After Zoe and Wash head off to their duties, Mal helps Kaylee and Jayne load the McGuffins into the secret hold. Mal exposits that he needs them out of sight because they're going to be picking up some passengers in Persephone in order to make some money, and he doesn't want them nosing around the contraband. Kaylee's thrilled that there will be travelers on the ship, because they all have stories. Oh, man, she's the one you dread getting seated next to on airplanes. Whatcha reading? Is it any good? I read her last book when I was taking the train to visit my aunt in Ohio. She lives in Columbus. They have a great symphony in Columbus. The last time I was there I heard them perform Beethoven's OH MY GOD, WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP?! You know. One of those people. Jayne begs Mal to stop Kaylee from being so cheerful. Mal says, "I don't believe there's a power in the 'verse that'll stop Kaylee from being so cheerful. Sometimes you just want to duct tape her mouth and dump her in the hold for a month." Kaylee responds by giving Mal a kiss on the cheek.

Down in a corridor, Zoe worries to Wash that something isn't right. They chat as they make their way onto the bridge. Wash hopes that they can get a few days off after this mission. There's lovey-dovey talk to telegraph to us that Zoe and Wash are a couple, which we already know, so get a room, you two. Wash suggests that they tell Mal that they're going to take a couple of days off, but Zoe says Mal's the captain, and it's his decision. Wash aftshadows his discontent that Zoe takes orders from Mal. Mal's her boss. It still bugs me. Boss. BOSS. She promises to ask him. Wash snarks, "Don't forget to call him 'sir.' He likes that." BOSS! Jeez.