Story by Gary Stephen Rieck Teleplay by Joe Gunn
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 15 December 1991 Episode 3.13

[Exterior shot of the pueblo as a man drives a cart across the plaza.  The stagecoach pulls up to the tavern.  Don Alejandro and another man ride into town.  They ride up to de Soto's office and Don Alejandro dismounts.  Across the plaza, the coach driver is unloading several pieces of luggage as a female passenger directs him.  She turns and goes toward the tavern and the driver follows her, carrying the luggage.  Don Alejandro walks over to a brown horse tied up to the hitching rail in front of de Soto's office.]

Don Alejandro
Hola, Pilla.  Where have you been, huh?

[He strokes the horse's mane as de Soto comes out of his office.]

Don Alejandro
Buenos dias, Señor Alcalde.  You have a very beautiful horse here, sir.

de Soto
Well, thank you.  I, um, bought her from a passing rider from San Diego.  A Señor Montoya.  He. . .He made me an offer that I could not resist.

Don Alejandro
Yes, I see.  Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you.  She was taken from my stables last Friday night.

de Soto
Oh, no, no, no.  That's impossible.

Don Alejandro [indicating the man on horseback who accompanied him into town]
Miguel knows my horses for ten years.  He knows all of my stock.

[He points to the horse's hindquarters.]

Don Alejandro
Besides, look at the de la Vega brand here, hastily changed to an ‘M'.

de Soto [moving closer to the horse to examine the brand]
Señor, I bought this horse in good faith for five hundred pesos.

Don Alejandro
She's worth twice as much as that and you know it.

de Soto
Are you calling me a horse thief?

Don Alejandro
Señor Alcalde, if a man offers me a horse at half its market price, I would have been more careful. [He turns away from de Soto.} Miguel, vamanos.

de Soto
What do you think you're doing?

Don Alejandro [grabbing the horse's reins]
Can't you tell?  I'm taking back what's mine!

[Victoria and Pilar are on the tavern porch and Victoria looks over worriedly at Don Alejandro's outburst.  De Soto pulls out his pistol.]

de Soto
Señor, you are taking nothing.

[Victoria turns and hurries inside the tavern.]

de Soto [aiming the pistol at Don Alejandro]
The ownership of this horse will be settled in a court of law.

Don Alejandro
Very good.  But not here!  Not in your court!  We'll go before the territorial judge then.

[Diego comes out of the tavern, sees what is going on, then runs across the plaza.]

Diego
Father, what's going on?

Don Alejandro [pointing at de Soto]
Him!

[Diego steps in between de Soto and Don Alejandro and forcibly lowers de Soto's gun.]

Diego
Ignacio, put the gun down.

[Diego looks back and forth at the two angry men.]

Don Alejandro
Miguel, take the horse to Father Benitez.  Tell him I'll be waiting for a court ruling.

[Miguel leads the horse away. Don Alejandro takes a step toward de Soto but Diego stops him.]

Don Alejandro [sighing]
I just wonder what Governor Algana will say when he finds out his. . .uh. . .famous alcalde from Los Angeles is riding around on stolen property.

[De Soto jams his sword back into its scabbard.]

Don Alejandro [giving de Soto the evil eye]
I'm starving, Diego.

[He turns ans walks toward the tavern, Diego going with him.  De Soto glares at them.  Don Alejandro and Diego reach the tavern porch where the woman from the coach is standing.]

Woman
Excuse me.  Alejandro?

[He walks past her then turns around to stare at her.]

Don Alejandro
Si.  Excuse me. . .uh. . .  Have we met before?

Woman
It's been a long time, Alejandro.

[Don Alejandro flashes back to when he was much younger and talking with a young woman (scene from "High Chaparral").]

Young Woman
And you do not know who I am?

Young Alejandro
No.

Young Woman
Well, when I was a little girl, I visited the rancho de la Vega and there was a little boy named Alejandro.  I used to hide in a tree by the river and he would climb up an try to pull me down.

Young Alejandro [smiling]
Mercedita!  Mercedes!

