diff --git a/backends/backends.go b/backends/backends.go
index 32e19f036f..50f3150859 100644
--- a/backends/backends.go
+++ b/backends/backends.go
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 package backends
 
 import (
-	"io"
 	"fmt"
 	"github.com/docker/libswarm/beam"
 	beamutils "github.com/docker/libswarm/beam/utils"
+	"io"
 	"strings"
-	"sync"
 	"time"
 )
 
@@ -18,18 +17,19 @@ import (
 // Example: `New().Job("debug").Run()`
 func New() beam.Sender {
 	backends := beamutils.NewHub()
-	backends.RegisterName("cd", func(msg *beam.Message, in beam.Receiver, out beam.Sender, next beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
+	backends.RegisterName("cd", func(msg *beam.Message, out beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
 		return false, fmt.Errorf("no such backend: %s\n", strings.Join(msg.Args, " "))
 	})
-	backends.RegisterName("cd", func(msg *beam.Message, in beam.Receiver, out beam.Sender, next beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
+	backends.RegisterName("cd", func(msg *beam.Message, out beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
 		if len(msg.Args) > 0 && msg.Args[0] == "debug" {
-			debugr, debugw, err := out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register"}, beam.R|beam.W)
+			debug, err := out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register", Ret: beam.RetPipe})
 			if err != nil {
 				return false, err
 			}
+			// Spawn the debug object
 			go func() {
 				for {
-					msg, msgr, msgw, err := debugr.Receive(beam.R | beam.W)
+					msg, err := debug.Receive(beam.Ret)
 					if err == io.EOF {
 						return
 					}
@@ -37,34 +37,35 @@ func New() beam.Sender {
 						return
 					}
 					fmt.Printf("[DEBUG] %s %s\n", msg.Name, strings.Join(msg.Args, " "))
-					// FIXME: goroutine?
-					Splice(debugw, msg, msgr, msgw)
+					if _, err := out.Send(msg); err != nil {
+						return
+					}
 				}
 			}()
 			return false, nil
 		}
 		return true, nil
 	})
-	backends.RegisterName("cd", func(msg *beam.Message, in beam.Receiver, out beam.Sender, next beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
+	backends.RegisterName("cd", func(msg *beam.Message, out beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
 		if len(msg.Args) > 0 && msg.Args[0] == "fakeclient" {
-			_, fakew, err := out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register"}, beam.R|beam.W)
+			_, err := out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register", Ret: beam.NopSender{}})
 			if err != nil {
 				return false, err
 			}
+			// Spawm the fakeclient task
+			// FIXME: only do this after started?
 			go func() {
-				defer fmt.Printf("[FAKECLIENT] done\n")
+				out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "log", Args: []string{"fake client starting"}})
+				defer out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "log", Args: []string{"fake client terminating"}})
 				for {
 					time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
-					fmt.Printf("[FAKECLIENT] heartbeat\n")
-					_, _, err := fakew.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "log", Args: []string{"fake client reporting for duty"}}, 0)
+					_, err := out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "log", Args: []string{"fake client reporting for duty"}})
 					if err != nil {
 						return
 					}
-					containersR, _, err := fakew.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "containers"}, beam.R)
-					if err != nil {
+					if _, err := out.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "children", Ret: beam.NopSender{}}); err != nil {
 						return
 					}
-					go beamutils.Copy(beam.NopSender{}, containersR)
 				}
 			}()
 			return false, nil
@@ -73,24 +74,3 @@ func New() beam.Sender {
 	})
 	return backends
 }
-
-func Splice(dst beam.Sender, msg *beam.Message, r beam.Receiver, w beam.Sender) error {
-	dstR, dstW, err := dst.Send(msg, beam.R|beam.W)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer dstW.Close()
-	var tasks sync.WaitGroup
-	_copy := func(dst beam.Sender, src beam.Receiver) {
-		tasks.Add(1)
-		go func() {
-			defer tasks.Done()
-			beamutils.Copy(dst, src)
-			dst.Close()
-		}()
-	}
-	_copy(dstW, r)
-	_copy(w, dstR)
-	tasks.Wait()
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/beam/beam.go b/beam/beam.go
index 7fb13119cb..d1ae87a0ed 100644
--- a/beam/beam.go
+++ b/beam/beam.go
@@ -6,23 +6,24 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Sender interface {
-	Send(msg *Message, mode int) (Receiver, Sender, error)
+	Send(msg *Message) (Receiver, error)
 	Close() error
 }
 
 type Receiver interface {
-	Receive(mode int) (*Message, Receiver, Sender, error)
+	Receive(mode int) (*Message, error)
 }
 
 type Message struct {
 	Name string
 	Args []string
 	Att  *os.File
+	Ret  Sender
 }
 
 const (
-	R = 1 << (32 - 1 - iota)
-	W
+	Ret int = 1 << iota
+	// FIXME: use an `Att` flag to auto-close attachments by default
 )
 
