Written by Robert L McCullough
Directed by Michael Levine

First US Airdate 2 February 1991   Episode 2.21

[Exterior shot of the pueblo as people mill about.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Mendoza walks in front of some buildings then stops.  An oddly dressed man, woman, and a young boy stand in front of a covered wagon, looking confused.  The man holds a piece of paper in his hands.  Mendoza walks toward them, taking off his hat.]

Mendoza
Buenos dias.  Welcome to the pueblo de Los Angeles.  Might I be of service?

Man [taking off his hat]
Please, uh, do you know where the Louis Ramón Land Office is?

[Mendoza turns and looks over his left shoulder at Ramón's office then turns back to the man.]

Mendoza
The what?

Man [looking at the paper]
The Luis Ramón Land Office.  We have bought some land from him.

Mendoza [looking at the paper]
Oh, oh. . . [He points at the man.] You want to speak with the Alcalde.

Man
And, uh, where may we find him?

Mendoza
Well, he's a very busy man.  I will tell him you're here.  What did you say your name was?

Daniel
Nielson.  Daniel Nielson.

[He and Mendoza shake hands.]

Mendoza
Daniel Nielson.  Mucho gusto.

[He turns and walks towards Ramón's office, stopping once to look over his shoulder at the Nielsons.]

Diego [off camera at first]
Welcome to Los Angeles!

[He and Victoria walk up to the Nielsons.]

Diego [indicating Victoria]
May I introduce Victoria Escalante?

Daniel
Hello.

Diego [extending his hand]
I'm Diego de la Vega.

Daniel [shaking Diego's hand]
A pleasure. . .pleasure.  This is my wife Esther, and my son, Aaron.

Diego [chuckling as he shakes Aaron's hand]
Do you plan to settle hereabouts?

Daniel
We are indeed.  We have heard that California is a land of opportunity.  Where a man is not hounded for worshiping as he chooses.

Victoria
Have you been persecuted because of your beliefs?

Esther
Many times, in many towns.

Daniel
We hear Los Angeles will be different.

[Interior shot of Ramón's office as Ramón sits at his desk.  Mendoza stands to his right.]

Ramón
Nielson?  Never heard of him.

Mendoza
Well, he purchased some land from the Luis Ramón Land Office.

Ramón [surprised]
But that was two or three years ago.  I never expected any of those gullible fools to actually move out here.

Mendoza
He has a receipt.

Ramón [chuckling]
Does he now?

[Mendoza nods.]

Ramón
Well, if it's land he wants, I have the perfect spot for him.

[He smiles evilly.]

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

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Diego and Victoria continue to talk with the Nielsons in front of the covered wagon.]

Ramón [as he walks up to them, carrying a scroll and followed by Mendoza]
Ah, Señor Nielson.  We have been waiting for you, you lucky man.  You are to receive forty acres of rich California farmland.

[He hands the scroll to Daniel, who opens it.]

Diego [looking over at the scroll]
Mesa de Las Piedras?  (Translation: Table of the Rocks)

Victoria
That is nothing but barren wilderness.  Even the Martinez family couldn't make it out there.

Daniel
Nothing grows without hard work.

Ramón [smarmily]
Ah, how very true, Señor Nielson.  Forty acres and no other guarantees implied or inferred. [He points at the scroll.] Notice clause seven.  No refunds.  Welcome to Los Angeles.

[He extends his hand and Daniel shakes it.]

Daniel
Thank you.

[Ramón turns and looks at Mendoza then walks off to his left.  Mendoza follows him.  Diego and Victoria watch him go, both with angry expressions.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside of rocky, treeless, ground.  Esther runs out over the rocks and looks around.]

Esther
Oh, Daniel. . .  Our very land.

[She runs back over to Daniel and they embrace.  Diego and Don Alejandro sit on horseback and look at each other then at the Nielsons.  Daniel starts pointing to his right.]

Daniel
We can build the house there and we can build the barn right here.

