firefly 1x15 - dead or alive

8/6/2019 Firefly 1x15 - Dead or Alive

1/59

Episode #: 1AGE06

Story #:

Firefly

Dead or Alive

Written by:

Cheryl Cain

Directed by:

Marita Grabiak

WRITERS DRAFT: August 16, 2002


2/59

FIREFLY *

Dead or Alive

TEASER

EXT. SERENITY RAMP - NIGHT1 1

A motley group of immigrant workers walk down the ramp ontothe dirt of a border planet. MAL and an equally motley bulbousman, the CASHIER, count them as they walk off.

MALThirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen.Seventeen.

CASHIER(bored)

Sixteen.

MALHey, that beefy guy easily ateenough for two.

CASHIERSixteen. Seventeen. Eighteen.

Mal points to a skinny guy off to the side of a larger guy.

MAL

I believe we're up to nineteen.CASHIER

He was number seven.

MALGuess you could be right. Must'veforgot his knapsack. Eighteen.

ZOE follows the last two guys down the ramp.

CASHIERNineteen. Twenty.

MALAnd done.

The cashier hands Mal a wad of bills. Mal starts to count it.

MAL (contd)Not that I don't trust you... butI don't trust you.

(CONTINUED)


3/59

Mal counts the last bill. Looks at the Cashier. Beat. TheCashier gives him two more bills. Grumbles, ambles off.

ZOEEver full with the customerrelations, sir.

MALHe works for the Alliance.

ZOEAnd we worked for him which wouldtechnically mean we also workedfor the Alliance.

MALYep. Have to say not unhappy to bemakin' a buck off 'em.

ZOEAh, change is good. The crew?

MALLike the makin' money off theAlliance bit, but really don'twant to push it by takin' part intheir celebratin'... makes me alltwitchy.

Zoe just looks at him.

MAL (contd)Fine, but --

KAYLEE comes running down the ramp. Followed by JAYNE andBOOK.

KAYLEEWe're goin' to the fair.

MALAn hour. Sixty minutes. Nothingmore, nothing less, Miss Kaylee.

KAYLEENo need to do a flippy-hiss,Capt'n. We gotcha.

Mal gives her money. Then Jayne and Book.

MALDon't spend it all in one place.

Kaylee puts one arm through Book, another through Jayne.

FIREFLY Dead or Alive (WRITERS DRAFT) 8/16/2002 2.

CONTINUED:1 1

(CONTINUED)


4/59

KAYLEEYou can win me stuff.

BOOKMy pleasure. Always have enjoyedguessing games.

JAYNENope. I win it. I keep it.

Mal hands money to Wash. Wash swings his arm around Zoe'sshoulders.

WASHLet's go get us some of thosecurly carrots. Love 'em deepfried.

Wash starts to move her off. Zoe stops him, turns to Mal.

ZOECapt'n?

WASH(dropping his arm)

Yeah, dad. Can we go? Promise tobe home before midnight.

Zoe gives him a look.

MAL

Go. Wouldn't want to beresponsible for cold curlycarrots.

ZOEThanks, sir.

They move off. Not quite as happily as before. Mal, money inhand, turns to the next person in line. It's INARA.

MAL(bit awkward)

Guess I'm not giving you money.

INARANo.

MAL(smilin')

Well, unless there'd be some kindof benefit for the exchange ofsaid money...


CONTINUED: (2)1 1

(CONTINUED)


5/59

INARADefinitely, no.

MALThen I suppose the least I can dois escort you to the fair.

INARAHow adolescent... and charming ofyou.

They start to walk off when Mal notices SIMON at the top ofthe ramp. Mal approaches him.

MALHey.

SIMONRiver has never been to a fair andshe hasn't had a chance to do muchthat is fun in awhile...

MALAlliance jail could be fun.

SIMONOf course, I just, had to ask. ForRiver. She'll understand.

MAL(beat)

Sure.Mal moves back down the ramp to Inara.

INARAEverything okay?

MALKids wanted to go to the fair.

They step away. PULL BACK AND UP to the windows of the bridgewhere RIVER wistfully looks out.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FAIR - NIGHT2 2

It's a wonderland of lights, tents, games, a carnivalatmosphere. The fair's splayed out in a field in front of alarge factory.


CONTINUED: (3)1 1

(CONTINUED)


6/59

A mixed crowd of border folk and Alliance meander thefestivities. Kaylee with a coiled-shaped cotton candy walksinto frame alongside Book.

KAYLEEYou shouldn't feel bad you didn'tguess the fat lady's weight. I

actually thought it was quitesweet to drop fifty pounds.

BOOKSeemed a wise choice.

KAYLEEShe was an awfully big lady.

(spinning)Don't you just love a fair?

BOOK(chuckling)

Have you always been this happy?

KAYLEEFrom the day I was born'd. Seemslike on all the choices, happyjust belonged to me.

They pass;

JAYNE

Who's throwing darts at the last yellow balloon left on a game

wall. Five unsuccessful darts surround the balloon. Jaynesteadies, carefully throws his last dart. It misses.

JAYNEGorramn it!

Jayne pulls out his knife and just skewers the last balloon.The vendor quickly hands him the big prize, a green fuzzyTURTLE, then struggles to pull out Jayne's knife. Jaynehappily admires his turtle. Passing him are;

ZOE AND WASH

Wash eats from a carton of fried curly carrots.

WASHJust sayin' that every once inawhile it'd be nice to not have toclear every single thing.

ZOEFor the last time, he's theCaptain.


CONTINUED:2 2

(CONTINUED)


7/59

WASHLet out some of the starch,darling. You're not in themilitary anymore.

ZOE

It's not that, it's...

WASHYeah, yeah. Who you are. The code.

They pass;

MAL AND INARA

Inara has her eyes closed and a plastic ring in her hand. Infront of her in a booth is a SPINNING BALL with lots of longpointy sticks attached. Mal next to her, guides her arm.

INARAWhy do I have to close my eyes?

MALMakes it more challenging.

Inara tosses the ring. It almost nails the vendor who'shelping someone else on the other side. Inara opens her eyes.

INARAHow'd I do?

MALPerhaps challenging was not thebest place to start.

Mal picks up a few rings. Tosses one. He makes it.

INARAI do end up doing the mostinteresting things with... since Icame aboard Serenity.

MALNow you can't tell me that an

attractive lady like yourself hasnever been escorted to a fair?

INARA(laughing)

They weren't quite the thing whereI was raised.

Mal stops, not loving that comment, then tosses another ring.Makes it again.


CONTINUED: (2)2 2

(CONTINUED)


8/59

MALPoor little Inara, not allowed toget her hands dirty with us commonfolk.

INARA

(taken aback)That's not what I --

(Mal throws another)I guess not everyone's luckyenough to fulfill their lifelongdream of becoming an expert ringtosser.

Inara stalks off. Mal drops the rest of the rings on the edge.Follows her. Doggin' her steps.

MALWhere I was raised, we'd celebratethe foundin' of Shadow with afair, just like this one. That isuntil the Alliance outlawed ourquaint celebration. It was alittle against unification spirit.Guess your folk wouldn't mindthough, with it not exactly being"quite the thing."