 type ReceiverFrom interface {
@@ -37,3 +38,20 @@ var (
 	ErrIncompatibleSender   = errors.New("incompatible sender")
 	ErrIncompatibleReceiver = errors.New("incompatible receiver")
 )
+
+// RetPipe is a special value for `Message.Ret`.
+// When a Message is sent with `Ret=SendPipe`, the transport must
+// substitute it with the writing end of a new pipe, and return the
+// other end as a return value.
+type retPipe struct {
+	NopSender
+}
+
+var RetPipe = retPipe{}
+
+func (r retPipe) Equals(val Sender) bool {
+	if rval, ok := val.(retPipe); ok {
+		return rval == r
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/beam/beam_test.go b/beam/beam_test.go
index ee0096b189..6d504f2ce7 100644
--- a/beam/beam_test.go
+++ b/beam/beam_test.go
@@ -5,13 +5,16 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestModes(t *testing.T) {
-	if R == W {
-		t.Fatalf("0")
-	}
-	if R == 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("0")
-	}
-	if W == 0 {
+	if Ret == 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("0")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestRetPipe(t *testing.T) {
+	var (
+		shouldBeEqual = RetPipe
+	)
+	if RetPipe != shouldBeEqual {
+		t.Fatalf("%#v should equal %#v", RetPipe, shouldBeEqual)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/beam/copy.go b/beam/copy.go
index 0d9543b043..dd979dc55f 100644
--- a/beam/copy.go
+++ b/beam/copy.go
@@ -1,57 +1,33 @@
-package utils
+package beam
 
 import (
-	"github.com/docker/libswarm/beam"
 	"sync"
 )
 
-func Copy(dst beam.Sender, src beam.Receiver) (int, error) {
+func Copy(dst Sender, src Receiver) (int, error) {
 	var tasks sync.WaitGroup
 	defer tasks.Wait()
-	if senderTo, ok := src.(beam.SenderTo); ok {
-		if n, err := senderTo.SendTo(dst); err != beam.ErrIncompatibleSender {
+	if senderTo, ok := src.(SenderTo); ok {
+		if n, err := senderTo.SendTo(dst); err != ErrIncompatibleSender {
 			return n, err
 		}
 	}
-	if receiverFrom, ok := dst.(beam.ReceiverFrom); ok {
-		if n, err := receiverFrom.ReceiveFrom(src); err != beam.ErrIncompatibleReceiver {
+	if receiverFrom, ok := dst.(ReceiverFrom); ok {
+		if n, err := receiverFrom.ReceiveFrom(src); err != ErrIncompatibleReceiver {
 			return n, err
 		}
 	}
 	var (
 		n int
 	)
-	copyAndClose := func(dst beam.Sender, src beam.Receiver) {
-		if dst == nil {
-			return
-		}
-		defer dst.Close()
-		if src == nil {
-			return
-		}
-		Copy(dst, src)
-	}
 	for {
-		msg, rcvR, rcvW, err := src.Receive(beam.R | beam.W)
+		msg, err := src.Receive(Ret)
 		if err != nil {
 			return n, err
 		}
-		sndR, sndW, err := dst.Send(msg, beam.R|beam.W)
-		if err != nil {
-			if rcvW != nil {
-				rcvW.Close()
-			}
+		if _, err := dst.Send(msg); err != nil {
 			return n, err
 		}
-		tasks.Add(2)
-		go func() {
-			copyAndClose(rcvW, sndR)
-			tasks.Done()
-		}()
-		go func() {
-			copyAndClose(sndW, rcvR)
-			tasks.Done()
-		}()
 		n++
 	}
 	return n, nil
diff --git a/beam/inmem/inmem.go b/beam/inmem/inmem.go
index 7b96473206..6d6a2a9d53 100644
--- a/beam/inmem/inmem.go
+++ b/beam/inmem/inmem.go
@@ -23,16 +23,10 @@ type pipe struct {
 	wl    sync.Mutex
 	rerr  error // if reader closed, error to give writes
 	werr  error // if writer closed, error to give reads
-	pmsg  *pipeMessage
+	msg   *beam.Message
 }
 
-type pipeMessage struct {
-	msg *beam.Message
-	out *PipeSender
-	in  *PipeReceiver
-}
-
-func (p *pipe) psend(pmsg *pipeMessage) error {
+func (p *pipe) psend(msg *beam.Message) error {
 	var err error
 	// One writer at a time.
 	p.wl.Lock()
@@ -40,10 +34,10 @@ func (p *pipe) psend(pmsg *pipeMessage) error {
 
 	p.l.Lock()
 	defer p.l.Unlock()
-	p.pmsg = pmsg
+	p.msg = msg
 	p.rwait.Signal()
 	for {
-		if p.pmsg == nil {
+		if p.msg == nil {
 			break
 		}
 		if p.rerr != nil {
@@ -55,38 +49,20 @@ func (p *pipe) psend(pmsg *pipeMessage) error {
 		}
 		p.wwait.Wait()
 	}
-	p.pmsg = nil // in case of rerr or werr
+	p.msg = nil // in case of rerr or werr
 	return err
 }
 
