There are many things that Jayne could be called, but ‘bright’ isn’t usually the first that comes to mind. ‘Big’ is normally the first reaction. Then – depending on whether it’s a man or a woman – it tends to be ‘wouldn’t want to meet him alone in a dark alley’, while others think ‘he just oozes sex’. Admittedly some people think both, but it’s a big ‘verse, and … well, you get my drift.

Anyway, then most folks follow it up with the assumption that his muscles are more evolved than his intellect, and on the odd occasion one or three of them lose the ability to assume ever again.

Right now, of course, he’s enjoying the feeling of superiority.

“Jayne, are you gonna get us outta here?”

“Thinking on it, Mal.”

“Can you think a little faster?”

“Not sure.”

“Not sure?”

“Nope, Mal. Seein’ as there’re people around here who think I ain’t got two brain cells to rub together.”

“I never said that.”

“No?”

“Well, maybe I did, but that don't mean you can just ... stand there.”

“I seem to recall you also sayin’ I wasn’t much use for anything else.”

“Has it occurred to you that if they catch you they’ll put you in here with us?”

“I ain't the one locked up – I can stroll back to Serenity any time I like. ‘Sides, I figure it’s worth it to kinda gloat.”

“Can you do that after you bust us out?”

“Nah. Easier like this.”

“I was annoyed. Folks say a lot of things they don’t mean when they’re annoyed.”

“You still annoyed, Mal?”

“Not currently.”

“Interestin’.”

“Jayne, open the gorram door.”

“You gonna apologise?”

“Jayne ...”

“Sir. They're going to wake up soon.”

“I can't see why he knocked ‘em out if he wasn’t planning on –”

“Sir.”

“Fine. Tzao gao .”

“Sir.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Not to me, sir.”

“Jayne ... I'm sorry for being annoyed with you.”

“And the rest?”

“Rest?”

“Told you.”

“I know.”

“Told you it was a trap.”

“I know.”

“That they was lying in wait.”

“I know.”

“That they’d been tipped off by –”