ZOE: In the interest of survival and self-preservation, perhaps we should alter our course some.

MAL: I'm leanin' toward agreement. River?

River's fingers punch the keyboard again.

RIVER: Done.

MAL:'kay. I'm trustin' you, little lady. You keep a close eye on that bird's path. If they so much as expel gas in our general direction, you change course and let me know. Speakin' o' gas, I s'pose I'm needin' to figure out how to detoxify my galley.

Mal exits the bridge.

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY

Mal descends the fore/starboard stairs. Simon, Kaylee, and Paul are entering the bay from the infirmary. They meet in the center of the cargo bay.

SIMON: I did a quick scan of the three of us. There seem to be no adverse effects from the gas, other than some slight dizziness. Shouldn't be any permanent damage, though Jayne may have a stiff neck from how he's laying.

PAUL: As I said, the effect is harmless, except for the inevitable unconsciousness.

MAL: And just how long can I expect my dining hall to be sleep central?

PAUL: That depends on the amount of spice and oil left on the plates, as well as the ventilation of the room.

KAYLEE: Ya know, I should be able to crank up the vents in there and suck that junk right out.

MAL: Then you'd best get to that.

Kaylee darts off, leaving Paul with Simon and Mal. There is an uncomfortable silence for several seconds. Then the men exchange glances. The corners of their mouths begin to curl upward.

They all at once burst into uproarious laughter.

INT. SERENITY BRIDGE

The men's laughter filters up the stairs to the bridge. Zoe smirks.

ZOE: Well, I think that broke the ice.

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY

Mal is holding his belly, still laughing. Simon is nearly out of breath, but still laughing. Paul simply chuckles.

MAL: It must be said. I've had gas at meals, but I've never been gassed at a meal before...

This sends him over the edge once again.

Through his laughter, Simon attempts to speak.

SIMON: That was...