TEASER

Int – a border world bar.

A man is bashing out a can-can on a beaten upright piano while three saloon girls dance. Watching them is Jayne, but his gaze frequently flicks across the room. In the corner of the bar sits Zoe, her drink barely touched, leaning back for maximum visibility, minimum noticeability. Around a table sit five men playing cards, a good sized pot in the centre: one folds, then another, bringing the bet to Mal.

Mal

See, here’s the thing. I’m not holding much, but I figure that, drawing to an inside straight an all, you’re not neither.

Mal sees the bet. Jayne’s just a bit more interested. A look suddenly sweeps Zoe’s face; she gets up and hurries through a door to the back. The next gambler looks hard then…

Mong

Cao zhe

He tosses his hand in, leaving only one player facing Mal, Jethro.

Jethro

What is it, one in a hundred shot, drawing to an inside straight?

Mal

Might not be that.

Jethro

But sometimes, that one comes out.

Gloatingly, he reveals his cards and starts to sweep up the pot. Mal’s left hand slaps down to stop him, his right hovers near his gunbelt.

Mal

And sometimes, one comes from where it ain’t never been before.

Jethro

You accusin’ me of (beat) cheatin’.

Sudden silence: Piano stops, dancers freeze, bartender slips his hands under the bar, Jayne leans forward.

Mal

I’m accusing you of pullin’ that 4 out of your partner’s hand. Don’t know if that’s cheatin’ round here, but I’ll not be payin’ out on the bet.

Jethro releases the pot: Mal releases Jethro. They both stand up and back. Suddenly Jethro goes for his gun but Mal’s gun is in his face before he can clear his holster.

Mal

Now I’m takin’ back my fair share of that pot, which is all of it, seein’ as I had a pair of 4s dealt to me.

Mong, who had moved out of line of fire, slowly starts to