Written by Robert L McCullough
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 5 April 1992   Episode 3.22

[Exterior shot of the pueblo from the pueblo gate.]

[Exterior shot of the cuartel yard as four lancers dig, rake, and hoe the ground as Mendoza walks among them.]

Mendoza
Come on.  Come on, put a little elbow grease in there.  Put your backs into it, men.  That's it.  That's better.

[Exterior shot of the cuartel roof as Zorro looks over its edge.]

Mendoza [off camera as Zorro pours a pitcher of sticky liquid onto a stack of muskets.]
Private, the Alcalde doesn't want a speck of dust near that office.  Am I understood?  We do a good job with the spring cleaning, we won't have to be back with the summer cleaning.

[Zorro continues to pour the sticky liquid on more muskets.]

de Soto [off camera]
Good people of Los Angeles. . .  My friends, my neighbors. . .

[Exterior shot of the cuartel yard as Mendoza walks out of the gates and into the plaza while the lancers keep working.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza where de Soto stands on the rim of the fountain.  A crowd has gathered around.]

de Soto
Today we are a step closer to providing a marvelous new irrigation system serving all of Los Angeles.

[Don Alejandro stands in the crowd and smiles while nodding his head.]

Victoria [standing in front of de Soto]
Just how close are we now, Alcalde?

de Soto [as Mendoza comes up to the fountain]
Well, closer.  With our new pueblo lottery, we will be able to provide such marvelous civic improvements. . . [He raises his voice.] with no new taxes!

[People start cheering and clapping.]

Don Alejandro [raising his hand]
Excuse me, Señor Alcalde, point of information.  Isn't the purchase of every lottery ticket just another form of taxation?

de Soto
No, no, no, de la Vega, you misunderstand.  The purchase of every ticket is another chance for sudden wealth.  Now. . . [He looks down at Victoria.] Would the beautiful señorita help us make someone rich today?

[Victoria turns to her right and reaches for a box that Mendoza holds out to her.  People, including Don Alejandro, look at their tickets.]

de Soto [as Victoria reaches into the box]
And the winner of five thousand tax-free pesos is. . .

Victoria [reading from the ticket she pulled out of the box]
‘Six-five-five'.

de Soto
Number Six-five-five! [Don Alejandro compares his tickets to other people's then crumples it up.] Don't be shy now.  The winner please step forward.  The winner of five thousand pesos, please come forward.  Don't be shy.  Number Six-five-five. [People look at their tickets and talk amongst themselves.] Now I must remind you that if the winner is not present, the prize money must be returned to the general fund.

Zorro [off camera at first]
The general fund. . . [He stands on the cuartel roof.] you're building to make yourself look good in front of the governor, Alcalde?

de Soto
Zorro!  I cannot be held responsible if the winner is not present!

Zorro
Oh, I think you can.  Victoria, chose another number, please.

[Victoria nods and turns back toward the box Mendoza is still holding.]

de Soto
No. . .uh, just a moment, Señorita. . .   No, please, uh. . .

[Victoria pulls out another ticket.]

Victoria [reading from the ticket]
‘Six-five-five'.

[People gasp.  Victoria pulls another ticket from the box.]

Victoria
‘Six-five-five'. [She turns and looks up at de Soto then throws the crumpled ticket at him.] They're all the same number!

[The crowd begins to grow hostile.]

de Soto [waving his arms]
Be patient!  Be patient!  There must be an explanation!  As your alcalde, I will look into this immediately!

I will appoint a commission to investigate!

Zorro
Don't bother, Alcalde. [He tosses down a white bag.] Here are your lottery tickets! [De Soto steps down off the fountain rim.] I retrieved them last night from the garrison's trash dump.

de Soto [looking up at Zorro]
Lancers!  To arms!  Shoot him!

[He then runs off to his right.  Several lancers run out of the crowd and over to the cuartel gate.]

