A Man can Get a Job, He Might not Look too Close at What That Job is.

In folklore, three parts often represent 

The Past, The Present, 

and 

The Future.

However, it also used to be interpreted as a Cycle of Life: 

Life, Death, 

and Rebirth. 

PARADISO - NIGHT

MAL and ZOE are driving the cargo back.

MAL

We'll have to drag 'em from here. Leave 'em just off

the street. We'll notify the Sheriff when we're in 

deep, deep space.

SHERIFF

Why not tell him in person?

CUT TO:

SHERIFF and his men coming up from over a slight rise. MAL looks shocked, ZOE looks resigned.

SHERIFF (cont'd)

Got word of a ship not far out, came lookin'. Didn't

expect to find you comin' back.

It's clear now that the SHERIFF and his men are armed and prepared to use those arms if need be.

MAL

Didn't expect to be comin'.

The Sheriff's crew inspects the cargo.

DEPUTY

Nothin' missing.

SHERIFF looks at MAL, smiles, and looks down in disbelief.

SHERIFF

You were truthful back in town. These are tough

times. If a man can get a job, he might not look

too close at what that job is. But a man learns

all the details of a situation like ours, well,

then he has a choice.

MAL 

(looking stone-cold serious)

I don't believe he does.

A look of understanding passes between them.

SHERIFF 

(to crew)

Get these crates back to town. Make yourselves useful.

EXT. SERENITY - NIGHT

CROW is on his knees, hands tied behind his back

MAL

Now this is all the money Niska gave us in advance.

You bring it back to him, tell him the job didn't

work out.

(Crow spits) 

We're not thieves--but we are thieves. Point is 

we're not takin' what's his. Now we'll stay out of 

his way the best we can from here on in. You 

explain that that's best for everyone, okay?

CROW stands.

CROW

Keep the money. Use it to buy a funeral. It doesn't 

matter where you go, or how far you fly. I will 

hunt you down, and the last thing you see will 

be my blade.

MAL

Darn.

MAL kicks CROW into the engine intakes. Horrible crunching sounds happen. A second one of Niska's henchmen is brought bound before him.

MAL

Now this is all the money Niska gave us in advance.

HENCHMAN

Oh, I'm good. I speak for everyone. I'm right 

there with you.