INT. SERENITY – CARGO HOLD – NIGHT

Jayne is dressed in his Sunday best, which, really, isn’t much better than his normal attire, and hovers near Ana’s BAGGAGE. Book, dressed in his usual attire, is with him. Book has a smear of red, possibly lipstick, across his upper lip and cheek.

Ana and Mal enter from the UPPER CATWALK.

MAL: Look, I appreciate where you’re comin’ from, Miss Gurick, but that ain’t the kinda job me and mine normally take.

ANA: Perhaps once you meet with my father…

MAL: I’ll hear him out, but I won’t make no promises.

They’re heading down the stairs now, and Jayne and Book move to meet them.

ANA: I appreciate your open-mindedness, Captain Reynolds, and also must thank you for your hospitality on this voyage. I hope that I’m able to return the favor on the family yacht.

MAL: A few hours, that’s all. Your daddy wants to talk to me, he’d best not dawdle, ‘cause I certainly won’t.

At the bottom of the stairs, Mal gives Book a look and motions him to the side, while Ana does the same with Jayne, under cover of doing a last-minute check of her baggage.

ANA (whispers): You were right.

Jayne gives her a “Told you so” look as they busy themselves with the baggage.

ACROSS THE CARGO HOLD

Mal talks to Book.

MAL: Thanks for stayin’ behind, Shepherd.

BOOK: It’s the prudent thing to do. Just bring me some—

Mal points to the red smear on Book’s face.

MAL: You got somethin’…

BOOK (sighs): River…

He grabs a cloth from a nearby workbench and rubs his face.

MAL: Ain’t blood, is it?

BOOK: Not today. Make-up of some sort. (beat) I’ll keep an eye on things here. You call me if anything seems out of sorts.

Mal claps Book on the shoulder, then turns to Ana.

MAL (to Ana): Want to head up to watch the approach?

Mal and Ana head out, and Book bows as she leaves.

When they’re gone, Book turns to Jayne.

BOOK: This is an interesting side of you, son.

JAYNE: I hate getting like this, all awkward and ge