Written by Bruce Lansbury
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 13 January 1991 Episode 2.17

[A man on horseback rides toward the de la Vega hacienda.]

[A hand hands a letter to Don Alejandro through the opened front door.  Don Alejandro closes the door and walks into the parlor, opening the letter.]

Diego [in a low voice off camera]
Now hold still.  Stop fidgeting.

Don Alejandro
I wonder who could be writing me from San Pedro, Diego?

[He walks up to Diego, who is dabbing something onto Felipe's face.]

Don Alejandro [looking at the letter]
Bernardo de la Paz.  He's about to sentence a murderer named Miguelito Torres to the gallows.

Diego [as he keeps dabbing on Felipe's face, then trying to apply a beard]
I've heard of him.  His brother is Vicente Torres.

Don Alejandro [reading from the letter]
The brother is threatening to retaliate against Bernardo's family if any sentence is imposed.

Diego
I'm sure that won't stop the judge from seeing that justice is done.

Don Alejandro
No, of course not.  But still, he's sending his children off to different locations for their safety and he wants us to look after his son, Carlos, for a few days.

Diego
Ah, excellent.  Felipe could use a companion.

Don Alejandro [putting down the letter and finally noticing what Diego is doing]
Diego, um, why are you putting a beard on Felipe?

Diego [pressing the beard onto Felipe's face with his hands]
The padre's asked me to stage an Easter pageant next Sunday.  I have to turn teenagers into bearded men.

Don Alejandro [looking at the letter again]
Well, apparently his seventeen-year old son is eager to be a man.  He's arriving at ten.  We should get to the plaza.

Diego [still pressing his hands on Felipe's ‘beard']
Forgive me.  I have to wait until my formula sets.

Don Alejandro
No matter.  I'll go alone.

[He exits the room.  Diego looks over his shoulder then back at Felipe.]

Diego
If this young man's coach is arriving at the plaza at ten, my guess is they're already approaching Cahuenga Pass.  If Torres wanted to abduct him, it would be the perfect spot.  I think Zorro had better provide an escort.  Come on.

[Diego pats Felipe on the shoulder and they both get to their feet then walk toward the library.]

Diego
A young houseguest.  That should be fun for you, eh, Felipe?

[A stagecoach rumbles along the road.  A man watches it then pulls up a bandana to cover the lower half of his face.  He spurs his horse forward with wicked looking spurs.]

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

[The man and two others ride into a raving then up a hillside as the coach drives on.  The three men ride up behind the coach and one of them fires a shot at it.  The coach driver turns around to look at them then urges the horses pulling the coach to go faster.  The three men catch up with the coach anyway and one of them grabs onto the coach and climbs aboard.  He crawls across the top of the coach then stabs the driver in the back with a dagger.  He then tosses the driver off the still moving coach.  The man grabs the reins and brings the coach to a halt.]

Man
Whoa!

[Another man comes up to the coach, pointing a pistol.  He opens the coach's door.]

Second Man
Come out, de la Paz!

Third Man [also pointing a pistol]
Get out!

[A teenage boy is pulled from the coach.]

Carlos
Thief!  Blackguard!  Infidel!

[Carlos punches the man who is holding on to him.]

Carlos
Let me go!

[A horse whinnies loudly and everyone looks up.  Zorro rides up to the coach.  He whips the pistol from the hand of one of the kidnappers.  The third man rides away.]

Carlos [coming up to Zorro]
Señor!  I was about to knock the scoundrel off his horse.

Zorro [a bit sarcastically]
Were you now?

Carlos [braggingly]
Yes, I was.  Who are you anyway?

Zorro
My name is Zorro.

Carlos
Really?  Then there is such a man.

Zorro [tipping his head]
At your service.

Carlos [self-importantly]
Well, Carlos Bustista Alvardo de la Paz does not need a masked stranger to get him out of trouble, Señor Zorro.

Zorro
Then try to avoid trouble, Carlos de la Paz.

[Exterior shot of the pueblo plaza.  The stage coach is parked in front of the tavern.  Don Alejandro is speaking with Carlos.]

Don Alejandro
What?  You encountered Zorro?

Carlos
Yes.  You know him?

Ramone [coming up to them]
Honest people shudder at his name, young man.