They've stopped near a stage where an Alliance mucky-muck,COMMANDER TANAKA, dedicates the new factory. A large bannerhangs above him, ALLIANCE REWARDS THOSE WHO REWARD THEMSELVES.

TANAKAThanks to the good Alliance peopleof Verbena, our gear shift factoryis opening ten days ahead ofschedule.

The crowd around the stage CHEERS. Mal claps, HOLLERS.

MALOh, yeah. Let's all hear it forthe good Alliance.

INARAMal.

MALJust being supportive. Oh, sorry,did that offend you. You probablysupported 'em in the war.

Inara doesn't say anything. Mal stares at her.


CONTINUED: (3)2 2

(CONTINUED)


9/59

MAL (contd)Guess we really aren't "quite thething", are we?

Kaylee races up, pulls on Inara's sleeve.

KAYLEEYou have to come see the tattooguy. His tattoos keep changin'colors. There's this one it's asunrise.

(looking at them)Am I interruptin'?

INARANo.

MALWouldn't touch those tattoos if Iwere you, be a shame if you gotyour hands all dirty.

Inara lets Kaylee drag her off. Mal turns back to Tanaka.

TANAKAVerbena was scarcely surviving,barely more than a piece of barrenrock, but now with the Alliancefactory opening you and yourfamilies will be able to lead fulland satisfying lives.

MAL

Mal turns and runs right into, LIEUTENANT QUILLAN, 40's, toughfemale head of security on this planet.

MAL (contd)(fake cheerleader)

Go Alliance.

He turns to quickly leave when;

BOOOOOOM!!!

The factory spectacularly blows up. A huge fireball goes intothe sky and shards of metal and wreckage are strewn into thecrowd. The force of the explosion knocking people to theground, including Mal.

END OF TEASER


CONTINUED: (4)2 2


10/59

ACT ONE

EXT. FAIR - NIGHT3 3

Mal struggles to his feet a bit dazed. Carnage all around.

People crying, screaming, bleeding. Parents desperately huntfor their children among the smoke and wreckage.

Mal starts moving, searching the devastation for his people.Like everyone else his clothing is dirty, bits of ash, debrison it. Finally sees Inara laying on the ground on her side.Rushes over to her.

MALInara.

She moves, stunned but unhurt, starts to sit up. Mal helpsher.

MAL (contd)Are you okay?

INARAYeah. You?

MALFine.

INARAWhat happened?

(quickly looks around)Kaylee? Kaylee!

KAYLEE (O.S.)I'm here.

They both turn. A dazed Kaylee walks up. Kneels down next toboth of them. Hugs Inara. Inara looks up at Mal.

INARAThe others?

MAL

I don't know.

CUT TO:



11/59

EXT. FAIR - CONTINUOUS4 4

Over near a decimated tent, Zoe and Wash help each otherstand, brush each other off. Speechless as they soak ineverything around them.

WASHSure you're okay?

ZOE(trying to smile)

Think we lost your curly carrots.

Wash puts an arm around her shoulders, leans into her.

WASHYou can always buy me more.

Zoe leans back into Wash, thankful.

WASH (contd)What the hell happened?

ZOEConcussion bomb. Probably tiedinto the factory's power grid.Local remote trigger.

WASHOkay. Thanks. Doesn't make me feel

better.ZOE

We need to find everyone else.

Wash nods. They move out.

CUT TO:


Jayne sits up, knocks a couple pieces of burnt wood offhimself. The turtle, a bit singed, sits in Jayne's lap.Jayne's hand clutched around it.

JAYNE


(CONTINUED)


12/59

Jayne stands. His turtle's neck took a hit, it's a bit floppywith stuffing coming out. Jayne pushes the stuffing back in.Tucks the turtle under his arm, starts moving.

CUT TO:


Mal and Kaylee help Inara stand. Zoe and Wash come up behind.Mal turns to them.

MALWe need to get out of here.

ZOESir?

WASHThanks, no really we're good.Fine. A little bruised. You?

MALThis place is going to be crawlingwith Alliance security.

He glances at Inara and Kaylee.

MAL (contd)Head back to the ship. We'll find

Book and --Jayne approaches, turtle in hand. Holds it up.

MAL (contd)Jayne.

JAYNE singed my turtle.

They all just stare at him.

ZOE

Let me find a medic.

JAYNEThanks.

Kaylee looks around at all the wreckage, sees bodies notmoving, crying children, so much destruction. A man, AZURIACALVERT, 50's, farmer-type hugs his dead wife. Kaylee turns toMal.


CONTINUED:5 5

(CONTINUED)


13/59

KAYLEEWho would do this?

MALNot for us to find out.

Mal nods at Inara.

INARA(to Kaylee)

Time to go.

Kaylee lets herself be led away. Mal turns to Wash.

MALGo with 'em.

WASHYeah, I know. Get the ship readyto fly. Copy.

Wash with one last glance at Zoe, follows Kaylee and Inara. Hecatches up with Kaylee, puts his arm around her.

Mal looks around, finally sees Book. Book's picked up a man'sshoulders and is dragging him toward a large tent being usedas a triage center. Mal jogs over to him, grabs the man'sfeet, walks with Book.

BOOKThanks.

MALNo problem.

They walk into;

INT. TRIAGE TENT - CONTINUOUS

Where people are trying to help the injured. Mostly confusionat this point. Book and Mal set the guy on a table. A womancomes over to check him out. Mal and Book step aside.

MAL (contd)

We need to be leavin'.

Book shakes his head.

BOOKThere's work to be done here.


CONTINUED:6 6

(CONTINUED)


14/59

MALIn case you've forgotten,Shepherd, we've got two Alliancefugitives on our ship.

BOOK

(pointing behind Mal)Afraid not anymore.

Mal turns. Simon's rushed inside carrying his medical bag. Hemoves over to a groaning man, starts shouting orders as heexamines the man.

SIMONWe need to categorize theinjuries, identify the mostcritical.

A woman rushes over to Simon as he starts pulling things outof his bag.

MALSon of !

Zoe comes up behind Mal.

ZOESir?

Mal nods toward Simon

MALLooks like we're stayin' a bit.

BOOKGood. We can use the help.

Book moves toward the entrance to the tent. Mal looks at Zoe,then follows.

EXT. FAIR - NIGHT - LATER

Mal and Zoe clean off their hands at a pump water faucet. Acrowd mills around the open area. Some trying to clean-up,

some still moving wreckage. But many just angry andfrustrated.

MALSimon should be done in a coupleof hours. As soon as he is we'reoutta here.

ZOECaptain.


CONTINUED: (2)6 6

(CONTINUED)


15/59

Zoe nudges Mal. An officious Alliance officer, CORPORALGRAYSON, 20's, comlink in hand, quickly moves toward Lt.Quillan.

GRAYSONWe ran the manifest from the

factory through the cortex andflagged one of the workers.Suspicious background.

Quillan takes the comlink. Looks at an image of, DECLANEVERTON, late 20's, a few paragraphs of text next to theimage. Quillan quickly scans it.

QUILLANIndependent in the war. Let'sbring him in.

GRAYSONWe're searching for him now.

MALE VOICE (O.S.)An independent did this?

Quillan spins around. She didn't realize the crowd had come soclose to her. An ANGRY LOCAL stands right behind her. Thecrowd is pressing up behind him.

ANGRY LOCALWho is it?

