Returning to a moon where he ran into some serious trouble years ago, Jayne discovers that he's become a local folk legend. Mal decides to use this entertaining distraction to complete a job, but some unfinished business may derail his plans.

The episode opens with Kaylee insisting that the always-proper Simon never uses swear words, despite his protestations that he does whenever they're "appropriate." Inara departs for an overnight meeting with a client. Jayne attempts to use tape to smuggle concealed weapons on the mission, against orders, apparently afraid he will be recognized for crimes committed some years back, but is forced to leave them behind.

The crew arrive at the factory town of Canton, taking on the disguise of buyers of "mud", a clay which when properly treated produces a ceramic described as "ten times stronger than steel". After talking with the foreman, they enter the town, where they find a statue of the "Hero of Canton", Jayne himself, to Jayne's shock and puzzlement. It is revealed by a song started by a performer and taken up by a cheering crowd that Jayne is a legend in the town, apparently credited with stealing a large amount of money from the magistrate and dumping it on Canton from the air. Jayne attempts to escape, only to be recognized, and finds himself offered the best whiskey and accolades from all. The smuggling contact is horrified by Mal's supposed idea of "lying low," but Mal soon develops a plan around this considerable distraction. While Jayne carouses with the admiring locals, Mal heads back to Serenity with Wash and tells Zoe how this unexpected celebration of Jayne is exactly the cover they need to sneak the merchandise past the foreman and his "prods."

Inara meets with the magistrate, who introduces her to his son, Fess. He is disgusted that his son is a virgin and has brought Inara to Canton to "make a man of him". The magistrate attempts to stay and watch, but Inara manages to get rid of him. She goes on to tell Fess that there is nothing wrong with his being a virgin, and that he should be himself and not his father.

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