INT. SERENITY DINING AREA

Mal and Zoe are already seated. Each table setting is immaculately placed.

Simon enters from the aft passage and takes a seat, leaving an opening next to himself for Kaylee. River sits on the other side of him. Jayne takes an end chair so he can sit sprawled.

Paul takes the only available seat once Inara has chosen hers, which places him next to Mal.

Kaylee skips up to the table, a large bowl in either hand. She places them in the center of the table.

Jayne immediately reaches out to grab one of the serving spoons. Kaylee slaps his hand away.

KAYLEE: Now wait a minute. There's more.

JAYNE: Well, bring it in already. I'm 'bout to gnaw on my plate.

Kaylee steps back into the kitchen, grabbing a plate stacked high with thickly sliced bread.

She carries it to the table and sets it between the other two bowls with a flourish.

KAYLEE: Ta daaa!

MAL: Kaylee, I'm just gonna come out and say it. Not a one here gave you much credit. Well, 'specially since the last meal you...(Mal clears throat)...created sent everyone to the latrine within ten minutes. But this, well this smells mighty fine. Let's dig in.

Everyone hesitates for a moment, then Paul reaches out and takes the serving spoon from one of the bowls. Jayne isn't far behind, grabbing the other spoon and attacking the bowl.

KAYLEE: Wait. You're s'posed to put that on the bread.

PAUL: Oh. I apologize.

Paul reaches out to the plate and tenderly picks up a piece of bread, placing it on his plate. He then spoons from the large bowl what appears to be chunky gravy on top. Jayne does the same, though with less grace.

PAUL: The Captain's right. This does smell good.

Soon the others have served themselves and Kaylee stands waiting, hands on her hips expectantly.

Paul picks up his chopsticks and deftly plucks what looks like a piece of chicken from the food he'd spooned on top of his bread. He places it in his mouth and chews for a few seconds. His eyebrows rise.

Jayne follows suit,