEE

Tell them to hand a left when they reach cryo. They'll see a door.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

MAL and ZOE rush toward a door.

WASH (V.O.)

Okay, go through that door, and down to green level.

ZOE and MAL hurry down a stairwell.

MAL

This is exactly what I didn't want. I wanted simple. I wanted in-and-out. I wanted easy money.

ZOE

Things always get a little more complicated, don't they, sir?

MAL

Just once I'd like things to go according to the gorram plan.

WASH (V.O.)

Uh, guys, you might wanna hurry.

MAL (into radio)

Oh, is there a problem?

EXT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - LANDING PAD - NIGHT

An Alliance ship touches down near the ambulance. WASH is looking at it through the window.

WASH

I think that reinforcements just arrived.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE and the first guard are still grappling, but JAYNE manages to snap the guard's neck. SIMON and RIVER look on, appalled. JAYNE staggers to the dead guard and takes the handcuff keys; unlocking himself, then SIMON, then RIVER. SIMON picks up the second guard's gun and hands it to JAYNE. SIMON grabs RIVER and they leave the cell, heading to the left. JAYNE heads to the right.

SIMON

What are you doing?

JAYNE

Going out the way we came in.

SIMON

There are at least four armed feds out there.

JAYNE

Six. I know.

SIMON (pointing to the left)

We run.

RIVER is watching the back and forth.

JAYNE

You got no idea where that goes.

SIMON

We'll find our way.

JAYNE

I ain't chancing that. I can handle the feds.

RIVER (shaking her head)

Doesn't matter.

(JAYNE and SIMON look at RIVER)

They're here.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - SECURITY SUBSTATION - CONTINUOUS

The Processing room. A minion motions to FED who looks over.

AGENT MCGINNIS

Gentlemen, that was prompt. We're almost finished here. The prisoners will be out in a minute. Let me get the paperwork together for you.

(to minion)

Bobby, bring that here.

REVERSE camera to REVEAL that AGENT MCGINNIS is talking to two men in dark suits. We can see that one of them is wearing blue gloves, BLUE GLOVE #1. BLUE GLOVE #2 hangs back.

AGENT MCGINNIS

Not that it will mean much.

(sits)

The men were tight lipped, the girl was just spewing gibberish. We got it all down.

BLUE GLOVE #1 (looks concerned)

You spoke to the prisoners?

AGENT MCGINNIS

Well, yeah. Had to process 'em. There was no interrogation, if that's what you mean.

(BLUE GLOVE #2 comes forward)

Didn't do your job for you.

BLUE GLOVE #2

Did your men also speak with them?

He is holding something that looks like a pen, but elongates with a snap to reveal an ominous glowing blue cylinder that extends from either side of his fist. A high-pitched hum emanates from it.

AGENT MCGINNIS

As much as they had to.

AGENT MCGINNIS looks uncomfortable. He brings a hand to his nose, which is dripping a small amount of blood. The BLUE GLOVES are smiling genially. AGENT MCGINNIS starts choking and gagging. The cuticles on his fingernails are leaking blood. Blood pours from his, nose, eyes, mouth - he is in acute distress.

Is he gonna survive the supersonic boomstick? Not so much, we're thinking.

BLACK OUT.

 

Act 4

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR

Hallway outside of holding cell. Distant screams can be heard. SIMON, RIVER and JAYNE look around uneasily.

JAYNE

What the hell is that?

RIVER whimpers.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - SECURITY SUBSTATION - CONTINUOUS

Processing room, now something of an abattoir. All the minions lie dead, covered with blood. The BLUE GLOVES walk calmly to the door.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

RIVER (terrified)

Two by two. Gloves of blue. Two by two.

(JAYNE and SIMON look at her)

Gloves... blue... two.

RIVER turns and runs crying down the hallway, SIMON runs after her. JAYNE looks up the stairwell for a moment, then follows.

The BLUE GLOVES walk through a door into the hallway our three heroes have just deserted.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - EMPTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

RIVER pushes open a heavy metal door, she runs across an empty room. SIMON and JAYNE are behind her.

JAYNE (to SIMON)

Where the hell's she going?

SIMON

There must be some sort of exit this way.

JAYNE

I don't see no exit.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS

BLUE GLOVE #1 (checking the first guard)

Dead.

BLUE GLOVE #2 (checking the second guard)

This one's alive.