QUILLANNot your business.

ANGRY LOCALNot our business? This is ourtown. These were our people.

QUILLAN(to Grayson)

Reinforcements.

Grayson moves off. Quillan turns back to the crowd.

QUILLAN (contd)Alliance justice will handle thisman.

ANGRY LOCALIt's one of those gorramn browncoats, right?

CROWD VOICE #1Had to be from the factory.


CONTINUED: (3)6 6

(CONTINUED)


16/59

CROWD VOICE #2That guy, working electric, henever drank with us.

QUILLANSettle down!

CROWD VOICE #1Yeah, too good for us. Lyin' sackof --

CROWD VOICE #2Saw 'im at the saloon.

The crowd starts surging.

QUILLAN(shouting)

Stop it. Now. Stop!

The angry local just pushes past her.

ANGRY LOCALOut of our way.

The mob surges with the angry local.

MAL AND ZOE

Watch from the side. They talk quietly.

MALThis is gettin' ugly.

ZOEWhat do you want to do?

MALGrab Simon. It's time to go.

As the crowd moves all around them. Mal and Zoe quietly walktoward the triage tent. They pass a group of bodies.

Azuria touches his wife's face, unable to believe she's gone,

kisses her forehead, not even paying attention to thecommotion all around him. SHOUTS ring out. Azuria looks up.

CROWD VOICE #1We've got 'em.

More SHOUTS are heard as the crowd surges closer to;

MAL AND ZOE


CONTINUED: (4)6 6

(CONTINUED)


17/59

Who've stopped moving. They fade into the background. Thesurging crowd drags a man past them. The guy wears a browncoat similar to Mal's. Zoe and Mal look at each other.

The mob drops the guy in the middle of the crowd. They angrylocal kicks him.

ANGRY LOCALMurderous independent.

Azuria breaks through the crowd, pushes the angry local to theside and just starts whaling on the independent.

BANG! Lt. Quillan shoots her gun into the air. Grayson and acouple of armed Alliance soldiers are with her.

QUILLANThe next person to touch that manis dead.

The crowd and Azuria reluctantly back away from the barelybreathing man. Quillan reholsters her gun, grabs some papersfrom Grayson, weeds through the people. Gets to the guy, bendsdown, turns him over. He's a mess.

QUILLAN (contd)(to crowd)

It's not him.

Quillan stands. The crowd starting to quiet.

QUILLAN (contd)We know who the culprit is andhe's no longer in town. He's takena land shuttle.

She nods to her soldiers who pick up the mistaken guy and movehim out of the crowd.

QUILLAN (contd)There's a bounty for whoevercaptures this guy. Buthe has to be brought in alive. Ifanyone harms the target they'll

face Alliance justice.

Mal snorts at that. Zoe elbows him to be quiet.

QUILLAN (contd)Every available ship in port isnow under my control. Alliancepersonnel and volunteers will beassigned to each in order to goafter and apprehend the target.


CONTINUED: (5)6 6

(MORE)(CONTINUED)


18/59

Captains please report to CorporalGrayson.

A couple of men head over to Grayson. Mal and Zoe share alook. Quillan walks straight up to Mal.

QUILLAN (contd)

Captain Reynolds.

MALYep.

QUILLANI'll be going with you.

MAL(beat)

Shiny.

Quillan hands him a piece of paper.

QUILLANOur target. Have your ship readyto go by oh-one-hundred.

She walks back to Grayson. Mal glances down at the picture.

ZOEWe can tell them we're grounded.Kaylee can fake a problem with theengines. Shouldn't be that hard.

MALPissin' hell!

ZOESir?

He nudges her. Shows her the picture of Declan.

ZOE (contd)It's Private Everton.

MAL(beat)

Guess we're going a'posseing.

Mal crumbles up the paper. Throws it on the ground.

END OF ACT ONE


CONTINUED: (6)6 6QUILLAN (contd)


19/59

ACT TWO

EXT. SERENITY RAMP - NIGHT7 7

Mal speaks with Inara, who has River next to her.

MALDon't talk to anyone.

INARAThanks, Mal. I think I've got thatcovered.

MALOkay, fine. But don't let moonpietalk to anyone, either. You thinkyou can handle these guys but...just don't let your guard down.

Inara bristles a bit, but then River motions Mal over to her,like she has a secret.

MAL (contd)Yeah?

RIVERPurple elephants are flying.

MALGood. Thanks for the update.

Lt. Quillan approaches. Mal turns to Inara.

MAL (contd)The Alliance has assured us thedelay won't be too long, Miss.

Inara nods, starts walking River down, her hand on River'sarm. Quillan stops her as they pass.

QUILLANMy apologies for theinconvenience.

INARAIt's no problem. I hope you catchthe monster responsible.

QUILLANWe will.


(CONTINUED)


20/59

RIVER(happily)

I'm going to the fair.

Quillan looks at her strangely. Mal steps up, motions Inaraand River down.

MALIf you'll stop bothering my payingcustomers, we can be off.

QUILLANThere'll be three others joiningus.

Two skeevy looking bounty hunters, JONAH, a talker, andMATHER, a grunter, come up. Jonah checks out Serenity.

JONAHWell, shoot, doubt this piece ofrustin' dust would be able to finda stick of dynamite up a donkey'sass.

MALWell, lucky for us there's nodonkeys on this planet.

They move into the cargo bay as Azuria comes up. Azuriadoesn't even look at them. Just walks up and into the cargobay. His big SHOTGUN strapped to his back.

MAL (contd)(to Quillan)

Fun group. Better be able tocontrol 'em. They disrupt my shipand I'm tossing 'em off.

QUILLANI don't need to remind you,Captain, who's in charge here.

MALNever had no doubts about that.

QUILLANWe're checking the northernsector. I'll give your pilot thecoordinates.

Quillan walks up. Mal looks around, then follows.


CONTINUED:7 7


21/59

INT. TRIAGE TENT - NIGHT8 8

In a quiet corner, Book prays over an elderly male body. Beat.Pulls the sheet over his head. Then moves onto the next body.There's a whole row of them.

PULL BACK to see the energy and flurry all around of peopletrying to save lives. It's a hodgepodge of folks. Most notreally knowing what they're doing, but trying. They're makingdue with whatever they can find.

Simon's the only one with any real triage experience. He'scurrently bandaging a drooping man around his ribs. He sees;

INARA AND RIVER

Enter the tent. River races over to him.

RIVERSimon. Simon. The fair.

Inara quickly approaches.

INARA(to Simon)

I'm sorry. I didn't think anywhereelse was safe.

SIMONNo, it's fine.

RIVERCotton candy. Play. Play!

Simon glances at some Alliance soldiers helping others overagainst a far wall. Simon grabs Inara's hand. Places it on thebandage.

SIMONHold this steady, firm.

INARA(uncertain)

Okay.

Simon leads River over to a quiet corner. Simon sits her down.River drops down cross-legged on the dirt.

SIMONPlease, River. Wait here.


(CONTINUED)


22/59

RIVERPretty blue ocean. Waves crashed.Castle all knocked down.

SIMONYou have to be quiet, good.

Please. It's important.

River smiles. Starts playing. Running her fingers through thedirt, making circular patterns. Simon watches her for a beat.Then moves back to Inara.

SIMON (contd)Thank you.

