Shindig

"Shindig" is the fourth episode of the science fiction television series Firefly created by Joss Whedon. Inara attends a formal society dance, only to find Malcolm there as well, attempting to set up a smuggling job. Mal comes to blows with Inara's conceited date and finds himself facing a duel with a renowned swordsman, and only one night to learn how to fence. Synopsis The crew lands on Persephone for a day of shore leave. In her shuttle quarters, Inara scans potential clients and chooses local aristocrat Atherton Wing, a regular customer. Mal and Jayne are accosted by Badger, who needs Mal's help to move an illegal cargo for aristocrat Sir Warrick Harrow, who shuns Badger and refuses to speak to him. He provides Mal and Kaylee with tickets to a fancy ball that Inara will be attending. At the ball, Atherton asks Inara to be his personal Companion, remaining in a world more suited to her, but she diplomatically defers making a final decision. Suddenly, the arrival of "Miss Kaywinnet Lee Frye and escort" is announced — Kaylee, in a ruffled dress she had earlier coveted in a shop window, accompanied by Mal in a fine suit. Back on Serenity, Simon, Book, and Jayne play cards, using ship chores as currency. River, experiencing another of her manic outbursts, frantically shreds the Blue Sun labels of their canned food supplies before Simon and Book calm her. Meanwhile, Wash and Zoe have sex.