Back on the ship, Kaylee is busy welding something in the engine room. Mal strides in, calling her name. Kaylee says she's not speaking to him. Mal says she doesn't have to talk; he's got a job for her. Kaylee looks annoyed.

Ball Of Neo-Victorian Snobbery. Everybody continues to dance, snottily. It seems that the "offer" that Atherton made to Inara earlier was to essentially buy her, as opposed to renting her. He tells her while they're dancing (snottily) that he's offering her a life. She can live on Persephone as Atherton's personal companion. Inara says that's a generous offer, but doesn't give a definitive answer. She greets somebody else she knows on the dance floor. Atherton tells Inara that she "belongs" here on Persephone, not on "that piece of gos se." I believe that's Chinese for "sea cucumber." Inara is shocked at Atherton's language. Atherton insists that Serenity is a piece of sea cucumber. Suddenly, the doorman announces "Miss Kaywinnit Lee Frye and escort." Kaywinnit? Yikes. Maybe her parents are evil, after all. Inara stops dancing and looks over to the entryway in surprise. Kaylee enters, wearing the ridiculously frilly pink dress she saw earlier. She looks less like a sheep on two legs than like Little Bo Peep. Mal follows her in as "the escort" in a fancy Western-style tuxedo. Inara declares, "Oh, sea cucumber."

Commercials. Drinking chocolate milk turns you into an inconsiderate prick. Drink chocolate milk!

We return to The Fancy-Schmancy Snobby Ball Of Snotty Upper-Class Snobbery. Kaylee gawks at everything as Mal leads her to the main area. They watch the people dancing (snottily). Mal asks Kaylee if his pants seem a little tight. Kaylee says that it shows off his backside. His jacket has tails, though, so you're just going to have to do without. Sorry. Kaylee marvels at the hovering chandelier. Mal wonders why they would bother with that much effort. Yeah, it's not as simple and reasonable a use of technology as holographic billiard balls. Kaylee goggles some more at everything. Mal reminds her that she's supposed to make him look respectable. She responds, "Yessir, Captain Tightpants." They start looking around for their man. Kaylee suggests that they say "halloo" to Inara should they see her. Mal pretends to be indifferent, but he knows what color dress Inara is wearing, so you know he cares. He cares! Bleah. Anyway, the guy they're looking for is older, tubby, and is wearing a red sash. Kaylee points over to the corner and asks if that's him. Mal looks over and responds, "That's the buffet table." Kaylee: "Well, how can we be sure unless we question it?" Mal allows her to wander over and snack on the free snob chow.