[Exterior shot of the cuartel yard where the lancers discover the sticky liquid all over their muskets.  Zorro watches from the roof with his arms crossed as the lancers try to pick up the muskets]

Zorro
Be very careful with those rifles, amigos.

de Soto
What is this?  Honey?

Zorro [reaching downward]
I'm afraid things are going to get a bit sticky, Alcalde.

[He tosses down a bucket of feather that lands upside down on de Soto's head.  People start laughing.]

de Soto [with the bucket still on his head]
It is honey!  Mendoza!

[He stumbles around, knocking down his lancers as people continue to laugh.]

Zorro [pointing down at the ground]
One of those numbers is the true winner of your lottery.

Victoria [looking down at the ground then up at Zorro]
Yes, but which one?

[Zorro pulls out his dagger, takes aim then tosses the dagger downward.  It lands point down in a ticket near Victoria's feet.  She smiles up at him then bends down and pulls out the dagger then picks up the ticket.]

Victoria [reading from the ticket]
And the winning number is. . .  ‘Three-seven-one'.

[People groan as they look at their tickets.  Mendoza reaches behind himself and pulls out a ticket then unfolds it.  He starts hopping up and down.]

Mendoza
I won!  I won!  I'm rich!  Ooh. . .

[His eyes roll back into his head and he falls backward.  Don Alejandro and several others catch Mendoza before he hits the ground.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior shot of the de Soto's office as a lancer stands outside of it.]

[Interior shot of de Soto's office where de Soto, still covered with honey and feather, stands facing Mendoza.]

de Soto [as he picks feathers off of himself]
Five thousand pesos is a lot of money.

Mendoza
The first thing I'm going to do is buy a new sword then. . .

de Soto [as he goes over to a mirror and continues to pick feathers off himself]
Sergeant, perhaps you should just leave the money in the civic coffers until you have a chance to think about what to do with it.

Mendoza [incredulously]
Leave it in the bank?  Why?

de Soto [turning to face Mendoza and still picking feathers]
Sergeant, you're not accustomed to handling such large amounts of money.  I'm afraid you might be taken advantage of by some unscrupulous swindler, and besides, it would be good for everyone here at the pueblo if we had a lot of cash on our books when the territorial auditor makes his report to the governor next month, don't you think?

Mendoza
Well, eh, I would still have access to my money, no?

de Soto
Oh, yes, of course, Sergeant, of course.

Mendoza
Good.  Because then I will need some time off.  I have to consider what I'm going to do with my money.

de Soto
Time off?  No, I'm afraid not, Sergeant.

Mendoza
Well, I have been in the army for almost twenty years.  I have never had a paid vacation.  If my calculations are correct. . .  Let's see, the army owes me sixty weeks paid leave.

de Soto [chuckling]
One full year of paid vacation? [Mendoza nods.] Aah. . .  Sergeant, um, the pueblo's operating in a deficit right now, we could not possible afford to bring in a replacement up through the ranks.  No.

Mendoza [smiling and picking a feather off de Soto's shoulder]
Oh, I am sure you will think of something, Alcalde.  [He hands de Soto the feather.] Right now, I have five thousand pesos to think about.

[He walks over to the front door, opens it, goes through it, then closes it behind him.  De Soto looks upset then makes a gagging sound.  He pulls a feather out of his mouth.  He then looks angry.]

[Exterior shot of the tavern.]

Mendoza [off camera]
Today, drink up!  Drink up!  I am paying!

[Interior shot of the tavern as Mendoza takes a tray from one of the serving women then kisses her on the cheek.]

Woman
Oh, Mendoza!

[Mendoza laughs as he carries the tray over to the bar and sets it down on it.  Victoria stands behind the bar as Diego and Don Alejandro stand in front of it.  Mendoza steps over to Diego and Don Alejandro.]

Diego
You're very generous, Sergeant.  But you don't want to squander your new found wealth on buying lunches.

