Jayne and Book separated at the edge of town. With the sun still high in the sky, it had been a hot, dusty walk and Jayne was anxious to find a drink. He wasn’t pleased to find only one tavern in town. He had learned through experience that the prices would be high.

“What’ll it be, stranger?” The man behind the bar was as big as Jayne and a bit rounder in the middle. It was obvious he wouldn’t have to rely on anyone to help clear his bar if there was trouble, which Jayne was very interested in not starting.

“Whatcha got?” Jayne leaned against the bar and looked around. There were few people there at a time of day that Jayne would have expected more. “Kinda quiet in here, ain’t it?”

“This is a workin’ town, stranger.” The barkeeper crossed his arms and leaned his elbows onto the bar, cocking one hip. “We got local rotgut and Alliance rotgut in a fancy bottle.”

Jayne was tempted to get the Alliance bottle just to bug Mal, but realized it would be a wasted gesture as Mal was still on the ship. “I’ll take the local rotgut.”

“Sure thing. Seein’ as you’re a stranger here, I’d like to see…” Jayne didn’t even let the man finish his sentence before he threw some coins onto the bar. Jayne knew a place like this on a small, dirt-farmin’ moon wouldn’t trust anyone to run a tab. The barkeeper took only one coin before placing the bottle and a cup on the bar. Jayne pocketed his money. Huh, he though bemusedly. Guess this place ain’t so bad after all, though the bottle is a little small.

As Jayne was pouring the drink into the cup, a young woman walked up behind him and tapped him on the back. Jayne had heard her coming, so her tap didn’t startle him. He gave her a quick glance. “Why don’t you come back later, darlin’?” Jayne said with a leer. “Right now I’m lookin’ for someone.” Jayne turned back to his drink.

“Who ya lookin’ for, Jayne?”

Jayne knew better than to show his surprise, but her knowing his name was a mite disconcertin’. The last time strangers knew his name was bac