Young Mercedes
Yes, it is.

[Don Alejandro comes back to present as he and Mercedes laugh.]

Don Alejandro
Mercedes Sanchez.

[He hugs her and spins her around as Diego looks on with interest.]

Don Alejandro
You came back!

Mercedes
I said I would.

Don Alejandro
But I never believed you!

[Diego coughs into his fist.]

Don Alejandro [turning around and noticing Diego]
Oh, forgive me.  This is my son, Diego.  Diego, this is la señorita Mercedes Sanchez.

Diego [bowing]
How do you do?

Don Alejandro [looking at Mercedes]
Long before I ever met your mother, this lady was the love of my life.

[Mercedes smiles up at him as Diego looks at them with a concerned and confused expression.]

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

[Exterior shot of the tavern.]

Don Alejandro [off camera at first]
I just can't believe it, Diego.

[He, Diego, and Mercedes are sitting at a table inside the tavern.]

Don Alejandro
Mercedes Sanchez, here.

Mercedes
It's Villero now. [Don Alejandro acts surprised.] It's been a long time.

Diego
Your husband isn't with you?

Mercedes
No.  No.  Antonio. . .died in Barcelona last summer.  [Don Alejandro reaches over and pats her hands.] As a matter of fact, that's why I'm here.  The estate.  I don't know much about these things.  I know I should, but I just don't.

Don Alejandro
Oh, so then you've come back here to live at your father's rancho?

Mercedes
No.  I've come back to sell it.  And then I will be done with this pace.

Don Alejandro [not looking too happy]
Well. . .

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda at night as crickets chirp.]

[Inside, Don Alejandro is sitting at the end of the dining room table.]

Don Alejandro
I must have been around fifteen or seventeen at the time.  I practiced night and day.  I wanted to be the best swordsman in the whole world with both hands.

[Diego is sitting sprawled in his chair at the opposite end of the table with Mercedes sitting in the middle between them.]

Mercedes
As I recall, you had other things on your mind that night.

Diego [perking up]
Ah, Father, you never told me about that part of your youth.

Don Alejandro
Well, let's just say I didn't want to spend the best years of my life cooped up with books, Diego.

[Diego puts up his hands as Mercedes laughs.]

Don Alejandro
I'll get some more coffee.  With your permission.

[He stands up and leaves the dining room.  Diego shakes his head as he watches him go.]

Mercedes
You love your father, don't you?

Diego
Yes.  Although there are times when he does his best to make it difficult.

[He chuckles and Mercedes joins in.  She looks in the direction Don Alejandro went then flashes back to a moonlight night (scene from "High Chaparral").

[A young Alejandro is leaning down and kissing Mercedes.]

Young Mercedes [after they have drawn apart]
What is to be with us?

Young Alejandro
Do you like it here?

Young Mercedes
I love it here!  I've always loved it here.

Young Alejandro
Then I want you to stay.  Forever.

Young Mercedes
Oh, yes.  Yes, Alejandro.

[They kiss again.]

[Mercedes comes back to the present as Don Alejandro returns.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
Coffee.

[He carries in a tray containing a coffeepot and cups and sets it down by Mercedes.  Diego yawns.]

Diego [starting to stand up]
Well, if you'll forgive me, I have to be up early in the morning.

Don Alejandro
You're forgiven.  Buenas noches, Diego.

Diego
Are you coming with me to Santa Paula tomorrow?

Don Alejandro
Oh, I forgot.  The cattle auction.

Diego
Well, why don't you show Mercedes around her rancho and, uh, I'll take care of the auction myself, hmm?

[He smiles and pats Don Alejandro's arm knowingly.]

Don Alejandro
Thank you.

Diego
Good night, Señora.

Mercedes
Buenas noches, Diego.

[Diego starts to go but turns around and picks up a cup of coffee that Don Alejandro poured for him.]

Diego
Excuse me.

[He leaves.  Don Alejandro turns to Mercedes and chuckles.  He places a cup of coffee in front of her then takes a cup for himself before going back to his place at the end of the table.  He sits down.]