Don Alejandro
With this found wealth, I think you should travel. . .  Maybe see the world.

Mendoza
Oh, that involves horses. . .ships. . .

Diego
I know.  A fabulous new wardrobe.  You could dress like a true caballero.

Mendoza
Ah. . .  I prefer to dress for comfort, Don Diego.

Don Alejandro
Sergeant Mendoza, you've got the money to do whatever makes you happy.  The question is. . .what do you what?

Mendoza
Ah, I'm a very simple man.  I just want to be loved.

Victoria [smiling]
Now, isn't that sweet?

[Diego smiles wistfully.  Don Alejandro nods and raises a glass of orange juice.]

Mendoza
I would like to have a family, a home.

Victoria
But, Sergeant, what do you truly have to offer a woman?  Before you know it, your money might be spent, loaned, squandered. . .

Don Alejandro
Taxed, eroded by inflation.

Victoria
A woman and children, they need a roof over their heads.  They need security.

[She then goes off to her right.]

Diego
Victoria's right.  What you need is a house.

[Mendoza looks at Diego then Don Alejandro then smiles.]

[Exterior shot of a small house with some outbuildings as Mendoza, dressed in civilian clothing, walks around.  He goes over to where Diego is holding the reins of a horse.]

Diego
The Muñoz family raised seven beautiful children here.

Mendoza
But yes, and their seven beautiful children nearly destroyed it.

Diego
Well, I am not saying it hasn't been lived in.  But for the price they're asking, you'll have enough money left to make some improvements.  Perhaps even enlarge the kitchen.

Mendoza
Maybe build a ballroom?

Diego
A ballroom?

Mendoza
Yes!  If I am going to attract the finest women in the territory, my house has to be the biggest. . .the fanciest. . .the most elegant. . .

Diego
Sergeant, I think overbuilding would be a mistake.

Mendoza
Yes, will, I think the advice is worth exactly what I'm paying for it.

[He turns away and goes over to his horse as Diego chuckles.  Mendoza gets on his horse and rides away, waving at Diego who shakes his head.]

[Interior shot of the tavern as Mendoza sits at a table, looking at a large sheet of paper.  De Soto sits on the corner of the table to Mendoza's left, looking at the paper too.]

Mendoza
And this is going to be the ballroom with the finest tapestries and Italian marble. . .

de Soto
Sergeant, you're going to remodel the old Muñoz place, hmm?

Mendoza
Oh, much more than remodel, Alcalde.  A restoration. . .  An expansion. . .  A transformation something in the order with the lifestyle of a man of my position.

de Soto
Well, these sketches. . .

[Closeup shot of the paper Mendoza is holding (which looks exactly like the plans of Devil's Fortress!)]

de Soto [off camera]
. . .are very impressive.

[Interior shot of the tavern.]

de Soto
But you're going to need detailed architectural drawings, yes?

Mendoza
Yes, yes.  But unfortunately, the only one who qualifies for such drawings would be Don Diego.  And his tastes are just. . .  Too conventional for me.

de Soto [chuckling]
Yes.  I know what you mean.  You know, it's funny.  We studied together, architecture, at the University of Madrid.  As I recall, his grades never were very good.

[He starts laughing and Mendoza joins in.]

Mendoza
He worries too much about the cost of everything.  For five thousand pesos, I should be able to turn this farmhouse. . .

de Soto [standing up then moving over toward Mendoza]
Sergeant, you should be able to build an elegant country retreat.

Mendoza
Exactly.

[De Soto sits down on Mendoza's left and puts his arm around Mendoza's shoulders.]

de Soto
To build anything less would be a waste of time.

[He pats Mendoza's right shoulder.]

Mendoza
Of course, of course.

de Soto [pointing at the plans]
That courtyard, that should be bigger, don't you think?

