Written by Philip John Taylor
Directed by Ray Austin
First US Airdate 8 December 1991 Episode 3.12
[Exterior shot of the sun as "Joy to the World" plays.]
[Exterior shot of a cactus.]
[Exterior shot of the pueblo as people put up decorations. Men fan themselves with their hats and wipe their foreheads with their arms. A stagecoach comes into the plaza and stops in front of the tavern.]
[Interior shot of the tavern as Diego stands on a ladder, putting up decorations on the balcony. Don Alejandro helps steady the ladder. Victoria walks past them.]
Victoria
Be careful, Diego.
[The tavern door opens and a man walks in backwards, carrying luggage. He bumps into the ladder.]
Man
Oh, excuse me.
[Diego gets a strange expression on his face as the ladder begins to move backward.]
Diego
Aaah!
[Felipe, Victoria, and Don Alejandro stop their decorating to watch as Diego and the ladder fall to the floor.]
Diego [as he falls face down]
Oh!
Don Alejandro
Diego!
[He and Victoria go over to where Diego is lying on the floor.]
Diego [a bit sarcastically]
Now Zorro would have landed nimbly on his feet.
Don Alejandro
You're hardly Zorro, my son.
[Felipe smiles knowingly.]
Victoria [crouching down next to Diego]
Did you hurt anything?
Diego [as he stands up with Don Alejandro and Victoria's help]
Just my dignity.
Victoria
I think it's time for a break. I will go and prepare some
fresh orange juice.
Don Alejandro
That's an excellent idea.. [An older man and woman enter the tavern.]
With this heat, it's more like July than Christmas time.
Victoria [noticing the couple as a tinkling sound is heard]
Buenos dias, Señor, Señora. Welcome to Los Angeles
and welcome to my tavern.
Man [who has a white beard and wire glasses]
Ah, the proprietor. [He chuckles.] Oh, splendid. My wife and
I need a room for the night, Señorita.
Victoria
Well, you happen to be in luck. I have one left.
[The couple looks pleased.]
Diego
Welcome. Allow me to introduce myself. . .Diego de la Vega.
Man [as he and Diego shake hands]
Oh, con mucho gusto, Señor.
Diego [indicating Don Alejandro]
This is my father.
Don Alejandro
Alejandro.
Man
Encantado. [He shakes Don Alejandro's hand.] Uh. . .uh. . .I am.
. .Señor Jones. Yes. And this is my wife.
Señora Jones
An honor, Señor. I wonder if you can help. We
are looking for the young boy who wrote this letter.
Señor Jones
A little boy named Jaime Mendoza.
Don Alejandro
Oh, a little boy? [He and Victoria chuckle.] I think there's been
a mistake here.
Victoria
Jaime Mendoza is a sergeant of the Royal Lancers.
Señor Jones
Oh, ho. [He and Señora Jones laugh.] Of course. How
silly of me. He'd be grown up by now.
Señora Jones
Yes, he would.
Victoria
But unfortunately, he's out on patrol until this evening.
Señor Jones [shaking his head]
Oh. Well, that's a pity because we can't wait around to see
him with so much to do.
Señora Jones [shaking her head too]
So much to do.
Señor Jones
We'll see him later, hmm? [He waves.] Um. . .adios.
Diego
Adios.
Victoria
Adios.
[Don Alejandro nods. The Joneses turn and walk out the front door.]
Victoria
What a sweet couple.
[Diego looks puzzled then thoughtful.]
[Exterior shot of the countryside. A deer grazes on some grass then is startled by a snapping twig off camera. De Soto and two lancers come out from behind a tree. De Soto stops, putting out his arms so the lancers behind him stop too. De Soto then cautiously takes a step forward. He then takes off his gloves and one of the lancers hands him a musket. De Soto licks his left thumb then rubs it on the end of the musket barrel. He then aims the musket at the deer.]
Señor Jones [off camera]
Just look at this, my angel!
[The deer is startled and runs away. De Soto looks irritated.]
Señor Jones [off camera]
Why, I could carve a whole platoon of toy soldiers out of this.
[De Soto shoves the musket back at the lancer then he and both lancers walks to their left. The Joneses are standing on opposite sides of a large piece of wood.]
de Soto [as he walks toward them]
You! What do you think you are doing?
