Okay, so...not mine, but what is is donated to all.

I'm not so sure about this part (that's what I get for writing after midnight!), but it does help me set up for the next few parts.

Comments appreciated--critiscm is good, guidance is better.

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The first thing the crew noticed was the smell. There was the smell of bread; of leather and gasoline; of roasting meat and a strangely spicy smell that made the rest seem like heaven.

The second thing they noticed were the sounds. “Can’t make out a word anyone’s sayin’!” Jayne complained. “Someone could get a jump on us, all we’d know about it.”

“Somehow I don’t think that will be a problem,” said Inara. She seemed rather taken with the bustling narrow streets of the Common, and began making her way toward an elegant looking building that resembled a peach sand castle.

“Um, Chase? How exactly are we supposed to make our purchases? The captain’s right---we don’t have any money, and we can’t get yours out of a bank…” Simon’s face looked genuinely perplexed.

“It’s simple. See that list of numbers I gave you?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Don’t tell me they didn’t have numbered accounts, back where you’re from?” Now it was Chase’s turn to be surprised.

“Actually, they didn’t,” said Simon.

“How’s it work?” asked Kaylee. She peered at the strange configuration of numbers on the slip of paper, trying to make meaning out of them in any way she could.

“It’s simple,” said Chase, trying hard to suppress her amusement. “Just go up to the banque de arrondissmont, hand over that piece of paper, and voila!”

“That’s it?” Kaylee was impressed.

“That’s it. No more, no less.” Chase spoke a few hurried words in Creole to the dock attendants, then pointed Simon, Kaylee, Jayne and River in the direction of he bank. To Mal and Zoe, she tipped her head in the direction opposite of Inara’s destination. “Come. I fear that time may not favor us.”

“Because?” Zoe’s eyes be