Zoe: Next time we smuggle stock, let's make it somethin' smaller. Wash: Yeah, we should start dealing in those black market beagles. Mal: [about cattle] You know, they walk just as easy if you lead 'em. Jayne: Nah, I like smackin' 'em. Yah! Mal: So, she's added cussing and hurling about of things to her repertoire. She really is a prodigy. Simon: It's just a bad day. Mal: No, a bad day is when someone's yellin' spooks the cattle. Understand? You ever see cattle stampede when they got no place to run? It's kind of like a... a meat grinder. And it'll lose us half our herd. Simon: She hasn't gone anywhere near the cattle. Mal: No, but in case you hadn't noticed, her voice kinda carries. We're two miles above ground and they can probably hear her down there. Soon as we unload, she can holler until our ears bleed. Although I would take it as a kindness if she didn't. River: The human body can be drained of blood in 8.6 seconds given adequate vacuuming systems. Mal: See, morbid and creepifying, I got no problem with, long as she does it quiet-like. Gabriel Tam: [after young Simon swears in Chinese] Language, young man. Young Simon: Sorry, Dad. The independents attacked us with dinosaurs. Young River: Simon lost his head in the heat of battle. Gabriel Tam: Well, since dinosaurs were involved I guess we can let that one slide. Mal: This is the last time. Last time with cows. Hear there was an idea regarding beagles? They have smallish droppings? River: Little soul, big world. Eat, sleep, and eat. Many souls. Mal: Cattle on the ship three weeks, she don't go near 'em. Suddenly we're on Jianying, and she's got a driving need to commune with the beasts? River: They weren't cows inside. They were waiting to be, but they forgot. Now they see sky, and they remember what they are. Mal: Is it bad that what she said makes perfect sense to me? Inara: Does it seem every supply store on every border planet has the same five rag dolls and the same wood carvings of... what is this, a duck? Simon: River, be careful with that, that's, um... What is that? Kaylee: That's a post holer. You dig holes. For posts. Simon: It's, uh, it's dirty and sharp. Captain Reynolds: Never goes smooth. How come it never goes smooth? Book: That's... that's quite a lot of blood, isn't it? Mal: Just means you ain't dead. Book: 'Fraid I might be needin' a preacher. Mal: That's good. You lie there and be ironical. Zoe: Captain'll come up with a plan. Kaylee: Well, that's good... right? Zoe: Possible you're not recalling some of his previous plans. [flipping through Simon's journal] Jayne: "Dear diary: Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy." [flips again] Jayne: "Today we were kidnapped by hill folk, never to be seen again. It was the best day ever." [they're arriving at the only place which can help the dying Shepherd] Zoe: You sanguine about the kind of reception we're apt to receive on an Alliance ship, captain? Mal: Absolutely. What's "sanguine" mean? Zoe: Sanguine. Hopeful. Plus, point of interest, it also means "bloody". Mal: Well, that pretty much covers all the options, don't it? River: But I understand. You gave up everything you had to find me. You found me broken. It's hard for you. You gave up everything you had. Simon: Mei-mei, everything I have is right here. River: Ruby doesn't talk. Her voice got scared away. [Gets distracted and smiles] River: I hear crickets. Doralee: I don't understand... if Ruby didn't talk, how do you know...? Simon: Um, uh, my sister is... she's very good at... What's wrong? Doralee: "And they shall be among the people, and they shall speak truths and whisper secrets... and you will know them by their crafts." Simon: What are you talking about? Doralee: "Thou shall not suffer a witch to live!" [Simon's father is angry that he tried to rescue River from the academy] Gabriel Tam: Are you trying to destroy this family? Simon: I didn't realize it would be so easy. [Mal is trying to find out why the Alliance helped the Shepherd, who doesn't want to admit the reason] Book: Folks like a man of God. Mal: No, they don't. Men of God make everyone feel guilty and judged. Mal: Well look at this. 'Pears we got here just in the nick of time. What does that make us? Zoe: Big damn heroes, sir. Mal: Ain't we just. [Simon and River are about to be burned at the stake] Mal: Gotta say, Doctor, your talent for alienating folks is near miraculous. Simon: Yes, I'm very proud. Patron: This is a holy cleansing. You cannot think to thwart God's will! Mal: Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun? I'm not saying you weren't easy to find, but it was kind of out of our way and he didn't want to come in the first place. Man's looking to kill some folk, so really it's _his_ will y'all should be worried about thwarting. Now cut her down. Patron: The girl is a witch! Mal: Yeah, but she's *our* witch. [Cocks shotgun and aims at Patron] Mal: So cut her the hell down. Simon: So, finally a decent wound on this ship and I miss out. I'm sorry. Mal: Well, you were busy trying to get yourself lit on fire. It happens. Simon: Captain, why did you come back for us? Mal: You're on my crew. Simon: Yes, but you don't even like me. Why'd you come back? Mal: You're on my crew. Why we still talking about this? [walks away]