LOST CONVERSATIONS XV

1. WHERE KAYLEE TELLS SIMON AND BOOK THAT ZOE AND WASH ARE GOING TO RESCUE MAL FROM “War Stories”

INT. SERENITY, INFIRMARY

Simon and Book enter the infirmary. Simon is holding the handkerchief with Mal’s ear.

BOOK

Do we even have any ice?

SIMON

A little, in the small refrigerator.

Book looks around, is lost.

BOOK

Where?

Simon places the ear on the counter and then opens a door below. Its a small refrigerator, with a few shelves and a small freezer. There are many vials of drugs here, keeping cool.

SIMON

It’s small but serves its purpose. Some medicine must remain at certain temperatures or it will quickly change properties. (beat) Hand me something sharp, please.

Book looks around and then finds a pair of scissors and hands them to Simon. He takes them and starts chipping ice away from the freezer walls. Book catches on and looks for a container, finds nothing useful, then seizes the bedpan, hands it to Simon.

SIMON (CONT’D)

Thank you.

He starts putting the ice in the bedpan, stands when he has enough, close the door. He lays the bedpan on the counter and carefully places the ear on top, then wraps the handkerchief over it, and places more ice on top.

BOOK

You can reattach it, can’t you?

SIMON

Most certainly. The cut is clean and that helps. Hopefully all the blood vessels and nerves are present. With a little dermal mender, it will be difficult to tell if it’s ever been removed.

BOOK

You’ve done this before?

SIMON

Not an ear, no, but other parts. I once reattached a girl’s leg.

KAYLEE (O.S.)

And she named her hamster for you, right?

Simon and Book turn and Kaylee is in the doorway. Simon smiles.

SIMON

Yes. You remembered.

KAYLEE

Wasn’t that drunk.

Book doesn’t quite follow but he notices Kaylee seems worried over something.

BOOK

Kaylee, the captain...

KAYLEE

I know. (beat) Just, I gotta tell you something. Zoe and Wash are fixing to go get him.

SIMON

(surprised)

What? They