Calico (continued)

Mikolai glances up from his work occasionally. Nothing in the crowd catches his attention and he keeps on working.

A shadow passes across Mikolai. A moment later, he looks up.

Wide shot showing a carriage led by two horses. The man driving the carriage, PARKE, is obviously wealthy. He stares down at Mikolai. He sniffs and then makes a face, obviously displeased by the odors.

Mikolai pauses in his work. He looks up, sees the man, and puts down his hammer. After wiping his hands on a nearby rag, he approaches the man sitting on the carriage. He squints as he stares up into the sun at the man.

Parke

You the blacksmith?

Mikolai
(shakes head)

Am helping today.

Parke
(clearly annoyed)

Where is he then?

Mikolai
(sighs expressively)(nods in the direction of the saloon)

Lunch.

parke
(sighs expressively)

I don't have time to wait. I'm late for a meeting in Frisco and my horse needs a shoe. (peers at Mikolai) Can you so it?

Mikolai glances down at the horses and then, a moment later, back up to Parke.

Mikolai
(nods)

I can.

Parke studies Mikolai skeptically for a moment and then nods with reluctant resignation. He wraps the reins around their holder and climbs down from the carriage bench.

Parke

Well, get to it, man!

Mikolai
(politely meek)

At once, sir.

Parke appears mildly mollified by the expression of respect. He checks his watch and then looks down the street toward the saloon.

Parke

Don't dally. I'll be back soon.

Mikolai bows his head respectfully.

Parke regards him once last time before heading off down the street.

Mikolai looks at the pair of horses. Realizing that the man did not tell him which horse, he approaches the nearest one to inspect its hooves.

The horse shies away slightly. Mikolai reaches out a tentative, but steady hand to stroke its foreleg. Carefully, he lifts the horse's hoof, inspects it, and then releases it.

He repeats this process with the hind leg, taking even more care where he stands. This inspection also goes without incident.

We follow him around the carriage.

He approaches the second horse.