Written by Philip John Taylor
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 28 September 1990 Episode 2.3

[A shot of a ship sailing the ocean.]

[A rowboat full of sailors comes ashore.  One man walks ahead of the boat and onto the sand.  The man is looking at a large piece of paper then glances up.  He folds up the paper.]

[The man and the other sailors climb up the sandy hillside, carrying muskets.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda from a distance.  People are coming out the front door.]

Diego [off camera]
I know you'd rather be coming with us.

[Closeup of Diego and Felipe walking out the hacienda's front door.]

Diego
My father and I must ride fast and hard if we are to return from San Fernando by sundown.

[Diego and Felipe stop walked and turn to look at each other.  Felipe doesn't look too happy.]

Diego
Look at it this way.  When you're having a good time with Señorita Escalante at the tavern, we'll be haggling over the price of a bull.  Now isn't that the sort of thing young boys find extremely dull?

[Felipe shakes his head, points to himself, then shakes his finger, then holds his hand palm down about mid-chest, and then thrusts out his chest.]

Diego
Yes, that's true.  Forgive me.  Soon you will be a man. [He puts his hand on Felipe's shoulder.] Don't forget, a man doesn't keep a señorita waiting.

[Diego smiles and walks away and Felipe follows, looking a little happier.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda in the distance.  Diego and Don Alejandro are on horseback.]

Diego
Goodbye, Felipe.

Don Alejandro
Okay.  Adios, Felipe.

[Diego and Don Alejandro turn their horses around and start to ride away from the hacienda.]

Don Alejandro [as they ride]
Felipe back there, he seemed a bit unhappy.

Diego
Oh, he's at that age when he needs to be a part of everything.

Don Alejandro
Manhood beckons, huh?

[The sailors are walking through some trees when one of them calls out to the leader.]

Sanchez
Captain! [He points at the paper in the captain's hand.] The map say the treasure's to the north.  Why do we go east?

Stark
Use your head, Sanchez.  We lost over half our crew coming around the Horn.  Who's going to carry all that plunder back to the ship?  You?

[Sanchez and the other men shake their heads.]

Stark
We're going to Los Angeles to enlist a few ‘volunteers.'

[He starts laughing evilly.]

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

[Sanchez is walking though the plaza, carrying his musket and checking out the pueblo.  Ramón comes galloping into town on a brown horse.  He comes to a halt in front of the cuartel where Mendoza is standing.]

Mendoza [as Ramón dismounts]
What a beautiful horse, mi Alcalde.

Ramón
Yes.  Watch Victoria for me, will you?

Mendoza [incredulously]
You call the horse Victoria?

Ramón [nonchalantly]
Why not?  I'm going to have some lunch.

[He walks away.]

Mendoza
Si, mi Alcalde [He turns to the horse.] What a magnificent animal.  You are a beauty, yes you are.

[Sanchez sneaks up behind Mendoza and whacks him on the head.  Mendoza crumples to the ground.  Sanchez unties the horse's reins and climbs up into its saddle.  He rides quickly out of town.]

[Sanchez comes to a halt near some trees somewhere out in the countryside and whistles loudly.  Then he rides down a hillside where Stark and the another sailors are driving a farm wagon while other sailors are on horseback.]

Sanchez
Where'd you get the wagon?

Stark
We ‘borrowed' it from a farmer. . .permanently! [He laughs evilly.] How does the pueblo look?

Sanchez
Like taking a rattle from a baby, thanks to the Alcalde.

[He pats his horse's neck and smiles.]

[Ramón is slapping at an unconscious Mendoza's face as Mendoza sits on a bench in front of Ramón's office.  Slowly Mendoza wakes up.]

Ramón [through gritted teeth]
Where is my horse?

[Mendoza just looks around and doesn't answer.]

[Ramón and several of the other soldiers ride out of the garrison gate and out of the pueblo.]

[Inside the tavern, Victoria and Felipe tend to Mendoza's head.]

Mendoza [leaning over a table]
It was such a beautiful horse, too.  I feel so guilty.