Don Alejandro
Alcalde, may I introduce my special houseguest, Carlos de la Paz.

Ramone 
Consider yourself lucky you are not Zorro's prisoner right now.  He is not above taking helpless youngsters for ransom.

Carlos
Helpless?  If he comes near me again, I'll box his ears.  I'm not scared.

Don Alejandro
Ah, Carlitos, why don't we go to the hacienda.  I'm sure after all this combat, you must have a hearty appetite.

[Don Alejandro and Carlos get into the de la Vega carriage as Ramone walks away.]

Victoria [off camera at first]
Don Alejandro! [She runs up to the carriage and hands Don Alejandro a basket.] Here is that special flan that you ordered.

Don Alejandro [pulling back the napkin covering the basket and peeking under it]
Ah, Victoria.  One of Diego's favorites.  Thank you.

Victoria [smiling at Carlos]
Oh, and who is this?

Don Alejandro
Oh, may I introduce Carlos de la Paz.  Carlos, this is la Señorita Victoria Escalante.

Victoria
Hello.

[Carlos just stares at her.]

Don Alejandro [nudging Carlos and clearing his throat]
Carlos?

Carlos [shaking off his stupor]
M-My honor, Señorita Escalante.

Don Alejandro [setting aside the basket of flan]
Well, I'm sure both Diego and I will enjoy this very much.  Buenas tardes.

Victoria
Buenas tardes.

Don Alejandro [flicking the reins]
Vamanos!

[The carriage starts moving.  Carlos turns around to stare at Victoria.]

Don Alejandro
There's a young man at the house named Felipe. [He notices Carlos staring at Victoria.] Carlos?

[Victoria waves at Carlos.]

Don Alejandro
Carlitos? [He smiles knowingly.] Remarkably attractive woman, eh, Carlos.  Carlos?

Carlos [still staring at Victoria]
Huh?  Yes, Señor.  Very.

[Wide exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

[Inside the hacienda, Diego, Don Alejandro, and Carlos are sitting in the dining room, eating a meal (lunch?).  Felipe walks into the room.]

Diego [indicating Carlos]
Felipe, this is Carlos de la Paz.

Carlos [getting to his feet and shaking Felipe's hand]
How do you do?

Diego
Felipe will show you around the ranch.

[Felipe points at Carlos then himself then off to his right.]

Carlos [turning around to look at Diego]
Cat got his tongue?

[Don Alejandro gives Diego a look of concern.]

Diego
He can't speak or hear.  But he does communicate in other ways though.  And he can read your lips.

Carlos
You don't say?

[Felipe walks past Carlos as Carlos turns around.  Felipe is facing Diego with his back to Carlos.]

Carlos
You can't read my lips now, can you?

[Felipe smiles tightly at Diego.  Carlos smiles mischievously.  Felipe then leaves the room and Carlos follows.]

Don Alejandro [noticing Diego's anger]
Give him time.  He's among strangers.

Diego [lifting up his glass of orange juice]
You give him time.  I'd like to turn him over my knee.

[He takes a drink of his juice.]

[Carlos is in the corral, saddling a white horse as Felipe looks on worriedly.  Felipe then jumps over a small wall and toward the hacienda to where Don Alejandro is tending flowers in the courtyard.  Felipe pats Don Alejandro's back then points to his left, then makes washing on a wash board motions.  Don Alejandro gets to his feet and he and Felipe reach the gate in time to see Carlos falling off the horse as he tries to ride away.  They rush over to help him.]

[Wide exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
I don't remember you being so much trouble as a teenager, Diego.

[Don Alejandro and Diego are once again seated at the table in the dining room.]

Diego
Well, I certainly didn't have his energy.  Yesterday, he climbed to the top of the roof with my new spyglass and dropped it down the chimney.

Don Alejandro
What in the world possessed him to go and explore the swamp and then track mud all over my Kurdastan carpets?  No, thank heaven Bernardo is collecting his son.

[Diego is in the library, glueing a beard to Felipe's face again.]

Diego
In the theatricals at university, when you took off the mustache, the glue took off some of your face as well.  There, how is that?

[He picks up a hand mirror and hold it up in front of Felipe.  Felipe grabs the mirror and stares into.]

