Dinnertime in the galley – Whole crew assembled/bustling about – plates are being passed around. Empty chairs next to Simon.

Jayne sits down while simultaneously reaching for biscuits.

River sits down on Simon’s other side, notices biscuits are being passed in other direction. Snatches Jayne’s and places it demurely on her plate.

Jayne, who was looking the other way, takes a second to notice what’s happened – reaches straight across Simon’s empty plate to seize back his biscuit.

Simon (Starts, the grabs at Jayne’s wrist)

Everyone (Taken aback at the aggressive gesture)

Simon --Hold on there.

Jayne -- Lemme go doc. (Threatening) I hear it’s hard to eat without teeth.

Simon – (Ignoring the threat – Intently looking at the back of Jayne’s hand) How long have you had this mark?

Jayne – Huh? (Pulls hand away)

Simon – That spot, how long have you had it?

Jayne – What spot? (Looks at his hand) The hell if I know…

Wash – HAH! Leave it to Jayne not to know the back of his hand like the back of his hand..

Simon (Ignores Wash, speaking intently to Jayne) Has it always been this color? This shape?

Jayne – That there is a freckle, that’s what happens to skin sees light of day once in a while. You’d see for yourself if you ever got your lily white ass off this boat.

Wash – Was that a retort? That was almost witty! (To Zoe) Honey, our little boy’s all grown up! I’m so proud! (Wipes pretend tear from eye)

Simon – (Concerned) I don’t think that’s just a freckle. I need to run a test.

Jayne – No tests.

Simon – But..

Jayne – No tests.

Simon – But you could die.

Jayne – I ain’t scared of no death by freckle. I face death every day, another thing you might understand if you ever got off the ship.

Simon – (Getting very animated) You don’t understand, this isn’t “Bang bang! You’re dead” death, this is wasting away to nothing death. This is vomiting for days on end death. This is Kaylee-spoon-feeding you gruel while I change your diapers death. This is begging for a bullet before your..

Jay