-func (p *pipe) send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (in *PipeReceiver, out *PipeSender, err error) {
-	// Prepare the message
-	pmsg := &pipeMessage{msg: msg}
-	if mode&beam.R != 0 {
-		in, pmsg.out = Pipe()
-		defer func() {
-			if err != nil {
-				in.Close()
-				in = nil
-				pmsg.out.Close()
-			}
-		}()
+func (p *pipe) send(msg *beam.Message) (ret beam.Receiver, err error) {
+	// Prepare nested Receiver if requested
+	if beam.RetPipe.Equals(msg.Ret) {
+		ret, msg.Ret = Pipe()
 	}
-	if mode&beam.W != 0 {
-		pmsg.in, out = Pipe()
-		defer func() {
-			if err != nil {
-				out.Close()
-				out = nil
-				pmsg.in.Close()
-			}
-		}()
-	}
-	err = p.psend(pmsg)
+	err = p.psend(msg)
 	return
 }
 
-func (p *pipe) preceive() (*pipeMessage, error) {
+func (p *pipe) preceive() (*beam.Message, error) {
 	p.rl.Lock()
 	defer p.rl.Unlock()
 
@@ -96,7 +72,7 @@ func (p *pipe) preceive() (*pipeMessage, error) {
 		if p.rerr != nil {
 			return nil, io.ErrClosedPipe
 		}
-		if p.pmsg != nil {
+		if p.msg != nil {
 			break
 		}
 		if p.werr != nil {
@@ -104,26 +80,24 @@ func (p *pipe) preceive() (*pipeMessage, error) {
 		}
 		p.rwait.Wait()
 	}
-	pmsg := p.pmsg
-	p.pmsg = nil
+	msg := p.msg
+	p.msg = nil
 	p.wwait.Signal()
-	return pmsg, nil
+	return msg, nil
 }
 
-func (p *pipe) receive(mode int) (*beam.Message, *PipeReceiver, *PipeSender, error) {
-	pmsg, err := p.preceive()
+func (p *pipe) receive(mode int) (*beam.Message, error) {
+	msg, err := p.preceive()
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, err
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	if pmsg.out != nil && mode&beam.W == 0 {
-		pmsg.out.Close()
-		pmsg.out = nil
+	if msg.Ret == nil {
+		msg.Ret = beam.NopSender{}
 	}
-	if pmsg.in != nil && mode&beam.R == 0 {
-		pmsg.in.Close()
-		pmsg.in = nil
+	if mode&beam.Ret == 0 {
+		msg.Ret.Close()
 	}
-	return pmsg.msg, pmsg.in, pmsg.out, nil
+	return msg, nil
 }
 
 func (p *pipe) rclose(err error) {
@@ -154,27 +128,8 @@ type PipeReceiver struct {
 	p *pipe
 }
 
-func (r *PipeReceiver) Receive(mode int) (*beam.Message, beam.Receiver, beam.Sender, error) {
-	msg, pin, pout, err := r.p.receive(mode)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, err
-	}
-	var (
-		// Always return NopReceiver/NopSender instead of nil values,
-		// because:
-		// - if they were requested in the mode, they can safely be used
-		// - if they were not requested, they can safely be ignored (ie no leak if they
-		// aren't closed)
-		in  beam.Receiver = beam.NopReceiver{}
-		out beam.Sender   = beam.NopSender{}
-	)
-	if pin != nil {
-		in = pin
-	}
-	if pout != nil {
-		out = pout
-	}
-	return msg, in, out, err
+func (r *PipeReceiver) Receive(mode int) (*beam.Message, error) {
+	return r.p.receive(mode)
 }
 
 func (r *PipeReceiver) SendTo(dst beam.Sender) (int, error) {
@@ -215,19 +170,8 @@ type PipeSender struct {
 	p *pipe
 }
 
-func (w *PipeSender) Send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (beam.Receiver, beam.Sender, error) {
-	pin, pout, err := w.p.send(msg, mode)
-	var (
-		in  beam.Receiver
-		out beam.Sender
-	)
-	if pin != nil {
-		in = pin
-	}
-	if pout != nil {
-		out = pout
-	}
-	return in, out, err
+func (w *PipeSender) Send(msg *beam.Message) (beam.Receiver, error) {
+	return w.p.send(msg)
 }
 
 func (w *PipeSender) ReceiveFrom(src beam.Receiver) (int, error) {
diff --git a/beam/inmem/inmem_test.go b/beam/inmem/inmem_test.go
index 62691eec8d..9a67acab4b 100644
--- a/beam/inmem/inmem_test.go
+++ b/beam/inmem/inmem_test.go
@@ -9,18 +9,33 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 )
 
