Mal: I thought he made it pretty clear he has no regard for you.

Inara: You did manage to push him into saying something, yes. Made a nice justification for the punch.

Mal: Well, he insulted you. I hit him. Seemed like the thing to do. Why’d this get so complicated?

Inara: Well, it’s about to get simpler. There’s a back door. Desk clerk is on alert. He’ll let us out.

Mal: Whoa, whoa, I’m not running off. I don’t know what you got in your head, but I didn’t do this to prove some kind of point to you. I thought I was defending your honor. And I never back down from a fight.

Inara: Yes, you do! You do all the time!

Mal: Well, yeah… but, I’m not backing down from this one.

Firefly — Episode 4 — “Shindig”

Atherton: I accept.

Mal: That’s great! What?

Gentleman: There has been a challenge.

Atherton: I hope you’re prepared, Captain.

Mal: What? You all talking about a fight? That’s fine. Let’s get out of here.

Inara: It’s not a fist fight, Mal.

Gentleman: The duel will be met tomorrow morning at Cadrie Pond.

Mal: Well, why wait? Where’s that guard? He collected a whole mess of pistols.

Gentleman: If you require it, any gentleman here can give you use of a sword.

Mal: Use of a sw—what?

Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”

Inara: Good afternoon, Captain.

Mal: Morning. We’re downing, and in case that Wash don’t kill us all, local time’s going to be in the a.m., 10 or so.

Inara: Yes, I saw that.

Mal: Making plans? “Atherton Wing”. He’s a regular, ain’t he?

Inara: I’ve seen him before.

Mal: Oh, I never did. Not what I pictured – young. Must be rich too, to afford your rates.

Inara: I suppose. He has engaged me for several days.

Mal: Days!? Boy must have stamina.

Inara: (smiling) He does.

Mal: Well…fine. Is he letting you out at all?

Inara: Actually, we’re attending a ball tomorrow night.

Mal: Tell me, do all the men there pay for their dates, or just the young rich ones with stamina?

Inara: Most of the women in there will not be Companions, if that’s what you’re asking. Perhaps the other men couldn’t attract one.

Mal: Hmm. It’s sounds like the finest party I can imagine getting paid to go to.

Inara: I don’t suppose you’d find it up to standards of your outings. More conversation and somewhat less petty theft and getting hit with pool cues. (dismissing him) I understand if you need to go prepare for that “It’s 10 in the morning” issue.

Mal: Yeah. Better go do that. ‘Cause I think this is more of an evening look.

Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”

Mal: There’s a chance you might want to head back to the ship.

Inara: Oh, I’m all right. This is entertaining, actually.

Mal: Yeah? What’s entertaining?

Inara: I like watching the game. As with other situations, the key seems to be giving Jayne a heavy stick and standing back.

Mal: Still, might ought to clear out before too much longer. Seems there’s a thief about.

Inara: A thief?

Mal: Took this right off him. (hands Inara stolen money) Now they earned that with the sweat of their slave-trading brows.

Inara: Mal…

Mal: Aw, terrible shame. Course they won’t discover it till they go order their next round of drinks.

Wright: (in Chinese, grabbing Mal’s shoulder) Way! [“Hey!”]

Mal: Good drinker, that one.

(a fight breaks out)

Inara: (to the bartender) Lovely place, I’ll tell my friends.

Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”