EXT. FARM HOUSE – NIGHT

Overscene – NEAR PERMIAN, SHADOW

A small Alliance craft comes over the farm, lands and raises clouds of dust.

Out the front door comes a man, JOSUHA REED, early 40s, struggling to get his shirt on while holding a shotgun. He stops, surprised to see an Alliance vessel on his front yard.

The vessel goes quite and the door opens. The Operative gets out follow by several soldiers. Josuha approaches them, the soldiers see the shotgun, raise weapons and Josuha stops, keeps shotgun lowered.

JOSUHA

You best have good reason to be on my property this time a night.

OPERATIVE

Your property? Mr….

JOSUHA

Reed, Josuha Reed. Who be asking?

OPERATIVE

I am an Operative of the Alliance Parliament.

JOSUHA

Don’t got much call for the Alliance.

OPERATIVE

(ignoring this remark)

I was led to believe that this property belonged to the Reynolds family.

JOSUHA

Did. Mine now. Bought it fair and square off Mal Reynolds hisself about seven years ago.

OPERATIVE

Seven years ago? After the war?

JOSUHA

Why you asking so many questions?

OPERATIVE

I’m looking for Malcolm Reynolds. Anything you could tell me would be greatly appreciated.

JOSUHA

(spits)

Got nothin’ to say to you or any other about Malcolm Reynolds.

The Operative gives a slight eyebrow raise, draws his sword and has it at Josuha’s throat before he can even blink.

OPERATIVE

Now, Mr. Reed, I am sure there is a Mrs. Reed and several little Reeds in that house enjoying a peaceful slumber. Do you want them to awake to find their father slaughtered and their house burning down around them?

JOSUHA

You hurt them….

OPERATIVE

You are not in a position to make threats Mr. Reed. Now, about Malcolm Reynolds?

Reed swallows hard, looks at the house, then the Operative, a look of resignation on his face. The Operative lowers his sword.

JOSUHA

I was lead ranch hand here for the Reynolds family. Mal’s pa died when he was just a young ‘un. When the war come he went off. Came back and wanted nothing