Diego [rising and going over to an already ‘bearded' Carlos]
After a lot of trial and error, I finally came up with a formula that is kinder to the face.

[He inspects Carlos's ‘beard'.]

Diego [patting Carlos's shoulder]
You're all right.  And now gentleman, I have an errand in the pueblo.  While I'm gone, please feel free to try your hand.

[He indicates a large wooden box.]

Carlos
Really?  Thank you, Don Diego.

Diego
You're welcome.

[He stands up and leaves.  Carlos gets up and takes the hand mirror from Felipe.  He looks at his beard in it.  As he strokes his beard, he sees the reflection of a sword hanging on the wall behind him.  He turns around, sets down the hand mirror then goes over to the sword.  He unsheathes it.  Felipe is fiddling with his beard until Carlos touches him on the shoulder with the sword.]

Carlos
In the name of my lady, Señorita Victoria Escalante.

[Felipe turns to face Carlos and smiles.  Carlos looks at the sword then at the box of theatrical makeup then he strokes his beard.]

[Outside the tavern, Diego ties his horse to the hitching rail.  As he walks up to the door, a man exits.

Diego [moving out of the man's way]
Excuse me.

[The man passes by, sneering.  Diego turns around and notices the man's wicked looking spurs.  He follows after the man.]

[Ramone is sitting at his desk in his office as the man with the spurs stands in front of him.]

Vicente
I am Lieutenant Frederico Rincon, royal officer in the service of his Excellency, the governor.

[He hands Ramone a scroll tied with a red ribbon.]

Vicente
Señor, we have reason to believe an escaped murderer is hiding in the vicinity of this pueblo.

Ramone 
Nonsense.  I run a crime-free pueblo.  Besides, you do not have the attire of a lieutenant.  How do I know all of this is authentic?

[He opens the scroll.]

Vicente
Well.  If you choose not to honor my credentials, I'll simply tell my uncle I was thrown out of Los Angeles by. . . [Diego is eavesdropping outside through an open window.] What did you say your name was?

Ramone [with a sneer as he reads the scroll]
Uncle?  What uncle?

Vicente
My uncle.  The governor.

Ramone [looking up at Vicente]
Oh, that uncle.  Of course.  One cannot be too careful these days, Lieutenant, about imposters.  Please, be seated.

[Vicente sits down.]

Vicente [as Diego stills eavesdrops]
The murderer's name is Carlos de la Paz.  He may appear young. But I can assure you, he's a very dangerous man.

Ramone [studying the scroll]
He looks familiar.  Ah, yes.  He's a guest of the de la Vegas.

[Diego turns away from the window and leaves.]

[Don Alejandro is walking through the hacienda, carrying a book.  Carlos is hiding behind some plants and watches as Don Alejandro goes past.  Carlos then goes into the library and takes the sword & scabbard off the wall.  He goes over to the makeup box and takes out a beard and puts it in his pocket as Felipe comes into the room.]

Carlos
This will be our secret, Felipe.  No more tattling to Don Alejandro.

[Felipe tries to take the beard from Carlos's pocket.  Carlos punches Felipe in the face.  Felipe puts up his fists then punches Carlos in the face, sending Carlos flying backward and knocking over a vase, which shatters as it hits the floor.  Felipe throws up his hands in despair and rushes over to start picking up the pieces.]

Carlos [shrugging]
It's just a pot, Felipe.

[Felipe turns around and points in the direction that Don Alejandro went then makes a slashing motion across his throat.  Carlos puts on his hat, picks up the sword then runs out of the room as Felipe continues to pick up the pieces of the broken vase.]

[Wide exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda as Diego rides toward it.]

[Inside the hacienda, Don Alejandro is talking to Diego as Felipe stands nearby.]

Don Alejandro
Carlos is gone, Diego.  He disappeared with one of our best horses and he took my ceremonial sword.  What do I tell his father? [A loud knock sounds on the front door.] Who in blazes is that?

[Don Alejandro goes over to answer the door.  Diego spins around and puts his hand on Felipe's shoulder.]

Diego
We don't have much time, Felipe.  The Alcalde intends to turn Carlos over to a murderer.  Where has Carlos gone?

[Felipe shrugs and shakes his head as he holds his hands up to his face.]