He reaches into his pocket to remove the supersonic boomstick.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - EMPTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Back to the empty room with RIVER, SIMON, and JAYNE

JAYNE

I got no intention to run around like a rat in a maze 'til we're dead. Now, we're going back.

Someone screams in the distance. JAYNE looks back, gasps, and follows RIVER and SIMON.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS

The BLUE GLOVES step over the second guard, who is now very much not alive. They head down the hallway after the fugitives.

INT. ST. LUCY'S HOSPITAL - STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS

RIVER runs down it.

RIVER

Almost there.

(another flight, we can see SIMON and JAYNE behind her)

Almost there.

(reaches the bottom)

Almost there.

(stops in front of a blue door)

There.

JAYNE (tries the door, locked)

Stand back.

SIMON (moves RIVER back)

C'mere.

JAYNE (shoots at door, rather unsatisfyingly)

Shee-niou吸牛
cow sucking high-tech Alliance crap.

JAYNE uses the gun butt to beat at the lock.

INTERCUT WITH:

There are a series of cuts between the blue door and the BLUE GLOVES. The BLUE GLOVES open the heavy door. SIMON and RIVER watch JAYNE beat at the blue door. The BLUE GLOVES walk across the empty room. JAYNE throws himself at the blue door. The BLUE GLOVES are getting closer. JAYNE keeps beating at the blue door, and a sudden blast blows through the lock. SIMON shields RIVER, JAYNE moves back, training his gun on the door. The door is kicked open, and there stands MAL and ZOE. JAYNE gasps; MAL beckons with a tilt of his head. The BLUE GLOVES reach the top of the stairs and look down to see an empty room and an open blue door.

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

The cargo bay doors open, daylight hits INARA as she steps off her shuttle, and KAYLEE as she walks down the stairs.

KAYLEE

Oh, hey, there, Inara. How was your check-up?

INARA

Same as last year... What's going on here?

KAYLEE (breezy)

Oh, let's see..

(counting on her fingers)

We killed Simon and River...

(INARA looks aghast)

...Stole a bunch of medicine, and now Zoe and the Captain are off springing the others that got snatched by the feds.

(a vehicle approaches)

Oh, here they are now.

The ambulance pulls into the bay. KAYLEE walks down the next set of stairs to push the button that closes the cargo bay door. MAL climbs out of the ambulance, goes to the cockpit window.

MAL (to WASH)

Tell me we weren't followed.

WASH

Nothing in our rearview the whole way back.

MAL

All right. Take us out of the world, as quick as you can.

WASH (climbing out of the ambulance)

We'll be out of atmo in five minutes.

MAL (to INARA)

Hey. How was your thing?

INARA

As advertised: lots of needles and cold exam tables.

(beat)

I heard you had some excitement.

MAL

Oh, nothing much. Lots of running around. A little gunplay.

(walks toward JAYNE and KAYLEE)

A couple of needles.

JAYNE

Next time we come to the Core, I'm staying with the Preacher.

MAL (slaps JAYNE on the shoulder)

Oh, you hadn't come you wouldn't be getting your big payday.

JAYNE looks a little confused. SIMON and RIVER walk up.

MAL (to SIMON)

So...

(pulls KAYLEE into a back-to-front hug)

Did you get what you needed?

SIMON

I think I did. I have the information I downloaded off the imager, I just have to go over it and then... Ah, I'm hopeful.

(looks at RIVER, who smiles)

KAYLEE (to JAYNE)

What happened to your face?

JAYNE - Huh?

KAYLEE motions to her eyebrow 'ow'. JAYNE reaches a hand halfway to the cut on his face before shrugging.

JAYNE

Oh, uh, nothing.

SIMON

He was amazing. I can't even begin to tell you.

SIMON slaps JAYNE's shoulder, JAYNE looks a little sick.

SIMON

We wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for him.

(sincerely)

Thank you.

JAYNE

Well, hey, you're part of my crew.

SIMON pats JAYNE's shoulder before letting go.

MAL

I think I might cry.

(SIMON and KAYLEE laugh)

All right, Jayne, help me with the cargo. Everyone, make yourself useful, you've got jobs to do, go do 'em.

Everyone walks away, leaving JAYNE and MAL alone by the ambulance.

JAYNE (opening a casket)

This's gotta be our best take ever.

MAL

Well, Doc had a good notion. The boy's got a decent criminal mind.

JAYNE grunts as he moves some cargo out of the way and then walks toward MAL.