-func TestReceiveW(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRetPipe(t *testing.T) {
 	r, w := Pipe()
+	defer r.Close()
+	defer w.Close()
+	wait := make(chan struct{})
 	go func() {
-		w.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello"}, 0)
+		ret, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Ret: beam.RetPipe})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		msg, err := ret.Receive(0)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if msg.Name != "this better not crash" {
+			t.Fatalf("%#v", msg)
+		}
+		close(wait)
 	}()
-	_, _, ww, err := r.Receive(beam.W)
+	msg, err := r.Receive(beam.Ret)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if _, _, err := ww.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "this better not crash"}, 0); err != nil {
+	if _, err := msg.Ret.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "this better not crash"}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	<-wait
 }
 
 func TestSimpleSend(t *testing.T) {
@@ -29,7 +44,7 @@ func TestSimpleSend(t *testing.T) {
 	defer w.Close()
 	testutils.Timeout(t, func() {
 		go func() {
-			msg, in, out, err := r.Receive(0)
+			msg, err := r.Receive(0)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
@@ -39,40 +54,13 @@ func TestSimpleSend(t *testing.T) {
 			if msg.Args[0] != "hello world" {
 				t.Fatalf("%#v", *msg)
 			}
-			assertMode(t, in, out, 0)
 		}()
-		in, out, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "print", Args: []string{"hello world"}}, 0)
-		if err != nil {
+		if _, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "print", Args: []string{"hello world"}}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
-		assertMode(t, in, out, 0)
 	})
 }
 
-// assertMode verifies that the values of r and w match
-// mode.
-// If mode has the R bit set, r must be non-nil.
-// If mode has the W bit set, w must be non-nil.
-//
-// If any of these conditions are not met, t.Fatal is called and the active
-// test fails.
-func assertMode(t *testing.T, r beam.Receiver, w beam.Sender, mode int) {
-	// If mode has the R bit set, r must be non-nil
-	if mode&beam.R != 0 {
-		if r == nil {
-			t.Fatalf("should be non-nil: %#v", r)
-		}
-		// Otherwise it must be nil.
-	}
-	// If mode has the W bit set, w must be non-nil
-	if mode&beam.W != 0 {
-		if w == nil {
-			t.Fatalf("should be non-nil: %#v", w)
-		}
-		// Otherwise it must be nil.
-	}
-}
-
 func TestSendReply(t *testing.T) {
 	r, w := Pipe()
 	defer r.Close()
@@ -80,77 +68,41 @@ func TestSendReply(t *testing.T) {
 	testutils.Timeout(t, func() {
 		// Send
 		go func() {
-			// Send a message with mode=R
-			in, out, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{Args: []string{"this is the request"}}, beam.R)
+			ret, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{Args: []string{"this is the request"}, Ret: beam.RetPipe})
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
-			assertMode(t, in, out, beam.R)
+			if ret == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ret = nil\n")
+			}
 			// Read for a reply
-			resp, _, _, err := in.Receive(0)
+			msg, err := ret.Receive(0)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
-			if resp.Args[0] != "this is the reply" {
-				t.Fatalf("%#v", resp)
+			if msg.Args[0] != "this is the reply" {
+				t.Fatalf("%#v", msg)
 			}
 		}()
-		// Receive a message with mode=W
-		msg, in, out, err := r.Receive(beam.W)
+		// Receive a message with mode=Ret
+		msg, err := r.Receive(beam.Ret)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 		if msg.Args[0] != "this is the request" {
 			t.Fatalf("%#v", msg)
 		}
-		assertMode(t, in, out, beam.W)
+		if msg.Ret == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%#v", msg)
+		}
 		// Send a reply
-		_, _, err = out.Send(&beam.Message{Args: []string{"this is the reply"}}, 0)
+		_, err = msg.Ret.Send(&beam.Message{Args: []string{"this is the reply"}})
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	})
 }
 