Diego
Look, I need to know, Felipe, for his own good.

[Felipe makes a chopping motion with both hands, then points to his left as the front door is opened.]

Diego
He went to the pueblo.  Go on.

[Felipe makes a circular gesture then strokes his hand along his jawline.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
Diego!

[Diego and Felipe both turn to look at don Alejandro who walks up to them, followed by Ramone, Mendoza, and Vicente Torres.]

Don Alejandro
We have unwelcomed visitors.

Ramone 
Don Diego de la Vega, you and your father are under arrest for harboring the murdered, Carlos de la Paz.

[Don Alejandro and Felipe glance over at Diego and Don Alejandro sighs.]

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

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

[Inside Don Alejandro, Mendoza, and Vicente Torres walk up to Diego and Felipe who stand near the entrance to the library.]

Mendoza
The fugitive is no where to be found.

Ramone [to Vicente]
I've told you how sly there people are.

Don Alejandro
We've told the truth.  The boy has disappeared.

Vicente
Liar!

Diego [to Vicente]
Do you consider yourself to be a judge of men, Lieutenant?

Vicente
I know liars by their words.

Diego
Really?  Does a man even need to speak?  Can you tell things about him just by looking at him?

Vicente [with a sneer]
Frequently.

Diego
I agree.  I can tell by your spurs, for example, you don't care much for your horse.  You probably have the same disregard for people.

Vicente [angrily]
Arrest them, Alcalde! [Ramone looks over at Don Alejandro, Diego, and Felipe smugly.] I will find Carlos de la Paz without them.

[Ramone signals to Mendoza who salutes.  Ramone salutes back then turns and leaves the room.]

[Outside the tavern, a bearded Carlos takes off his hat and smooths his hair.  He then puts his hat back on and walks into the tavern.]

[Back at the de la Vega hacienda, Don Alejandro is speaking to Diego and Felipe.]

Don Alejandro
What do I tell Bernardo when he gets here?  That his son is not only missing, but that he's also a fugitive?

Diego [coming up to Don Alejandro and looking over at Mendoza who is looking at a painting hanging on the wall]
Keep Sergeant Mendoza busy.  I'll somehow find Carlos.

[Diego then goes into the library and takes a book from the shelves.]

Don Alejandro
Sergeant Mendoza!

Mendoza [turning around and walking toward Don Alejandro]
What?

Don Alejandro
Am I wrong or is it suppertime?

Mendoza
True, true.  The smells from your kitchen have been sending my stomach an urgent message.

Don Alejandro
Let's go see what's cooking.

Mendoza
Ah, but yes.  Don Diego would be all alone.  He could escape.

Diego [now seated in a chair with his book in front of his face, which he lowers before he speaks]
Escape?  Oh, I hardly think so, Sergeant.  After all, the whole place is guarded.

Mendoza [chuckling]
That's true. [He looks at Don Alejandro.] I am ready.

[Don Alejandro pats Mendoza on the back then they walk away. As soon as they are gone, Diego lowers his book, tosses it back onto the bookshelves, stands up and goes over to Felipe.  He puts a hand on Felipe's shoulder and leads him to the fireplace.

Diego
If Carlos wants so much to be a man, we must let him try.  But we'll be there if he gets into trouble.

[Felipe points at Diego then to himself with a questioning look on his face.]

Diego
Yes.  See you at the tavern.

[Diego pats Felipe on the shoulder then touches the mantle and goes through the panel when it swings open.]

[Inside the tavern, Victoria waits on customers.  She takes an empty pitcher from a man and puts it on her tray.  She walks by the table where Carlos is sitting and picks up an empty glass at the next table.  She goes by Carlos again but then stops and turns around to greet him.]

Victoria
Buenas noches, Señor.  I haven't seen you here before.

Carlos
That is my loss, Señorita Escalante.

Victoria
You know my name?

Carlos
Among those who treasure beauty, your name is a legend.

Victoria [at bit embarrassed]
Well, um, is there something wrong with the wine?

Carlos
Not at all.

[He takes a big sip from his glass then coughs and chokes.  Victoria turns away, trying to hide her smile behind her hand.]

[Zorro enters the tavern's kitchen through the back door.  He walks across the room and taps Felipe's shoulder as Felipe looks through the curtains.]

