Written by Robert L McCullough
Directed by Robert L McCullough

First US Airdate 2 December 1990 Episode 2.12

[Exterior shot of an Indian village as the inhabitants go about their business.]

[At the top of a ridge, Ramón and several lancers watch and wait.]

Mendoza [off camera at first]
The Chumash are a peaceful tribe.  What harm can they do?

Ramón
Their mere presence is a threat to every man, woman, and child in the territory.

[Ramón raises his arm into the air and the lancers unsheathe their swords.]

Ramón [as he lowers his arm and points toward the Indian village]
Clear them out!

[He and the soldiers ride down the hill and into the village.  The Indians try to gather up their belongings as they flee the soldiers.]

Ramón [riding through the tents]
Clear them out!  Clear them out!

[The soldiers drive the Indians away from their village.]

[A teenaged girl picks up some clay jugs then notices Ramón and Mendoza sitting on horseback looking down on her.]

Girl
Oh!

[She drops the jugs and tries to run away but trips and falls on her face.]

Girl [when she hits the ground]
Uff!

Ramón [to Mendoza but loud enough for the girl to hear]
We need a good garrison maid.  Take her.

Mendoza [putting away his sword]
Maybe that's not such a good idea.

Ramón
You wouldn't know a good idea if it was in the center of your dinner plate.  I gave an order, Sergeant.

Zorro [grabbing Ramón's shoulder from behind]
And a rather cruel order at that.

Ramón [clearing his throat nervously]
Ahem.  The Spanish Crown wants me to eliminate all threats of Indian uprisings.  I was merely doing my duty.

Zorro
I suppose you'd rather die in the line of duty than suffer the humiliation of a tactical retreat?

Ramón
Not necessarily. [He turns to Mendoza.] Sergeant, prepare a tactical retreat.

Zorro [as Mendoza salutes]
Excellent decision, Alcalde.

[Zorro then slaps the rump of Ramón's horse and it takes off.]

Ramón [falling backward in his saddle]
Whaah!

Mendoza [spurring his horse forward]
Alcalde!  Wait for me!

[The frightened girl stares up at Zorro, who rides up to her.]

Girl [getting to her feet]
Yes?  You are a good man?

Zorro
I try to be.  What is your name?

Kinona
Kinona.  (Close caption says Keenona but I think Kinona looks more authentic.)

Zorro
Your family has already made their way into the hills.

Kinona [defiantly]
The soldiers will never find them.

Zorro
Nor will you if the Alcalde has anything to say about it.  I'll see that you're safe until we find your family.

[He offers Kinona his hand and helps her up onto Toronado's back and behind him in the saddle.  They ride away from the deserted village.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

[Inside the hacienda, Felipe is in the parlor when he hears hoof beats outside.  He goes over and draws the curtains aside to look out the window.  He sees Zorro riding away from the hacienda.]

[Kinona walks into the de la Vega courtyard, looking around curiously.  Felipe sees her from the window and goes out the front door to greet her.]

Kinona
I am Kinona.  Zorro sent me.

[Felipe points at his left ear with his left hand and at his mouth with his right hand.  Then he shakes his head as he makes a dismissive gesture with his right hand.  Kinona nods then takes her hands and runs them across her eyes like a mask.  Felipe nods then they smile and stare at each other.]

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

[Inside the de la Vega hacienda, Kinona is talking to Don Alejandro as Felipe looks on.]

Kinona
My people have been driven off our land by the American settlers.

Don Alejandro
Why did they come to this place?

Kinona
My father believes that one day this territory will be a paradise with many people from many lands.

Don Alejandro [incredulously]
This outpost? [He puts his arm around Kinona's shoulders.] Los Angeles?  Not likely.  Diego!

Diego [off camera]
What is it?

[Diego walks out of the library carrying a book.]

Diego [noticing Kinona]
Well, who is this?

Don Alejandro
This is Kinona, a young Chumash woman.  Did you know she was nearly kidnapped by lancers?

Diego [pretending to be appalled]
We should notify the Alcalde at once.