[He points to the ground at his feet.]

Diego [a bit bitterly]
This land isn't suitable for raising chickens, much less farming.

Daniel
Brother, nothing grows without. . .

Diego
Without hard work.  Yes, so you said.

Don Alejandro
We'll hire a lawyer, Daniel.  We'll get that deed revoked.

Daniel [shaking his head]
No.  The Lord didn't bring us three thousand miles just to give up.  This is where we're meant to be.

Esther
You're very kind.  Thank you.

[Diego sighs then nods.  He and Don Alejandro then start riding away.]

Don Alejandro [not quite out of earshot of the Nielsons]
What a stubborn family, Diego.  I think they forgot the part of the New Testament about casting seed on barren ground. [His voice raises angrily.] I mean, they don't understand that nothing will grow out here.

[He starts coughing.]

Diego [looking over worriedly]
All right?

Don Alejandro
No, I'm fine.  It's a hot day, that's all.  I'm sorry I blew up like that.  I'm just concerned about good people like this.  They're heading for disaster.

Diego
We'll just have to try to help them all we can.

[They gallop off.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega courtyard as a man carries a burlap sack over his shoulder.  Don Alejandro and Daniel walk behind him.]

Daniel [reaching into his pocket]
So how much do I owe you?

Don Alejandro [cover his cough with his right hand while holding up his left hand]
It's not necessary, Daniel.

Daniel
But you're letting me pump water from your stream.  I can't let you feed us too.  It's not much, brother, but I insist.

Don Alejandro
Then as your brother, I insist.

Diego [walking up to them carrying a water pump]
Señor Nielson. . .  I fixed your water pump.  It should be good for another year.

Daniel
How can I thank you both?

Don Alejandro
Well, I'm sure someday you'll be able to repay the favor.

[He and Daniel shake hands as Diego loads the pump in a wagon.]

Daniel
You have my promise on that..

[Daniel and Diego then shake hands.  Daniel walks off to his right as Diego and Don Alejandro turn and walk toward the hacienda.]

[Exterior of the pueblo as people mill about.]

[Exterior of the plaza as Esther and Aaron buy a pottery bowl from a man in a market stall.]

Man [as Aaron hands him some coins]
Gracias, Señor.

[Interior shot of Ramón's office as Ramón looks out a window.  He turns away from the window and walks up to Mendoza who is standing in front of Ramón's desk.]

Ramón
It's been two months since they moved out there.  Most people would have given up by now.

Mendoza
They are not like us, mi Alcalde.  They avoid the tavern like it was infested with cockaroaches.

Ramón
Just because they're not glutenous as you are, Sergeant.

Mendoza
They dress so strangely too.

Ramón [suddenly looking thoughtful]
Have you ever seen them in church?

Mendoza
No, now that you mention it, Alcalde.  But you find that rather peculiar?

Ramón
Go out to their farm, Sergeant.  Find out all you can for me.

[Mendoza walks to his left, putting on his hat as Ramón looks pensive.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Mendoza rides his horse along the top of a ridge.  He brings his horse to a halt and stares with a surprised expression.]

[Shot from Mendoza's point of view of the Nielsons's farm where there is now a house, a barn, and all kinds of vegetation.  The Nielsons are working around in the farmyard.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Mendoza sits on his horse, shaking his head.]

[Exterior shot of the Nielsons's farmyard.  Aaron stands in front of a water pump, then carries two cups to his right.]

Mendoza [off camera at first]
It's amazing, Mister Nielson.  Truly amazing.

[He and Daniel stand by a water tank as Aaron hands them each a cup.]

Mendoza [patting Aaron's shoulder]
Ah, gracias, muchacho.

[He and Daniel start walking as they drink from their cups.]

Mendoza
How. . .did you do it?  How?

Daniel
With hard work. . .and the Lord's help.

Mendoza [looking upward and smiling]
The Lord helped you?