Señor Jones
Just collecting some wood, Señor. Well, why tomorrow
is Christmas Eve, you know. And I have lots to do.
[De Soto rubs his forehead.]
de Soto
Lancers! Arrest this man for trespassing and pilfering firewood.
[The lancers walk toward Señor Jones then each of them grabs one of his arms then start leading him away.]
Señora Jones [coming over to de Soto]
Señor, please don't arrest my husband. You see, tomorrow
is. . .
de Soto
Señora, I am not accustomed to jailing women in this pueblo,
but I will make an exception in your case if you interfere. Is that
clear? [He turns away from her.] Vamanos!
[He walks away.]
Señora Jones [shaking her head]
Whatever will become of Christmas this year?
*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****
[Exterior shot of de Soto's office.]
[Interior shot of de Soto's office as Diego and Señora Jones stand in front of de Soto's desk as de Soto sits behind it, writing in a book with a quill.]
Diego [with his right arm around Señora Jones's shoulder]
How could you detain Señor Jones for something so trivial
as a few sticks of firewood?
de Soto
Diego, theft is a crime, no matter how trivial the loot.
Diego
But it's Christmas!
de Soto
So what!
Señora Jones
If my husband is kept in jail, the whole world is going to be disappointed
on Christmas morning.
de Soto [shaking his head]
Oh. . . Diego. . . I don't have time for this.
Our little meeting is over. Adios.
Diego [turning to Señora Jones and putting his hands on her
shoulders]
I'm so sorry.
[He and Señora Jones turn to leave. Diego glares over his shoulder at de Soto as he and Señora Jones go to the door. She goes out but Diego stops and gives de Soto the evil eye. He then closes the door. De Soto blows on the book he had been writing in then shuts it. The door reopens and Señora Jones pokes her head back inside the office.]
Señora Jones
Now I remember you. . .
[De Soto looks over at her in surprise.]
Señora Jones
You're that nasty lad from Cadiz. You used to steal your baby
sister's presents every year. Shame on you!
[She goes back out the door. De Soto just stares, open-mouthed.]
[Exterior shot of the countryside as the sun glows orange and yellow in the sky.]
[Exterior shot of the countryside of a hillside of rocks and trees.]
[Exterior shot of the cuartel jail of one of its barred windows.]
Mendoza [off camera]
Señor Jones?
[Interior shot of the cuartel jail as Señor Jones sits in his cell. Mendoza comes up to the cell door and unlocks it. He then enters the cell.]
Mendoza
Señor Jones?
[Señor Jones looks around in confusion.]
Señor Jones [as he realizes Mendoza is talking to him]
Oh, yes. [He points to himself.] That's me, isn't it? Yes.
Mendoza
I was on patrol. The Alcalde said you asked for me?
Señor Jones
Ah. Jaime? Little Jaime?
Mendoza
Little Jaime? No, no, I am a sergeant in his Majesty's lancers.
Señor Jones [as he unfolds a letter]
But you did write me this letter?
[He hands the letter to Mendoza. Mendoza looks at the letter then turns it over. He acts shocked as he sits down opposite Señor Jones.]
Mendoza
Yes, but I was still in the orphanage. I was just twelve years
old.
Señor Jones
Ah, I've been waiting to drop by and thank you for quite some time.
But I get so busy, you know.
Mendoza [pointing at Señor Jones]
You. . .? [He shakes his head.] You can't be. . .
Señor Jones
Of course I am. You wrote to me, didn't you?
Mendoza
Yes, but I was just a little kid. I didn't know any better.
Señor Jones
You think knowledge is more important than faith?
Mendoza [shaking his head]
No, I. . . I mean. . . If it's true. . . If you
are. . . And if you don't get out of this jail tonight. . .
Madre de Dios! That means all the children in the world are going
to be disappointed.
Señor Jones
Perhaps. But Christmas would still come. And its meaning
would not be diminished for the want of a few toys. A child's faith
is not so easily shaken, Jaime.
[Mendoza jumps to his feet and runs out of the cell. He then spins around and looks at Señor Jones before running off to his left.]
Mendoza
Alcalde! [He runs back inside the cell.] Con permiso.