Kinona
It was him!  The one with the yellow hair who ran us off.

Diego
We'll help you return to your family.

Kinona
No!  I am never going back!

Don Alejandro
Why?

Kinona
I have only my father and he will not let me go to the Mission school.

Diego
Oh, you know about the school.

Kinona [nodding]
There I will learn the way of the future, how to help my people.  My father, he only knows the old tribal ways.

Diego
Well, until we can make arrangements at the school, it appears we have a houseguest.  Felipe will see that you are made comfortable.

Kinona [turning and smiling at Felipe]
Felipe?

[Felipe smiles shyly at her. Diego looks from one to the other and then shakes Felipe's shoulder.]

Diego
Felipe. . .

[He inclines his head toward Kinona.  Felipe keeps smiling at her as he leads her out of the parlor.  Diego and Don Alejandro turn to face each other and smile knowingly.]

[Outside the hacienda the next morning, Ramón and three lancers ride up to the gate.  They stop and dismount.  Ramón marches to the front door followed by the soldiers and pounds on it loudly.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
We'll be right there!

[Inside, Diego rolls up his shirt sleeves as Don Alejandro heads to the door which is still being pounded upon.]

Don Alejandro
It's barely sunrise.

[He walks over and opens the door.]

Don Alejandro [to Ramón]
What's the meaning of this? [Ramón pushes past Don Alejandro and into the hacienda.] How dare you?

Ramón [walking into the house followed by Mendoza]
Yesterday, the bandit Zorro abducted an Indian girl who was in my custody.

Diego
Why would you think she's here?

Ramón
Because my men and I spent the entire night searching every lean-to, adobe, and barn in the vicinity.  Your hacienda is the last place to be examined.

[He walks into the dining room.]

Ramón [as he pulls Kinona out from behind a pillar]
And it appears our search is over.

Kinona [as she struggles in Ramón's grasp]
You said I could trust you!

Diego
We certainly didn't send for him.

Don Alejandro
You have no right to detain her.

Ramón
Of course I do.  I still bear the responsibility for the girl's safety.

Don Alejandro
Well rest easy.  As you can see, she's perfectly safe here.

Ramón
With Zorro at large?  I doubt it.

[He starts to take Kinona away.  Diego steps in front of them.]

Diego
Now just a minute.  What do you think you're doing?

Ramón
The girl was abandoned by her tribe.  Until she reaches an adult age, she falls under the protection of the colonial government.

Don Alejandro
You can't make her your legal ward!

Ramón
Of course I can.  And with the girl in my custody, it ensures the cooperation of her renegade tribe.

[He starts dragging Kinona again.  Felipe surges forward toward them but Diego grabs him by both arms from behind.]

Diego [through gritted teeth]
Felipe.  Don't.

Ramón [staring menacingly at Felipe]
Stand aside, boy.  You know, I've never hung a deaf mute before.  But there's a first time for everything.

[He leads Kinona away then as Felipe struggles to free himself from Diego's grasp.]

Kinona [as she is being dragged away]
Felipe!  Don't let hem take me!

[Don Alejandro follows after Ramón and Kinona as Diego keeps hold of Felipe.]

Diego
I know.  I know.  But if you're going to fight, chose your time, not his.

[Exterior shot of the front of Ramón's office.  He walks up as Kinona is sweeping off the front step.]

Ramón
You mean you aren't finished yet?

[Victoria looks on from the front of her tavern.]

Ramón [grabbing his shirt collar]
And the next time you iron my shirts. . .  Look at me! [Kinona looks up from her sweeping.] Make sure you put a crease in them that's razor sharp.

Victoria [coming up behind Ramón]
I thought Private Sanchez was in charge of the garrison laundry.

Ramón [suddenly gracious]
She's merely working for her keep.

Victoria
Then let me give her a job in the tavern where she'll be pad for her work.

[Kinona looks over at Victoria eagerly.]

Ramón
I wish that were possible, but I must keep an eye on my ward.

Victoria [angrily]
You mean your personal servant!

Ramón
You don't understand.  Her family abandoned her.