Esther [as they walk up to her]
Yes.  He sent us Don Alejandro and Don Diego.  We could not wish for better neighbors.

Daniel
They gave us corn to tide us over and water from their stream.

Mendoza
Even so, you add water to rocks, you get wet rocks.  How do you make things grow?

Daniel
Chemicals.

Mendoza
Chemicals?

Esther
Ah, we should not shun modern science, brother, for it is part of the Lord's plan.  He made everything, did he not?

Mendoza [smiling]
Yes, of course, thank you.  I must go now.  Se gracio. (Translation: I thank you.  (I think))

[He shakes Esther's hand.]

Esther
Yes.

Mendoza [as he shakes Daniel's hand]
Mucho (something in Spanish I couldn't catch), mi amigo.

[Mendoza turns to his left and walks away.]

Mendoza
Goodbye, muchacho.

Aaron [waving at Mendoza]
Goodbye.

[Mendoza puts on his hat as he walks toward his horse.  He looks over his shoulder.]

Mendoza
Chemicals?  I never heard of such of thing. [in a louder voice] Mister Nielson!  What kind of chemicals did you say?

Daniel
Nitrates.  It's quite complicated but I'd be happy to explain.

[Mendoza waves his off as he continues to go over to his horse.]

Mendoza [mumbling to himself]
Ni-trays. . .  Night. . .  Night roots. . .

[Daniel drinks from his cup as he turns away with a smile on his face]

[Exterior shot of the tavern as people mill about in front of it.]

Mendoza [off camera]
. . .so then he told me he uses chemicals to make plants grow.

[Interior shot of the tavern as Mendoza sits at a table with a lancer and two other men.  Victoria carries a tray as she walks behind Mendoza.]

Mendoza
Night roots, I think he called them.  Yeah, that's it.  Night roots.

[Victoria leans over Mendoza's left shoulder and picks up a cup from the table.]

Mendoza
I tell you, there's something very mysterious going on out there.

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Diego, Don Alejandro, and Felipe ride up to the tavern and come a halt.  Diego dismounts as Don Alejandro coughs.  Felipe and Don Alejandro then dismount.]

Don Alejandro
A-yi-yi-yi.

[He coughs again as he ties his horse to the hitching rail.  Diego walks behind Don Alejandro's horse and puts his hand on Don Alejandro's back.]

Diego [worriedly]
That cough of yours isn't getting any better.

Don Alejandro
No, Diego.  It's just the dust.  You know what I need?  A glass of Victoria's lemonade.

[He coughs again.  Diego shakes his head as he and Don Alejandro go inside the tavern.  Felipe looks at them worriedly before following them inside.]

[Interior shot of the tavern kitchen as Victoria works on something we can't see on the table.  A knock is heard off camera.  Victoria looks up then goes over to the back door and opens it.  Esther and Aaron step inside the kitchen.  Esther is carrying a large wicker basket covered with a white cloth.]

Victoria
Señora Nielson.

Esther
Forgive me, sister.  Until our crops come in, we are in need of money.  So I have baked some bread as Don Diego told me you might like to buy a few loaves.

Victoria [turning and indicating to the left with her left hand]
Well, may I try some?

[She takes the basket from Esther then places it on the table.  She looks under the white cloth.]

Victoria
I've been so busy lately that I have to get up before dawn to make sure there's fresh bread for the day.

[She tears off a piece of the bread and puts it on her mouth.]

Victoria [looking over at Esther and smiling]
This is very good.  In fact, it is the best bread I have ever tasted.  Señora, we have a deal.  I'll take all the loaves that you have baked.

Mendoza [loudly off camera]
. . .not like us!

Don Alejandro [off camera]
Exactly what is it that you're trying to say, Sergeant?

[Victoria looks worriedly over at Esther and Aaron before walking to her left.]

Mendoza [off camera]
I'm trying to tell you what I saw.

Don Alejandro [off camera]
You don't know what you're talking about.

[Interior shot of the tavern as Victoria comes through the kitchen curtains.]

