The crew doesn't know what to make of what Mal has just said.
Wash: Sorry, Captain. It's just that with Inara leaving and all, I'm just not in the laughing mood.
Zoë: That wouldn't be funny even if the situation were different. We already have two fugitives onboard as it is. The more we take in, the more the Alliance is going to want to find us.
River: No joke.
Jayne: What do you mean, "No joke"? The Captain was serious about this illegal arms dealer business?
Mal: You misunderstand. He just builds them, he doesn't sell them.
Book: I'm not sure how much better that makes him. He still creates dangerous weapons that, if treated carelessly, could fall into the wrong hands and cause the deaths of thousands, if not millions of innocent people.
Mal: It's not like that; I've spoken with this guy, and he seems pretty respectable.
Simon: I don't know how much stock we can put in to your opinion, Captain. After all, when I first arrived on this ship, you thought that I was an Alliance mole, and you never suspected the real mole for a second.
Kaylee: I think that we should trust the Captain on this one. I mean, (looks at Simon) our other fugitives haven't been all that bad. Besides, he could be able to help us out on the weapons front.
Mal: My point exactly.
Zoë: How do we know that we can trust him?
Mal: We don't. But isn't that the way we deal with all new passengers?
Wash: Yeah, but not all of our new passengers are on the run from the law.
Mal: As of now, over 50% of our passengers are fugitives, and when we invited Jayne to join the crew, he had me and Zoë at gunpoint.
Jayne (under his breath): May not be the last time, either.
Zoë: What was that?
Jayne: Nothing. Just clearing my throat.
Mal: (Sarcastically.) Good. Anyway, we'll be picking up Mr. Jameson at 0900 at the Olympus Docks. I trust that we will be able to pick him up without making a scene.
Inara's Shuttle
Inara is packing the last of her personal effects. The shuttle is almost recognizable. Mal enters.
Mal: Hey. You were pretty quiet back there.
Inara: Fortunately for me, after I leave, I won't need to worry about you entering my room whenever I'm with a client.
Mal: Yeah, that is an advantage. But you didn't respond to what I said to you.
Inara: Yes, I was quiet. That is because the matters of this ship are no longer my concern. If I were not leaving, then yes, I may have added my objections; however I know that my opinion means nothing to you. But since I will no longer be aboard this ship, I no longer care who will be sailing with you. You can rent this shuttle out to a pack of Reavers for all I care. Your bad decisions are no longer my problem.
Mal: Bad decisions? Come on, Nara. When have I ever led this crew wrong?
Inara: Well, let's see. You allowed Simon and River Tam, both of whom are known fugitives, to remain onboard. You double-crossed Nisca, a certified psychopath.
Mal: Hey, I gave that bastard his money back. He chose to raise dead matters.
Inara: Maybe. But I know that I don't need to remind you about the TWO Saffron incidents. We were nearly killed both times, and the first time I actually kissed… (Inara suddenly stops. She is obviously very scared about what she was about to say.)
Mal: Yeah, I know. You kissed her because her seduction worked. I know that already. You don't need to be ashamed of that. She played us all, it wasn't only you.
Inara: (Quickly.) Yes, she did. She played everyone, and we kissed, and that's all that happened.
Mal: Why do I now get the felling that you're not telling me everything about that incident?
Inara: I don't know. Distrustful nature, maybe?
Mal: Distrustful? I can't name anyone more trustful than me. You said it yourself; I'm allowing fugitives to remain onboard this ship. Not only do I trust their abilities to not get caught, there are people here who want to turn them in, but I trust that they won't. And furthermore… (The truth suddenly dawns on Mal.) Oh my God. I see it now.
Inara: (Starting to panic.) See what?
Mal: You are a master of the arts of deception; Saffron never played you at all. You kissed me.
Inara: Ok Mal. Yes, I did kiss you, but you have to understand the circumstances of that incident. I was afraid that woman was going to kill us and…
Mal takes Inara and kisses her sensually. At first, Inara seems to be enjoying it, but she then quickly pulls away.
Inara: You pig. You are not one of my clients, nor will you ever be. I don't have to take this from you. (Zips up her last bag.) Have a good time with your new passenger, Malcolm Reynolds. I hope you know what you're doing, for the sake of your crew.
Mal leaves the shuttle, and Inara begins to cry.
Olympus Docks
Andrew Jameson, the man who is to be the new passenger, checks his watch. He is dressed in a black leather coat and is wearing dark sunglasses. He has a few suitcases and duffle bags at his feet. He has a look of impatience on his face.
Andrew: (Irritated and impatient.) They're late.