Calico (continued)

This horse appears to be a bit more skittish. It sniffs noisily and prances slightly as Mikolai approaches.

Mikolai pauses and considers the horse carefully. He reaches out a hand to stroke its flank, as he had with the previous horse, but it sidesteps before his hand can reach it.

A few of the passers-by are now glancing in his direction. Some are mildly curious; others appear amused.

Mikolai tries to reach for the horse's leg once again. As before, the horse sidesteps just out of his reach. Faint chuckles of amusement are heard O.S..

Mikolai moves toward the front leg and meets with similar results. He takes a step back and studies the situation with an intense expression. If he is aware of the small crowd gathering around, he makes no sign of it.

He decides to make one more attempt.

He approaches the horse again, moving slowly. He is whispering something that is too faint to hear. It might be a prayer, a curse, and an attempt to sweet-talk the horse into cooperating.

The horse stamps its feet, shying away as before.

Suddenly, it becomes totally calm and stands still.

Reaction shot of Mikolai.

Mikolai gives a restrained smile of triumph and moves in.

We pull back to see Mikolai move back in and examine the front hoof without any trouble from the horse. He moves back, still cautious. He stops suddenly when he realizes that someone else is standing there.

Reaction shot of Mikolai.

At first, he looks startled and a little guilty, thinking that perhaps the blacksmith or Parke had returned.

His expression turned to genuine surprise, and then mild embarrassment, as he recognizes who it is.

We see Katerina slowly stroking the nose and neck of the horse. It stands calmly. She gives Mikolai a small, not quite coy, smile.

Mikolai looks like he is about to say something.

Carter (O.S.)

Hey! What are you doing there?

Mikolai starts at the unexpected voice.

The camera pulls back to a medium shot.

We see Carter approaching from the direction of the saloon.

Mikolai steps away from the horse. He looks skittish and mildly guilty.

Mikolai
(haltingly)

Man came for shoe. (with chagrin) Didn't say which horse.

Carter
(relaxing)

Oh.

Carter studies the carriage for a moment. He frowns.

Carter (cont'd)

I'd better handle it.

Mikolai

I can do.

Carter
(nods)

I know you can. (beat) But this is Mr. Parke. He's very . . . particular.

Mikolai gives Carter a puzzled look.

Carter (cont'd)
(frowns)

He wants things done a certain way. (pauses, sees that Mikolai still does not understand) If he doesn't get what he wants, he . . . finds ways to make things bad for you.

Mikolai understands now. His expression shows both fear and anger.

Carter (cont'd)
(inspects one of the hooves, sighs)

He's friends with the Bank. And the Sheriff.

It is obvious that he is none too happy to have to take on the work.

Carter (cont'd)
(pats Mikolai's shoulder)

C'mon, Mike. You can help me make up the shoe. (beat) We'd better make two or three . . . just in case.

Mikolai follows Carter back into the foundry area. He glances back toward Katerina.

Katerina watches Mikolai depart. She flashes him a quick smile. Mikolai's expression brightens. He turns his attention back at Carter, as the blacksmith is speaking to him again.

Dissolve To:

1. Ext. Blacksmith workshop – day

Establishing shot of blacksmith corral.

We move in to see Mikolai as he watches Carter complete his inspection of the installation of the new horseshoe.

Parke enters the scene. His gait is just a little bit unsteady.

Parke
(a little too loudly)

Are you done, boys?

Carter

Yes, Mr. Parke.

Parke eyes both Carter and Mikolai.

Parke

Then why are you fussing with that hoof?

Carter
(stammers slightly)

Because that's the one we replaced, sir.

Parke

T'weren't nothing wrong with that one.

Carter exchanges a quick glance with Mikolai.

Carter

It was broken clear through, Mr. Parke.

Parke
(loudly, angrily)

There was nuthin' wrong with it! (beat, breathes heavily) You t'was supposed to fix the rear one.

Carter looks at the horse and then back at Parke.

Carter
(with calm deference)

There wasn't anything wrong with that one.

Parke storms over to the horse's hind leg, although not too directly. He reaches down and pulls the horse's hoof upward, displaying the bottom of the hoof.

We see a perfectly good and sound horseshoe.

Parke
(sneers angrily)

See there?

Carter stares at the horse's hoof. He glances at Mikolai and then, with a firm determined set to his jaw, turns back to Parke.

Carter

No, sir. I don't.

Parke waves at the horse's hoof at Carter.

Parke

See? See there?

Carter looks down at the hoof and then back at Carter.

Carter

No, sir. That shoe there is perfectly fine.

Parke glares down at the hoof, clearly ready to burst forth with further anger.

Parke stops. He stares dumbly at the hoof he holds up in the air.

After a moment, he lets it fall.

Parke
(dismissively)

I need to get to Frisco. (beat) (to Carter) How much?

Carter

Two dollars.

Parke looks like he is about to protest, but then decides to let it go. He tosses two coins to Carter. He deliberately throws them short so that they land in the dirt at Carter's feet.

Parke climbs back into the carriage bench, unties the reins, and snaps the two horses into motion.

Carter waits until Parke is well down the street before kneeling down to pick up the coins. Mikolai walks over to join him.

Carter (cont'd)
(quietly)

Money'll do that to a man.

Mikolai stares down the road at the spray of dust from Parke's departing carriage.

Carter looks away and then hands one of the coins to Mikolai.

Carter (cont'd)
(smiles)

You earned this, Mike. (pats Mike's shoulder) C'mon. We've still got plenty to do while there's still daylight.

Mikolai looks down at the coin in his hand. He smiles and slides it into his pocket, following Carter back to the blacksmith shed.