Mendoza
Um-hmm. . .

de Soto [excitedly]
And , oh what, perhaps a fountain?  No!  No, Sergeant, three fountains!  And have you ever considered [Mendoza glances down nervously at de Soto's hand on his right shoulder.] real mahogany doors?  Hand carved, of course.

[He squeezes Mendoza's right shoulder.]

Mendoza
Yes, sir, that's exactly what I had in mind.  But, uh, Alcalde, I have a budget and . . .

de Soto [still squeezing Mendoza's shoulder]
Sergeant, for five thousand pesos, I know I could build you the house of your dreams.

[Mendoza smiles a bit nervously then looks down at his plans.]

[Exterior shot of Mendoza's house.  Caption on the screen reads ‘One Month Later'.  Several lancers are standing around the remodeled house while two other lancers carry a tub across the front yard.  Sawing and hammering can be heard in the background.  Diego and Don Alejandro ride up on horseback.  They come to a halt in front of three lancers.]

Don Alejandro
Buenas dias, Corporal Sepulveda.  What the world are you doing here today?

Sepulveda
Guarding the construction site.

Diego [chuckling]
Guarding it from what?

Sepulveda
We have our orders.  You will have to leave immediately.

Don Alejandro [saluting mockingly]
Yes, sir.

Diego [as he turns his horse back around]
Adios.

[He and Don Alejandro ride back the way they came.  Sepulveda watches them go.]

[Closeup night shot of a black gloved hand lifting a bomb out of Toronado's saddlebags.]

[Exterior night shot of Mendoza's house where two lancers sit on its front steps.]

Lancer
I don't know what we're doing out here.

[Exterior night shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado up to the top of a hill then throws down the bomb.  It explodes noisily.]

[Exterior night shot of Mendoza's house as the lancers jump to their feet.]

First Lancer
What?  What is that?

Second Lancer
Trouble at the garrison!  Vamos!

[They run over to their horses.]

[Exterior night shot of the countryside as Zorro waits astride Toronado.  The two lancers ride away.]

[Exterior night shot of Mendoza's house as Zorro walks around it, looking in the windows.  He goes over to a wooden outbuilding and steps up onto the porch.  He turns and puts his right hand on one of the porch roof support posts.  A piece of it breaks off in his hand.]

Zorro [chuckling]
No wonder the Alcalde has guards posted out here.

[He tosses aside the piece of post and more pieces of wood fall from the porch roof.  Zorro jumps back to avoid being hit on the head.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior day shot of de Soto's office.]

[Interior day shot of de Soto's office as the door leading to the jail opens and de Soto walks through it.]

de Soto [looking back over his shoulder]
Coffee, Private.  Be quick about it.

[Zorro pushes aside the curtain in front of another door he was hiding behind.]

Zorro
Coffee would be splendid.

[He takes off his hat and tosses it at de Soto, who ducks down.  The hat sails over de Soto's head and lands on the peg of a coat rack.]

Zorro
It's been a long night.

de Soto
You've made a serious mistake this time, my friend.

[He draws out his sword.]

Zorro [holding out his hands]
Nobody's perfect.

de Soto [looking over his shoulder]
That door is still locked.

Zorro [nodding]
Ah. . .

de Soto [pointing to his left]
The only way out is past my entire garrison of lancers.

Zorro [unsheathing his saber]
In that case, I'll stay awhile.

de Soto
Let me give you a proper welcome.

[He lunges at Zorro who sidesteps out of the way.  Zorro hits de Soto on the bottom with his saber as de Soto lunges past him.]

de Soto [turning back around quickly]
Aah!

Zorro
I appreciate your hospitality, Alcalde, but I'm here on a business matter.

de Soto [sarcastically]
Really?  How can I be of service?

[He thrusts at Zorro who locks their swords together.  They then circle each other.]

Zorro
It's about the shoddy workmanship that's being done out at Sergeant Mendoza's new house.

de Soto
You're hardly qualified to offer an opinion on such matters.

