Blue Sun Room FICTION - ADVENTURE

A Mighty Thorn In a Mighty Paw - Ch. 10

Monday, October 9, 2006

A screenplay taking place not long after the events of "Serenity."

CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 3045    RATING: 6.0 (PG)    SERIES: FIREFLY

Tweet

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY CATWALK

Mal and Simon meet mid-stride on the starboard catwalk. Simon was clearly in a hurry as well.

MAL: Doctor, we need to talk.

SIMON: I know, I know. Get my luny sister off the roof before there's hell to pay.

MAL: Fortunately, she's managing that all by her lonesome. Through the upper airlock, praise whoever ya like, not via the trusty law of gravity. (Simon looks relieved) Now,I can't help but be curious as to why I saw a separate set of footprints outside, aimed directly at the fore airlock.

SIMON: That... that will take some explaining.

Mal gives him a look that demands the explanation.

Inara appears at the door leading to the Infirmary, Paul directly behind her.

Mal hears their footsteps and looks their way. He does a double take.

MAL: Wasn't aware we were takin' on any new passengers. Who are you and what are you doin' on my gorram ship? (to Inara) Client?

INARA: No, Mal, he is not a client. You may not even believe me when I tell you who he is.

MAL: Worth a shot, any time now...

PAUL: (politely) I'll explain for myself, Inara.(to Mal) Captain Reynolds, my name is Paul Gibson. I was in...

MAL: Well, now that we got the formalities out of the way, you can exit my boat forthwith.

INARA: (appalled) Mal...

MAL: I'm not keen on folk just showin' up at the doorstep and walkin' in like they got a spot rented.

PAUL: Neither am I, Captain. I was invited onto your ship by your crew, and made no assumptions as to the duration of that invitation.

MAL: I been meanin' to post a sign for my crew, (raises his voice for all to hear) remindin' them of who's boat this is and who has the final say on all passengers.

Paul raises a hand as a gesture of acquiescence.

PAUL: Of course, Captain. Please forgive the intrusion, such as it was.

Paul crosses the cargo bay deck and heads toward the fore airlock.

River darts through the door from the Infirmary.

Paul pauses at the door. He turns to River as she runs up to meet him

Comments
Monday, 09 October 2006 12:16
Zoe is trusting this stranger? Now that could have an effect on the landscape!

"Seafood" (snork!). Reminds me of the bar scene in "The Train Job", where Jayne is trying to figure out why it's a "suspicious" day...
Monday, 09 October 2006 20:16
Well, I sure didn't see Zoe speaking up for Paul like that without so much as a hint of suspicion. Zoe does not trust easily but here we have her ignoring the man she has walked through hell with and trusting someone she has now half a minute. Oh yeah, that makes sense. Looks like he doesn't have any control over his *crew* at all, not even any respect. Everybody with an opinion and so far no one has actually explained Paul's presence properly to the Captain just expecting him to accept a stranger - and one from the Academy with Alliance connections - on to his boat. Ali D
You can't take the sky from me
Monday, 09 October 2006 21:22
Finally, some negative criticism. I appreciate your honesty. I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but here's how I pictured the scene. Mal is a bit more suspicious than before, (recall Episode 1 - Serenity when he allowed Kaylee to screen prospective passengers), and is prone to over-protective reactions.

Zoe is going on her faith in River, who has proven rather proficient at saving their hides as well as reading the intentions of folk. And Zoe has always helped Mal make tough decisions, especially where he may have made a wrong one. Not to mention, Zoe's pretty good at figuring people out, as well. Paul has been very up-front about his former Alliance ties. He's not hiding that fact.

Anyway, I like that you're not sure about the situation. That's cool.


Rob O.
Thursday, 12 October 2006 02:26
Not aping Alison here...but I too find Zoe's reaction to be a tad bit OOC, even if she was relying on River's judgements. I get the bad feeling that you're gonna have Mal be right in the end...and set a scary precident concerning River's abilities:(

Still...I am totally engrossed in this storyline, as I really want to see some 1-on-1 between Mal and Paul;)

BEB
Sunday, 18 February 2007 07:54
Seafood? What kind of pet name is that?

:snorts: Perfect Mal line.

Trust ain't asked for, Seafood. It's earned.

And another :)

Post Your Comments

You must log in to post comments.