Victoria [putting a wet cloth on his head]
Oh, don't worry, Mendoza, I'm sure the Alcalde will catch the thief.

[Outside, off camera, a horse whinnies loudly.]

Victoria [looking towards the doors]
You see?  He's back already.

[The tavern doors burst open and Sanchez, Stark, and the other pirates walk inside.  Sanchez pushes a man out of his way.]

Man
Hey!  What are you doing?

[Mendoza get to his feet as the pirates start pushing more people around.  Felipe tries to drag Victoria into the kitchen but is stopped by a pirate who comes out of the kitchen, grabbing Victoria's arm.]

Victoria [as she and Felipe struggle to get away from the pirate]
Let go of me!

[Stark walks to the middle of the tavern and pulls out a pistols.  He raises his arm straight up and fires into the ceiling.]

Stark
Quiet!

[Everyone quiets down and looks at Stark.]

Stark
That's more like it.  Sanchez, line ‘em up quick.

Sanchez
Aye, aye, Captain.

Man [stepping toward Stark]
What's going on?

Stark [pushing the man up against the bar where Sanchez has lined up Victoria, Felipe, and several other men]
The next fool who speaks is mine.

Mendoza
I think I should warn you there's a military garrison close by.  If you. . .

[Stark punches Mendoza in the stomach.]

Mendoza [falling back down into his chair]
Ooof!

Sanchez [pointing at Mendoza]
He's the one who gave me the Alcalde's horse.

Mendoza [looking up at Sanchez with a pained expression]
You're the one who knocked me out.

[Stark picks up a gourd and hits Mendoza on the head with it.  Mendoza falls face first onto the floor.  Victoria rushes over to help him.]

Stark [to Sanchez as he pushes Victoria backward]
You didn't do a very good job.

[He and Sanchez then both laugh.]

Stark [addressing the ‘volunteers']
The name's Henry Stark, captain of the Golden Lion.  I need a few able-bodied volunteers.

[Felipe looks worriedly at Stark who laughs evilly as do the other pirates.]

[Ramón and the soldiers ride back into the pueblo.  Several townspeople rush up to Ramón.]

Man
Alcalde, something's happened.

[Ramón dismounts as more people come up to him, all talking at once.]

Man
Pirates, Alcalde.

[Ramón is once again slapping an unconscious Mendoza's face, this time in the tavern.]

Mendoza [waking up but groggy]
More bad news, Alcalde.

[Ramón glares angrily at Mendoza while taking a deep breath.]

[Diego and Don Alejandro dismount their horses somewhere along the road.  Don Alejandro hold a rope attached to a bull.]

Don Alejandro
You know something, I have to tell you this has been a very profitable business trip.  I really thought I was going to have to pay an extra two hundred pesos for Señor Toro here. [He turns and looks at the bull.]
Hey, hey.

[Diego and Don Alejandro both look up at they hear approaching hoof beats and creaking wagon wheels.]

Don Alejandro [as the pirates' wagon comes into view]
Oh. . .I don't know that wagon.

[He then sees Victoria and Felipe among the wagon's passengers and turns to Diego.]

Don Alejandro
It's Victoria and Felipe!

[Diego grabs Don Alejandro's arm as he is about to confront the pirates.  Diego waves his free arm in a greeting.]

Diego
Hola!

Wagon Driver
Whoa!

[The wagon comes to a halt.  Victoria leans forward to say something but Felipe grabs her arm.  She turns to look at him with a confused expression.]

Diego
Buenos dias, Señor.  Why are these people being held prisoner?

Stark
They're no prisoners, my friend.  They're volunteers, seeking their fortunes in my service.

Diego
Ah, I see.  Well, the boy there is the servant of a friend of mine. [He points at Felipe.] He's a constant pest.  He's of no value to you.  And the woman is a quarrelsome barmaid.

[Victoria raises an eyebrow at Diego's description of her.]

Stark
Then they will not be missed!

[He and the other pirates all laugh.  Don Alejandro angrily turns to Diego.]

Don Alejandro
Diego!

[Diego restrains Don Alejandro again.]