[Zorro lifts up his saber.  De Soto immediately slashes at Zorro with his sword.  Zorro tosses his saber to his right then jumps up and grabs two of the ceiling beams and lifts himself out of the path of de Soto's sword.  Zorro then drops back down to the floor and kicks de Soto in the stomach.  De Soto falls backward.]

Zorro [as he goes over and pulls his saber out of the wall]
Sergeant Mendoza's house is being built with rusty nails. . . [He slashes a ‘Z' into the nearest wall.] Rotten wood. . . [He slashes another ‘Z' into another wall.] Wet adobe. . . [He slashes a third ‘Z' into another wall.]  Broken tiles. . . [He slashes a fourth ‘Z' then looks up to see de Soto's portrait of Machiavelli hanging on the wall beside his desk.] Hello. . .

[He pulls back his sword, ready to slash at it.]

de Soto [getting to his feet]
Not that!

Zorro
If you insist.

[He grabs the portrait off the wall then smashes it over de Soto's head, then punches de sot in the face.]

de Soto [as he crashes against the front doors of the office]
Aah!

[The door burst open and the one de Soto lands against is knocked off its hinges.]

[Exterior shot of de Soto's office as de Soto sits on the ground with the portrait around his neck.  Zorro steps out onto the porch, pointing his saber at de Soto.]

Zorro [angrily]
You're taking all of Sergeant Mendoza's money and destroying his house.

de Soto
Let's just say the peso doesn't go as far as it once did.

Zorro [angrier]
No, let's just say you return all of Mendoza's money or the governor will receive a letter detailing your fraud and you could be sent back to Madrid in chains.

[Zorro then slashes a ‘Z' into the side of de Soto's jacket then looks over his shoulder.]

Zorro [in a mocking tone]
What do you know?  This door wasn't locked after all.  Adios.

[He puts on his hat and walks off to his right.  De Soto struggles to his feet.  He pulls the portrait from around his neck and looks at it.]

de Soto
Oh!  [He looks off in the direction Zorro took.] Don't worry, Zorro.  Mendoza will get everything that's coming to him. [He looks at the portrait again.] Oh!

[Exterior shot of Mendoza's house as Mendoza stands in front of it with his arms raised.]

Mendoza
I understand.  I understand. [He puts his hands on the shoulders of two lancers.] You're guarding the house, huh?  Well, [He taps his chest.] I own it!  You get ten pesos a month salary, no?

[The lancers nod.]

Mendoza
Verdad? [He reaches into his vest pocket and pulls out some coins which he gives to the lancers.] Fifty pesos each, huh?  You get to the cantina, it's still open.  Adios, amigos.

[The two lancers walk off to their left.  Mendoza waves at them then turns to face his house.]

Mendoza
Hello? [He walks over to his left.] Where is everybody?

[Interior shot of de Soto's office as de Soto sits at his desk, rubbing something onto the torn canvas of his Machiavelli portrait.]

de Soto [talking to the portrait]
I can't go back to Madrid, not like this. . .  Not yet.  You understand that, don't you? [An idea obviously comes to him.]  Ah. . .  Ah, that's it.  I'll give Mendoza his money's worth and destroy all the evidence at the same time.  Thank you.  Thank you.

[He goes back to mending the canvas put pokes his finger through it and it comes apart again.]

de Soto
Ah!

[Exterior shot of Mendoza's house as Mendoza walk under an archway to the front of his house.]

Mendoza [shrugging]
Ah, it is siesta time.

[He leans against a newel post and the ball atop it falls off.  Mendoza bends down and picks up then tries to put it back but it falls off.  He carries it over to the front door and reaches for the door knob.  It pulls off into his hand.]

Mendoza [shrugging again]
Well, that's easy to fix.

[He turns and bends over, bumping his bottom against the doors.  They pop open and one falls off its hinges.  Mendoza turns to look at them then turns again and walk over to the wooden outbuilding.  His feet go through the porch boards and he stumbles forward.  He looks around before setting down the newel ball then goes inside.  He appears at a glass-less window.]