INARAWhat should I do?

Simon hands her a roll of bandages.

SIMONTie it off.

INARASimon, I'm good with anatomy, butnot like this...

SIMONYou'll do fine.

(off her unsure look)Will you do fine?

INARASure.

Simon nods, then starts cleaning his tools to go onto the nextpatient. Inara starts awkwardly to finish the bandage. Aflurry at the tent pulls both their eyes.

Two Alliance soldiers with Grayson hovering next to them bringin a stretcher.

GRAYSONDoctor!

SIMONOver here.

Simon points to the empty table next to Inara. They bring overthe stretcher. Set it down. It's Commander Tanaka. He'sissuing orders even though he's in great pain. His armswrapped around his stomach.


CONTINUED:8 8

(CONTINUED)


23/59

TANAKAGrayson, update.

GRAYSON(to Simon)

They just got him free, the

wreckage had him trapped.

TANAKANow!

Grayson rushes off. Simon worried, looks over to River, whostill quietly plays, then to Inara. Inara shares his look. Notsure what to do. They hear the RUMBLE as;

EXT. TOWN - NIGHT - EFFECT9 9

A shiny Alliance shuttle rises. Followed by three spaceshipsof various shapes and sizes, none of them particularly elegantor new. The final lift-off is Serenity. All the ships goingoff in different directions.

INT. SERENITY BRIDGE - NIGHT10 10

Wash flies, checks his controls in the background while Maland Zoe discuss.

ZOEEverton... come on, he was so by

the book he'd get upset if Ipissed without getting yourapproval to leave.

MALRemember when he wanted to writeup Winters because he wouldn'tshave.

ZOEWell, it was a pretty stupidlookin' mustache.

MALYeah, only time I ever agreed withhim. Just like the Alliance towant to convict a man with noevidence.

ZOEWe need to reach him first.


CONTINUED: (2)8 8

(CONTINUED)


24/59

MALIf we don't, he's gonna berailroaded or worse, dead, if thatlynch mob gets to him.

Quillan enters. Zoe goes to check on Wash.

MAL (contd)Lieutenant. Anything yet from theother ships?

QUILLANNo.

MAL(all conversational)

So, do you guys have anything onthis guy other than he was anindependent?

QUILLANI have my men checking otherleads, but to be honest Captain,this feels right.

MALReally? And you deduced that bysome sort of intuition...

QUILLANI deduced that by the fact that he

ran.MAL

Sure. Gotcha. Good logic. Seemsall matter of smart...

(beat)Course, guess I'd run too if I hada herd of yokels lookin' to beatthe horses' snot out of me.

Quillan checks out Mal's brown coat.

QUILLAN

You're an independent.

MALWas called that at one time.

Loaded stare. Then Quillan gets a BEEP from her comlink. Shetakes it off her belt. Reads it.

QUILLANThey've found a trail.


CONTINUED:10 10

(CONTINUED)


25/59

Mal shares a look with Zoe.

INT. SERENITY DINING ROOM - NIGHT11 11

Jayne sits at the table with Jonah and Mather. They're

comparing weapons. Jayne has out his big-ass gun. Jonah's moresleek, shiny while Mather has a wicked looking energy poweredcrossbow. They all ignore Azuria who sits in the corner. Jonahlifts Jayne's gun.

JONAHNice heft.

JAYNEYou should see the hole it canmake in a man.

Jayne holds his hands five inches apart.

JONAHSweet. But for pure accuracy can'tbeat my compressed airgun. Cutclean through a roach's butt athundred yards. Course, not aspretty as Mather's.

Jonah picks up the crossbow, tosses it to Jayne. Kaylee walksin, ignores the boasting at the table and goes to get herselfsome coffee.

JONAH (contd)Nuclear power pack, 200 psi,titanium arrows, go through teninches steel.

JAYNECould work. Personally, I would'vegone with the T4 model at 300 psi,but it'll get the job done.

Mather GRUNTS. Kaylee sees Azuria, walks over to him.

KAYLEE

Did they offer you any coffee?It's a bit sludgy and grosstasting, but the punch'll keep yagoin' till dawn.

Azuria doesn't look up as he talks.

AZURIANo, thank you.


CONTINUED: (2)10 10

(CONTINUED)


26/59

KAYLEEUm, okay.

Kaylee turns to go, but turns back. Heart on her sleeve.

KAYLEE (contd)

I saw you. At the fair, well,after the fair, after the... I'mso sorry. Was that your --

AZURIANo, thank you.

KAYLEEOkay, you don't want to talk, Idon't blame you, but if you everfeel like you do --

AZURIANo.

Beat, then Kaylee moves away. Cues in on what's being said atthe table.

JONAHSo, me and Mather, all into thisfactory gig, just came in on aship yesterday. Couldn't be as badas some other


27/59

JONAH(squaring back)

Now, not that I don't appreciate aman who's all boasty about hisweapons, but --

Kaylee steps up to the table.

KAYLEEWhat are you saying?

JAYNE / JONAHHuh?

KAYLEE(disgusted)

You insensitive louts. Have you noshame. People lost their lives andall you can think about is money.

She smacks Jayne on the head. Storms out.

JAYNEHey!

Jayne rubs his head. The other louts laugh. Azuria nevermoves.


Inara finishes bandaging a little girl's arm. Inara wears awhite apron over her clothes.

INARAYou'll be okay now, sweetie.

Inara picks up the little girl and looks around for someone totake her, but everyone's busy. She's not sure what to do.Someone taps her on her arm. She turns. It's River, holdingout her arms.

INARA (contd)That's all right, River. I'm sure

her mother is around heresomewhere.

RIVER(sad)

Mother gone.

River runs her hand down the little girl's hair.


CONTINUED: (2)11 11

(CONTINUED)


28/59

INARA(hugs the girl)

Oh.

SIMON (O.S.)Inara?

River holds her arms out again. Inara hesitates.

SIMON (O.S.) (contd)Inara!

Inara hands the little girl over to River. River smiles at thegirl and then carries her back to where she was sitting.

EXT. VERBENA SKYLINE - NIGHT - EFFECT13 13

The winking lights of the five ships, including Serenity, canbe seen in the darkness as the ships fly a similar path.


Wash's flying as Zoe enters.

ZOECaptain should be right behind me.

WASHThanks.

Wash checks something else on his controls. Keeps watchingthose as he talks with Zoe.

WASH (contd)Zoe?

ZOEYeah.

WASHWhat if this guy, you know, didit?

ZOETrust me, darling, this guycouldn't even tie his shoelaces ifit wasn't described to him usingstep-by-step graphics.


CONTINUED:12 12

(CONTINUED)


29/59

WASHSure.

(beat)But, well... people change.

ZOE

All we want to do is hear hisstory. We at least owe him that.

MAL (O.S.)Besides, I trained this guy...

Mal steps into the discussion. Zoe straightens.

MAL (contd)One would hope he'd have a smarterescape plan that limping along ina land shuttle.

(to Wash)What's up?

WASHI've been tracking his flightplan. We'll be on him in anotherhour, easy.

MALAnd?

WASHFor the last the

pattern the shuttle is flying hascontinually repeated. Every zig,every zag. A little too precisewith a human at the wheel.

Mal and Zoe look at each other.