Stark [waving his hand]
Let's go!

[The wagon starts moving forward.  Victoria looks oddly at Diego as she and Felipe pass by him and Don Alejandro.]

Don Alejandro [watching the wagon leave]
Diego.  Diego?  How could you let them get away like that with the buccaneers?

Diego [also watching the wagon]
We would have been shot dead on the spot.  I have no intention of letting them go.

[He turns to Don Alejandro.]

Diego
Take the bull into town and tell the Alcalde what's happened.

Don Alejandro
And what are you supposed to do then?

Diego
I'll follow them and leave a trail for the Alcalde.

Don Alejandro
Very well.  But you be careful and you do absolutely nothing until the soldiers arrive, you understand?

Diego [smiling wryly]
I wouldn't think of it.

[He pats Don Alejandro on the arm. Don Alejandro goes then and remounts his horse.]

Don Alejandro
Adios.

Diego [giving a little wave]
Adios.

[Don Alejandro turns and rides toward the pueblo.  Diego turns the other way and looks down the trail the wagon went.  He then pats his horse on the head.]

Diego
You must be my Toronado, Esperanza.  For once, Zorro rides without his mask.

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

[In a grassy clearing, Victoria is tied up and sitting on the ground.  Stark leans over her and pours out a glass of water onto the ground.  He then laughs evilly.]

[Diego sneaks up to the clearing and sees Victoria and Felipe from behind.  Felipe is fiddling with the ropes binding his hands when a rock lands near him.  He looks around.  Another rock hits his leg.  He looks up, sees Diego, and smiles.]

[Crouching beside a bush, Diego moves his hands around as though he is untying them.  Felipe follows his motions and his hands come untied.  Then Felipe starts to untie his feet.  Sanchez sneaks up behind Diego and puts a sword to his chest.  Felipe looks up and sees Diego and Sanchez as they slowly stand up.]

Diego
Run, Felipe!

[Stark is drinking from a cup and turns at the sound of Diego's voice.  Felipe starts to run away.]

Pirates
The boy!  Get the boy!

Victoria [trying to get to her feet]
Don Diego!

[Diego struggles against Sanchez's hold on him.]

Sanchez [to Diego]
I'll cut you!

Stark
Leave the boy!

[He goes over and hauls Victoria to her feet.]

Stark
I still have my prize catch. [to Diego] Well, well.  You have a lot more backbone than I thought.

[He points his sword toward Diego.]

Diego
So what do you want with us?

Stark
We're going to find the Manlac treasure.  We need strong backs to make the return journey to the ship.  Yours will be one of them.

Diego
The Manlacs have lain undisturbed for a hundred years.

Stark
Then it's about time someone woke them up! [He laughs evilly.]

[Don Alejandro is leading the bull down the road when Ramón and the soldiers come riding up.]

Ramón [bringing his horse to a halt]
Whoa! [to Don Alejandro] Which way did they go?

Don Alejandro
My son has followed them down the trail, around the arroyo, by the trail.

Ramón [motioning with his arm]
Lancers!  Ho!  Heyeah!

[Ramón and the soldiers ride past Don Alejandro.  Don Alejandro glances over his shoulder at the bull.]

Don Alejandro
Venga, toro!

[He continues on his way as the bull bellows.]

[Diego kneels next to Victoria as his hands are tied behind his back by Sanchez.]

Diego [to Victoria]
I did my best.

Victoria
I know.  Thank you, Don Diego.  But situations like this are best left for Zorro.  He will come.

[Diego gets an odd look on his face at Victoria's words.]

[Felipe is running across the countryside.  He paused when he sees a farm up ahead.  He checks it out and sees a horse in a stall.  He smiles as he creeps forward.]

[Sneaking around a corner of the horse's stall, Felipe slowly walks up to it, climbs over a short wall, then hops onto the horse's bare back.]

Farmer [coming around another corner]
Hey you!  Stop!  You thief!

[The farmer bends down and picks up a rifle.  Felipe stares at the farmer for a second then turns and rides away.  The farmer shoots at him but misses.]

