Written by Robert L McCullough
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 21 September 1990  Episode 2.2

[Exterior shot of the plaza as a stagecoach rolls into the pueblo and stops in front of the tavern.  A well-dressed man carrying a sword in its scabbard, Sir Edmund Kendall, gets out of the coach.  Mendoza steps down from the tavern porch.]

Mendoza
Welcome to the pueblo de Los Angeles, Señor.

Sir Edmund
Ah, well, thank you, Sergeant.

Mendoza
And there is, however, a slight traveler's tax on, for all tourists.

Sir Edmund
I've never heard of such a thing.

Mendoza
Well, apparently you've never been to our pueblo.  All tourists must pay this traveler's tax.

Sir Edmund
Over my dead body.

[He pushes his way past Mendoza.  A lancer on the tavern porch draws out his sword and aims it at Sir Edmund.]

Mendoza
Believe me, Señor, the traveler's tax is nothing compared to the death tax.

[Sir Edmund uses his still-sheathed sword to parry aside the blade pointed at him.  Three more soldiers draw out their swords as Sir Edmund unsheathes him.  Diego comes around the side of the tavern in time to see the stand-off.]

Diego
Sir Edmund?  What are you doing here?

Sir Edmund [grinning]
Defending myself.

Diego
Sergeant, there must be some mistake.  This is Sir Edmund Kendall, my professor from the university.

Mendoza
Even a professor must pay the traveler's tax, Don Diego.

Sir Edmund
Preposterous! I'm a British knight.

Mendoza
And my men are highly trained lancers.

Sir Edmund
Well then, we should have some fun.

[He throws his hat at the lancers on the porch, knocking them backward.  One of their swords falls on Sir Edmund's  foot and kicks it over to Diego, who catches it.  Sir Edmund takes on three lancers while Diego pretends to barely hold off two others.  Sir Edmund punches his opponent then turns around to see Diego surrender to the two lancers, throwing down his weapon.]

Sir Edmund [bewildered]
Have you forgotten everything?  You were the best student I ever had.

[Flashback to a Madrid University courtyard, where Sir Edmund and Diego are training.]

Sir Edmund
And when my job is done, I shall send to Los Angeles a man.  A man who can fight!

[Sir Edmund pulls a dagger hidden in his waistband and lunges at diego.  Diego skillfully parries each blade thrust.  He grabs Kendall's wrist and hits it against his lifted knee, causing the knife to clatter to the tiled floor.  Sir Edmund looks up at him, a huge smile on his face.]

Sir Edmund
Ah, the puppy can bite.

[They engage their swords again, intensifying the battle.  After only a few minutes, however, Diego catches Sir Edmund off guard and puts his blade against the older man's throat.  Sir Edmund's grin is even broader as Diego lowers his saber.]

Sir Edmund
You've been holding back on me, haven't you?

[Diego brings his sword up in a salute with a mischievous look on his face.]

[Back to present day Los Angeles - Diego uses his hands to move aside the two blades pointed at him.]

Diego
Excuse me.

[He walks over to Sir Edmund, reaching inside his jacket.]

Diego
Sir Edmund, I'll be happy to pay your traveler's tax.

Sir Edmund [indignant]
You can't be serious.

Mendoza [coming over to them, sheathing his sword]
Excellent thought, Don Diego.  There is no sense in anyone getting hurt.  I would have hated to arrest this man.

[Diego drops a stack of coins into Mendoza's hand.]

Mendoza
Gracias.

[Mendoza leaves.  Sir Edmund watches him go before looking over at Diego, who has an apologetic expression on his face.]

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

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.  A horse and carriage are outside the gate.]

[Interior shot of the de la Vega hacienda as Sir Edmund is talking with Don Alejandro.  Diego stands nearby.]

Sir Edmund
A brigade sergeant tried to extort money from me.

Don Alejandro
What?

Diego
Oh, the traveler's tax.  I simply paid it.

Sir Edmund
Most unnecessary.  You and I could have easily outfought those soldiers.