Mendoza [smiling]
Well, it is a beautiful view.

[He puts his hands on the muntins and they pull off in his hands.  He tosses them down then leans out the window, the smile disappearing from his face.]

[Exterior shot of the tavern as people walk and push carts past it.]

[Interior shot of the tavern as Diego walks through the front door and goes over to where Victoria is standing behind the bar.]

Victoria
You're in for an early lunch, Don Diego.

Diego
Actually I was looking for Sergeant Mendoza.

Victoria
Well, he was in for an early breakfast before going out to look at his new house.

Diego [concerned]
He went out to the house alone?

Victoria
Yes. [Diego turns and starts walking out of the tavern.] He said that you had told him that he should go out and see how his money was being spent. [Diego goes out the door as Victoria raises her voice.] So he did!

[She stares over at the empty doorway.]

[Closeup shot of a wooden door.  It moves to reveal Mendoza setting it aside.]

Mendoza
The Alcalde's not much of an architect after all, is he?

[He pushes on the door and it falls backward, knocking down a beam from the ceiling which lands onto Mendoza's head.]

Mendoza [as he falls to the floor.]
Oh!  Ah!

[He puts his hand to his head then it falls to his side.]

[Exterior shot of Mendoza's house as de Soto drives up in a one horse carriage.  He brings it to a halt then gets out.  He picks up a keg out of the carriage and carries up to Mendoza's house.  He start pouring the liquid contents of the keg around the base of the house.  He then goes over to the wooden outbuilding and tosses  more of the liquid on its outside walls.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado across the top of a ridge.]

[Shot from the unconscious Mendoza's point of view of de Soto lighting and tossing matches at Mendoza's house which catches fire quickly.  De Soto then walks towards the wooden outbuilding.]

[Interior shot of the wooden outbuilding as Mendoza lies on the floor.  De Soto stands outside the window then flames shoot upward.  De Soto goes over to the porch and lights another match.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado toward some tree.  A plume of smoke rises from the group of trees on the left.  (Recycled scene first used in the episode "Sanctuary" 2.7)]

[Shot from the unconscious Mendoza's point of view as de Soto fans the flames on the porch of the wooden outbuilding.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado through thickening smoke.]

[Exterior shot of Mendoza' house as de Soto turns away from the wooden outbuilding.  Toronado whinnies off camera.  Zorro rides up into the front yard and dismounts.]

Zorro
Where's Sergeant Mendoza?

de Soto
Mendoza?  How should I know?  Stay back, Zorro, I'm. . .  I'm trying to extinguish a fire.

[He bends down and picks up a broom then starts beating at the flames with it.]

Zorro [sarcastically]
Is that what you're doing?

Mendoza [off camera]
Heeeelp!  Help!

[De Soto turns around with a shocked expression on his face.]

Zorro
He's in the house!

[Zorro runs toward the burning outbuilding.]

de Soto
Stay out of there!  You'll be. . .

[Interior shot of the wooden outbuilding where Zorro is surrounded by blames as he frantically looks around.]

Zorro
Sergeant!

[Exterior shot of Mendoza's house as de Soto stares at the burning outbuilding.]

de Soto
You'll be killed.  Pity. [He tosses down the now burning broom and runs to his right.] I'll get help!

[Interior shot of the wooden outbuilding as Zorro looks upward.  Several burning boards fall on his head, knocking off his hat.]

[Exterior shot of Mendoza's house as de Soto runs under the archway then stops and turns to look at the burning outbuilding.  He pumps his fist and laughs before running over to his carriage.]

[Interior shot of the wooden outbuilding as Zorro bends down and picks up Mendoza, putting his over his shoulder.]

[Exterior shot of the burning outbuilding as Zorro, carrying Mendoza, runs out of it.  He sets Mendoza down a distance away from it.]

