LOST CONVERSATIONS PART XVI

1. WHERE THE CREW MAKES THE PLAN TO RESCUE MAL AND ZOE FROM “The Train Job”

INT. SERENITY, BRIDGE

Jayne lies on the floor, groggy from Simon’s injection, as Simon, Book, Wash, Inara, and Kaylee stand over him and talk.

BOOK

I wasn’t talking about me.

He looks to Inara.

INARA

What? Me? I don’t know Shepherd.

KAYLEE

Oh, Inara, you’d be perfect. Men always do what you say.

INARA

Not always. Certainly not Mal.

SIMON

You do have more of an air of respectability than the rest of us. I certainly can’t go, seeing as the Alliance is looking for me, and while the Shepherd is also respectable, we’d need a good cover story and a Shepherd knowing the Captain and Zoe might not seem believable.

KAYLEE

Cover story?

BOOK

A reason why Inara knows Zoe and the Captain. (beat) Let’s see...

KAYLEE

(quiet, a little bashful)

How about she’s their friend?

BOOK

(gentle)

She certainly is Kaylee, but it needs to be more serious. Something believable. Something that can get them out of there without raising suspicions.

SIMON

What was their story for this job? In case they got caught or someone asks questions when Inara goes.

Everyone looks to Wash.

WASH

Beats me. They never told me anything except “fly here Wash” and “pick us up there Wash”.

KAYLEE

Me neither. They’re always so secretive.

INARA

Too much so, it seems.

Book looks at Jayne.

BOOK

He went to the meeting with Niska.

Wash toes Jayne’s back.

WASH

Jayne, you listening?

JAYNE

(slurring)

Don’t...wanna...go to school...Ma.

KAYLEE

Oh, boy.

Wash bends down and shouts in his ear

WASH

Jayne, what was the plan in case they got caught? The cover story.

JAYNE

Plan...fly us...meet Niska...

WASH

No, you stupid...

Book interrupts.

BOOK

Jayne, what did Niska say to the Captain?

JAYNE

Reputation is solid...get on train...packages...newlyweds...looking for work.

WASH

Newlyweds?

Big grins from all.

KAYLEE

Ain’t Zoe already married?

WASH

I believe so.

INARA

I think I have an idea. (beat) Some Companions have