-func TestSendNested(t *testing.T) {
-	r, w := Pipe()
-	defer r.Close()
-	defer w.Close()
-	testutils.Timeout(t, func() {
-		// Send
-		go func() {
-			// Send a message with mode=W
-			in, out, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{Args: []string{"this is the request"}}, beam.W)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			assertMode(t, in, out, beam.W)
-			// Send a nested message
-			_, _, err = out.Send(&beam.Message{Args: []string{"this is the nested message"}}, 0)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-		}()
-		// Receive a message with mode=R
-		msg, in, out, err := r.Receive(beam.R)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		if msg.Args[0] != "this is the request" {
-			t.Fatalf("%#v", msg)
-		}
-		assertMode(t, in, out, beam.R)
-		// Read for a nested message
-		nested, _, _, err := in.Receive(0)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		if nested.Args[0] != "this is the nested message" {
-			t.Fatalf("%#v", nested)
-		}
-	})
-}
-
 func TestSendFile(t *testing.T) {
 	r, w := Pipe()
 	defer r.Close()
@@ -165,12 +117,12 @@ func TestSendFile(t *testing.T) {
 	tmp.Seek(0, 0)
 	testutils.Timeout(t, func() {
 		go func() {
-			_, _, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{"file", []string{"path=" + tmp.Name()}, tmp}, 0)
+			_, err := w.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "file", Args: []string{"path=" + tmp.Name()}, Att: tmp})
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}()
-		msg, _, _, err := r.Receive(0)
+		msg, err := r.Receive(0)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
diff --git a/beam/nop.go b/beam/nop.go
index 061e5f41a5..603d9b2ec5 100644
--- a/beam/nop.go
+++ b/beam/nop.go
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ import (
 
 type NopSender struct{}
 
-func (s NopSender) Send(msg *Message, mode int) (Receiver, Sender, error) {
-	return NopReceiver{}, NopSender{}, nil
+func (s NopSender) Send(msg *Message) (Receiver, error) {
+	return NopReceiver{}, nil
 }
 
 func (s NopSender) Close() error {
@@ -16,6 +16,6 @@ func (s NopSender) Close() error {
 
 type NopReceiver struct{}
 
-func (r NopReceiver) Receive(mode int) (*Message, Receiver, Sender, error) {
-	return nil, nil, nil, io.EOF
+func (r NopReceiver) Receive(mode int) (*Message, error) {
+	return nil, io.EOF
 }
diff --git a/beam/unix/conn.go b/beam/unix/conn.go
index a06f3f5eb0..24c63647ff 100644
--- a/beam/unix/conn.go
+++ b/beam/unix/conn.go
@@ -50,75 +50,90 @@ func (c *Conn) Close() error {
 	return c.UnixConn.CloseWrite()
 }
 
-func (c *Conn) Send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (beam.Receiver, beam.Sender, error) {
+func (c *Conn) Send(msg *beam.Message) (beam.Receiver, error) {
 	if msg.Att != nil {
-		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("file attachment not yet implemented in unix transport")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("file attachment not yet implemented in unix transport")
 	}
 	parts := []string{msg.Name}
 	parts = append(parts, msg.Args...)
 	b := []byte(data.EncodeList(parts))
 	// Setup nested streams
 	var (
-		fd *os.File
-		r  beam.Receiver
-		w  beam.Sender
+		fd  *os.File
+		ret beam.Receiver
+		err error
 	)
-	if mode&(beam.R|beam.W) != 0 {
+	// Caller requested a return pipe
+	if beam.RetPipe.Equals(msg.Ret) {
 		local, remote, err := sendablePair()
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, nil, err
+			return nil, err
 		}
 		fd = remote
-		if mode&beam.R != 0 {
-			r = &Conn{local}
-		}
-		if mode&beam.W != 0 {
-			w = &Conn{local}
+		ret = &Conn{local}
+		// Caller specified its own return channel
+	} else if msg.Ret != nil {
+		// The specified return channel is a unix conn: engaging cheat mode!
+		if retConn, ok := msg.Ret.(*Conn); ok {
+			fd, err = retConn.UnixConn.File()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("error passing return channel: %v", err)
+			}
+			// Close duplicate fd
+			retConn.UnixConn.Close()
+			// The specified return channel is an unknown type: proxy messages.
 		} else {
-			local.CloseWrite()
+			local, remote, err := sendablePair()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("error passing return channel: %v", err)
+			}
+			fd = remote
+			// FIXME: do we need a reference no all these background tasks?
+			go func() {
+				// Copy messages from the remote return channel to the local return channel.
+				// When the remote return channel is closed, also close the local return channel.
+				localConn := &Conn{local}
+				beam.Copy(msg.Ret, localConn)
+				msg.Ret.Close()
+				localConn.Close()
+			}()
 		}
 	}
-	c.UnixConn.Send(b, fd)
-	return r, w, nil
+	if err := c.UnixConn.Send(b, fd); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return ret, nil
 }
 
-func (c *Conn) Receive(mode int) (*beam.Message, beam.Receiver, beam.Sender, error) {
+func (c *Conn) Receive(mode int) (*beam.Message, error) {
 	b, fd, err := c.UnixConn.Receive()
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, err
+		return nil, err
 	}
 	parts, n, err := data.DecodeList(string(b))
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, err
+		return nil, err
 	}
 	if n != len(b) {
-		return nil, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("garbage data %#v", b[:n])
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("garbage data %#v", b[:n])
 	}
 	if len(parts) == 0 {
-		return nil, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("malformed message")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("malformed message")
 	}
 	msg := &beam.Message{Name: parts[0], Args: parts[1:]}
 
