Riba Rambles:
MORE Musings of a Mental Magpie

Since I got such a favorable reaction to my earlier Firefly fanfic bunny, a few other ideas that I'd love to read but don't feel capable of writing.

[Note: this post contains script excerpts and possible spoilers for Firefly episodes, along with spoilers and quotes from the conclusion of the Serenity movie.]

1) "Out of Gas" missing scene between Simon and Wash

OUT OF GAS [Shooting Script]

INARA: I love this ship. I have from the first moment I saw it.

SIMON: I just don't want to die on it.

INARA: I don't want to die at all.

SIMON: Suffocation's not exactly the most dignified way to go. The human body will involuntarily --

INARA: Please, I don't really require a clinical description right now.

SIMON: I'm sorry. I just... (after a beat) It was my birthday.

He smiles wistfully. She smiles back. Puts her hand over his.

Poignant stuff.

Later in the episode, Simon shares a shuttle with Wash, Zoe and River. The latter two aren't much for conversation, but I assume there's some kind of heart-to-heart between Simon and Wash which touches on this matter. Also, provide some clues to Simon's birthday wish ideas (and if it changes over the course of the episode, how).

2) Post-TV-show, regarding Simon and guns

Largely inspired by this sequence in "War Stories":

WAR STORIES [Shooting Script]

MAL: (to BOOK and SIMON) I'm told ya'll took up arms in that little piece of action back there.

BOOK nods. SIMON looks uncomfortable.

SIMON: Yes, I -- Yes.

MAL: How you farin' with that, Doctor?

SIMON: I don't know... I never shot anyone before.

BOOK smiles and claps SIMON on the shoulder.

BOOK: I was there, son. I'm fair sure you haven't shot anyone yet.

MAL chuckles, heading for the stairs.

This wasn't the first time in the series Simon picked up a gun (think of his standoff in the pilot) but if Book is to be believed, he hasn't shot anyone yet. So how does he reconcile his Hippocratic oath with the necessity of taking up arms out on the frontier? Recognizing situations like these will happen again (I can't even count the number of episodes where Simon's injured or slapped around for some reason or other) what's Simon going to do about it? Would he learn how to shoot? And, if so, who would he ask for lessons?

3) Focus on the Tam parents

They're probably under government suspicion and surveillance in case Simon or River tries to contact them. How are they faring and what has this done to them? What do they know? What do they suspect?
For that matter, their friends and business associates (and business) may also be under scrutiny. So how has that affected their standing in business and society? What do the neighbors think?

Why yes, I am a Simon fangirl. Does it show?

And now for... Three Post-Serenity Ideas:

4) General post-Serenity world picture

SERENITY [Shooting Script]

THE OPERATIVE: Do you know what an uproar you've caused? Protests, riots -- cries for a recall of the entire Parliament.

I'd love to see other facets of the universe beyond our ragged crew out on the rim.

Just extrapolations from the conclusion of Serenity to their ramifications on politics, government, daily life, and so on.

5) post-Serenity look at the Tam parents

SERENITY [Shooting Script]

THE OPERATIVE: I told them the Tams were no longer a threat -- damage done. They might listen, but... I think they know I'm no longer their man.

Combining the last two items, how will the Tams' life change after the events of Serenity? How much do they know? If surveillance on them ceases shortly after the systemwide broadcast, you think they might put two and two together? They're not stupid people to produce such smart children...

I had a brief notion that Inara could very conceivably cross paths with them, given her profession. [For some reason I pictured her as somebody's escort on some kind of business-networking cruise. Gives her time to possibly radio the ship and inform Simon, so he can decide how he'd want her to proceed... On the other hand, if the Tams notice Inara's reaction to them, they might confront her first...]

6) post-Serenity Zoe and Wash's parents

Somebody's got to tell them. I'm sure Mal would do the noble captain-y thing and offer to inform them, but Zoe wouldn't go for that. It's something she needs to do, and something that must be done in person, no matter how little she likes the idea of setting foot on the central planets.

But that seems like the first step towards healing that Zoe needs, and I can't help feeling that no matter what happens, Wash's parents would embrace her with open arms.

I almost like the idea of this taking place during the reconstruction of Serenity, with Zoe departing after the funeral and returning in time for the final scene (and first flight):

SERENITY [Shooting Script]

MAL: Think she'll hold together?

ZOE: She's tore up plenty. But she'll fly true.

I thought I had some other story seeds, but these are all I can recall right now.

Also, one fanvid idea: I'd love to see "Every Breath You Take" by the Police illustrated with clips from "Objects in Space." I heard that song on the radio recently, and thought it would be appropriate for the battle of wits between River and Early.

Once again, I remind y'all that all these ideas are free for the taking. All I ask is that if somebody does (or already has) developed any of these scenarios, send me a link so I can enjoy them myself.