[He steps out of the cell then shuts and locks the cell door. He runs off to his left again. Señor Jones chuckles and shakes his head. ]
[Interior shot of de Soto's office as de Soto sits at his desk, writing in a book with his quill as Mendoza comes into the office from the jail.]
Mendoza [breathlessly]
Alcalde, mi Alcalde. We have to let that old man go.
Immediatamente!
de Soto
Are you telling me what to do, Sergeant?
Mendoza
No, no, Alcalde. It's just that Mister Jones is somebody very
special. Just now. . .just now, when I was there sitting next to
him, I felt something strange, deep inside.
de Soto
Heartburn, Sergeant. Too many tamales.
[He turns his attention back to his writing.]
Mendoza
No, no. I mean I felt good about myself, about you, about
everybody. [De Soto uses a blotter on a page of the book.] Didn't you feel
anything when you were with him?
de Soto
Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. I felt intense anger.
[He reaches over and grabs another book from a pile on his left.]
Mendoza
No, Alcalde. . .
de Soto [angrily]
What is it, Sergeant?
Mendoza
I feel funny saying this.
de Soto
You'll feel even funnier in the stocks.
[Mendoza leans down and whispers into de Soto's left ear.]
Mendoza
He's Santa Claus.
[He smiles.]
de Soto [sarcastically]
Oh. . . Of course he is. And I am Don Quixote. [Mendoza's
smiles fades away.] Get back to work!
[Mendoza starts to walk away but stops and looks at de Soto. He then leaves the office. De Soto blots another book, closes it, kisses it, then sets it down to his right.]
[Interior shot of the tavern where Mendoza is sitting at a table with Diego, Don Alejandro, and Felipe. Victoria stands to Mendoza's left, holding a pitcher of orange juice.]
Mendoza
See, I never had a Feliz Navidad. All the other children at
the orphanage, they all got presents, but not me. I wasn't very well
liked. Then one Christmas morning, I woke up and lying next to me
on my pillow was this little wooden soldier. It was beautiful.
He was carved so beautifully and he wore the uniform of a sergeant in the
Royal Lancers.
Don Alejandro
Ah! So that wooden soldier was your inspiration. Who
gave it to you?
Mendoza
Don't you see, Don Alejandro? It had to be him. Señor
Jones.
Don Alejandro
This is getting out of hand, Sergeant, I'm sorry. Look, we're
good friends and you're a grown up but this thinking, it's a bit naive.
Diego
You know, Father, maybe this world wouldn't be so harsh a place
if we all held on to the innocence we had as children.
Don Alejandro
Oh, come on, Diego. Well, surely you don't believe. . .
Diego
Well, the sergeant believes it. I think that counts for something.
Victoria
I don't know who the Joneses are, but I do know they need our help.
Who knows, maybe Zorro will break the old fellow out of jail?
Diego
Must we always rely on Zorro to solve our problems for us, hmm?
I say we get Señor Jones out of the Alcalde's clutches and we do
it on our own. Now, who's with me?
Mendoza [standing up]
I'm with you!
Victoria
Me, too!
[Felipe raises his hand. Don Alejandro looks at them like they're all loco.]
Don Alejandro
You're all out of your minds.
Diego
Father, are you willing to risk the happiness of thousands of children
all over the world?
Don Alejandro
And are you willing to risk prison or maybe worse just because of
this old man?
Diego
What if that old man really is Santa Claus?
Don Alejandro
Ha! It is Christmas time. All right, let's help the
old man get back to work.
Diego
Yes.
[He pats Mendoza on the back.]
Mendoza
Gracias, amigos. Mil gracias.
Victoria
I think. . . [She sets the pitcher down on the table.] I have a
plan.
[They all lean in to listen to Victoria's plan.]
*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****
[Interior shot of the tavern as Victoria sits at the table between Felipe and Mendoza.]
Victoria
. . .and if Plan ‘B' doesn't work, we go to Plan ‘C'.
Mendoza
That's a wonderful idea, Señorita. Brilliant.
[Don Alejandro nods.]
Diego [a bit skeptically]
Do you mind if I make one of two suggestions here?