Mercedes
Why did I ever leave here?

Don Alejandro
You wanted to travel.  ‘There's whole world out there, Alejandro, just waiting to be seen.'  Do you remember?  Well, was it worth it?

Mercedes
No.  The world was not kind to me.

Don Alejandro [reaching over and touching her hands]
Well then, that's why you're staying here, where you belong.  We'll turn your rancho into another ‘garden of Eden'.

Mercedes [shaking her head]
I cannot.  I haven't enough money to hire men or supplies.  I. . .I have enough to pay for one night in the tavern and that is all.

Don Alejandro
Well, that's it.  You can stay right here in the hacienda.  The guest quarters. [She starts to protest.] No if, ands, and buts.  It will be perfectly proper.  I'm a little confused, Mercedes.  Why do you want to sell the property so quickly?  Your husband left you with financial problems, yes?

Mercedes
He was a spendthrift and a bully.  He squandered everything we owned.  May God forgive me. . .I'm glad he's dead.

[She starts to cry.  Don Alejandro places his hands on hers.]

Don Alejandro
Oh, don't, Mercedita.  Don't.

[He starts to stand up then she does and they go into each other's arms.]

Don Alejandro [as she cries on his chest]
Sorry.  Shh. . .  You belong here with me. . .  In my arms.

[Exterior shot of the tavern the next day as a man driving a cart goes through the plaza.]

Mendoza [off camera at first]
And so according to Señorita Victoria. . .

[He and de Soto walk out of the tavern and into the plaza.]

Mendoza
Don Alejandro used to be in love with the widow and because she has no money, he's allowing her to stay in his hacienda.

de Soto [stopping and glaring at Mendoza]
Gossip!  The only cultural pursuit in this town is gossip!

[A man on horseback rides into Los Angeles, passing by the blacksmith's shop.  He rides up to the tavern.]

de Soto [noticing the man]
Who's that man?

[Mendoza turns to look as the man dismounts.]

Mendoza
I don't know.  But I can find out.

de Soto [sarcastically]
Good idea, Sergeant.

[Mendoza turns and walks over to the man who is going into the tavern.]

[Inside the tavern, Victoria is wiping out glasses at the bar as the man approaches.]

Victoria
Can I help you, Señor?

Man
A room.

Victoria
Of course.

Mendoza [coming up behind the man]
Buenas tardes.  Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Sergeant Jaime Mendoza of the Royal Brigade.  And you are?

Man
Just passing through.

Mendoza
Well, if that is the case, there is the matter of our local traveler's tax.  It is not much, Señor, just two pesos, but it does help with. . .

[The man pokes Mendoza in the chest.]

Man
I don't like soldiers.  I don't like taxes.  And I don't like you.

[He grabs Mendoza by the arms, pulls him to the right then to the left and lets go.  Mendoza flies over the top of the bar as Victoria ducks down behind it.  The man grabs a wine bottle off the bar then uses it to hit another lancers who was charging at him.  The man punches a second lancer, knocking him down.  A third lancer jumps off a bench into the man's arms.  The man slams the lancer against the bar then sends him flying onto a table.  De Soto comes through the tavern door and raises his pistol.]

de Soto
That will be enough of that, Señor.

[The man grabs another wine bottle.]

de Soto
Put down the bottle.

[Victoria stands up behind the bar.  The man lowers his arm holding the bottle.]

de Soto [motioning with his pistol toward the bar]
Put it down!

[The man goes over and places the bottle on the bar as Victoria glares at him.]

de Soto
Lancers, seize him.

[Two lancers goes over and grabs the man's arms as Mendoza rises up from behind the bar, acting very dazed.]

de Soto [stepping up to the man while still aiming his pistol at him]
What is your name, Señor?

Man
Villero.  Antonio Villero.

de Soto
Villero?  You're not by any chance related to Señora Mercedes Villero?

Villero
I am her husband.

Mendoza [laying on the bar]
He is not.  She is a widow.

[Villero struggles with the three lancers who are now holding him.]