Mendoza [indignantly off camera]
I beg your pardon.  At least I go to church, Don Alejandro.

[Mendoza and Don Alejandro stand face to face in front of the bar as Felipe and Diego sit at nearby table.]

Don Alejandro
So what you're telling me is that to be a good Christian you have to go to church. [Aaron and Esther come out of the kitchen as Diego stands up and walks over to Mendoza and Don Alejandro.] Well, I want to remind you of the New Testament, Matthew, chapter six, verse six. . .

Diego [reaching out to Don Alejandro as Felipe follows him]
Father. . .

Don Alejandro [pushing Diego away]
No!  What you really mean is that the Nielsons don't happen to go to your church!

Mendoza
All I'm trying to say is. . .

Don Alejandro [angrily yelling]
All you're trying to say is narrow minded nonsense, Sergeant!

[Diego looks apologetically at Mendoza.]

Don Alejandro [as his eyes roll back in his head]
Diego. . .

[He passes out.  Diego catches him as Victoria rushes over.]

Victoria
What's wrong with him?

Diego
His malaria back.  He contracted it when he was in Panama.

Victoria [putting her hands on Don Alejandro's face and throat]
Well, he's burning up.

Mendoza
That's why he's acting so irrational.

Diego [worriedly]
Doctor Hernandez is away in Santa Paula.

Victoria
Then take him upstairs.  The first room on the left is empty.

[Diego walks the semi-conscious Don Alejandro over toward the stairs as Victoria and Felipe try to help.  Mendoza turns to a man standing to his left.  Then they both turn and look at Esther and Aaron.  Esther puts her hands on Aaron's shoulders then they turn and go back through the curtains.]

[Interior shot of the tavern kitchen as Esther goes to some shelves and picks up a clay jar.]

Esther [handing the pot to Aaron]
This is water, Aaron.

[Aaron goes to his left as Esther takes down a jar of something whitish and sniffs it.  She sets it down then takes down another jar and smells it.  She puts it back on the shelf then reaches her fingers into the first jar.]

[Interior shot of a guest room as Don Alejandro thrashes about on a bed.]

Don Alejandro [muttering deliriously]
Alfonso. . .  Extra muskets for the men. . .

[Diego sits on the right side on the bed.  Felipe stands to Diego's left.]

Diego
Alfonso was his brother.  They were in the Panama campaign together.

Don Alejandro [gruffly]
That's an order, Lieutenant Cordoba!  Guard the perimeter!

Victoria [standing to Felipe's left and leaning over Don Alejandro with a cloth]
It's going to be all right, Don Alejandro.

Diego [worriedly]
It may not be all right.  Doctor Hernandez has a medicine to stop this fever.  My father is a tough old fellow but without that medicine, he may not pull through.

[Victoria looks over at Diego with a concerned expression as Don Alejandro continues to thrash about.]

[Interior shot of the tavern as Esther and Aaron emerge from the kitchen.  Esther is carrying a tray.  She nods to Aaron then starts walking across the room.  Mendoza stands up and she stops, nods, then walks over to the stairs.  Mendoza watches as she goes up the staircase then turns to the same man as before who nods.]

[Interior shot of the guest room.]

Don Alejandro [smiling deliriously]
Eh, Diego. . .  My son, Diego. . .

Diego [sitting down on the bed at Don Alejandro's left and putting his hand on Don Alejandro's left shoulder.]
It's all right, I'm here, Father.

[Esther comes into the room carrying the tray.]

Esther
He's the kindest man I have ever known.  I can ease his pain.  Please leave me alone with him and have faith.

[Victoria smiles and puts down the cloth she was holding.  She leaves the room.  Esther sets down the tray on a table.  Felipe leaves the room too.]

Don Alejandro [still smiling]
Diego!

[Esther sits on the right side of the bed then touches Diego's left shoulder and smiles.  Diego pats Don Alejandro's left shoulder then stands up and leaves the room.  Esther turns Don Alejandro's face then reaches to her left.]