Don Alejandro [laughing]
Oh, Edmund.  You, yes.  But Diego. . .

Diego [changing the subject]
Do we have anything cool for Sir Edmund to drink?  He must be parched after his journey.

Don Alejandro
How rude of me!  I'll get us some juice.

Diego [waiting until his father is out of earshot]
May we keep tales of my fencing lessons a secret between us?

Sir Edmund [confused]
Diego, you should be proud of your skill with a sword.

Diego
If word were to get out that I even studied under you, do you know how many young hotheads would try to challenge me?

Sir Edmund [proudly]
You'd handled them with ease.

Diego [leading Sir Edmund into the library]
But then when would I find time for my scientific studies?  Or to help run this ranch?

Don Alejandro [off camera]
Here we are, gentlemen.

[He comes up to Diego and Sir Edmund, holding out glasses of orange juice.]

Don Alejandro [giving a glass of Sir Edmund]
Edmund. [Then he gives a glass to Diego.] Diego.  Now then, Señor, you must tell me about life at the university and about your chess.

Diego [holding up his glass]
Gentlemen, to re-acquaintance.

[The three men touch their glasses together.]

[Interior shot of Ramón's office as he is seated at his desk, looking up at Mendoza, who is obviously retelling about the earlier encounter with Sir Edmund.]

Ramón
An Englishman?

Mendoza
Oh si, mi Alcalde.  A British knight.  Sir Edmund Kendall.  He is quite a swordsman, too.

[Mendoza makes a thrusting gesture with his hand.]

Ramón [twirling his quill pen]
The only reason a man like that would be here is as a spy, studying our military defenses.

Mendoza
Oh no, mi Alcalde, he could not possibly be a spy.  He is a personal friend of Don Diego's.

Ramón [slamming his hand down on his desk]
Finally, the de la Vegas show their traitorous colors.

[He gets to his feet, rubbing his hand together and chuckling.  He walks toward the door before turning around and pointing at Mendoza.]

Ramón
Go to the hacienda.  Bring this Kendall in for questioning.

Mendoza
I don't Don Alejandro would like that.

Ramón
No, probably not.

[He looks out the open door and sees Don Alejandro walking toward the tavern.  He gets an evil smile on his face which disappears before he speaks to Mendoza again.]

Ramón [going over and putting his left hand on Mendoza's right shoulder]
Mendoza, I think it is time for you to go over to the tavern.

Mendoza
Oh, thank you, mi Alcalde.  I could sure use the relaxation.

Ramón [getting angry]
You're not there to relax.  I need you to find out everything you can about this Englishman

Mendoza [clicking his heels together]
Si, mi Alcalde.

[He leaves the office through the open door.]

[Exterior shot of the tavern]

[Interior shot of the tavern where Don Alejandro has picked out a bottle of wine when Mendoza comes up to him.]

Mendoza
Don Alejandro.

Don Alejandro
Oh, Mendoza.

Mendoza
If your English friend plays chess as well as he handles the sword, you are going to have your hands full.

Don Alejandro [setting the bottle down on the counter]
I'm afraid you're right, Sergeant Mendoza.  Did you know that Edmund Kendall is a master of the chessboard and the ruy lopez as well as the blade. [He twists his index finger into Mendoza's shoulder.]

Mendoza [obviously fishing for information]
How long have you know him?

Don Alejandro
Oh, Edmund and I go back, what, thirty years, ever since. . . ever since. . . [He catches on then what Mendoza is doing.] Sergeant Mendoza.  No, no, don't tell me.  You, sir, have lost weight.

Mendoza [distracted by the compliment]
Ah, you noticed.

Don Alejandro
Oh, yes.

Mendoza
A soldier has to stay fighting trim, you know.

[Both men chuckle.]

Don Alejandro [putting his finger next to his mouth in a conspiratorial manner]
The old vinegar and water, huh?

Mendoza
Vinegar and water?

Don Alejandro
Yes, just one cup a day slims you down right away.

Mendoza
Really?

Don Alejandro
Yes, Sergeant. [He turns his attention to Victoria, giving her money to pay for the bottle of wine.] Señorita Victoria.

