SHADOWS PUPPETS

By Shayz

EPISODE TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. SERENITY – MAL’S BUNK – NIGHT

MAL wakes with a start, a bit sweaty. There’s a rustle next to him against the wall. He rolls his head to the side surprised SEEING: RIVER under the covers, smiling at him, chin resting on her hand, looking very sweet and innocent.

RIVER: Someone’s coming.

Mal (confused, terrified: what the hell is she doing here?) tumbles off the bunk and hits the floor hard, face down. He rolls onto his back and looks up into: A GORGEOUS BLUE SKY – wispy white clouds, sunshine...

EXT. SHADOW (PLANET)– REYNOLD’S RANCH – ROUND HORSE PEN - DAY – CONTINUING

Dreamy, unbelievable blue sky and bright sunshine. It’s “Little House on the Prairie” Reynold’s style; lots of cattle, big acreage, big house. Off Stage (OS) a horse can be heard “laughing” horse-like. Mal sits up; he’s in the dirt of the training ring just outside a large, rustic barn. He looks around SEEING: A beautiful wild STALLION prancing along the rounded fence line, having just bucked Mal from its back. A very happy horse right about now.

MAL: Tamade húndàn!

MRS. REYNOLDS (OS): Malcolm! What did I say about that sort of talk?

Mal gets up, makes a face as he dusts himself off, then:

MAL: Sorry Ma.

MRS. REYNOLDS (OS): Leave that (trans: evil humping piece of dog meat) alone and get back to your chores. I’m gonna be a might sore you don’t get ‘em stables raked ‘for sundown.

Like a 12 year-old kid, Mal kicks the dirt and mutters as he stomps toward the barn. (NOTE: Mal is OUR Mal taking the place of his kid-self.)

INT. BARN – CONTINUING

Mal enters and grabs a rake SEEING: River dancing in the barn: a little ballet, a little twirl. She sees Mal and gives him a grand curtsy.

RIVER: Don’t look now…someone’s coming.

Mal turns around (180 degrees) He’s now—

INT. REYNOLD’S HOUSE – FOYER – CONTINUING

— kneeling near a wall, peeking around the corner into the foyer, listening to Ms. Reynolds talk to MR. HALLADAY