Mal’s Dream

Medical Record: Malcolm Reynolds

Entry by Dr. Simon Tam

Patient complains of trouble sleeping and nightmares. Patient could not remember the dreams, just that they interrupted his sleep. After some resistance, patient agreed to undergo light hypnosis in an attempt to recall the dreams. Patient went under hypnosis easily, and recounted the following recurring dream.

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Mal has been out working in the fields all day. This year’s planting of catalyzers is coming along fine. Looks like it’ll be a good crop. The stalks are already bowing under the weight of the shiny metal blossoms. He can probably start a harvest of early cats for the small ship market within a week.

The Valley is beautiful at sunset, the last rays of light glinting off the Alliance fighters strafing in the distance. As he gazes fondly at his homestead, Inara calls from the back porch. “Dinner’s ready, sweetheart. Come and wash up.”

Mal walks back to the house, passing the rusting Firefly up on blocks in the yard and the men lined up at the front door. He stops to wash his hands and face in the basin outside the kitchen entry. Drying off with a piece of flour sack, he crosses the threshold into the kitchen and sits down at the table. The interior of the house is one big room. The kitchen side has rough bare board walls and floor, with plain but sturdy furniture and a wood-burning stove. The parlor side is different. Wainscoting and crimson hangings adorn the plastered walls. Erotic art hangs from the picture rail. The parquet floor is covered with beautifully woven rugs. A well-stocked bar stands in the corner. Fine sofas and chairs upholstered in red velvet beckon one to sit. A strange man does sit on one of the sofas, sipping a glass of wine.

Inara, dressed in a low-cut red ball gown, is standing at the stove. She ladles up a bowl of hot stew, plops a spoon in it, and sets it down in front of Mal. A pitcher of cider and a hot loaf of homemade bread are already on the table. She pours him