Victoria
Gracias, Don Alejandro.

[Don Alejandro picks up the bottle and walks out of the tavern.  He meets Ramón, who is coming in.]

Don Alejandro
Ah, Señor Alcalde.

Ramón
Señor de la Vega.

[Ramón glances around before sidling up next to Mendoza.]

Ramón
What did you find out?

Mendoza
Vinegar and water.  Takes the weight right off.

[Ramón rolls his eyes in despair.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega courtyard where Diego and Sir Edmund are engaging in a lively swordfight.]

Sir Edmund
A ver!

[They continue to fight.  Sir Edmund drives Diego back to a porch post, which Diego uses as a shield.  Sir Edmund lunges to one side of the post then the other as Diego dodges out of the way.  Then he grabs Sir Edmund by the neck and pretends to whack his head up against the post.]

Sir Edmund [laughing]
You've learned some new moves.

Diego
Practice makes perfect.

Sir Edmund
Only perfect practice makes perfect.

[They both salute each other with their swords then engage them again.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside where two men on horseback listen to the yells and laughter coming from the courtyard.]

Figueroa [to his companion]
Listen. Swordplay. . .and laughter.  Our information is right.  He's with the de la Vegas.

Man
But they've always been loyal to the crown of Spain.

Figueroa
I'm sure Kendall has kept his traitorous sympathies well hidden.  Come on.

[The two men urge their horses forward.]

[Interior shot of the de la Vega courtyard where Diego and Sir Edmund are still going at it.  Diego grabs Sir Edmund's arm and swings him around next to the gate.]

Sir Edmund
Oh!

[Sir Edmund ducks behind the branches of a tree where hidden from Diego's eyes, he pulls a dagger from his waistband.  He comes out from behind the branches.  Seeing the dagger, Diego looks around and spies a rake leaning against a wall.  He grabs it and uses it to push Sir Edmund's arm up against another wall.  Diego puts his sword tip up to Sir Edmund's chest and both men laugh.]

Sir Edmund
Very nice.  You did remember that lesson.

Diego
When truly threatened, use any weapon at your disposal.

[Diego puts the rake back up against the wall.]

Sir Edmund [putting away the dagger]
I'll want a rematch.

Diego [as both men walk across the courtyard
It will be my pleasure if you're going to be in Los Angeles long enough.

Sir Edmund
Well, California is such a lovely place, I might just want to stay forever.

Diego [noticing the two men riding toward the hacienda]
What about your work at the university?

Sir Edmund
Oh, that's not really any problem. . .

Diego
Look out!

[The two men on horseback open fire on Diego and Sir Edmund, who duck down out of the way just in time.]

Sir Edmund [standing back up]
Tapiador.  Figueroa.

[He runs at the two men on horseback.  A confused Diego follows after him.  They jump over the low wall.  Sir Edmund runs under the horse of one man, coming up on the other side and grabbing the man's foot from the stirrup.  He pushes the man out of the saddle.  Diego pulls Figueroa down from his horse and onto the ground.  Figueroa gets back on his feet and points his blade at Diego.]

Figueroa [to Diego]
Back, Señor, or you'll die with him.

Diego [slapping the other man's sword away with his own]
For what reason?

Sir Edmund
He stands with me!

[He then lunges at his opponent.  Diego attacks Figueroa as well, causing the other man's sword to fly off into the air.]

Diego
I think that's enough, Señor.

[Sir Edmund continues to battle his opponent.]

Sir Edmund
Ah!

[He runs up and plunges his dagger into the man's side.  Diego looks over at Sir Edmund, confused.]

Sir Edmund
Diego! Diego!  Kill him!

Diego
Why?

[Figueroa uses the distraction to run at Diego and pushes him aside.  He gets on his horse and rides away.]

Sir Edmund [coming over to Diego, watching the other man ride off]
You let him get away.

Diego
I had no reason to kill the man.

Sir Edmund
If you don't kill him, he'll kill me.