[Ramón and the soldiers ride slowly over a rough part of the trail.]

Mendoza [as he rides along side Ramón]
Alcalde, I don't know how many times can I say this?  But I am truly sorry I allowed you horse to be stolen.  Please speak to me.  Alcalde?  Please?

Ramón
Very well, Mendoza, I'll speak to you.

[He stops his horse and turns to Mendoza.]

Ramón
Shut up!

[He then rides on.]

Mendoza [gratefully]
Oh.  Thank you.

[The pirates drive their wagon of prisoners down the road.  Diego rips off a button from his jacket sleeve and tosses it out.  It lands on a plant of some sort.]

[Felipe rides his stolen horse to the de la Vega hacienda, where he dismounts the horse and slaps it on the rump.  He then runs through the hacienda gate as the horse runs off.]

[Inside the secret cave, Felipe heaves a saddle onto Toronado's back.]

[A soldier bends down and picks up on of Diego's buttons.  He hands it to Mendoza who looks at it.]

Mendoza [to Ramón]
You know, mi Alcalde, if it weren't for Don Diego's buttons, we'd be lost.

[He chuckles as Ramón shoots him an angry look.]

[The pirates' wagon pulls up to a clearing.]

Stark
Whoa!  This is the clearing on the map.  Make camp!  We'll start searching at dawn.

[He and the other pirates get down from the wagon and the horses some of them were riding.]

Sanchez [to one of the prisoners at the back of the wagon]
Off!

[Stark walks to the back of the wagon as Diego hops down off it.]

Stark
As for him. . .tie him good.

[Sanchez and another pirate grab Diego and take him away.  Another pirate pulls Victoria down off the wagon.]

Victoria [confronting Stark]
You will hang for this!

[Stark just laughs evilly in her face.]

[It is dark as Felipe rides Toronado across the countryside.]

[Back at the pirates' camp, Sanchez picks up his rifle and walks to the back to the wagon where Stark sits and sleeps.  Sanchez then goes over to where the prisoner are lying on the ground, also sleeping.  Except for Diego, who is working on the ropes tying his hands behind his back.  He frees his hands then rubs his wrists.]

[The sun comes up over the horizon the next morning.  Stark wakes up and gets down off the back of the wagon.  Men can be heard snoring as he walks by them.  Stark goes back to the wagon where one of the pirates rests against a wagon wheel]

Stark [kicking the pirate]
Up, you lazy rogues!

[Nearby, Felipe dismounts Toronado and climbs down through some large rocks.]

[The pirates walk past Diego, who pretends to still be tied up.  Victoria who lies with her back to him, tries to look over her shoulder at him.]

Victoria
Don Diego.  You have to do something. [He doesn't answer as he watches the pirates depart.]

Victoria [impatiently]
Diego!

Diego
Work on the knots.

[Victoria nods and starts trying to untie herself.]

[Felipe peers up over a boulder and throws a rock into a puddle near Diego.  Diego sits up and looks over, seeing Felipe.  Felipe gives him a salute and a smile.  Glancing around, Diego gets rids of the loose ropes around his wrists and ankles.  He gets up and walks toward Felipe.]

[Victoria still tries to untie her ropes as Zorro grabs and pinches the necks of two of the male ‘volunteers.'  They fall forward, unconscious.  Zorro looks to his right.  His hand grabs and pinches another man's neck and he too collapses unconsciously.  Then Zorro turns and goes to his right again.]

[Victoria is struggling to untie herself as Zorro comes up behind her and pinches her neck.  He gently lays her down on the ground.]

Zorro
Forgive me, Señorita.  But Zorro's secret is worth a small headache.

[He then darts away.]

[Stark looks at his map as the other pirates follow him to the edge of a small cliff.]

Stark [looking down and pointing]
The entrance is behind that rock.  Let's go to work!

[The pirates all yell and run toward the rock.]

[Ramón and his men ride past another one of Diego's buttons sitting on a rock.]

[The pirates all try to move the rock from the cave's entrance as Stark watches.  They all start laughing as they move the rock out of the way.]