Villero
Do I look dead, amigo?

de Soto
Lancers, jail him.

[The lancers lead Villero out of the tavern.  De Soto follows after them.  Mendoza holds his hands up to his head.]

Victoria
Are you okay, Mendoza?

Mendoza [looking dazed]
I think so.

[Victoria looks at his head and winces.]

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

[Exterior shot of Diego riding a horse along the road past a sign that reads "Santa Paula 20m".]

[Inside the jail, Villero is lying on his cot when a door opens and de Soto walks up to his cell.]

de Soto [very dramatically]
Señor Villero, I think it's time you and I had a little talk.  This is difficult for me to say but. . .I think your wife is in love with another man.

[Villero sits up and stares at de Soto.]

Don Alejandro [off camera at first]
There it is, your father's property.

[He and Mercedes are standing in the middle of a field.  A horse and buggy wait nearby.]

Mercedes
It's worse than I had imagined.  Look at the hacienda. [She and Don Alejandro stroll hand in hand across the field toward a run-down house.] It used to be so beautiful.

Don Alejandro
Mercedita, you're looking at the wrong things.  The land is the treasure!  If you work at it, this soil will pay you back a hundred fold!

Mercedes
You used to be the one who shied away from responsibility.

Don Alejandro
That's true.  I married a woman I loved very much who gave me a son and then Papa died.  And then responsibility crept up on me like. . .a tiger, stalking it prey. [He stops walking and looks at Mercedes.] But I've grown to love this land.  And now with you here, my life is going to be very complete.

[They clasp hands as they face each other.]

Mercedes
Alejandro, I feel so guilty.

Don Alejandro
Why?

Mercedes
I've misled you.

Don Alejandro
That's not true.  I want you to be my wife.

Mercedes
It is.  My husband is not dead.

[She lets go of his hands and turns, walking away.]

Don Alejandro [stunned]
But. . .? [He starts after her.] Mercedes?

[He comes up behind her and touches her arm.  She turns to look at him.]

Don Alejandro
Mercedes. . .  I thought you said. . .

Mercedes
Si.  Si, he is dead.  In my heart.  I thought Antonio was like you, brave and strong and tender. [Don Alejandro turns away.] But he treated me like a slave.  Inside a year, he had spent my entire dowry. [He turns to look at her again.] When I found out he had no money of his own, he had wasted it all. . .  That is when he began to hurt me.

Don Alejandro [through clenched teeth]
What kind of man is this?

Mercedes
The kind of man who will kill me if he finds me.

Don Alejandro [pointing to the ground]
That is why you are staying right here, where you are and where you belong.

Mercedes
You don't understand.  He's not like any other man.  He's a monster.  That is why I didn't want to tell you.  [She starts crying.] I didn't want to get you involved.

Don Alejandro [shaking his head]
Mercedita, I am involved.

Mercedes
He knows about this property.  He will come here!  I know it!

Don Alejandro [stepping closer and taking her hands]
Let him come!  Let him. . .

[Mercedes lets out a sob and throws herself into Don Alejandro's arms.  Her rubs her back.]

Don Alejandro
Shh. . .

[Felipe is in the pueblo.  He is stepping away from the carriage and horse he has parked in front of a watering trough.  He looks to his left]

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

de Soto [off camera as Felipe eavesdrops]
The pity of it is, no matter how much we care, no matter how much we sacrifice for them, women are still basically fickle creatures.

[De Soto is speaking to Villero through the cell bars.]

Villero [sitting on his cot in his cell]
Where is Mercedes?

de Soto [shaking his head]
Oh, bad news.  When you were arrested, I took it upon myself to ride personally to the de la Vega hacienda to tell your wife what had happened.  She refused to come back with me.  I asked de la Vega if he would pay your fine. [Villero gets to his feet.] He laughed in my face.

[Outside the office, Felipe is still eavesdropping.]

de Soto
He said it would be better for everybody if you just stayed where you were.  And your wife agreed with him.