Zorro [putting two fingers to his lips]
Shh.

[He then joins Felipe in his spying.]

[Carlos is still coughing as Vicente Torres and two other men walk into the tavern..  Vicente sits down at an empty table that one of the serving girls is cleaning.  One of the men brushes her hair back and she turns to look at him.  He then tires to grab her around the waist.]

Serving Girl (Pilar?) [as she tries to moves away]
No!  No!

Victoria [rushing up to them]
But excuse me, the barn is across the plaza.  That's where we feed animals.

[The man laughs and grabs Victoria around the waist.  She turns around in his arms and he lays his head on her back, grinning like a fool.]

Victoria [as she struggles to get free]
Oh!  Stop it!

[Carlos jumps up from his table and runs across the room.  He grabs the man assaulting Victoria by the arm and pulls him off her, then shoves the man back against the bar.]

Carlos
Take your hands off the lady.

Man [laughingly]
You're prepared to defend the lady's ‘honor', muchacho?

Carlos
The lady's honor is not in question.  But I'm prepared to teach a jackal some manners.

[The man chuckles then grabs Carlos by the shoulder.]

Victoria
No!  Let go of him!

[The man shoves Carlos over to his companion who picks Carlos up and spins him around.]

Voice
Someone help him!

Zorro [watching through the curtains with Felipe]
It look like our young friend could use some help.

[The second man stops turning then throws Carlos toward a wall.]

Zorro [looking upward]
The chandelier.

[Felipe emerges through the curtains and uses a large knife to cut the rope hold up the chandelier.  It crashes down onto the second man's head.]

Victoria [jumping back out of the way]
Oh!

[People start laughing.  Vicente gets up from his seat.  The first man comes up and grabs Carlos around the waist.  Carlos beats on him with his fists.  Zorro hands Felipe a rolling pin.  Felipe tosses it over to Carlos, who catches it then bashes his attacker on the head with it.  The man falls to the floor but get back up again, his fists clenched.  Zorro hands Felipe a skillet and Felipe bashes the man on the head with it.  The man falls to the floor again. Carlos unsheathes his sword and points it at the man who tries to reach for his own sword too late.]

Carlos [as Victoria stands behind him]
Apologize to the lady, Señor.

Man [incredulously]
Why you little. . .

[Carlos taps his sword on the man's chest.]

Carlos
I'm so sorry. . .

Man [reluctantly]
I'm so sorry. . .

Carlos
Please forgive us.

Man
Please forgive us.

Victoria
Only if you leave now!

[The man gets to his feet and runs out of the tavern.  The second man runs out behind him.  People clap as Vicente looks on with a disgusted expression.]

[Carlos sheathes his sword.]

Voices
Bravo!  Bravo!

Victoria [to Carlos]
Thank you very much.  I hope you will be my guest for dinner, Señor Carlos de la Paz. {Carlos looks embarrassed.] And next time, do not hide that handsome look behind a disguise.

[She then kisses him on the cheek.]

Victoria
Thank you.

[Carlos turns away in a daze, touching his hand to his cheek as he walks out of the tavern.  Men slap him on the back as he passes them.  Ramone comes up to Vicente.]

Ramone 
Lieutenant Rincon, my lancers are scouring the countryside for the fugitive.

Vicente
Scour away, Alcalde.  But I think his capture is near.

[In the plaza, a coach stops in front of the tavern.  An older, heavyset man steps out, dusting himself off.  Carlos steps out onto the porch, sees the man then dashes off to his right.  The man starts to go inside the tavern as Carlos hurries away.  A lasso drops down over Carlos.

Carlos
No!

[The man from the coach stops and turns in Carlos's direction.  Carlos is lifted off the ground by someone on the tavern's balcony. Vicente runs over to where Carlos is dangling off the railing.]

Vicente
Take him!

Voice
What did he do?

[Zorro rides up on Toronado and cuts the rope holding Carlos with his saber.  Carlos lands on his feet then unsheathes his sword.]

Carlos [raising his sword]
Zorro!

Zorro [still on horseback]
Hola, Carlos!  I don't want to spoil your fun, but. . . Watch out!

[The man from the balcony jumps down beside Carlos.  Zorro uses his whip to knock over a flower pot that was sitting on the balcony railing.  The pot falls onto the man's head, knocking him to the ground.]