Stark
Look at it!  There is it!  The answers to all our dreams.

Zorro [sitting on Toronado's back up on the cliff above them]
Funny how dreams can so easily become nightmare.

[Stark looks up at Zorro then he and Sanchez look at each other.]

Stark
If you think that mask frightens us, my friend, you are mistaken.  I suppose you think we'll cut you in.

Zorro
No.  But I thin you'll be leaving the Manlacs' resting place in peace.

Stark
And I think you'll be joining them!

[He nudges Sanchez's arm.  Sanchez draws out his sword and walks toward Zorro.]

Pirates
Get him, Sanchez!

[Zorro unsheathes his saber.  Sanchez swings his sword at Zorro.]

Pirates
Take him, mate!  Cut him!  Run him through!

[Zorro parries Sanchez's wild swings then kicks him in the chest.]

Sanchez [as he tumbles away]
Eeyow!

Stark [off camera]
Zorro!

[Zorro turns to see Stark and the other pirates aiming their pistols at him.  Stark pulls his trigger but the pistols just clicks.  Stark looks down at it in confusion.]

Zorro
A small precaution, Señor.  Last night I took the powder from your weapons.

[Stark stares at his pistol then points its barrel at his empty palm.  The ball rolls out into his hand.]

Zorro
Now you were saying?

[Zorro urges Toronado forward.  Hanging down the horse's right side, he holds out his saber, slicing it toward the pirates' knees.  They fall down as they try to get out of Zorro's way.  Felipe watches the action from behind a large rock, smiling.  Zorro spins Toronado around and takes on one of the pirates with hi saber.  He kicks the man in the chest, knocking him down to the ground.]

Pirates [as they attack Zorro but get defeated by him one by one]
Watch out!  Aaah!  Get behind him!

[Stark comes up behind Felipe and clamps his hand over Felipe's mouth.  Felipe struggles to get free but Stark holds him firmly.  Zorro continues to beat up the pirates.]

Pirates
Let's get out of here!

[They all run away.  Zorro and Toronado turn around and see Stark holding Felipe hostage.  Zorro rides Toronado up closer to them.]

Zorro
Well, this is how the valiant Henry Stark fights his battles?

[Felipe bites Stark's hand and runs away when Stark lets go of him.]

Stark [grabbing his injured hand]
Yeaah!

Zorro
You've run out of innocent victims to hide behind, Stark.

Stark
I'll cut you to ribbons.  A saber is no match for a cutlass.

[Stark pulls out his cutlass.]

Zorro [as Stark walks toward him]
True.  A cutlass has first to find its mark.

[Zorro, still on horseback, spins around, then dismounts.  He and Stark engage their blades.  Zorro turns Stark around and slashes a ‘Z' into the back of Stark's tunic.]

Zorro
Get my point, Señor?

[Stark turns back around and lunges at Zorro, but Zorro blocks the thrust.  He then trips Stark as he goes past him.  Stark falls and ends up on his back.]

[Behind Zorro, Sanchez get up and comes at him.  Toronado sees Sanchez and whinnies loudly.  Zorro turns around and sees Sanchez.]

Zorro
Not you again.

[Sanchez thrusts his sword at Zorro at couple of times.  Zorro moves aside and Sanchez hacks Toronado on the back.  Toronado whinnies loudly.]

Zorro
Now you've done it.  You've made him angry.

[Sanchez turns and looks worriedly at Zorro.]

Zorro
Toronado!

[Toronado spins around and knocks Sanchez to the ground.  Meanwhile Stark gets to his feet and comes at Zorro again.  Zorro parries his cutlass easily as Toronado pins Sanchez up against the rock hillside.  The horse rears up and hits Sanchez in the head with his left front hoof.  Zorro pushes Stark up against the rocks as well, then whacks the cutlass out of Stark's hand.  Stark reaches over and tries to grab a rock.  Zorro hits his hand away with his saber.]

Zorro
Oh, that would be a mistake, Señor.

[Stark reaches down and grabs his cutlass, swinging it at Zorro's head.  Zorro ducks then punches Stark in the face.]