[Diego glances at the man riding away then back at Sir Edmund, his face full of questions.]

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

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro is driving the wagon up to the front of the hacienda where Diego and Sir Edmund are checking out the body of the man Sir Edmund killed.  He looks very concerned as he stops the wagon.]

Don Alejandro [getting out of the wagon]
Diego, what happened here?  I thought I heard some shots.  Where's Felipe?

Diego
It's all right, he's in town. [He points down at the dead body at his feet.] This man and another tried to ambush us.

Don Alejandro
Why would they do that?

Diego [looking over at Sir Edmund]
Why would they do that?

Sir Edmund
Politically, I'm afraid I've been a bit naive.

Don Alejandro
Edmund, you haven't turned against the king, have you?

Sir Edmund
No.  I was instructing a group of university students in saber fighting when they were all arrested for revolutionary activities.

Don Alejandro
And you didn't know they were traitors?

Sir Edmund
Traitors and revolutionaries frequently look the same, Alejandro.  I fled before they could arrest me as well.  Without benefit of trial, a price was put on my head.  I never thought bounty hunters would follow me this far.

Don Alejandro
It means you won't even be safe this far from Spain, my friend.

[Diego puts his hand on Sir Edmund's shoulder.]

[Exterior shot of the cuartel yard where Figueroa accosts Ramón as he walks through the cuartel.]

Figueroa
Alcalde.

[Ramón stops and turns to look at the man.]

Ramón
Who are you?

[Figueroa pulls a scroll from inside his vest and hands it to Ramón.]

Figueroa
That is the seal of Kind Ferdinand of Spain.

Ramón
A royal death warrant.  How unusual.

Figueroa
Edmund Kendall is no ordinary fugitive.  He's a dangerous revolutionary I have tracked for months.

Ramón
I understand he's an elusive man.  But this is hardly a territorial matter.  I don't know how I can help you.

Figueroa
Perhaps if you were to make public the king's five thousand peso bounty for Kendall, my work will be easier.

Ramón
Five thousand pesos?  For just one life?  Fortunately, the de la Vegas are among my closest friends.  They will turn Kendall over to me.

Figueroa [incredulously]
They would do that?

Ramón
As we are quite fond of saying here in Los Angeles - trust me.

[Figueroa leaves as Mendoza walks up to a contemplative Ramón, who is still holding the death warrant. Mendoza looks over his shoulder at the departing Figueroa before Ramón sees him and throws his arm around Mendoza's shoulders.]

Ramón
Oh Mendoza, I've been thinking.  In the interest of improving foreign relations, I think it's about time we showed our English friend some hospitality.  Why don't we throw a party?

[He pokes his finger at Mendoza's chest before leaving.]

Mendoza
Wonderful, mi Alcalde.  I love a party.

[He follows after Ramón.]

[Exterior night shot of the de la Vega hacienda as a carriage driven by Felipe comes out of the hacienda gate.  It carries Diego, Don Alejandro, and Sir Edmund.]

Diego
Written invitation or not, I still don't trust the Alcalde.

Don Alejandro
You've got to relax, Diego.  Please.  I think the Alcalde is just anxious meeting a member of British peerage.

Sir Edmund
Knighthood does have is perquisites.

[Exterior night shot of the pueblo as an owl hoots as the de la Vega carriage rolls into the plaza.]

Sir Edmund
Diego, stop worrying.  I'll be quite safe in the tavern, surrounded by your friends.

Don Alejandro
Right.  Actually, if we don't go, that will make the Alcalde even more suspicious.

[Figueroa peers out from behind a post as the carriage comes to a stop.  Diego climbs out first, then Sir Edmund stands up to get out.  Figueroa shoots and hits Sir Edmund, who collapses into Don Alejandro's arms.  Diego rushes back to the carriage.  Ramón and several soldiers who are restraining Victoria come out of the tavern.]

Ramón
What was that?

Victoria
Don Diego!  It's a trap!

Ramón
Get her inside!

[The soldiers pull Victoria back into the tavern.]

Diego [to Felipe]
To the church!

