The episode opens with River wandering in a daze through the ship. She perceives the crew in their various activities. Zoe and Wash making out, Book and Jayne talking. Simon telling amusing frat party anecdotes to Kaylee. She also perceives for a moment Simon wishing he was back home as well as Book and Jayne talking about clerical rules; and Wash and Zoe exchanging affections. Then she imagines herself strolling through some leaves. She stoops to pick up what she thinks is a twig. It turns out to be a gun. Mal disarms her and finds out the gun is loaded. Then River runs away in tears.