-	// Setup nested streams
-	var (
-		r beam.Receiver
-		w beam.Sender
-	)
 	// Apply mode mask
 	if fd != nil {
 		subconn, err := FileConn(fd)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, nil, nil, err
+			return nil, err
 		}
 		fd.Close()
-		if mode&beam.R != 0 {
-			r = &Conn{subconn}
-		}
-		if mode&beam.W != 0 {
-			w = &Conn{subconn}
+		if mode&beam.Ret != 0 {
+			msg.Ret = &Conn{subconn}
 		} else {
 			subconn.CloseWrite()
 		}
 	}
-	return msg, r, w, nil
+	return msg, nil
 }
diff --git a/beam/utils/buf.go b/beam/utils/buf.go
index 674d5f2b20..226c1fea38 100644
--- a/beam/utils/buf.go
+++ b/beam/utils/buf.go
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ import (
 
 type Buffer []*beam.Message
 
-func (buf *Buffer) Send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (beam.Receiver, beam.Sender, error) {
+func (buf *Buffer) Send(msg *beam.Message) (beam.Receiver, error) {
 	(*buf) = append(*buf, msg)
-	return beam.NopReceiver{}, beam.NopSender{}, nil
+	return beam.NopReceiver{}, nil
 }
 
 func (buf *Buffer) Close() error {
diff --git a/beam/utils/hub.go b/beam/utils/hub.go
index 0d574a0042..42cc75cf8a 100644
--- a/beam/utils/hub.go
+++ b/beam/utils/hub.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/docker/libswarm/beam"
 	"github.com/docker/libswarm/beam/inmem"
 	"io"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 )
 
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 type Hub struct {
 	handlers *StackSender
 	tasks    sync.WaitGroup
+	l        sync.RWMutex
 }
 
 func NewHub() *Hub {
@@ -20,73 +22,65 @@ func NewHub() *Hub {
 	}
 }
 
-func (hub *Hub) Send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (beam.Receiver, beam.Sender, error) {
+func (hub *Hub) Send(msg *beam.Message) (ret beam.Receiver, err error) {
 	if msg.Name == "register" {
-		if mode&beam.R == 0 {
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("register: no return channel")
+		if msg.Ret == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("register: no return channel")
 		}
 		fmt.Printf("[hub] received %v\n", msg)
-		hYoutr, hYoutw := inmem.Pipe()
-		hYinr, hYinw := inmem.Pipe()
+		hIn := msg.Ret
+		if hIn == beam.RetPipe {
+			ret, hIn = inmem.Pipe()
+		}
+		// This queue guarantees that the first message received by the handler
+		// is the "register" response.
+		hIn = NewQueue(hIn, 1)
+		// Reply to the handler with a "register" call of our own,
+		// passing a reference to the previous handler stack.
+		// This allows the new handler to query previous handlers
+		// without creating loops.
+		hOut, err := hIn.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register", Ret: beam.RetPipe})
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 		// Register the new handler on top of the others,
 		// and get a reference to the previous stack of handlers.
-		prevHandlers := hub.handlers.Add(hYinw)
-		// Pass requests from the new handler to the previous chain of handlers
-		// hYout -> hXin
-		hub.tasks.Add(1)
-		go func() {
-			defer hub.tasks.Done()
-			Copy(prevHandlers, hYoutr)
-			hYoutr.Close()
-		}()
-		return hYinr, hYoutw, nil
+		prevHandlers := hub.handlers.Add(hIn)
+		go beam.Copy(prevHandlers, hOut)
+		return ret, nil
 	}
 	fmt.Printf("sending %#v to %d handlers\n", msg, hub.handlers.Len())
-	return hub.handlers.Send(msg, mode)
-}
-
-func (hub *Hub) Register(dst beam.Sender) error {
-	in, _, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register"}, beam.R)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	go Copy(dst, in)
-	return nil
+	return hub.handlers.Send(msg)
 }
 
 func (hub *Hub) RegisterTask(h func(beam.Receiver, beam.Sender) error) error {
-	in, out, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register"}, beam.R|beam.W)
+	ret, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register", Ret: beam.RetPipe})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	ack, err := ret.Receive(beam.Ret)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if ack.Name == "error" {
+		return fmt.Errorf(strings.Join(ack.Args, ", "))
+	}
+	if ack.Name != "register" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid response: expected verb 'register', got '%v'", ack.Name)
+	}
 	go func() {
-		h(in, out)
-		out.Close()
+		h(ret, ack.Ret)
+		ack.Ret.Close()
 	}()
 	return nil
 }
 
