Inara says that things are about to get simpler, and explains that she arranged it so that Mal can escape. But no, now that Mal's got his testosterone going, he's gotta have his Alpha Male Face-Off. Mal says that he was really trying to protect Inara's honor, and insists that he never backs down from a fight. Inara points out that he runs from fights all the time. Well, yeah. But not this time! Inara asks how Mal's death will help her honor. Mal says that he's not going to die! He's going to win! And Inara's going to help him. Since she's educated and all, Mal tosses her a sword to tutor him on how to fight. Okay, I like the gender reversal here. A little. It's the only non-predictable part of the plot.

Back on the ship, Zoe, Simon, Kaylee, and Jayne are pretending to play poker in the cargo hold while trying to figure out if there's anything they can do. Wash is sitting next to them, but not really participating. Badger's men guard them. Kaylee says that Mal said not to do anything. He insisted that he'd be back after winning the duel. Zoe diplomatically observes that it doesn't hurt to have a contingency plan. Simon suggests that since they're all unarmed, they should try to take them all by surprise. Zoe counter-suggests that they might be better off trying to lure a couple of them away. Like, say, to the infirmary. Take those men out and then take on Badger. Book is standing off to the side, reading the Bible. I don't think he's in position to hear the conversation. I doubt he'd have anything to contribute anyway. Jayne says that the plan would only work if they had something to divert Badger's attention away. He suggests that Zoe get naked. Wash looks up from the floor and says no. Then Jayne suggests that he get naked. Yes, that sounds like a perfect plan! Get naked and do pull-ups. How will this deal with Badger and his men? Who cares? Sadly, both Wash and Zoe vote no on the Jayne nekkidness. He looks disappointed. As do many of us. Kaylee and Simon were conspicuously silent at Jayne's suggestion.