INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY

The Hooded Man drops cat-like to the floor. MALCOLM REYNOLDS descends the fore/starboard stairs, shaking his head with a grin. ZOE WASHBURNE works the unit that controls the winch and doors.

MAL - Had yourself a spot o’ fun from the looks of things. We currently employed?

The Hooded Man flips back his shroud revealing PAUL GIBSON. He hands a slip of paper to Mal, along with a small electronic device extracted from his coat pocket.

PAUL (shrugging) - Just wanted a quiet drink.

MAL (giving Zoe a meaningful look) - Funny, all the forces in the ‘verse hell-bent on thwarting that oh-so simple intention.

ZOE (deadpan) - Of course, sir. It’s an evil conspiracy. (to Paul) But I don’t think that’s the “fun” the Captain’s referring to...

Paul cocks an eyebrow.

MAL - Well, son, allow me some digression...

Fade out, then fade into...

* * *

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY

The sound of of Serenity’s engines winding down echoes through the bay.

KAYLEE FRYE bounds into the Cargo Bay through the aft entrance, an olympic-size wrench in her hand. She looks around expectantly, but the bay is empty.

KAYLEE (uncertainty) - Guys?

Beat.

JAYNE COBB drops to the deck behind her with a roar, picking Kaylee up over his head by her waist. Kaylee screams, kicking Jayne in the chest.

JAYNE - Ow!

Jayne drops Kaylee and she turns on him, wrench raised. She actually looks angry.

KAYLEE - Jayne, I’m gonna bust yer SKULL...

Mal pokes his head through the aft door, the rest of him out of sight.

MAL - No skull-bustin’ til after this enterprise we’re about to acquire is on the far side of finished. (withdraws his head - VO) Can’t have you wreckin’ the only functioning portion of his brain that actually proves useful on occasion.

Zoe descends the fore/starboard stairs with INARA SERRA directly behind her.

ZOE - Functioning? I’ll believe it when I see it, sir.

Zoe activates the airlock and lowers the ramp. Swirling snow is visible through the opening. K