[Felipe wheels the carriage around and in front of the church.  Figueroa runs up in front of the tavern.  Diego and Don Alejandro assist Sir Edmund out of the carriage and inside the church.]

Ramón [running across the plaza]
We have him at last!  And he's inside a church in my jurisdiction, so the bounty is mine!  Lancers!

Don Alejandro [stepping out of the church]
Not so fast, Alcalde!  Sir Edmund Kendall claims sanctuary.   Right of the church.

Ramón
Nonsense!  The man is a wanted criminal.

Mendoza
But Alcalde, to go inside the church that would be an illegal arrest.

Figueroa
And no bounty would be paid.

[Interior shot of the church where Diego holds onto Sir Edmund who sits in a pew, breathing heavily.]

Sir Edmund
It was an excellent shot, Diego.

Diego
Not nearly good enough.  Hold on.

[He pats Sir Edmund on the shoulder and goes.]

[Exterior night shot of the church where Ramón points at Don Alejandro.]

Ramón
Put him under house arrest.

Mendoza
But, Alcalde. . .

Ramón
He is harboring a known criminal.  Put him in the tavern until I have Kendall.  That's an order!

[Mendoza reluctantly grabs Don Alejandro by the arm and leads him away.  Diego comes out of the church then.]

Diego
Alcalde, the man has been shot.  He needs a doctor.

Ramón
I will send for Doctor Hernandez when Kendall surrenders.  Until then, arrest this man!

[He points at Diego, who runs back inside the church.  Ramón and several lancers chase after him but Victoria gets to the door first and blocks their way.]

Victoria
No!

[Felipe drives off in the carriage, away from the pueblo.]

[Interior shot of the church where Diego has taken off his jacket and folds it up before placing it behind Sir Edmund's head.  He inspects the wound and sees that it is bleeding heavily. He glances up when he hears Ramón shouting.]

Ramón [off camera]
I want this church sealed off! Nobody gets in, nobody gets out!

[Diego rips the ruffle off the front of his shirt and presses the fabric up against the gunshot wound.]

Sir Edmund [starting to drift off]
I never liked a waiting game, Diego.  Now- now is the time to fight.

Diego
Shallow breathing.  Not much time.

[Exterior night shot of the church as Felipe drives up in  the carriage with a horse tethered behind it.]

[Interior shot of the church where a horse whinnies off camera and Diego recognizes it as Toronado.  He jumps up and goes over to a side area.]

[Exterior night shot of the church as Felipe lobs a dark bundle at the church.]

[Interior shot of the church as Diego comes back into the main part of the church carrying the bundle.  Diego looks at the bundle of Zorro's disguise for a moment before walking off determinedly.  The scene goes black for a moment then Zorro appears, putting on his hat.  Zorro goes through a side door and up some stairs to the roof.]

[Exterior night shot of the church as a  rope is thrown down the side of the church where a lancer stands guard.  Zorro climbs part of the way down the rope before waiting for the lancer to stop right under him.  He pounces on the unsuspecting soldiers and knocks him to the ground.  Zorro then whistles for Toronado who comes trotting up to him.  Zorro mounts the horse and rides away.]

[Exterior night shot of the plaza as a carriage comes into the pueblo escorted by Zorro.]

Ramón
Zorro!

[But he and the soldiers have to scatter out of the way as Zorro rides right through them and up to the church.  He dismounts and goes over to the carriage where Doctor Hernandez is getting out.]

Zorro
Doctor Hernandez has come to help a man in need.

Ramón
No one goes inside that church!

Zorro
Who's going to stop him?

Ramón [pushing Mendoza at Zorro]
Stop him!

Mendoza
But Alcalde. . .

[Ramón pushes Mendoza even harder.  Several lancers also rush at Zorro, who had taken out his whip and is twirling it through the air, cracking it at the soldiers.  Ramón unsheathes his sword.]

Ramón
I'll stop him.