Zorro [crouching down in front of Mendoza and holding him in a sitting position]
Are you all right?

Mendoza [a bit groggily]
Zorro, you saved my life.

Zorro
It's the least I could do. . . [Mendoza makes the sign of the cross.] for a friend.  Although I don't like losing a good hat.

[He stands up and goes off to his right as Toronado whinnies off camera.]

Mendoza [incredulously as he stares after Zorro]
A friend.  He called me his friend.

[Toronado whinnies again off camera as flames shoot out of the wooden outbuilding.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior shot of the wooden outbuilding.  All that remains of it is the blackened frame.  Don Alejandro faces de Soto as several lancers toss pieces of wood around.  Diego stands with his left arm around Mendoza's shoulders as they face the outbuilding.]

Don Alejandro
What a shame.  Do you know how the fire started?

de Soto
Well, preliminary investigations are inconclusive.  But my men are looking into it.

Don Alejandro
Well, by the smell of things, they're not going to have to look too far.

de Soto
Smell?  I don't smell anything unusual.

Diego [as he and Mendoza walk up to Don Alejandro and de Soto]
Kerosene, Alcalde.  The place reeks of it.

de Soto
Ah, well, that must be it then.  A workman left a lantern burning and the wind blew it over.

Diego
There hasn't been the slightest breeze for two weeks.

de Soto [with mock innocence]
Are you saying this fire was deliberately set?

Mendoza
Oh, who would do something like that?

[Sepulveda comes over to them, carrying Zorro's burnt hat.]

de Soto
Ah, well, now this seems to answer all our questions.

Mendoza
No, Alcalde.  It wasn't Zorro.  He saved my life.

de Soto [sarcastically]
Really?  And he just happened to be passing by, hmm?  How convenient.

Diego [in an accusatory tone]
Someone had a very good reason for keeping Sergeant Mendoza from making the improvements on his house.

[He looks over at de Soto.]

de Soto [with mock innocence]
You bring me the proof of that, Diego, and I will personally prosecute the individual.  I put my creative blood into this project. [to Mendoza] It would have been a splendid house, Sergeant.

Mendoza
I wanted to talk to you about that. There were so many things wrong with this house.

de Soto
Sergeant, in every new house. . .has some flaws to be worked out.  But I assure you, this structure was going to be brought up to the highest possible standards. [He sighs dramatically.] Alas, it won't be possible now.

Don Alejandro [to Mendoza]
Look at it this way, Sergeant.  The house wasn't completely finished, which means you have lots of money left over to build yourself another place huh?

Mendoza [smiling]
Well, this is true?  Alcalde, how much money do I have left?

de Soto
How much do you have left?  Well. . .   After the cleanup and the debris is removed, I'm afraid there'll be little if anything left, Sergeant.

Don Alejandro [looking puzzled]
What do you mean he has nothing left? [His tone grows angry.] The man had five thousand pesos!

de Soto
De la Vega, do you have any idea how much this kind of work costs?  The labor alone. . .  Such civic work is hardly free!

Diego
So Sergeant Mendoza's lottery winnings go straight back into the pueblo treasury.  Is that it?

de Soto
Yes, I'm afraid so.  Now, if you'll excuse me.  Corporal.

[De Soto walks past Diego then he and Sepulveda walk toward the burnt outbuilding.]

Diego [patting Mendoza on the shoulder]
I'm sorry, Sergeant.  I know how much you wanted your dream house.

Mendoza
Thank you, Don Diego.  You know, sometimes it's better to have our dreams than to have our dreams come true.  As a matter of fact, I have something better.  Something money can't buy.  I have a friend. [He holds up Zorro's burnt hat.] And such a friend is worth much more than gold.

[Diego smiles and pats Mendoza's shoulder.]

*****END OF EPISODE*****
 
Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland  23 & 24 August 2007