Kinona [angrily]
You drove my family off our land!

Ramón [turning to look at Kinona]
Silence!  Go in the jail and sweep it out.

[Kinona turns and goes inside the office.  Ramón turns back to look at Victoria and smiles insincerely.]

Ramón
These heathens.  They really don't appreciate what we do for them.

[Victoria stares at him in disbelief.]

[Wide exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

Victoria [off camera at first]
. . .and polishing his boots.

[She is walking in the courtyard with Don Alejandro, Diego, and Felipe.]

Don Alejandro
That's hardly proper for a legal ward, Diego.

Diego
Well, she should be at the mission under the care of the padre.

Victoria
Instead she is nothing more than his slave.

[Victoria and Don Alejandro walk on ahead as Diego puts his arm around a seething Felipe's shoulders.]

[Lancers are lined up outside Ramón's office, passing buckets as smoke pours out of the open door.  Mendoza runs out of the office.]

Mendoza
Water!  More water!  Keep it coming!  More water, more water!

[He runs over to the fountain as the lancers keep passing buckets of water to each other.  Diego, Don Alejandro, Victoria, and Felipe ride into the plaza.]

Diego
Sergeant!  What happened?

Mendoza
Indians, Don Diego!  A whole raiding party!

Don Alejandro
How many were there, Sergeant?

Mendoza
I don't know, it was siesta time.  We didn't count them.  Thank goodness we have things under control.

[He turns to see people frantically running around the plaza.]

Victoria
Mendoza, where is the Alcalde?

Mendoza
In the cuartel.  He's gravely wounded.

[Diego, Don Alejandro, Felipe, and Victoria turn their horses toward the garrison.]

Ramón [off camera at first]
Oooh!

[He is on his stomach on a barrel as a soldier tends to his backside.]

Ramón
Ooh!  That hurts, you moron!

[Diego, Don Alejandro, and Victoria walk into the cuartel then.]

Diego [trying not to smile]
You all right?

Ramón [hysterically]
Do I look all right?

[Victoria starts laughing and turns to hide her face in her hands.]

Ramón [moaning in pain]
Señorita, please!

Diego [trying hard to keep a straight face]
It does look, um, painful.

Ramón
Those savages ambushed me in my own office, smoked me out, and then shot in the back.  Ooh!  Ooh! Ooh!

[The soldier removes an arrowhead from Ramón's behind.]

Diego [wryly]
Well, not exactly the back.

Don Alejandro
We've never had trouble with the Indians before.

Ramón
Well, we've got trouble with them now!

Diego
They must have come after the girl.  Where is she?

Ramón [half-sobbing]
I don't know and I don't care.

[Diego, Don Alejandro, and Victoria leave as Ramón beats on the barrel beneath him.]

[Kinona peers around a corner of the garrison and see Felipe standing by his horse in front of the cuartel.  He sees her before she ducks away.  Looking around, he walks over to the corner where she had been.  He sees her crouching down behind a barrel.  She stands up.  He motions for her to come with him.]

Kinona
Are you sure it is safe?

[Felipe holds out his hand to her and she takes it.]

Kinona [smiling at him]
I can trust you, can't I?

[She and Felipe stare at each other.]

Diego [coming around the corner with Don Alejandro]
Kinona!

Don Alejandro
Are you all right?

Kinona [her eyes on Felipe]
Yes.  Now I am.

[Diego and Don Alejandro look at each other and smile knowingly again.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda at nigh as an owl hoots.]

[Felipe and Kinona are walking outside in the courtyard.  Felipe is using hand gestures to tell Kinona a story that involved some sort of sword play.]

Kinona
Oh.

[They stop walking as Felipe finishes his story.  He pauses then places his hands on his chest, then hold them out toward Kinona, then points at her.]

Kinona [looking into his eyes and smiling]
There is something between us.  I knew it the first time I saw you.

[Inside the hacienda library, Diego is pacing with his arms crossed over his chest as Don Alejandro sits with a pistol setting on a table before him.]

Diego
It doesn't make sense.  The local Indians have never threatened anyone.