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

[Interior shot of the tavern as Mendoza paces, holding a piece of bread in his left hand.  He walks over to where Diego is leaning against a pillar as Felipe stands opposite him.  Victoria waits by the stairs.]

Mendoza
They've been up there for hours, Don Diego.  Do you think you can trust that woman?

Diego
What do you mean?

Mendoza
Well, they turned a pile of rocks into fertile farmland.  Those people are really mysterious.

Victoria [coming over to them]
So what do you think of my fresh bread today, Sergeant?

Mendoza [between bites]
Ah, it's wonderful.  It's the best you've had, Señorita Victoria.

Victoria [a bit smugly]
Thank you.  Señora Nielson baked it.

[Mendoza starts choking and coughing.]

Diego [a bit sarcastically]
Yes, Sergeant.  The Nielsons are different from you and me.  But have you ever thought how strange we are to them?

Mendoza [shrugging]
But that's crazy.

Esther [standing at the bottom of the stairs]
Uh-hmm. [She smiles.] He'll be fine.

[Diego looks over at her then he, Victoria, and Felipe all go over to the staircase.  Mendoza goes over to the man he was talking to earlier who is standing by the bar.]

Mendoza
Her husband takes a field of rocks and turns it into a paradise.

[Diego stops on the staircase and grabs Felipe's arm, stopping his too.]

Mendoza
Now she goes up there and cures Don Alejandro of his fever.

Man
Maybe they use, you know, magic.

[Another man stands up from his seat and other people start murmuring excitedly.]

Diego [quietly to Felipe]
I want you to return to the hacienda at once.

[Felipe discreetly makes a ‘Z' in the air with his right index finger.]

Diego [nodding]
Yes.

[People continue to talk excitedly.]

Diego [off camera]
Look around this room.  I hope Zorro won't be needed, but just in case.

[Felipe goes down the stairs as Diego goes up.]

[Interior shot of the guest room as Don Alejandro smiles as he sits up against his pillows.  Victoria sits to his right as Esther stands behind her.  Diego comes into the room and puts his hand on Esther's right shoulder.]

Diego
Well done, Esther.  Thank you.

[She smiles then leaves the room.  Don Alejandro waves.  Diego nods and smiles.]

[Interior shot of the tavern as Mendoza and the man continue to talk about the Nielsons. Esther walks down the stairs.]

Mendoza
Have you ever seen a witch, Friez?

Friez
Not exactly.  But aren't they supposed to dress in all back?

[Aaron is sitting by himself at a table near the kitchen and gets to his feet.]

Aaron [running to his right]
Mama!

[He runs over to Esther who is at the bottom of the stairs.  She puts her left arm around him and they start walking out of the tavern as everyone stares at them.]

Daniel [coming through the front doors of the tavern and taking off his hat]
Esther!  There you are.  I've looked all over.  I was worried about you.

[He then sees the hostile expressions on the people as they start closing in around the Nielsons.]

Daniel
What is happening?

Friez [pointing at the Nielsons]
They're witches!

[People voice their agreement as Mendoza steps in front of the Nielsons, outstretching his arms.]

Mendoza
Friez, I only meant they might be witches.

Friez
We had a witch in ninety-seven.  She escaped.  For five years we had no rain. [He points to the Nielsons again.] Put them in the stocks.

[People grab Daniel and Esther and start pulling them toward the doors.]

Daniel
Don't be afraid, Esther.

Esther
No!

Aaron
Mama!

[Daniel and Esther are pulled toward the doors.  Mendoza holds onto Aaron.]

Daniel
Let my son go, please!

[The crowd pushes Daniel and Esther out the doors as Mendoza keeps a hold on Aaron.  Diego runs down the stairs and goes over to Mendoza and Aaron.]

Diego [as Victoria comes up behind him]
Sergeant!  What's going on?

Mendoza
Nobody meant for this to happen!  I only meant that they're different, that's all.