Villero [angrily]
Wait until I get my hands on her. . .

de Soto
Well . . .  You can't blame her really.  After all, Don Alejandro is such a wealthy man and as you said yourself, your prospects are less than promising, hmm?

Villero
He cannot buy my wife!

de Soto
Oh, I'm afraid her can do exactly what he wants to do.  After all, he is there with her and you are in jail.

Villero [grabbing his cell's bars]
I will kill him!

[Outside the window, Felipe hops up into the driver's seat of the carriage and picks up the reins.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda as a crow caws.]

[Inside the hacienda, Felipe is walking by the piano, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck.  He stops for a moment then walks off purposefully.]

[Mendoza opens the door leading into the jail, carrying the cell keys.  He closes the door behind him.]

Mendoza [to Villero]
Step back, amigo.

[He walks over to Villero's cell.]

Mendoza [waving his hand]
Back!

[He unlocks the cell door and enters the cell.  He comes back out carrying a tray.  Something falls off the tray as he shuts the cell door.  Mendoza bends over to pick it up and then goes out the first door, leaving the keys dangling from the cell door lock.  Villero steps up to the door, looks down at the keys, then reaches his hands through the bars and unlocks the door.  He opens the door and walks out of his cell then hurries off to his right, opening yet another door. As soon as he is gone, de Soto and Mendoza come into the jail.]

Mendoza
I don't understand, Alcalde.  Why are we letting him escape?

de Soto
Ah, it's strictly a temporary measure, I assure you, Sergeant.

Mendoza
Well, we should follow him.

de Soto [chuckling]
Relax.  I know exactly where he's heading.

[He laughs evilly.]

[Inside the de la Vega hacienda, Don Alejandro sits and plays the piano as Mercedes stands at his right shoulder.]

Don Alejandro [as he continues to play]
You should hear Diego play.  He's much more accomplished than I.  Mercedes, we both know you have to find your husband and talk to him, and reason with him.

Mercedes
You don't know what you're asking.

Don Alejandro [still playing]
If you don't at least make the effort, I'm afraid you'll never be happy.

Mercedes
You may be right.

[Several loud knocks sound on the front door.  Don Alejandro gets up as more knocking is heard.]

Don Alejandro [going to the door]
Yes!

[He opens the door and Villero steps in, pointing a pistol at Don Alejandro.  Don Alejandro stares at him for a moment then Villero pistol-whips Don Alejandro.]

Mercedes [as Don Alejandro falls to the floor]
Aaah!  No!

[Villero walks up to her, putting the pistol into the waistband of his pants.  He grabs her chin.]

Mercedes
No!

[Don Alejandro gets unsteadily to his feet.]

Villero
And now you pay the price for cheating on me.

[He raises his hand to strike her.]

Don Alejandro [charging Villero from behind]
No!

[Don Alejandro pushes Villero over to the dining room table and they wrestle as they roll on it, knocking things off of it.  They fall off the table onto a chair then onto the floor where they continue to fight.]

Mercedes
Aaah!

[Villero kicks Don Alejandro off of him and gets up off the floor.  Don Alejandro staggers back until he is standing next to Mercedes.  She lunges in front of Don Alejandro as Villero pulls out his pistol.]

Mercedes
Antonio!  No!  No!

[He fires the pistol, shooting Mercedes in the stomach.]

Mercedes
Aaah!

[She falls backward and Don Alejandro catches her.  Then he eases her down to the floor.]

Mercedes
Oh, God, Alejandro.

[Villero looks down at his pistol then over at Don Alejandro and Mercedes.]

Mercedes [as Don Alejandro cradles her in his arms]
I never stopped loving you.

[Villero throws his pistol to the floor.]

Mercedes
Oh, the property belongs to you now.  Make it bloom for me.

Don Alejandro [as she dies in his arms]
Mercedes. . .

[He holds her tightly.  Villero points his finger at Don Alejandro.]

Villero
This is your fault!

[He draws out his sword and advances on Don Alejandro but his path is blocked by Zorro.]

Villero
I have no quarrel with you.

