Episode Three.

INT. SERENITY INFIRMARY - NIGHT

We open to see SIMON preparing medical equipment in the Infirmary. DERRIA is sitting very still on the table, moving only her eyes to watch him.

DERRIA: I like my wounds.

SIMON: I’m not going to heal anything. I’m just going to make sure there are no infections.

DERRIA: You’ll heal my infections?

SIMON: Derria if you’re going to be on this ship for a while, you need to be as healthy as possible. The Captain doesn’t want the crew getting sick.

He begins to dress some wounds with cotton swabs and various coloured fluids. DERRIA cringes a little but mostly sits still. She has felt more pain than this before.

SIMON: (after a beat) how have you been sleeping?

DERRIA: Haven’t, how’ve you been sleeping?

SIMON: Just fine thankyou. Can you stretch your arm out for me?

DERRIA stretches her right arm to reveal a long gash on the inside of her arm. It looks like she has self sewn it.

SIMON CONT: I can give you something to help you sleep if you like?

DERRIA: Like before? No please.

SIMON: (correcting her) Thank you. And what Zoe shot you with was a tranquilliser; this would be a low dose sedative to help you relax. I can get it for you right now if you like?

DERRIA reaches her arm out to stop SIMON going for the drug; she needs to make him understand something.

DERRIA: I am so tired, but when you sleep where I’ve been, you sometimes wake up dead. You can’t protect yourself and you get eaten.

SIMON: When was the last time you ate something?

DERRIA lets go of SIMON and doesn’t answer. SIMON decides to change the subject.

SIMON CONT: You can sleep here. You are perfectly safe. No one will (Chinese devour you while you sleep). You need to get some rest especially after the injuries you sustained on Silverhold a few weeks ago.

DERRIA: I’m safe? (Not really believing him)

SIMON: Yes. (Pause) I promise.

DERRIA: I’ve heard that before. Seems it’s just a word.

SIMON: It’s not when I say it.

DERRIA: (beat) Those are