-type Handler func(msg *beam.Message, in beam.Receiver, out beam.Sender, next beam.Sender) (pass bool, err error)
+type Handler func(msg *beam.Message, out beam.Sender) (pass bool, err error)
 
 func (hub *Hub) RegisterName(name string, h Handler) error {
 	return hub.RegisterTask(func(in beam.Receiver, out beam.Sender) error {
-		var tasks sync.WaitGroup
-		copyTask := func(dst beam.Sender, src beam.Receiver) {
-			tasks.Add(1)
-			go func() {
-				defer tasks.Done()
-				if dst == nil {
-					return
-				}
-				defer dst.Close()
-				if src == nil {
-					return
-				}
-				Copy(dst, src)
-			}()
-		}
 		for {
-			msg, msgin, msgout, err := in.Receive(beam.R | beam.W)
+			msg, err := in.Receive(beam.Ret)
 			if err == io.EOF {
 				break
 			}
@@ -95,24 +89,19 @@ func (hub *Hub) RegisterName(name string, h Handler) error {
 			}
 			var pass = true
 			if msg.Name == name || name == "" {
-				pass, err = h(msg, msgin, msgout, out)
+				pass, err = h(msg, out)
 				if err != nil {
-					if _, _, err := msgout.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "error", Args: []string{err.Error()}}, 0); err != nil {
+					if _, err := msg.Ret.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "error", Args: []string{err.Error()}}); err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
 				}
 			}
 			if pass {
-				nextin, nextout, err := out.Send(msg, beam.R|beam.W)
-				if err != nil {
+				if _, err := out.Send(msg); err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
-				copyTask(nextout, msgin)
-				copyTask(msgout, nextin)
 			} else {
-				if msgout != nil {
-					msgout.Close()
-				}
+				msg.Ret.Close()
 			}
 		}
 		return nil
diff --git a/beam/utils/hub_test.go b/beam/utils/hub_test.go
index 2ec1f98011..925e2894bc 100644
--- a/beam/utils/hub_test.go
+++ b/beam/utils/hub_test.go
@@ -9,42 +9,49 @@ import (
 func TestHubSendEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 	hub := NewHub()
 	// Send to empty hub should silently drop
-	r, w, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: nil}, beam.R|beam.W)
+	ret, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: nil, Ret: beam.RetPipe})
 	// Send must not return an error
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	// We set beam.R, so a valid receiver must be returned
-	if r == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("%#v", r)
-	}
-	// We set beam.W, so a valid receiver must be returned
-	if w == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("%#v", w)
+	// We set beam.R, so a valid return pipe must be returned
+	if ret == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("%#v", ret)
 	}
 }
 
 type CountSender int
 
-func (s *CountSender) Send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (beam.Receiver, beam.Sender, error) {
+func (s *CountSender) Send(msg *beam.Message) (beam.Receiver, error) {
 	(*s)++
-	return nil, nil, nil
+	return nil, nil
 }
 
 func TestHubSendOneHandler(t *testing.T) {
 	hub := NewHub()
 	defer hub.Close()
 	testutils.Timeout(t, func() {
-		in, _, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register", Args: nil}, beam.R)
+		handlerIn, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "register", Args: nil, Ret: beam.RetPipe})
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
+		ack, err := handlerIn.Receive(beam.Ret)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if ack.Name != "register" {
+			t.Fatalf("%#v", err)
+		}
+		handlerOut := ack.Ret
+		if handlerOut == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("nil handler out")
+		}
 		go func() {
-			if _, _, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: nil}, 0); err != nil {
+			if _, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: nil}); err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}()
-		msg, _, _, err := in.Receive(0)
+		msg, err := handlerIn.Receive(0)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
diff --git a/beam/utils/stack.go b/beam/utils/stack.go
index 0748d6a041..1d2c0188ce 100644
--- a/beam/utils/stack.go
+++ b/beam/utils/stack.go
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ func NewStackSender() *StackSender {
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *StackSender) Send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (r beam.Receiver, w beam.Sender, err error) {
+func (s *StackSender) Send(msg *beam.Message) (ret beam.Receiver, err error) {
 	completed := s.walk(func(h beam.Sender) (ok bool) {
-		r, w, err = h.Send(msg, mode)
+		ret, err = h.Send(msg)
 		fmt.Printf("[stacksender] sending %v to %#v returned %v\n", msg, h, err)
 		if err == nil {
 			return true
@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@ func (s *StackSender) Send(msg *beam.Message, mode int) (r beam.Receiver, w beam
 	})
 	// If walk was completed, it means we didn't find a valid handler
 	if !completed {
-		return r, w, err
+		return ret, err
 	}
 	// Silently drop messages if no valid backend is available.
-	return beam.NopSender{}.Send(msg, mode)
+	return beam.NopSender{}.Send(msg)
 }
 