[He leads Aaron toward the front door.  Diego and Victoria follow them.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza where a man is fiddling with on the stocks hanging from a T-shaped post.  Daniel and Esther are pulled over and their heads and hands are placed in the stocks.  Victoria and Diego stop and watch from the tavern porch.  Victoria looks up at Diego then runs forward.  Diego shifts his eyes to his left then his right then goes back inside the tavern.  Mendoza and Aaron watch helplessly at his parents in the stocks.  The crowd all look around at each other, murmuring excitedly.  Some people bend over and pick up rocks.]

Friez [pointing at the Nielsons]
Stone them!

[More people bend down to pick up rocks.  Ramón walks up to the crowd, followed by several lancers.]

Ramón
What is the meaning of all this?

Victoria
Alcalde, tell these people that the Nielsons are not witches.

Ramón
Witches?  That's impossible!  This is eighteen twenty!  Not the Dark Ages.

Victoria
Then tell them.

Ramón [rubbing his chin thoughtfully]
However. . .  These people did grow corn, tomatoes, and beans where nothing had grown before.

[Victoria looks at him in disbelief.]

Friez [pointing yet again at the Nielsons]
His wife uses witch's sorcery to heal the sick!  They must be witches!

Mendoza [still holding onto Aaron]
Alcalde. . .  You don't really believe these people are witches.

Ramón
It doesn't matter what I believe.  It's what they believe.

Victoria [as she walks toward him]
And I believe you are siding with this mob because if the Nielsons are convicted of witchcraft, you would be able to confiscate their property, which has increased in value, wouldn't you say?

Ramón [raising his arms and his voice]
Señorita Escalante had been brought under their spell! [quietly to Victoria] Be careful, Señorita, or this rabble will turn on you.

[He points at Victoria.  A lancer comes up and pushes her away from Ramón.]

Ramón
Give them what they deserve!

[People bend over to pick up rocks.]

Daniel
Go on, stone us!  If you chose to live in suspicion and fear.

Ramón
Silence!

Daniel
I will not be silent!

Ramón
Then perhaps this will close your mouth.

[He points to a lancer standing behind him to his right.  The lancer bends down and picks up a rock.  Zorro, standing behind another lancer at the back of the crowd, raises a pistol.  The first lancer throws the rock toward the Nielsons.  Zorro fires the pistol and the bullet hits the rock, shattering it.  The second lancer turns around and sees Zorro then starts to draw out his sword.]

Lancer
Zorro!

Zorro
Yours, I believe.

[He hits the lancer on the head with the butt of the pistol.  The lancer falls to the ground.  Zorro tosses away the pistol as he walks toward Victoria.]

Zorro
I've certainly fallen under your spell, Señorita.

[He takes her right hand and kisses it.]

Ramón [off camera]
Kill him!

[Zorro moves away from Victoria, unsheathing his saber as two lancers lunge at him.  He kicks one in the stomach and punches the other in the face as three more lancers come at him, swords drawn.]

Zorro
Gentlemen, I'm in no mood for your foolishness.

[All three lancers lunge at him.  Zorro does a redoublement of all three swords at once, sending all three flying into the air.  Three more lancers come at him and Zorro does the same to them, their swords go flying in the air as well.  Ramón looks upward as all six swords come down, point first, toward him.]

Ramón [putting his hands over his head]
Look out!

[The six swords stick in the ground in a semi-circle around Ramón's feet.  He stares down at them in amazement.  Zorro places his saber across Ramón's chest as he comes over to Ramón's right side.]

Zorro
Stay back, Señores, if you please.

Ramón [nervously]
Do as he says.

Zorro
Thank you.  Lancer, kindly release Daniel and his wife.

[Two lancers free Daniel and Esther from the stocks.  Zorro turns away from Ramón.]

Zorro
Citizens of Los Angeles! [He steps up onto the fountain's rim.] Of what are these good people accused?  That this woman cured Don Alejandro of a fever?  Tell them how, Esther.

