The woolies were being made.

Jayne had gotten some extra money as he had more furs than what four woolly chaps were worth. At first he wanted to buy a fetching beaver skin cap, then he decided to pocket the money, as Mal would be on him for making sure to bargain. So, Jayne swaggered over to the tiny saloon, ordered himself a fresh cigar, and talked his way into a game of Tall Card.

He was well into the lead, with plenty of coin he had picked up on a previous winning as the waitress, a woman who never spoke a word, set his dish of duck and fried rice next to his earnings. "Thank ya darlin." Downing his shot of whiskey, he sucked on his teeth before setting his cigar in the ashtray and placing a fork to his vittles. Taking a mouthful, he chewed and gazed around the tableful of losing card sharks. There were five in all, all small fellows too. "C'mon boys." He gulped a crawful of chow down. "Can't believe I'm winnin' so gorram easily."

The eldest man, with mousy grey hair, a thick beard and a stocky build, scratched his chin. He was the town elder, which accounted for why he was so well fed, for he needed not to work. "Seems luck is on your side my friend." He puffed his pipe of sweet tobacco.

"Tain't always." Jayne grunted. "Dun got my share of hui zhe."

"And what do you do then?" Another Tall Card player quizzed.

"Usually end up smokin' some hun-dan." He announced casually.

All five men looked up from their hands with alarm.

The merc laughed wolfishly, his stature making him a beast among sheep. "Just goadin' you boys." Shoveling more food into his mouth, he gestured for another round of booze. "Welf cum om." He talked with his mouth stuffed. "Mack yur betf."

"I'm in." A younger character, who seemed frustrated, tapped his fingers impatiently. "My stuff just ain't here yet." Turning in his chair, he shouted. "WOMAN!"

"Perhaps you should retire, son." The elder announced with authority. "Don't want to loose your property to a hand of cards, again."

"No respect sir but I know when