Kaylee Fry: The Rolling ‘Verse Interview:

By Jacob Austin Sheng, field reported, sector 57-D

It’s balmy here, on Pelorum today. The perfection of climate control on this world notwithstanding, it seems hotter than usual. It could be that the editors don’t issue any hot-weather shirts any longer, as they tended to attract Reavers in the same way the red flags attract bulls.

(Editor’s Note: That is not the reason… we simply don’t have any more, and there’s no budget for them)

Cafes and tea shops always seem to do good business on those days, but the occupant of the chair before me isn’t concerned with the warm weather in the slightest.

She’s young, pretty in an unassuming way, dressed in a bright yellow and pink floral dress, looking as if she’s on her way to meet a beau. The impression one gets from her eyes is a sense of wonder about the universe, and utter cheer, not matter what the situation may be. Five minutes in her presence and it starts to fill you as well, as if the notion of cheerfulness is as infections as her smile.

Or, it could be the three drinks she’s had, and in one so small, that’s quite a feat. The smile, if one looks closer, is a bit lopsided, she’s very relaxed.

I ask if she’d like to conduct the interview later, but she dismisses the idea with an even brighter smile and a casual wave of a slender hand.

Frye: Oh, hell no, I’m ready… ask away.

Sheng: You’ve been a crewmember of Serenity for how long, Miss Frye?

Frye: Been goin’ on five years now, ever since they landed on my planet (she requested this remain undisclosed, for her parents’ sake) an’ Bester-he was the old mechanic-couldn’t get the ship fixed. I saw it plain as day, and then Cap’n (she refers here to Malcolm Reynolds) hired me on the spot.

Sheng: Five years, that’s a long time. Has it been good for you?

Frye: Well, some times were better than others, but I’d say closer to better than not. I got to see a’ whole lotta stuff, so many worlds, an’ meet people… ooh!... all the people you meet…

S