 func (s *StackSender) Add(dst beam.Sender) *StackSender {
diff --git a/beam/utils/stack_test.go b/beam/utils/stack_test.go
index fdc35201b0..7cc53eb466 100644
--- a/beam/utils/stack_test.go
+++ b/beam/utils/stack_test.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func TestStackWithPipe(t *testing.T) {
 	s.Add(w)
 	testutils.Timeout(t, func() {
 		go func() {
-			msg, _, _, err := r.Receive(0)
+			msg, err := r.Receive(0)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func TestStackWithPipe(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("%#v", msg)
 			}
 		}()
-		_, _, err := s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: []string{"wonderful", "world"}}, 0)
+		_, err := s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: []string{"wonderful", "world"}})
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func TestStackWithPair(t *testing.T) {
 	s.Add(w)
 	testutils.Timeout(t, func() {
 		go func() {
-			msg, _, _, err := r.Receive(0)
+			msg, err := r.Receive(0)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func TestStackWithPair(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("%#v", msg)
 			}
 		}()
-		_, _, err := s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: []string{"wonderful", "world"}}, 0)
+		_, err := s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "hello", Args: []string{"wonderful", "world"}})
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -91,9 +91,9 @@ func TestStackAdd(t *testing.T) {
 	if s.Len() != 2 {
 		t.Fatalf("%#v", beforeA)
 	}
-	s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for b", Args: nil}, 0)
-	beforeB.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for a", Args: nil}, 0)
-	beforeA.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for nobody", Args: nil}, 0)
+	s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for b", Args: nil})
+	beforeB.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for a", Args: nil})
+	beforeA.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for nobody", Args: nil})
 	if len(a) != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("%#v", a)
 	}
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func TestStackAddBad(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("%#v", s)
 	}
 	r.Close()
-	if _, _, err := s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for the buffer", Args: nil}, 0); err != nil {
+	if _, err := s.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "for the buffer", Args: nil}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if s.Len() != 1 {
diff --git a/swarmd/swarmd.go b/swarmd/swarmd.go
index 3bda8e79dd..355fb3c42b 100644
--- a/swarmd/swarmd.go
+++ b/swarmd/swarmd.go
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
+	"github.com/docker/libswarm/backends"
 	"github.com/docker/libswarm/beam"
 	beamutils "github.com/docker/libswarm/beam/utils"
-	"github.com/docker/libswarm/backends"
 	_ "github.com/dotcloud/docker/api/server"
 	"github.com/flynn/go-shlex"
 	"io"
+	"log"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 )
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func cmdDaemon(c *cli.Context) {
 	}
 
 	hub := beamutils.NewHub()
-	hub.RegisterName("log", func(msg *beam.Message, in beam.Receiver, out, next beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
+	hub.RegisterName("log", func(msg *beam.Message, out beam.Sender) (bool, error) {
 		log.Printf("%s\n", strings.Join(msg.Args, " "))
 		// Pass through to other logging hooks
 		return true, nil
@@ -45,42 +45,31 @@ func cmdDaemon(c *cli.Context) {
 			Fatalf("%v", err)
 		}
 		fmt.Printf("---> Loading backend '%s'\n", strings.Join(append([]string{bName}, bArgs...), " "))
-		backendr, _, err := back.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "cd", Args: []string{bName}}, beam.R)
+		backend, err := back.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "cd", Args: []string{bName}, Ret: beam.RetPipe})
 		if err != nil {
 			Fatalf("%s: %v\n", bName, err)
 		}
-		// backendr will return either 'error' or 'register'.
+		// backend will return either 'error' or 'register'.
 		for {
-			m, mr, mw, err := backendr.Receive(beam.R|beam.W)
+			m, err := backend.Receive(beam.Ret)
 			if err == io.EOF {
 				break
 			}
 			if err != nil {
 				Fatalf("error reading from backend: %v", err)
 			}
-			if m.Name == "error" {
-				Fatalf("backend sent error: %v", strings.Join(m.Args, " "))
-			}
-			if m.Name == "register" {
-				// FIXME: adapt the beam interface to allow the caller to
-				// (optionally) pass their own Sender/Receiver?
-				// Would make proxying/splicing easier.
-				hubr, hubw, err := hub.Send(m, beam.R|beam.W)
-				if err != nil {
-					Fatalf("error binding backend to hub: %v", err)
-				}
-				fmt.Printf("successfully registered\n")
-				go beamutils.Copy(hubw, mr)
-				go beamutils.Copy(mw, hubr)
+			if _, err := hub.Send(m); err != nil {
+				Fatalf("error binding backend to hub: %v", err)
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	in, _, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "start"}, beam.R)
+	fmt.Printf("backends loaded. Sending 'start' to the hub\n")
+	job, err := hub.Send(&beam.Message{Name: "start", Ret: beam.RetPipe})
 	if err != nil {
 		Fatalf("%v", err)
 	}
 	for {
-		msg, _, _, err := in.Receive(0)
+		msg, err := job.Receive(0)
 		if err == io.EOF {
 			break
 		}