Stark [as he falls to the ground]
Aaah!

[Sanchez tries to get up but ends up crawling away.  Zorro hears hoof beats closing in on them.]

Zorro
That will be the Alcalde.  Felipe!

[He dashes off.  Felipe goes in the opposite direction but spins around and smiles at Zorro before continuing on his way.]

[Ramón and his men ride up to the edge of the small cliff.  Ramón approaches the cave on foot.  He hurries when he sees the unconscious Stark lying on the ground.  He puts his hand near Stark's head then picks up the map lying on the ground near Stark.  He unfolds it.]

Ramón
The Manlac burial ground.  The legend's true!  The cave.  Where's the cave?

[He turns around to look for it.]

[High above on a rock, Zorro throws something at the opened entrance of the cave.  It explodes and the cave entrance is resealed.  Ramón is almost knocked off his feet by the blast.]

Zorro [sitting on Toronado's back, looking down at Ramón]
Alcalde!

[Ramón looks up at Zorro.]

Zorro
If there were gold there, do you really think I'd leave it for you?

[The soldiers come running toward Ramón.]

Soldiers
Come!  Let's go!  Quick!  There's an explosion!

Zorro [to Ramón]
The dead should be left in peace.

[He rides away as Ramón clenches his fists in anger.]

Soldiers
Where is he?  Where is he?

Mendoza [coming up to Ramón]
The buccaneers have escaped, mi Alcalde and your horse is no where in sight.

Ramón
Naturally.  But I have personally captured their leader.

Mendoza
Well done, mi Alcalde.  Where is he?

Ramón [turning and pointing]
Well, he's right. . .

[Stark has disappeared.]

Mendoza
Madre de Dios!  These pirates are pretty sneaky fellows, aren't they?

[Felipe runs up and claps his hands.]

Mendoza
Oh, Felipe.  He must have found something.

[He runs toward Felipe as does Ramón and the other soldiers.  Ramón pauses to look at where Stark had been, then continues on.]

[Mendoza follows Felipe who urges him to move faster.  They come to the clearing where Felipe points at Victoria.]

Mendoza [running toward her]
Señorita Escalante, are you all right?

[He bends down to untie her feet.]

Victoria
Yes, I'm fine.  I'm fine.

[She looks up at Felipe who runs his hands across his eyes, indicating a mask.]

Victoria [excitedly]
Zorro?  Zorro was here?

[Felipe points off to his right and smiles.]

Victoria [turning to her left]
You see, Don Diego.  I told you Zorro would come.

Diego [as Felipe comes over to ‘untie' his hands]
Zorro was here?  What a shame I missed him.

[He looks over his shoulder at Felipe and they both smile.]

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

[Diego waves at Mendoza who is leading the soldiers and the former prisoner back to town.]

Diego [as Felipe stands by his side]
Adios, Sergeant.

Mendoza
Advance!  Ho!

[The soldiers turn their horses around and ride off, surrounding the wagon as it rumbles off.]

Diego [patting Felipe's shoulder as they watch everyone else leave]
You were magnificent, Felipe.

[Felipe looks at Diego and shakes his head.]

Diego
Well, now you're being too modest.  You did exactly what needed to be done.  Not too many men would have been so daring.  I shall never again refer to you as a boy.

[Felipe thinks for a moment, then strokes his chin, sticks out his chest, then mimes unsheathing a sword and then pointing to his right.]

Diego
Yes.  I'll wager Stark and his men are on their way back to the ship.  Perhaps we should help them along.

[He looks over at Felipe with a mischievous smile.]

Diego [patting Felipe on the back]
Come on.

[Stark and his men are getting into their rowboat when they all turn around.]

Stark
Zorro!

[Zorro rides Toronado down the sandy hillside at them.]

Stark
Run for your life!

[The pirates run away from the rowboat as Zorro chases them up and down the beach.  Felipe silently cheers Zorro n as he watches and laughs.]

*****END OF EPISODE*****

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland 28 July 2006

This transcription is a not-for-profit publication produced solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe upon any rights of Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.

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