Esther
It was with herbs and spices at Señorita Escalante's kitchen.  My mother taught me how.

Zorro [looking around]
Sergeant Mendoza, where are you?

[Mendoza, standing at the back of the crowd, raises his hand.]

Zorro [as Ramón reaches down for one of the swords at his feet]
Kindly step forward. [Mendoza comes forward as Zorro puts his saber in his left hand and points it at Ramón.] Don't even think about it.

[Ramón smiles insincerely as he stands back up.  Zorro steps down off the fountain rim and puts his right arm around Mendoza's shoulders.]

Zorro
What could possibly make you suspect the Nielsons of witchcraft?

Mendoza [nervously]
Well, Zorro. . . [He points at Daniel.] He told me they used night roots to make things grow.  It all sounded very magical to me, you know?

Zorro
Then clearly you don't read Don Diego's excellent newspaper, the Los Angeles Guardian.

[He walks toward Ramón then passes behind him, tapping his saber on Ramón's back.]

Zorro
An English scientist recently discovered saltpeter. . . [He walks behind Friez and hits him on the bottom with his saber.] induces growth in plants and vegetables.  The chemical name for saltpeter is potassium nitrate.  [He climbs back up onto the rim of the fountain behind Mendoza.] Not night root, Sergeant.

[Zorro taps Mendoza's right shoulder with his saber.]

Mendoza [looking up at Zorro]
I am sorry.

Zorro
And so you should be. [louder to the crowd.] Ignorance and prejudice are alive and well, my friends.  They never sleep. [He steps down off the fountain and puts his left hand on Ramón's right shoulder.] And as for you. . .

Daniel [as he, Esther, and Aaron step forward]
Please, brother, don't kill him.

Zorro
I wouldn't dream of it.  I have something much more interesting in mind.

[Ramón looks worried as Zorro smiles at him.]

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

[Closeup shot of a basket as the camera pans back to show Don Alejandro lifting it down from the back of a wagon.  Diego hands Aaron two shovels and Aaron goes off to his right with them.]

Don Alejandro
Daniel. . .

[He hands the basket to Daniel.]

Daniel [looking in the basket]
Sugar. . . [He chuckles.] Coals (at least that's what I think he says).  I can't thank you.

Don Alejandro
Well, I got my health back, that's all any man needs.

Diego [handing a burlap sack to Aaron]
What you've already done with this land will be an inspiration to all of our neighbors.

Don Alejandro
You know, my son actually believes that one day all of California will bloom with fruit and vegetables.

Daniel
Well, anything is possible with. . . [Diego joins in.] hard work.

[Everybody smiles.]

Esther
But the Alcalde, he seems like such a bitter man.  Will he let us do our work in peace?

Diego
Yes.  I think, um, Zorro has seen to that.

[Daniel and Esther start laughing.]

[Exterior night shot of the plaza as Ramón's head and hands are in the stocks.  Mendoza is using a hacksaw on the lock.  People jeer off camera.]

Ramón
This is illegal, do you hear?   [Fruits and vegetables are being thrown at him as Mendoza saws away on the lock.] Mendoza, get me out of here!

Mendoza [removing the saw from the lock]
I'm trying, Alcalde.  But Zorro made me swallow the key.  It will be awhile before I can. . .

[More food hits Ramón.]

Ramón [through clenched teeth]
Who did that?  Who did that? [Both he and Mendoza get hit with food as Mendoza resumes sawing through the lock.] I'll have you arrested!  I'll have you hung!

[He is then hit in the face with more food.  Mendoza touches his with his right index finger then tastes it.]

Mendoza
Oh, it's lime.  Delicious.

[Ramón sputters angrily as he tries to grab at Mendoza, who tries to resume sawing through the lock.]

Mendoza
Please, Alcalde.

[Ramón stands still as Mendoza starts sawing again.]

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

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland   11 & 12 October 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.

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