MALHe bailed out. Knew we'd catch upto him.

ZOEDo you think the other ships'll

pick up on it?

MALWish I could count on 'em beingstupid, but our luck's never beenthat good.

(to Wash)Track it back, see where hedropped. I'll go explain it to ourguests.


CONTINUED:14 14

(CONTINUED)


30/59

Wash nods, turns back to his controls as Mal exits.

INT. SERENITY FORWARD CORRIDOR - NIGHT15 15

Mal talks with Quillan.

QUILLANYou're not trying to keep me awayfrom the target, are you, Captain?

MALYes. Your instincts areincredible.

QUILLANActually, my instincts are usuallypretty dead on. And right nowthey're telling me you're notsharing everything you know.

MALFine. I'll turn the ship backaround and we can follow all theother dupes, and when we take downan empty ship, then --

QUILLANOkay. We'll play it your way.

Mal nods, turns to go back to the bridge.

QUILLAN (contd)Captain?

MALYes?

QUILLANPulled up your service record.

MALAnd?

QUILLANYou were very loyal to yourtroops. An admirable quality, butI hope that you're not under anyillusions that just because thisman was an independent, that he'sinnocent and needs yourprotection.


CONTINUED: (2)14 14

(CONTINUED)


31/59

MAL(shrugs)

The war was awhiles back. Now I'mjust looking to make that bounty.

Mal turns back to the bridge. Quillan's not convinced.


Simon uses his fancy tools to save Tanaka. Inara assists,blood smeared on her apron, her arms. Tanaka's barelyconscious. Simon has a metal tool holding the wound open.

SIMONKeep this steady.

Inara does. Tries not to look down. Simon reaches in to dosomething icky that we don't see. Grayson appears. Simon seeshim, continues to operate as he talks.

SIMON (contd)Not now. Whatever fell on himcaused internal bleeding and sincewe don't exactly have x-rayequipment here I've had tooperate.

But Tanaka stirs. Spots Grayson, struggles to talk.

TANAKA

Report.GRAYSON

In can --

TANAKAGrayson!

GRAYSONThey believe the target haddropped onto land, they'recurrently heading to the estimateddrop zone.

Book's come up near Simon and Inara. Putting clean bandages tothe table behind them.

TANAKAWho?

GRAYSONHe was a private in the war.Independent.


CONTINUED:15 15

(CONTINUED)


32/59

TANAKA(difficulty breathing)

Damn brown coats. Should've wipedout when had chance.

BOOK

Leans closer to Inara as she grabs some of the bandages hejust put down.

BOOK (contd)(quietly)

Always thought you needed a bitmore evidence to convict a manthan the color of his coat.

INARASo did I.

Inara turns back to help Simon.

EXT. SERENITY RAMP / FOREST EDGE - NIGHT17 17

Mal, Zoe, Jayne, Quillan, Jonah, Mather and Azuria come downSerenity's ramp, each holding glowsticks. They're partlantern, part flashlight. Mal checks out the landscape asQuillan preps the troops.

QUILLANKeep in constant contact. We don't

know how dangerous this man is.Assume that he's armed.

JONAH(hefting his gun)

Not a problem.

Mal quietly pulls Jayne away from the others. Mal motionstoward the opposite side of the clearing.

MAL(whispering)

That direction. Like we talked.

JAYNEGive 'em the show.

MALYeah. But --

Jayne's already taking off, storming through the group.


CONTINUED:16 16

(CONTINUED)


33/59

JAYNEWatch out.

(sniffin')I got the scent.

Jayne examines the bushes. Sniffs one more time. Then RACES

headlong into the bushes.

JAYNE (contd)(laughing gleefully)

He's mine!

The others follow him, except for Zoe. Who heads over to Mal.

MAL(finishing his sentence)

... don't overplay it.

ZOENot full with the finesse.

MALAt least he's effective.

JAYNE (O.S)Stay away you freaks!

Lots of Jayne CRASHY noises in the distance. Mal sadly shakeshis head, them moves in the opposite direction.

MAL

(all business)Denser brush this way.

They move into it.

EXT. FOREST - NIGHT18 18

Jayne tromps through the forest. Shining the flashlight partof his glowstick in front of him. Searching behind trees,rocks, etc.

JAYNE

Come out, come out, wherever youare. We won't hurt you... much.

Slowly stalking behind him are Jonah, Mather and Azuria. Allwith weapons out.


CONTINUED:17 17


34/59


Mal and Zoe go carefully through the forest. Zoe squats downto check a bush. Mal sees a broken branch.

MAL(quietly)

Over here.

Zoe stands, goes to him. They continue moving.


Quillan follows Jayne's path. Jayne and troop make noise infront of her. She stops. Looks around. Then turns back.

EXT. FOREST CLEARING - NIGHT21 21

Mal and Zoe quietly enter. Mal watching the ground. He stopsby a very thorny looking bush.

ZOE(whispering)

Think he's holing up?

MALIt's what I taught him to do.

ZOESo, your superior tracking skillsare gonna find him...

MALCorrection. My superior trackingskills have found him.

Mal coolly reaches into the bush and proceeds to STICK himselfon a couple of thorns. Quickly pulls his hand out. Sucks on afinger.

MAL (contd)

Ouch! Gorramn it, Declan. Comeout!

DECLAN EVERTON, late 20's, nervous noodge, crawls out, looksat Mal, surprised.

DECLANSgt. Reynolds? Zoe?!?

Mal looks at Zoe, smug.



35/59


Quillan, now with her gun out, has completely separated fromJayne's group. She quietly continues on her path.


Declan's shaking Mal's hand. Zoe's.

DECLANI ran as soon as I heard wherethat crowd was headed. Was surethey were gonna get me... God,it's good to see you guys.

ZOEYou, too.

DECLAN(to Mal)

I didn't do it, Sgt. Reynolds. Iswear.

Mal puts his hand on Declan's shoulder.

MALI know.

And Mal CLOCKS him. Knocks him to the ground. Zoe looks at Mal

surprised. Quillan steps into the clearing, gun raised.MAL (contd)

(calmly)We've apprehended your bounty.

Quillan checks them all out. Still a little suspicious, butshe walks up to them.

QUILLANGood.

Mal and Zoe roughly pull a quiet Declan to his feet. Quillan

finally holsters her weapon, steps forward and cuffs Declan'shands in front of him. KA-CHUNK. They all turn. Azuria has hisshotgun aimed right at Declan.

END OF ACT TWO



36/59

ACT THREE


Azuria still has his shotgun aimed straight at Declan. Quillan

steps between them, into the line of fire, gun in her hand.Zoe and Mal off to the side, assessing.

QUILLANYou don't want to do this.

AZURIAIf you don't move than I'll justshoot right through you.

QUILLANThis man is going back to standtrial. Step back.

Mal comes closer to Azuria. Azuria doesn't waver, but;

AZURIAStop movin'!

Mal stops.

QUILLANIf you don't set down your gun,I'll be forced to kill you.

AZURIAI'm already dead. Nothing elsematters except I take this with me. Now move!

Quillan stands firm. Declan stays entrenched behind her.

MAL(casually)

This really isn't the way to dothis.

AZURIA

Shut up!

MALNo, I mean you need to anglehigher if you're hoping to shootboth of 'em.