Don Alejandro
Diego! Please! It's perfect. [He looks up as Señora
Jones comes up to their table.] Ah, Señora.
[Señora Jones walks up behind Victoria and Mendoza. Mendoza and Don Alejandro stand up. Don Alejandro sits back down as Mendoza puts his hands on Señora Jones's shoulders.]
Mendoza
Señora, we've come up with an idea to free your husband,
Señora Claus.
Señora Jones
You know who I am?
[Mendoza steps aside as Señora Jones sits down in his place.]
Señora Jones
We're always so careful to travel incognito. To blend in with
the local surroundings.
Mendoza
Well, your husband himself told me. You see, I am Jaime Mendoza.
[He points to his chest.]
Señora Jones [standing up and putting her hand on Mendoza's
arm]
You. . . You're little Jaime? Oh, you little sweetheart.
[She hugs and kisses Mendoza.] And these are your friends. Oh, you're
all so kind to offer us your assistance. I don't know how we'll ever
going to be able to repay you.
Don Alejandro
Well, we're in the middle of a stifling heatwave. Could you
possibly manage some colder weather?
Mendoza
Yes, it would be wonderful just once if we could have a white Christmas.
Diego
Yes, and the Alcalde will make things even hotter around here if
we don't execute Victoria's plan to perfection.
Victoria
Tell me, Señora, why did you come all this way to see Mendoza?
Señora Jones [as she sits back down]
Because Christmas is a time for family and friends. Back there
in the orphanage, little Jaime had no one in the world. And yet his
letter wasn't angry or selfish. It was full of love and hope.
Don Alejandro
Everybody. . . Must prepare for tomorrow.
[He gets up as does Victoria, taking her pitcher of orange juice with her. Mendoza helps Señora Jones to her feet. Diego and Felipe remain at the table and Diego looks over as Felipe writes a ‘Z' on the table with some kind of liquid.]
Diego
Yes, Zorro could rescue Señor Jones. Victoria's plan
had more holes in it than old cheese. But did you feel the camaraderie
in this room? These people want to help. They feel good about
helping. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? I don't think
we can take that away from them. [Felipe smiles as Diego looks over his
right shoulder.] But, um. . .make sure Zorro's things are nearby. . just
in case.
[Exterior shot of the plaza where all the lancers are standing in a single line. De Soto walk in front of them as some children stand nearby.]
de Soto
Christmas is a time for giving. And it is a time for goodwill
toward men. Unfortunately, it is also a time Zorro will choose to
perpetrate some more of his dastardly acts. . .
[Mendoza comes out of de Soto's office, crouching down as he walks into the plaza.]
de Soto
And that is why we'll all be on duty tomorrow.
[Mendoza starts running across the plaza.]
de Soto
And it also the reason I have chosen today to give each and every
one of you. . .
[Mendoza crouches down behind the children as a lancer follows behind de Soto, handing out books to each lancer.]
de Soto
The most meaningful gift you will ever receive in your lifetime.
[Mendoza runs inside the tavern.] A volume of verses written by myself.
[Interior shot of the tavern as Victoria walks over to the front door as Mendoza comes through it]
de Soto [off camera]
So that you may. . .
Victoria [as she comes up to Mendoza, Señora Jones, and Diego]
All right. Don Alejandro and Felipe are ready. Go, Mendoza.
[He turns toward the door then turns back to look at Victoria. She
waves her hands at him.] Go!
[Exterior shot of the plaza as de Soto reads from his book.]
de Soto
‘We favored few, [He dramatically clutches at his chest.] We cluster
of compadres. . .'
Mendoza [running out of the tavern]
Alcalde! Alcalde! Come quick! Quick! Don
Ricardo's barn is burning! [He points to his left.] It's on fire!
Look! You can see the smoke.
[The lancers all turn around.]
[Exterior shot of the cuartel as smoke rises up behind it.]
de Soto [off camera]
Urr. . .
[Exterior shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro kneels on one knee beside a smoky fire. He beckons to someone on his left. Felipe comes over and throws an armful of wood on the fire.]
[Exterior shot of the plaza where de Soto, Mendoza, and the lancers all look in the direction of the smoke.]
de Soto
Well, as I recall, Sergeant, Don Ricardo is delinquent in paying
his taxes, isn't he? [Mendoza points nervously at the smoke.] And shall
I deprive these men of a cultural pinnacle of their lives for the sake
of a tax evader? No, I think not.
