EXT. HAVEN – MAIN STREET – NIGHT

A LARGE TENT, expansive enough to seat nearly 50 comfortably, sits at the north end of Main Street, a blazing BONFIRE, at the south.

As Bernabe, Simon and Jayne walk away from the tent, folks behind them clean up after dinner.

SIMON: I must say, Bernabe, that’s one of the finest meals I’ve had in a long time.

BERNABE: Got a garden up in the hills. Sissy Temkin stays out there most days, claims she can grow anything.

SIMON: I’m inclined to agree.

As the trio continues toward the bonfire, folks meander past, often offering some greeting to Bernabe, who nods or waves in response.

BERNABE: I’m just sorry we didn’t have any meat for our fine visitors.

Jayne looks suspicious.

JAYNE: No meat? What the gorram hell was in the stew?

BERNABE: Mushrooms.

River rushes up to them, smiling and laughing. She’s holding an APPLE, which she presents to Jayne by practically shoving it in his face.

RIVER: You’ve been good. You can have this. Here.

Jayne takes the apple, glares at it with distrust.

Simon glances at his sister, but does his best to ignore the interchange.

SIMON: Mushrooms?

BERNABE: You’d be amazed what we can grow in spent mineshafts.

Jayne sniffs the apple suspiciously, polishes it with his sleeve, all the time keeping a wary eye on River. He unsheathes his KNIFE and pierces the apple, apparently testing for a grenade, but does not eat it.

By now, the group is at the edge of the BONFIRE, where nearly two dozen folks are lounging, relaxing, and laughing. They shout greetings to Bernabe, and more than a few address the newcomers from Serenity by name.

BERNABE (cont’d): And now that supper’s over, it’s time for the three Ds.

SIMON: Three Ds?

BERNABE: Drinking, dancing, and dessert.

Jayne and River are both excited.

RIVER: Dancing?

JAYNE: Drinking? And dessert? Gotta have me some words with Mal. We never get dessert. ‘Cept on birthdays.

Bernabe addresses one of the men in the crowd.

BERNABE: Doane? A jaunty tune