Don Alejandro
If there should be violence, Kinona could be in danger.

Diego
You could be right.

[Diego leaves the room.  Don Alejandro picks up the pistol, opens the barrel, and looks inside.]

[A star shoots across the sky as Felipe and Kinona walk again in the courtyard.  Felipe stops Kinona by one of the pillars (the same one where Victoria & Zorro kissed!) And puts his hand on her face.  Kinona brings her hand up to Felipe's mouth.  Then they kiss.]

Kinona [after they moved apart]
It is late.

[A male Indian runs up to the courtyard gate and sees Felipe and Kinona but they don't see him.]

Kinona
Maybe we should go inside, Felipe.

[Felipe leads Kinona toward the hacienda.  After they shut the door, the Indian throws a spear which sticks in to the door.]

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

[Inside the de la Vega hacienda dining room, Diego is holding the spear as Don Alejandro, Felipe, and Kinona look on.]

Diego [handing the spear to Don Alejandro]
A Chumash battle spear.

Kinona
It is a challenge.

Don Alejandro
Why a challenge?  I don't understand.

Kinona [indicating a black feather tied to the spear]
This spear carries the markings of Black Feather.  He must have seen me outside.

Don Alejandro
I'm sorry, but it doesn't give him the right to vandalize our hacienda.

Kinona
My father promised me to him when I was just a child. [She looks over at Felipe.] If you do not accept his challenge, on the dawn of the full moon, he will kill you.

[Felipe has his hand on his chest.  He then shrugs and holds out his hands to Kinona.]

Kinona
No, there is no other way.  For Black Feather, there is only the field of honor at Big Rock.

[Diego sighs worriedly.]

Kinona [looking at Felipe again]
Or death.

[Felipe nervously rubs his neck then looks over at Diego.  He puts both of his hands on his chest then imitates holding a spear out in front of him.]

Diego
Give me a moment, Felipe. [to the others] Excuse us, please.

[He puts out his hands and leads Felipe into the library.  Diego looks over his shoulder before speaking.]

Diego
Let's keep a clear head.  Stay in the cave and Zorro will deal with this jealous young Indian.

[Felipe holds up his hands then touches them to his chest then imitates holding a spear again.]

Diego
Yes, I know, it's your fight.  But a Chumash warrior is a formidable opponent.

[Felipe thrust out his chest a bit angrily.]

Diego
Felipe, you don't know the first thing about spear fighting.

[He then looks over his shoulder as Kinona walks up to them.]

Diego [to Kinona]
You're absolutely sure there's no other way?

Kinona
No.  If Felipe does not accept this challenge, Black Feather will brand him a coward.  By Chumash law, he will have the right to hunt Felipe down and kill him.  It could happen anytime, anywhere.  But it will happen.

[Felipe looks over at Kinona.  She looks at him them leaves.]

Diego [to Felipe]
We have no choice. [Felipe nods.] I'll teach you what I know.

[Diego and Felipe are practicing with long poles near the de la Vega stables.]

Diego [thrusting at Felipe]
Parry!  Parry!

[Felipe parries Diego's blows.]

Diego
Now come in.

[Felipe tries to but his pole is deflected by Diego's and narrowly avoids getting hit in the chin.]

Diego [looking at Felipe with concern]
Just as you would with a sword, once my move has been turned aside, you must go on the offensive.

[Felipe nods.]

Diego [smiling wryly]
I'll give you one thing, you've got courage, Felipe.  Again.

[They begin practicing again.  Felipe parries Diego's attack and swings his pole above Diego's head.  Diego ducks just in time to avoid getting hit.]

Diego
Good.

[They both smile and resume practicing.]

[Interior shot of Ramón's office.]

Mendoza
A fight to the death, mi Alcalde, over the girl.

Ramón [reclining in his desk chair]
The de la Vega servant boy, fighting a Chumash warrior? [He looks pensive.] Well, it certainly won't be much of a fight.

Mendoza
But such fights are against the law, mi Alcalde.  We must send the troops to stop them.