[Interior shot of the tavern as Victoria and Señora Jones look out the front door as Diego looks out a window to their left.]
de Soto [off camera]
Now, where was I? Ah, verses by Ignacio de Soto. . .
[Victoria and Diego step away from the door and window as Señora Jones still looks out the door. Mendoza comes back inside the tavern as de Soto continues to talk outside.]
Mendoza
Plan ‘B'.
Diego
Oh dear.
Victoria
Okay, Diego, you always said you wanted to be more like Zorro.
Now's your chance.
Diego
I don't Zorro ever did anything quite like this.
de Soto [off camera as Diego walks off to his right]
‘Musket balls and (something I couldn't catch), he may have, unfortunately,
to us, but strive on! Strive on!
[Victoria and Señora Jones look back out the door again. Mendoza comes up behind Señora Jones and looks out the door too.]
de Soto [off camera]
‘Through rain and wind and froth. . .' (Close captioning has ‘Parade
and wind and troth')
[Exterior shot of the plaza as de Soto walks in front of the line of lancers, reading from his book.]
de Soto
Scrubbed, polished. . .
Mendoza [as he comes running out of the tavern again]
Alcalde! Alcalde! Alcalde!
[De Soto turns around with an irritated expression.]
Mendoza [as he runs up to de Soto then stops]
Don Diego's horse has gone loco! Look! Here he comes!
[He points to his left. Diego comes riding into the plaza on a wildly bucking horse.]
Diego [as he is barely staying on the horse]
Waa! Help! Argh! Easy, boy! Down!
[The horse and Diego come over near de Soto, Mendoza, and the line of lancers. Some of the lancers have to jump back as the horse comes at them.]
Diego
Slow down, boy! Easy!
Mendoza [hysterically]
You've got to do something, Alcalde. He's going to break his
neck!
de Soto [sarcastically]
Well now, wouldn't that be a heartbreak, hmm?
Diego [as he and his horse continue to buck wildly around the plaza.]
Aah! Help!
[Some of the lancers begin to sneak away. De Soto spins around and faces them as Diego and his horse leave the plaza.]
de Soto
I am taking names!
[The lancers get back into line. De Soto turns to Mendoza.]
de Soto
Sergeant, you interrupt this poetry recital one more time, [He pulls
his sword part way out of its scabbard.] and this will be your Christmas
present!
Mendoza [as he backs away, bowing]
Si, mi Alcalde.
de Soto
Understand?
Mendoza [still back away and bowing]
Si.
de Soto [as Mendoza turns around and runs back to the tavern.]
Now then. . . Here is one of my favorites. ‘We have
discipline, amigos. . .'
[Interior shot of the tavern where Victoria, Don Alejandro, and Señora Jones watch as Mendoza runs back inside and sits down at a table.]
de Soto [off camera]
‘Right here in the pueblo de Los Angeles. . .'
Mendoza
Plan ‘C'.
Victoria [looking over at Don Alejandro]
Ready?
Don Alejandro [as he starts walking to his right]
On my way, Victoria.
[Victoria grabs a pair of pistols off the table where Mendoza is sitting and tosses them at Don Alejandro. He catches them then keeps walking toward the kitchen. Diego walks out of the kitchen, shaking his head.]
Don Alejandro [as Diego passes by him]
Diego!
Diego [coming up to Señora Jones]
I'm so sorry, Señora.
Señora Jones
You did your best, Don Diego. Oh, dear. It looks as
if my husband will never get out of jail. And tonight is Christmas
Eve.
[Diego glances around shiftily.]
Mendoza [off camera as Diego turns and walks back toward the kitchen]
We still have Plan ‘D'.
Victoria [off camera as Diego walks up to Felipe, who is waiting
at the end of the bar]
On, this time it'll work. Don't worry, Mrs (something I couldn't
catch) Jones.
[Exterior shot of the plaza where de Soto is still torturing his lancers.]
de Soto
‘Ha! Ha! They laughed. . .'
Mendoza [running out of the tavern yet again]
Alcalde! Alcalde!