[He runs at Zorro who parries Ramón's thrust, then trips him, sending Ramón flying face first into the ground.  Victoria shakes her head as she watches Zorro fight the soldiers.  Doctor Hernandez helps Sir Edmund to the church door so he can watch as well.  Zorro uses his whip and sword to repel the lancers.  He climbs up on top of the fountain and kicks several soldiers in the face as they rush him.  He cracks his whip on Mendoza's behind.]

Mendoza
Aieeee!

[Zorro uses his whip to choke a lancer, then uses it to pull over a cart onto another.  He brandishes his sword then punches yet another lancer.  Sir Edmund collapses then and Doctor Hernandez takes him back inside the church.  Zorro walks across the back of the defeated soldiers.]

Zorro
I really don't have time for your nonsense, Alcalde.

[Zorro then runs into the church.  Ramón corners Mendoza.]

Ramón
Mendoza, get the men and get him!

Mendoza
But Alcalde, that's a church!

Ramón
Don Diego's in there.  He might kill him!

Mendoza [to the lancers on the ground]
Arriba!  Arriba!

[The soldiers get to their feet and charge after Mendoza.  But the door is barred from the inside.]

Ramón
Get in there!

[Interior shot of the church where Sir Edmund is once again lying in a pew.  Doctor Hernandez stands over him.]

Doctor Hernandez [to Zorro]
It's too late.  There's nothing I can do now.

Zorro
Thank you, Doctor.  You'd better go before the Alcalde's men come.

[Doctor Hernandez nods then bends down to pick up his bag and departs.  Zorro takes off his hat before kneeling down beside Sir Edmund.]

Sir Edmund
Diego?

[Zorro pulls off his mask, revealing Diego's face (which we only get to see about a quarter of, his right eye mostly.)]

Sir Edmund
I thought so.  No one else could have show those combinations I just saw.  I taught you well.

Diego
Perhaps too well.

Sir Edmund
I'm glad you put my sword to good use.

Diego
Yes, I found my calling.

Sir Edmund
You have unique gifts, Diego.  Never hesitate to use them in the cause of justice.

Diego
I owe so much to you.

Sir Edmund
Nonsense.  Now go out there and fight the good fight.

[Sir Edmund dies, his head falling to one side.  A single tear falls down Diego's cheek.]

[Exterior shot of the church as Felipe comes around to the front of the church as Toronado rides off, with what looks like Zorro on his back.

Mendoza
Zorro!

Ramón [sheathing his sword]
Let him go.  I've got Kendall.

[Diego comes out of the church then.]

Mendoza
Don Diego!

Ramón
Where is the Englishman?

Diego
Sir Edmund is with God.

[Mendoza takes off his hat.]

Ramón
Get the body.  The bounty is mine!

Figueroa
Mine!

Diego [angrily]
Any reward belongs to the man who shot Sir Kendall.

[Ramón and Figueroa looks at each other guiltily.]

Diego
Who will claim it?

[Figueroa walks away as Ramón steps up.]

Ramón
The reward will be a gift to the people.

[Mendoza comes forward and put his hand on Diego's back, leading him inside the church.  Victoria watches them go, a confused look on her face.]

[Interior shot of the secret cave, Diego removes Sir Edmund's sword that was draped with Zorro's disguise from Toronado's back and hands it to Felipe.]

Diego [stroking Toronado's neck]
Without Toronado's help, we never could have made the Alcalde believe that Zorro and I were in two places at once.

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

[Interior shot of the de la Vega as Don Alejandro walks through the front door, carrying something in his right hand.]

Don Alejandro
Diego.  Oh.

[He spots Diego in the library reading a book.]

Don Alejandro
I just came down from the church.  Padre Benitez found a will among Edmund's belongings, leaving this to you.

[He hands Diego Sir Edmund's dagger. Diego moves his book to the pile he is holding in his left arm and takes the dagger from his father.]

Don Alejandro
Edmund said you should use it in your struggle.  What on earth could he have meant by that?

[Diego doesn't answer and just stares at the dagger.  Don Alejandro nods his head and walks away. Diego closes his eyes as he smiles.]

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

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland 23 June 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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