Zorro
Carlos!

[Carlos looks over at Zorro who nods to his right.  Another man lunges with a sword at Carlos from behind but Carlos sidesteps him.  They engage their blades until Carlos kicks his opponent in the ankle.]

Man [lifting up his injured leg]
Ow!

[Carlos kicks him higher (stomach or groin).]

Man
Oh!  Ow!

Carlos
How's that?

[Vicente comes up behind Carlos with a pistol.]

Zorro [still on horseback]
Watch out!

[Vicente press the pistols into Carlos's back and grab him around the throat.]

Vicente
No tricks, Zorro.

[On the porch, Felipe picks up a pitcher from one of the tables.  Zorro smiles as Vicente starts dragging Carlos backward.]

Vicente [to Carlos]
Over to my horse.

[Felipe comes up behind Vicente and smashes the pitcher on his head.]

Vicente [as he falls to the ground]
Aah!

Carlos [to Felipe]
Muchas gracias, compadre.

[Felipe smiles embarrassedly and bows.  Ramone steps out onto the porch.]

Ramone 
Zorro!  Lancers, arrest Zorro!

Man from the Coach [pointing to the men on the ground]
Alcalde, you should be arresting these men.

Ramone [pointing at Zorro]
That man is wanted all over the territory. [He points down at Vicente.] That man is Lieutenant Rincon, the governor's nephew.

Man from the Coach
Nonsense.  The governor has no nephew.  He is the gangster, Vicente Torres.  As territorial judge, I order you to arrest him for kidnapping my son.

Ramone [gulping]
Your son?  Judge?  That de la Paz?  A thousand pardons.

[He bows to Bernardo then points down at Vicente again.]

Ramone 
Put this man in irons!

[Ramone then runs off the porch.  Bernardo walks over to Carlos.]

Bernardo
Carlos. . .  I had no idea.  You have more courage that I realized.

Carlos
Thank you, Father.  But I had help from a good friend.

[He looks past Bernardo at Felipe.  Bernardo turns around and Felipe bows.]

Bernardo [turning back to face Carlos]
Yes, a man always acknowledges his friends.

Carlos [turning from Bernardo and raising his sword]
Muchas gracias, Zorro!

Zorro [still on horseback as he salutes with his saber]
Keep your blade sharp, caballero.

[Zorro then rides away as Carlos, Bernardo, and Felipe look on.]

Voices
Adios Zorro!  Zorro!

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

[In the plaza, Victoria, dressed in an Egyptian-like costume, hand Diego a glass of red liquid.  He is standing with Don Alejandro and Bernardo.]

Don Alejandro
Did anyone else notice the Alcalde left a bit upset for not being cast?

[Victoria rolls her eyes and walks away.]

Bernardo
Once again, my deepest thanks.  I'm sure Carlos has memories to treasure for sometime to come.

Diego [somewhat sarcastically]
Oh, I think that goes for all of us.

Carlos [coming up to them dressed in robes and a beard]
Oh, I've never had such adventures, Father.  I'd like to come back again. . .and soon.

[Don Alejandro looks panic-stricken.]

Carlos
After all, Felipe and I have a lot to talk about.

[Felipe, also dressed in robes but beardless, touches his hands to his chest, clenches them then points at Carlos.]

Carlos
I'll miss you too, my friend.

Bernardo
Alejandro, as it happens, I'll be in San Pedro again in a month or two and if Don Diego approves. . .

Diego
Carlos will always be welcome in out house.

[Don Alejandro shoots him a dirty look.  Diego and Bernardo shake hands.]

Don Alejandro
Well. . .  Adios.

[He shakes hands with Bernardo as well.  Then he and Diego walk away.]

Don Alejandro
There you are, Diego.  Friendship has it obligations.

[Diego looks over at Felipe who is vigorously rubbing his face.]

Don Alejandro
Felipe, what's wrong with your face?

[Felipe shrugs.   Diego looks concerned.]

Diego [as Felipe gives him a dirty look]
The glue. [He chuckles,] Nothing goes quite as we plan, does it.

[Felipe keeps scratching his face as Diego looks away embarrassedly.]

*****END O F EPISODE*****