[De Soto spins around, drawing out his sword.]
de Soto [as Mendoza stops in his tracks]
Sergeant! [He walks toward Mendoza.] Didn't I tell you what I'd
do if you interrupted this recital again?
Mendoza [holding up his hands in front of him]
This is very important, Alcalde. [He points to his right as Victoria
runs out of the tavern.] Señorita Victoria. . .
Victoria [overdramatically]
Alcalde! [She points to her right.] There are bandits on the outskirts
of the pueblo. [She pauses, then two gunshots are heard off camera.] See!
Do you hear them?
[Closeup shot of Don Alejandro as he raises a pistol into the air. He then raises a second pistol then fires both pistols.]
[Exterior shot of the plaza where de Soto glares at Mendoza and Victoria.]
de Soto
Ah. . . I understand what this is now. This is a conspiracy,
hmm?
[Victoria and Mendoza look at each worriedly. Mendoza shakes his head.]
de Soto [as he puts away his sword]
A conspiracy to obstruct my poetry recital. Well, I'm not
going to let you get away with it. [He grabs Victoria's right arm then
grabs Mendoza's left arm and starts walking them toward the tavern.] You
are not going to keep these good men from a wonderful experience they will
remember the rest of their lives. Well, you're not going to get away
with it.
[Interior shot of the tavern as Victoria is pushed through the open door, followed by de Soto who then flings Mendoza inside.]
de Soto
Señorita and Sergeant, because the only thing that would
keep me from continuing my poetry recital is if Zorro himself came up behind
me, [Zorro comes up behind de Soto.] tapped me on the shoulder and
said. . .
[Zorro taps de Soto on the right shoulder. De Soto turns right then left.]
Zorro
Merry Christmas.
de Soto [calmly]
Merry Christmas. [Then more excitedly.] Zorro!
[De Soto steps forward then spins around. Mendoza and Victoria move off to their right. Zorro spins around and shuts the tavern door.]
de Soto
Sergeant, get the lancers!
Mendoza
But, Alcalde, the men are unarmed!
de Soto
Well I ‘m not!
[He draws out his sword as Zorro unsheathes his saber. De Soto lunges at Zorro, driving his back a few steps toward the door. Then Zorro drives de Soto back across the room. De Soto slashes his sword at Zorro's torso but Zorro jumps back. Zorro then grabs a book from de Soto's waistband? then kicks de Soto in the stomach. De Soto falls backward over the top of a table.]
de Soto
Aah!
[He hits the floor on the other side of the table. Zorro sits down on the bar and opens de Soto's book.]
Zorro
Poetry, Alcalde.
de Soto [as he gets to his feet]
Put that down!
Zorro [leafing through the book]
Well, I'm most impressed. It's nice to know our alcalde is
a man of culture.
de Soto [pointing at Zorro]
My verses are far too esoteric for your crude sensibilities, I assure
you, Zorro.
[He tosses a chair out of his way then lunges at Zorro, who is still sitting on the bar with the book. Zorro defends himself without looking at de Soto. Zorro traps de Soto's sword on the bar with his saber but de Soto pulls it out from under Zorro's saber easily.]
de Soto
Ha!
[He attempts to split Zorro in two lengthwise but hacks the bar instead as Zorro jumps down off the bar. Zorro continues to read the book as he duels with de Soto. Zorro does a redoublement (I think) and de Soto is thrown backward. De Soto looks surprised.]
Zorro [still reading the book]
Ha! Very good. I wish I had time to read it. [He
tosses the book up onto the chandelier.] You know, you should give a copy
to Diego de la Vega. [He turns around and looks at Victoria and Mendoza
as de Soto tries to jump up toward the chandelier.] He's a poet too, isn't
he?
de Soto [disdainfully]
De la Vega. [He jumps up toward the chandelier again.] He's only
capable of writing sophomoric drivel.
[Zorro smiles wryly.]
de Soto [as he lunges at Zorro]
Aah!
[Zorro easily block de Soto's thrust then kicks him in the stomach.]
de Soto [as he is doubled over]
Aaw!
[He falls to the ground.]
Zorro
You know, Alcalde, I think your fencing is actually improving.