Mal carelessly moves forward as he talks. Zoe fades further tothe side, watching Mal, unsnaps the button holding her gun.


(CONTINUED)


37/59

MAL (contd)Though I'd step back a pace if Iwere you, it'll be a might bitmessy with all that blood and goreand everything.

AZURIA(to Quillan)

Move. Please.

Quillan lets Mal talk.

MALNot that I don't get your reasonsand everythin', but come on you'renot a murderer. And that's whatyou'd be, if you pulled thattrigger.

AZURIAThirty years we been married, lastweek. Not always best of timesbeing out here, but we were therefor each other, always there.Couldn't think of my life withouther, can't think...

MALThen you need to ask yourself...would your wife really want you tothrow away your life like this.

Azuria hesitates for a second, then steadies his shotgun.

AZURIA

Azuria's finger starts pressing the trigger. Mal, realizinghe's going to shoot, moves toward him.

Suddenly, SPOTLIGHTS from the other ships shine down, dirtstirring up from the downdraft. Azuria looks up, startled. Malwrestles the shotgun out of his hand.

MALIt's over.

AZURIA(spits at Mal's feet)

It'll never be over.

MALAnger. Good emotion. Let's getthat all out.


CONTINUED:24 24

(CONTINUED)


38/59

Quillan's clamped a hand on Declan's arm. Uses her other handto talk into her comlink. Mal turns to Zoe, who has her gunsights on Azuria.

MAL (contd)Take him back to the ship.

Zoe pushes Azuria in front of her. Quietly turns to Mal.

ZOEMovin' speech, sir.

MALReally? I was afraid it might'vecome off a little insincere.

Zoe just moves Azuria away. Mal walks over to Quillan. Malpoints toward the ships above them.

MAL (contd)Gonna let them set down? Not thatI don't think you can keep 'em allfrom lynching our target, you knowyou being so successful with justthat one guy...

QUILLANThey're not landing.

MALGood.

QUILLANBut they will be escorting us backto town.

Quillan grabs Declan, pushes him in front of her. Startswalking. Mal glances up at the other ships, then follows.


A weary Inara carries clean water through the room. She losesher grip on the bucket. It slips, dropping to the floor

sloshing water onto the dirt, onto her shoes.

INARA

Inara bends down next to the bucket, tired. Bit overwhelmed.


CONTINUED: (2)24 24

(CONTINUED)


39/59

RIVER (O.S.)(sweet voice)

And the beautiful princess everynight prayed for her handsomeprince...

Inara stands, turns. Behind her is River, who's currentlysurrounded by a group of children. Some bandaged, most sleepy.Another child is added to the group as Inara watches.

RIVER (contd)... to fight through the terribleivy of thorns and climb up to herroom and slay all the wicked, evildemons...

Inara smiles at the spellbound children. Then takes a deepbreath, picks up the bucket and moves on. She threads backthrough the people and tables to Simon.

Grayson's back near Tanaka's head. Inara sets the water on atable. Starts to clean the blood off some of the utensils,places them next to Simon. Simon's hands are still in Tanaka.

SIMONThank you. I've cauterized onelaceration and if I can justreroute this crushed artery --

Tanaka GROANS. Barely conscious, in major pain.

GRAYSONHelp him!

SIMONLocal's wearing off. He's lost toomuch blood to be put completelyunder.

Tanaka GROANS again. Simon loads some liquid into his hypo-gun, presses it into Tanaka's neck. Beat. Tanaka SIGHS,visibly relaxes. Looks at Grayson.

GRAYSON

Sir?

TANAKAGo. Get estimated time.

GRAYSONYes, sir.

Grayson hurries off. Tanaka can't feel anything below hisneck.


CONTINUED:25 25

(CONTINUED)


40/59

Gathers more strength without the pain, though still prettybreathless.

TANAKAPain gone.

SIMONYou may feel good but it's just anillusion. You need to relax. Ishould be done soon.

TANAKAWhat give me?

Simon pays more attention to what he's doing, then what he'stelling Tanaka.

SIMONMoxoceline B.

TANAKAFancy stuff for border doctor.

Inara looks up at Simon. Then puts her hand on Tanaka'sshoulder.

INARAPlease don't exert yourself.

TANAKA(ignoring her)

Not to mention tools.Without Tanaka seeing it, Inara puts her hand on Simon's arm,squeezing it to warn him.

TANAKA (contd)Who are you?

Simon glances quickly up at Inara.


Wash at the controls. Zoe talks with Jayne behind him.

ZOEI want you to have your gun ready.Be prepared.

JAYNEFor what? To run or fight?


CONTINUED: (2)25 25

(CONTINUED)


41/59

ZOEEither. Both.

JAYNENo ruttin' way. We earned thatbounty.

WASH(spins around)


42/59

INT. SERENITY SPARE CREW QUARTERS - NIGHT27 27

Declan still in cuffs, paces while Mal leans against thedowned ladder.

DECLANA shuttle. That's all I'd need.Okay, maybe a little money, but Ipromise I'll pay you back.

MALHold for a minute. Firstly, I needthe story of what happened backthere.

DECLANI swear I was just helping 'embuild the factory. It wasn't thebest job, but it's a toget any work after the war. No onewants to hire an independent. I'muntrustworthy just cause we lost.

MALYeah. Been there.

DECLANYou know the Alliance'll just pinthis on me so it looks likethey're actually doing something

out here. I don't want to causetrouble for you or your crew,Sarge, but... we were on the sameside, you've got to get me outtahere.

Boots THUNK above Mal's head. He looks at Declan. Puts hisfinger over his lips. Quillan comes down.

MALLieutenant.

Quillan waits until she's down and facing Mal to show she

overheard. Declan sits on the bed, let's them fight it out.

QUILLANYou served with this man.

MALI was his sergeant.

QUILLANAnd you didn't tell me.


(CONTINUED)


43/59

MALSeemed wise at the time.

QUILLANSure.

(beat, then pissed)

Gorramn it, Captain, how do youthink this makes you look?

MALWhy don't you tell me.

QUILLANLike you helped him. Like I'm asucker for trusting you. God, didyou not see all those people dead.All those lives destroyed.

MAL(icy)

I was there.

QUILLANObviously not, if you're helpingthis murderer.

MALThere's been no proof that he isor that we're involved, but hey,if your intuition's goin' then howcan the facts compare to that.

Beat.

QUILLANWe know who you are. Your ship,your crew. There's nowhere youcould run.

MALNow you're threatening me.

QUILLANNot threatening, warning. Now get

out. No one is allowed access tothe prisoner from this point on.

Off Mal, pissed.

INT. SERENITY PASSENGER QUARTERS - NIGHT28 28

Kaylee steps in from the corridor. She's carrying a tray ofmushy food for Azuria.


CONTINUED:27 27

(CONTINUED)


44/59

KAYLEEThought you might be a bit hungry.

Azuria doesn't even respond. He's sitting on the bed. She setsthe food on a table next to him.

KAYLEE (contd)It's not that good, but supposedlynutritious. Isn't it amazin' thatthe things that are so good forya, always taste the worse.

No response, so Kaylee starts moving back to the door. Azuriaraises his bloodshot eyes to Kaylee.

AZURIA(quietly)

You ever love anyone so much thatyou couldn't imagine taking abreath without 'em being there tohear it? To share it.