JAYNE

So, what're you buying with your cut?

MAL swings and hit JAYNE in the face. JAYNE falls to the floor. MAL looks down at JAYNE and the wrench he was holding drops to the deck. He looks quietly pissed as all hell.

EXT. ARIEL CITY - DAY

Serenity lifts off from Ariel City.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. SERENITY - OUTER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE wakes on the floor of the cargo bay. There is a radio on the floor beside him. A door with a small diamond-shaped window is closing him in.

JAYNE

Hey! What the hell are you doing?

A finger taps on the window, then points down to the radio. JAYNE picks the radio up.

INT. SERENITY - INNER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

MAL is pacing outside the door, talking into his own radio.

MAL

The job's done. Figured it was time for a little chat.

JAYNE pounds on the door controls to no avail. MAL hits the button that opens the exterior bay door.

INT. SERENITY - OUTER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE looks behind him as the noise of the engine, the sunshine, and the wind, flood the room.

INT. SERENITY - INNER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

MAL

Seems to me we had a solid plan. Smooth, you might say. But what I can't figure out, is what you were doing 'round the back exit.

MAL leans against the door, we can see JAYNE's face through the window.

JAYNE (V.O., on radio)

What? I couldn't go out the front, I had to improvise. Open the damn door.

MAL

You called the feds.

JAYNE (V.O., on radio)

What? I got pinched!

MAL

Which is what happens when you call the feds.

INT. SERENITY - OUTER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

JAYNE (clinging to the door)

No. I would never do that, my hand to god, may he strike me down as I'm standing here.

INT. SERENITY - INNER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

MAL

Well, you won't be standing there long.

INT. SERENITY - OUTER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

MAL (V.O., on radio)

The minute we break atmo,

INT. SERENITY - INNER CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

MAL

You'll be a lot thinner once you get sucked out that hole.

(gestures to opening bay door)

JAYNE (door alarm goes off)

Oh, come on, Mal.

SERENITY (faintly heard over the wind)

Leaving atmo in two minutes.

JAYNE

That ain't no way for a man to die.

SERENITY (louder inside the ship)

Secure cargo bay door at once.

JAYNE (V.O.)

You wanna kill me, shoot me. Just let me in.

MAL

You know, I hear tell they used to keelhaul traitors back in the day. I don't have a keel to haul you on, so...

JAYNE (V.O.)

Oh. Okay. I'm sorry, all right?

MAL

Sorry for what, Jayne?

MAL looks JAYNE in the face, through the window.

MAL

I thought you'd never do such a thing?

JAYNE (V.O.)

The money was too good.

(MAL looks in at JAYNE.)

I got stupid.

(through the radio)

I'm sorry, okay? Be reasonable. What're you taking this so personal for? It ain't like I ratted you out to the feds.

MAL (angry)

Oh, but you did. You turn on any of my crew, you turn on me. But since that's a concept you can't seem to wrap your head around, then you got no place here.

(through the radio)

You did it to me, Jayne. And that's a fact.

MAL walks away while JAYNE watches him through the window.

JAYNE (V.O.)

What're you gonna tell the others?

MAL

About what?

JAYNE (V.O.)

About why I'm dead.

MAL (through the radio)

I hadn't thought about it.

JAYNE (V.O.)

Make something up. Don't tell 'em what I did.

MAL stands still for a moment, looking at JAYNE. Then he presses the button that closes the outer bay door. The door closes.

MAL (looking through the window)

The next time you decide to stab me in the back...

(through the radio)

...Have the guts to do it to my face.

MAL leaves the radio on the window, and walks up the stairs. JAYNE looks after him, shaken.

JAYNE (through the radio)

Can I come in?

INT. SERENITY - RIVER'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

RIVER is drawing Russian nesting dolls. SIMON walks in, holding a syringe.

SIMON

Hi.

(RIVER looks up)

What are you doing?

RIVER

Drawing.

SIMON sits beside her, watching her draw.

SIMON

That's really good.

RIVER (looking at the syringe)

What are you doing?

SIMON

Oh, I, ah, brought some medicine. Do you remember why we went to the hospital?

RIVER (sitting up)

Time to go to sleep again.

SIMON (softly)

No, mei mei妹妹
little sister.

(SIMON reaches down and takes RIVER's hand)

It's time to wake up.

SIMON uncaps the syringe and looks down. RIVER watches him.

BLACK OUT.

END OF SHOW