LOST CONVERSATIONS PART XIX

1. WHERE JAYNE VISITS THE SOUTHDOWN ABBEY TO TELL THE BROTHERS BOOK IS DEAD, SOMETIME AFTER “Serenity”

EXT. ABBEY GATE - DAY

Jayne and Mal stand outside the gate of a stone building. The gate has a bell and clapper hanging from it. They look a little nervous.

MAL

Sure you want to do this?

JAYNE

Someone’s got to. (beat) Ain’t like I never told someone someone was dead before.

MAL

Yeah. Did enough of that myself in the war.

JAYNE

Best get on with this.

He reaches for the bell on the gate, rings it twice, hard. After a few seconds a BROTHER comes and opens the gate.

BROTHER

How can I help you, my friends?

JAYNE

Like to speak to the man in charge.

BROTHER

That would be Abbot Parsons. Please come in.

Jayne starts to enter but Mal hesitates.

MAL

On second thought Jayne, I best be getting back to the ship. Captainy things to do.

JAYNE

Mal, you gonna leave me to do this all by my lonesome?

MAL

Just places of religion give me all kinds of conflicted feelings.

BROTHER

There is nothing to fear here my friends.

MAL

I ain’t afraid of what you all say or do, Brother. Just afraid what I’ll do. Me and religion got no quarrel, long as we stay far apart.

JAYNE

(grumpy)

Thanks fer nothin’.

MAL

Take off in an hour.

JAYNE

I’ll be there.

Jayne enters the abbey as Mal stands a second, looks at the gate, knows he should have entered, but then just walks away.

INT. ROOM - DAY

ABBOT PARSONS, a big man with hairstyle like Book’s, sits behind a desk in a sparse room as Jayne enters with the Brother.

BROTHER

Forgive me Abbot, but this man would like a word with you.

ABBOT PARSONS

Thank you Brother Thomas.

Brother Thomas leaves. Jayne stands, feeling very awkward.

ABBOT PARSONS (CONT’D)

I am Abbot Parsons, the leader of this abbey. And you are?

JAYNE

Cobb, Jayne Cobb.

ABBOT PARSONS

So, my son, how can I help you? Are you thinking of taking orders?

JAYNE

Huh? Orders?

ABBOT PARSONS

Of becoming a brother, of joining us.

JAYNE

Hell no....ah, I mean, no sir. I jus