KAYLEE(stuck)

No.(beat)

But if I did, maybe I'd want tomake sure the person responsiblefor 'em dying would also end upjust as dead.

Kaylee exits into;

INT. SERENITY PASSENGER HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS29 29

Kaylee rests against the side, upset. She pushes herself up,turns to go and almost runs right into Jayne. Jayne's got histurtle under his arm.

JAYNEHey!

KAYLEE

Sorry.

JAYNEGot any thread?

Jayne holds up the turtle, neck is almost gone.

JAYNE (contd)His floppy neck's makin' me sad.


CONTINUED:28 28

(CONTINUED)


45/59

KAYLEENo.

Kaylee moves to go around him. Jayne checks her out.

JAYNE

That ruttin' yokel didn't pesteryou or anythin'?

KAYLEENo. I'm okay.

JAYNEDon't look it.

KAYLEECome on, Jayne silly, you knowme... I'm always okay.

Kaylee goes past him. Jayne watchin' her. Jayne looks at histurtle, glances in the direction that Kaylee went, looks athis turtle, like he just might give it to her.

JAYNENah.

He tucks the turtle back under his arm. Walks on.


Simon's been fielding Tanaka's questions, and the strain isshowing. Inara's next to him. Simon never looks up from thesurgery as he talks.

TANAKAFrom where?

INARAPlease, you need to conserve yourstrength.

TANAKAAnswer.

SIMONI told you the core.

TANAKAWhy here?

INARACommander.


CONTINUED:29 29

(CONTINUED)


46/59

SIMONI'd never been off-planet beforelast year. I just wanted a chanceto see more of the universe. Totravel.

TANAKAPersphone?

SIMONI've visited many different worldssince then, Persephone might havebeen one of them.

TANAKA(beat)

You're a liar, bad one. Will findout why.

SIMON(looks right at him)

If you continue to talk and keepyour adrenaline levels high, thenit won't matter what you find outbecause you're going to bleed outand be dead.

Simon turns back to the surgery. But not before glancing overat River.

PUSH IN

On River telling her story to the children. She's smiling,enjoying herself.

RIVER(sweetly sing-songy)

And then the beautiful princessgot tired of waiting for herhandsome prince and tried toescape, but they found her and topunish her they locked her in asmelly, white, cold room where theevil blue demons strapped

electrodes to her face and startedto shock her. Zap, zap, zap, untilshe couldn't stop screaming. Onlyno one could hear.

River's still smiling, the kids not so much. In fact, they'rejust a little bit freaked out by the story and by the freakylady telling it.


CONTINUED:30 30


47/59

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY - NIGHT31 31

Mal and Zoe finish checking a weapons stash that's hidden inone of the secret compartments.

MALNo one's gonna tell me what to doon my ship before I figure outwhat I'm gonna do.

ZOEThen you know what you're gonnado?

They close up the compartment, stand up. Start walking towardthe door.

MALNo.

(beat)But if we run we'll be flagged inthe cortex and become sittin'ducks for any Alliance cruisersailin' by.

They walk through the door into;

INT. SERENITY PASSENGER LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS32 32

They continue to talk as they pass the infirmary.ZOE

Okay, then we don't run, whichmeans we don't fight.

MALYep.

ZOE(bit frustrated)

Then we sit on our butts and letDeclan fry? He's one of ours.

MALThank you, Queen of the nothelpful, I know that.

ZOEWell, time's short and not that Idon't enjoy watching you mull overa brilliant plan, sir, but --


(CONTINUED)


48/59

MALHey, if you --

Mal stops. Looks at the door where they were keeping Azuria.It's wide open. He and Zoe look at each other.

MAL (contd)

And start running up the stairs. Both pulling out their gunsas they go. They end up in the;

INT. SERENITY REAR CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS33 33

Mal and Zoe race through that into;

INT. SERENITY DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS34 34

And stop quickly as they almost trip over an unconsciousJonah. Zoe bends down, examines him.

ZOEAlive. But his gun's missing.

They stand, continue through the dining room into;

INT. SERENITY FORWARD CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS35 35

Mal and Zoe step by the open hatch where Declan is being held.The ladder is down. Mal, gun in his hand, slides down theladder into;

INT. SERENITY SPARE CREW QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS36 36

Mal lands, turns. But all is quiet. Zoe drops down behind him.Azuria's on the ground, eyes staring, neck broken, dead.

MALWhat?!?

A GROAN behind Mal. In the corner is Quillan, knocked out,starting to come around.

ZOEDeclan?

MALHe's going for a shuttle. Check onQuillan. Tell Jayne to find theother yokel and sit on him.


CONTINUED:32 32

(CONTINUED)


49/59

Mal starts climbing.


Mal jumps up onto the foredeck, gun still out, races into the

forward stairwell leading into;

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS38 38

And is HIT in the jaw right as he enters. He goes end over enddown the stairwell, ending with a THUMP on the catwalk. Hisgun goes flying over the edge.

Mal stumbles to his feet. Above him Declan closes and LOCKSthe door. Declan turns, has Jonah's gun at his side. Startscoming down the stairs.

DECLANSorry about that, Sarge. Thoughtit was the fed.

MAL(standing)

Sure. Not a problem. What the hellis going on?

DECLANThat yokel tried to kill me.

MALThat I can believe.(rubbing his jaw)

Gotten a little better on thepunches.

DECLANI've got to get out of here.

MALYou didn't have to break his neck.

DECLAN

It was instinct, I swear.

MALSure.

Mal moves toward Declan. Declan raises his gun a bit.

DECLANYou do believe me, don't you,Sarge?


CONTINUED:36 36

(CONTINUED)


50/59

Mal stops.

END OF ACT THREE


CONTINUED:38 38


51/59

ACT FOUR

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS39 39

Declan still has his gun raised on Mal. Declan starts moving

back on the catwalk toward the shuttle. Mal casually follows.

MALSure, I believe you.

DECLANJust let me take the shuttle. Youcan tell the Alliance that I helda gun on you.

MALWhich you happen to actually bedoing.

DECLANNot by choice.

Mal leans back against the railing.

MALSo, you did do it.

That stops Declan. Declan looks at Mal for a beat. Seems tocalm, become stronger, tougher.

DECLANAnd if I did?

MALIt was an Alliance factory. Whywould I give a


52/59

They hold a look. Declan finally relaxes.

DECLANGod, Sarge. You had me a bitworried there.

Mal laughs, moves a little closer.

MALShould kick you on your ass forleaving me with a knocked outAlliance fed on my ship, though.

DECLANWe could solve both our problems,drop her out an airlock, make arun for it.

MALThat we could.

Mal casually touches one of the hanging chains.

MAL (contd)Or we could not.

Declan looks at him and Mal SLAMS the chains into his face.Kicks the gun out of his hand. It falls over the side of thecatwalk.

They stand facing each other. The chain swinging between them.

DECLANGuess this changes things.

MALMight.

DECLANYou turnin' me in?

MALThinkin' about it...

Declan starts inching toward the shuttle. Mal keeps pace.

DECLANIt was an Alliance factory. Thosegears are an essential part of anew line of military skiffs. Youdo remember what those skiffs didto our men on the field?


CONTINUED:39 39

(CONTINUED)


53/59

MALBut they're not using those skiffson us anymore.