Zorro [through clenched teeth]
Unfortunately, Señor, I have one with you.

Villero
So be it!

[He throws a napkin at Zorro's face then attacks.  Zorro parries both the napkin and sword and they duel.  Zorro pushes Villero then uses his saber to drive him backward toward the library fireplace.]

Zorro
Consider this in your long years in jail, Antonio!

[He slashes Villero on the right thigh.]

Villero
Aaah!

[He picks up an occasional table and throws it at Zorro.  Zorro ducks out of its way and they duel once more.  Zorro slashes a ‘Z' into Villero's vest.]

Zorro
Your wife deserved your trust and you repaid her with your suspicions and your brutality.

[Zorro punches Villero in the face, knocking him to the floor.  Zorro turns and walks over to where Don Alejandro is still cradling Mercedes in his arms.  Zorro crouches down beside them.]

Zorro
I share you grief.  More than you can ever know, Señor.

Don Alejandro
Oh, Zorro, I've lost her once again.  Only this time forever.

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda as several lancers and de Soto ride up its gate.]

[Villero is sitting tied up in a chair against the wall.  De Soto, Mendoza, and the lancers march into the room.

Mendoza
Señora Villero!

[Mercedes is lying on a settee, covered up to her chest with a blanket.  Don Alejandro kneels beside her, holding her hand.]

de Soto
What happened here?

Don Alejandro
Mercedes Sanchez was killed by the bullet Villero meant for me.

[Don Alejandro turns and glares at de Soto, who turns away, a sick look on his face.]

de Soto [indicating Villero to the lancers]
Take him away!  Quickly!

[Two lancers help Villero to his feet and lead him out of the room.  De Soto starts to follow but stops and looks over at Mercedes again.]

de Soto [whispering to himself]
My God.  What have I done?

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

[Exterior shot of Diego, Don Alejandro, Victoria, and Felipe standing in a meadow surrounding a dirt mound with a large white cross.  Don Alejandro and Victoria are holding bouquets of flowers.]

Don Alejandro [looking at Diego]
Mercedes's wish was that this land would bloom and prosper.  I'm donating her land. [He crouches down closer to the mound.] Mercedita, I'm giving your property away to the people of Los Angeles so everyone can enjoy it and share in you dream.

[He places his flowers on her grave.  Victoria hands her bouquet to him and he sets them down too.]

Don Alejandro
Oh, gracias, Victoria.

[He stands up and pats Diego on the shoulder then takes Victoria's hand.]

Don Alejandro [as he leads her away]
Thank you for coming.  I appreciate it.

Victoria
I didn't know the señora, but I just wanted to be here for you.

[Diego and Felipe start walking behind them.]

Diego [to Felipe]
If you didn't have the presence of mind to come after me, there'd be two graves on his hill.

[Mendoza comes riding toward them, leading a brown horse.]

Mendoza [coming to a halt]
Whoa!

Don Alejandro
Buenos dias, Sergeant.

Mendoza
Buenos dias.  The Alcalde asked me to bring back your horse.  He says it's yours.  He doesn't want the five hundred pesos.

Don Alejandro [a bit sarcastically]
Really?  That's remarkable.  I suppose he didn't want to explain himself to the governor, right?

Mendoza
Well, I don't know, Don Alejandro.  I think he felt a little guilty.

Don Alejandro
About what, Sergeant?

[Diego steps forward and takes the horse's lead rope from Mendoza.]

Mendoza [shrugging]
Who knows?  Buenas tardes.

[He turns around and rides off.]

Don Alejandro [as Diego and Victoria stroke the horse's nose]
Typical of de Soto, huh, Diego?  Heaven forbid he'd come to me face to face and admit that he is wrong.!

Diego
This was a big step for our alcalde, Father.

Victoria
Well, perhaps the Alcalde is human after all.

Diego
All any of us poor humans can do is try to forgive and forget.

Don Alejandro [still a little unconvinced]
Right.

[He puts his arm around Felipe's shoulders and smiles sadly.]

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

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland  1 & 4 December 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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