Early quotes from Firefly

Man is stronger by far than woman, yet only woman can create a child—does that seem right to you?

You gonna be smart here, River? ...River? ...Serenity?

Well, here I am.

Kaylee

River? ...River? [startled by Early] Wah!

I like this ship... Serenity... she's good looking.

Kaylee

[stuttering] Ha-how how did you... g-get on—

Strains the mind a bit don'it? You think you're all alone... maybe I come down the chimney, Kaylee, bring presents to the good girls and boys. Maybe not, though. Maybe I've always been here.

Kaylee

What do you want?

[looks at engine] That's a beating heart isn't it? Pull off any one of a thousand parts she'll just die. Such a slender thread... [coldly] You ever been raped?

Kaylee

[almost in tears] Th-the captain is right down the hall-hallway- He... c-can... hear you—

The captain is locked in his quarters. They all are. There's nobody can help you... Say it.

Kaylee

[breathlessly, a tear starting down her right cheek] There's... there's nobody can help me.

I'm gonna tie you up now—

Kaylee

[whimpers]

And you know what I'm gonna do then? I'm gonna give you a present. Get rid of a problem you've got. And I won't touch you in any wrong fashion, nor hurt you at all, unless you make some kind of ruckus. You throw a monkey wrench into my dealings in any way, your body is forfeit. Ain't nothing but a body to me and I can find all unseemly manner of use for it. Do you understand?

Kaylee

[holding back tears] Yes.

Turn around and put your hands behind yer back.

Kaylee

Oh ughhhh... [moans, but does as she's told.]

[From behind her as he ties her up] Now tell me Kaylee, where does River sleep?

Simon

Are you Alliance?

Am I a lion?

Simon

What?

I don't think of myself as a lion. You might as well, though: I have a mighty roar.

Simon

I said "Alliance".

Oh, I thought—

Simon

No, I was—

That's weird.

Simon

So you're a bounty hunter.

No, that ain't it at all.

Simon

Then what are you?

I'm a bounty hunter.

Simon

You're outta your mind.

That's between me and my mind.

You ever been shot?

Simon

No.

You oughta be shot. Or stabbed. Lose a leg. To be a surgeon, you know? Know what kind of pain you're dealing with. They make psychiatrists get psychoanalyzed before they can get certified, but they don't make a surgeon get cut on. That seem right to you?

Alright, that's all the hide-and-seek I got time for. [shouting] I know you're on this ship, little girl! Here's how this goes: show yourself and finish this exchange, or your brother's brains'll be flyin' every whichaway! [normal tone] You understand, I'm sort of on the clock here, it's frustrating.

River

[over Serenity's intercom] You're wrong, Early.

I'm not wrong, dumpling, I will shoot your brother dead if you don't—

River

Wrong about River. River's not on the ship. They didn't want her here. But she couldn't make herself leave. So she melted. Melted away. They didn't know she could do that. But she did.

Not sure I take your meaning there.

River

I'm not on the ship. I'm in the ship. I am the ship.

Simon

River—

River

River's gone.

Then who exactly are we talking to?

River

Talking to Serenity. And Early? Serenity is very unhappy.

Where'd she go?

Simon

I can't keep track of her when she's not incorporeally possessing a spaceship; don't look at me.

I only hurt people 'cause they keep gettin' in the way of me finding you. [points his gun at Simon] Tell her.

Simon

What am I, your advocate?

You are, starting now.

Simon

[deadpan] He's really very… gentle, and fuzzy. We're becoming fast friends.

You folks are all insane.

Simon

Well… my sister's a ship. We had a complicated childhood.

You know, with the exception of one deadly and unpredictable midget, this girl is the smallest cargo I've ever had to transport, yet by far the most troublesome. Does that seem right to you?

Simon

What'd he do?

Who?

Simon

The midget.

Arson. Little man loved fire.

[outside Serenity in a space suit] You made the right move, darlin'. Best for you to go with old Early.

Mal

[appears behind him] You think so? Some of us feel differently.