DECLANFor now. But the next time a

planet decides that maybe it wouldlike to celebrate one of their ownholidays, what do you think isgoing to happen? That the Allianceis going to say go ahead? Hey,we'll all bring cake.

MALBut it wasn't just the factory youblew up.

DECLANCommander Tanaka is the topranking official in this sector.

MALAnd all those people, children?

DECLANThis is war. Acceptablecasualties. You remember that,don't you, Sarge?

MALIsn't war when they're not

shootin' at you. Then it's justplain murder.

Declan launches at Mal and Mal's only too happy to throw downwith this guy. Mal takes a punch and then throws one.

They grapple on the catwalk. Slip to the ground. Rolling oneway then the other, almost going over the sides.

DOWN BELOW

Zoe and Quillan race in though the door by the infirmary.Quillan pulls out her gun. Puts her sights on Declan. Zoe

pushes Quillan's gun down.

ZOEHe needs to do this.

Quillan gets it, nods.

DECLAN


CONTINUED: (2)39 39

(CONTINUED)


54/59

head butts Mal. Mal grabs Declan by the shirt, tosses him overhis head.

They both slowly stand, never taking eyes off each other.

DECLAN

What happened to the great Sgt.Reynolds who had a cause, whobelieved in one?

MALThe war ended. We lost.

Mal and Declan launch again. It's nasty and messy. Declanlands a pretty vicious right hook and Mal stumbles back.

Mal grabs the hanging chains and pushing off the railing, heswings, kicks Declan in the chest.

Declan sails over the side of the railing. Lands on a pile ofboxes, crushing them.

Mal looks over the side, Declan slightly stirs, out but alive.Mal wipes the blood off the side of his face.

INT. TRIAGE TENT - DAY40 40

TIGHT on Simon's exhausted face. His freaked out emotions.

TANAKA (O.S.)

I can always smell a liar. Tryingto save your sister, weren't you?

Simon furiously looks around. Seems like all the people arewatching him. He keeps spinning back to the Alliance soldiers.They seem to be coming closer, closer.

TANAKA (O.S.) (contd)Pathetic! You can't help her, youcan't even help yourself.

A hand reaches out, touches Simon on the shoulder, startlinghim out of his spin. It's Book.

BOOKSon, you okay?

Simon looks down. Tanaka is dead, been dead for awhile. Hiseyes, lifeless, staring out. Simon takes a breath.

SIMONI thought he was going to make it.

(beat)


CONTINUED: (3)39 39

(MORE)(CONTINUED)


55/59

There must have been anotherblocked artery. It burst. He bledto death.

Book reaches down. Closes Tanaka's eyes.

BOOK

I'm sure you did everything youcould, right?

But Simon doesn't answer. Book stares at him, worried.

BOOK (contd)Right?

Stricken, Simon looks at Book.

SIMONI don't know.

Beat. They both look up as the RUMBLE of the ships returningis heard.

EXT. SERENITY RAMP - DAY41 41

Mal and Quillan walk a handcuffed Declan down between them.Quillan has a bandage on her forehead. The other two don'tlook much better. No one says anything.

INT. TENT - DAY42 42

Quillan, Declan and Mal enter. Quillan hands Declan over to acouple of Alliance soldiers, goes over to a table. A solidersteps up. Hands her an envelope. She counts the money onto thetable.

QUILLAN(to Mal)

I believe this is yours.

Mal comes over, scoops up the money, puts it in a leatherpouch. Tucks it into his jacket. Saying nothing, Mal turns togo. Declan steps into his path.

DECLANWe're fighting the just cause.Independent thought, independentdreams, independent lives. It's athing worth dying for.

Quillan steps over. Declan stares at Mal the whole time.


CONTINUED:40 40SIMON (cont'd)

(CONTINUED)


56/59

QUILLANThanks. Don't think we need yourmission statement.

DECLANJust repeating the words taught to

me by the man who trained me.

Mal takes that dig. Quillan notices.

QUILLAN(to soldiers)

Get him out of here.

Declan finally breaks eye contact as they drag him out. Malturns to Quillan.

MALNo words about you being right?

QUILLANWould it help if I did? Give you areason to hit me, to hitsomething.

(beat)I was right.

Mal walks out.

INT. SERENITY DINING ROOM - DAY43 43

Jayne sits at the table sewing his turtle's neck. Zoe getsfood from the bar by the kitchen. Kaylee walks in with Book.

KAYLEENot easy what you did, tellin' hisfamily.

BOOKLeast I could do, losing bothparents like that. It'll just taketime.

KAYLEE(quieter)Heals all pain, right?

BOOKUsually.

Book touches her on the shoulder, then moves toward the food.Kaylee sees Simon come in. Walks over to him. He's shaking hishead, smiling.


CONTINUED:42 42

(CONTINUED)


57/59

KAYLEEWhat's up, smilin' face?

SIMONMy sister. I haven't seen her thishappy in a long time. It's almost

like she used to be.(shaking his head)

I guess she really enjoyed tellingstories to those children. Sheeven wanted to go back.

Kaylee follows him into the kitchen. Where he gets somecoffee.

KAYLEEHeard you were pretty amazin'

SIMON(not looking up)

Not really.

KAYLEEDoctor, no need to be all bashfuland such. You should be proud,saving those lives.

Simon looks up, sees Book watching him. Inara steps over nearthem, getting coffee as well. Simon gleams onto her almostdesperately.

SIMONIf you want to know amazing... youshould've seen Inara. Stepping inwith no training. Never flinching.

INARAIt was what needed to be done.

They share a smile that Kaylee notices. Zoe moves past themwith two plates of food. Walks toward the bridge. Wash meetsher at the doorway.

WASH

For me?

ZOEYeah.

Wash takes it.


CONTINUED:43 43

(CONTINUED)


58/59

WASHThanks.

(checks Zoe out)Everything okay?

ZOE

(maybe not quite so)Sure.

Beat.

WASHYou know how I said people change?

ZOEYeah?

WASHYou didn't, haven't. You're stillabout the moment, still about thepeople, your people. Only thistime your people didn't deserveyou.

ZOE(taking that in)

And that could've gotten theCaptain killed.

Wash isn't sure what to say to that.

JAYNE (O.S)Hey! Looky who's here.

Mal's walked in on the other end of the kitchen. Jayne, stillwith turtle, sits up.

JAYNE (contd)You get it?

Mal pulls out the money pouch. Tosses it to Jayne.

MALDivide it up.

JAYNERuttin' cool.

Jayne opens the pouch. Mal keeps on walking. Inara steps up tohim, sensing all is not right here.

INARAMal?


CONTINUED: (2)43 43

(CONTINUED)


59/59

MALDon't let me interrupt dinner.

He keeps on going. Nods to Zoe and Wash, and exits. Zoe looksat Wash. He motions to her with his head to follow Mal. Shedoes;


Zoe walks up right as Mal reaches the entrance to hisquarters.

ZOECaptain?

MALYeah.

ZOEYou couldn't have known. Declanwasn't the man we served with. Hechanged.

MAL(not looking up)

Guess we all have.

Mal kicks his door. The ladder drops with a THUD.

END OF SHOW


CONTINUED: (3)43 43

firefly 1x15 - dead or alive

Documents