EXT. TOWN - STREET

Mal strides down the street, squinting into the distance to see Maxine’s sign.

OS - a cheer rises from a couple blocks away. Mal cocks his head for a beat, continues walking.

EXT. TOWN - STREET

Troop #1 lies at Paul’s feet, unconscious. The crowd cheers again. Paul looks slowly around, sees the smiling faces of his crew-mates. He gives them a single nod, then disappears into the crowd’s open arms. Simon, Kaylee, Inara, and River are then engulfed by the happy throng.

SIMON - (to Inara) Now what?

INARA - I suppose we could enjoy their hospitality for a brief span...

Kaylee opens her mouth to speak, only to be nearly smothered by a group of young women. Their jubilation is evident. Kaylee stands on her toes to speak over their heads.

KAYLEE - Is this what it feels like to be all heroical?

Simon stays close to River in spite of the crowd.

SIMON - I suppose so. I really wouldn’t know.

The Large Man steps up in front of the group. He raises both hands in a quieting gesture and the din dies down.

LARGE MAN - As you can see, you are welcome as the angels here. (a brief cheer of agreement arises from the crowd) If we’da known you were comin’, we could’ve prepared a proper welcome.

Simon puts an arm around River. Kaylee steps up beside him, putting an arm around his waist and a hand on his shoulder.

SIMON - We’d much rather keep a low profile, sir. This...incident was most unfortunate.

The Large Man nods.

LARGE MAN - I get it. Don’t you worry. Me and the rest of these folk will take full responsibility for the goings-on here.

INARA - That’s very kind of you.

The Large Man nods again.

LARGE MAN - But I tell you what, the true tale of that fight will cheer up many a cold night ‘round here for some time to come. Who was that hooded fella, anyway?

INARA - Let’s say he prefers anonymity even more than the rest of us.

The Large Man shrugs as th