Since it's Christmas, [He leans over de Soto.] and they say it's better
to give than to receive, [He helps de Soto to his feet.] let me give you
this.
[Zorro punches de Soto in the face. De Soto falls backward onto the floor then rolls over onto his stomach. Zorro slices a ‘Z' into the back of de Soto's jacket.]
Zorro
Feliz Navidad. [He turns and beckons with his left hand.] Follow
me.
[He walks toward the kitchen. Victoria and Mendoza follow after him. Mendoza stops and looks down at de Soto still lying on the floor before continuing on into the kitchen.]
*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****
[Interior shot of the cuartel jail as Zorro walks up to one of the cells, followed by Mendoza, Victoria, and Don Alejandro. They all stop and look into the cell with puzzled expressions. A scroll tied with a red ribbon hands outside the empty cell. Zorro looks to his left and notices the scroll. He takes it then opens it.]
Zorro [reading from the scroll]
‘Remember, as long as you continue to believe, your faith will keep
us all free.'
[Mendoza nods and smiles.]
[Exterior shot of the tavern.]
[Closeup shot of a letter. The camera pans upward to show that is Diego holding it.]
Diego [reading from the letter]
‘The past day has been a little test for pueblo de Los Angeles.
The spirit of Christmas is a flame which burns brightest in the hearts
of children. As we get older, the flame flickers and dims.
Sometimes, the hardships of life extinguish it altogether. But, I'm
happy to say you all passed with flying colors. Especially you, little
Jaime'
[Interior shot of the tavern as Mendoza, Don Alejandro, Victoria, and Felipe all smile as they stand around as Diego reads from the letter. Victoria wraps her arms around herself and shivers a little.]
Don Alejandro
Here, here.
Diego [continuing to read from the letter]
Merry Christmas. May all your wishes come true. Mr and
Mrs Claus.'
Don Alejandro
Well. . . Is it just me or is it getting a little colder in
here?
Victoria [shivering]
No, you're right.
Mendoza [with a incredulous expression]
No. . . It couldn't be.
[He runs off to his right. Don Alejandro and Felipe follow after him. Victoria turns and looks up at Diego who reaches out and grasps her hand. She puts her other hand on top of him and smiles up at him. She then lets go and follows after the others. Diego watches her leave with a wistful expression.]
[Exterior shot of the tavern as Mendoza steps out onto the porch. It is snowing. Mendoza leans his head back and sticks out his tongue.]
[Exterior shot of the plaza as it covered with snow.]
[Exterior shot of the tavern as Felipe steps onto the porch then scratches his head. Don Alejandro and Victoria also step out onto the porch as it continues to snow.]
Don Alejandro [as he looks around with a astonished expression]
It hasn't snowed in Los Angeles in living memory. I see it,
Sergeant, I just don't believe it.
Mendoza
That's exactly what we all have to do, Don Alejandro. Believe.
Victoria
The sergeant's right. We must never lose the flame, no matter
how old we are.
Don Alejandro [nodding]
You're right.
[Exterior shot of the plaza as it is being covered by the falling snow.]
[Exterior shot of the tavern as Diego steps through the front door, holding a small cake on a plate. He looks at the snow in amazement.]
Victoria [looking at what Diego is holding]
What's that, Diego?
Diego
I found it just inside the door. It looks like. . . plum pudding.
[He looks out again at the snow.] This is wonderful.
[He chuckles.]
Mendoza [voiceover while he smiles as he watches the snow fall from
the tavern porch]
‘Dear Santa Claus. My name is Jaime Mendoza. I am twelve
years old and I am writing to thank you for the toy soldier you left on
my pillow. When I grow up, I am going to be a soldier. And
I hope you will be proud of me. It was such a lovely gift.
You needn't bother to bring me anything next year. Instead, would
you please make sure all the poor people in the pueblo have enough to each
on Christmas day? A Christmas plum pudding would be nice for each
of them. I will say a novena for you and Mrs Claus. Feliz Navidad,
your amigo, Jaime Mendoza.
[Exterior shot of the tavern as Mendoza, Victoria, Diego, Felipe, and Don Alejandro stand on the porch as it snows.]
*****END OF EPISODE*****
Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland 26, 28, & 29 June 2007
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.