Ramón [looking at Mendoza like he's nuts]
At sunrise?  At sunrise, Sergeant, the men are having breakfast.  We'll have to wait until they're done.

Mendoza [worriedly]
But Felipe could be killed by then.

Ramón
Well, there's always that possibility.

[He smirks evilly.]

[A rooster crows as Diego and Felipe are still practicing with the poles.  Diego launches an attack that ends with Felipe's pole falling out of his hands.]

Diego [looking at Felipe worriedly]
Remember your physics, Felipe.  For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.  You must anticipate your opponent.

[Kinona walks up to them.]

Kinona
It is time.

Diego
You're certain I can't go with him?

Kinona [shaking her head]
It is not permitted.

[Felipe looks at Kinona grimly.]

[Felipe walks alone to where Black Feather waits with two spears.  The two of them approach each other then stop. Black Feather throws one of the spears which sticks in the ground at Felipe's feet.  Felipe pulls the spear loose.  The two opponents warily move closer together.  Black Feather strikes at Felipe first and Felipe parries.  Then they start fighting in earnest.  Black Feather lands a blow to Felipe's cheek that knocks him onto his back.  Black Feather tries to stick his spear into Felipe's chest, but Felipe rolls away and Black Feather's spear sticks into the ground.  Felipe kicks Black Feather in the stomach before getting to his feet.  They begin fighting again.  Black Feather presses his spear against Felipe's chest and backs him up against a rock.  Felipe elbows Black Feather in the face.  Black Feather falls backward to the ground but gets back up quickly.  Felipe thrusts his spear at Black Feather but Black Feather parries and rolls Felipe's spear downward then uses his own spear to vault his feet into Felipe's face.  Felipe flies backward against the rock but hurriedly gets back in position to defend himself.  Felipe uses his spear as a vault and kicks Black Feather in the face.  Black Feather gets quickly back up to his feet.  Felipe shoves Black Feather up against the rock, then thrusts his spear.  Black Feather moves out of the way and Felipe's spear head breaks off when it strikes the rock.  Black Feather thrusts his spear wildly at the weaponless Felipe who agilely avoids it.  Black Feather then raises his spear above his head and Felipe grabs onto it.  They fight for control of the weapon then Felipe sends Black Feather flying over his head, wresting the spear from the other man.  Black Feather is on his back and Felipe aims the spear head at Black Feather's chest.  They stare at each other for a moment then Felipe throws the spear down and starts to walk away.  Black Feather gets up and grabs the spear, aiming it at Felipe's back.]

[A whip catches Black Feather around the ankles and knocks him back down to the ground.  Felipe turns around to see Zorro jumping down from the rock.]

Zorro [to Black Feather]
Your challenge has been met.  Do not dishonor your people with anything less than respect for a fellow warrior.

[Zorro looks from Black Feather to Felipe who is glaring at Zorro.  Black Feather gets to his feet as Zorro goes over to Felipe and pats him on the shoulder.  Black Feather raises his right hand and walks away.  He mounts his horse and rides away.]

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

[Felipe and Kinona ride in the back of the de la Vega carriage as Diego drives it into the pueblo.]

Victoria [running out of the tavern and into the plaza]
Don Diego!

Diego [bringing the carriage to a halt]
Buenas dias.

Victoria [coming up to the carriage]
Mendoza told me about a fight. [She looks over at Felipe.] Are you all right?

[Felipe nods and smiles shyly.  Victoria smiles back at him.]

Diego
Kinona's father also came to the hacienda. . .

Ramón [walking up to the carriage]
Must I remind you the last time this girl was here, we were attacked by her blood thirsty tribe?

Diego [getting down from the carriage]
Alcalde, I believe you were the target of a jealous young man named Black Feather. . .

[Kinona and Felipe also get out of the carriage.]

Diego
who probably misunderstood you intentions.

[Felipe and Kinona look at each other and smile.]

Ramón
How do we know that this Black Feather won't return and take all our scalps.

Kinona
My father, he has spoken to Black Feather.

Diego
He's even given Kinona permission to attend the Mission school.

Ramón
The school is for Spanish only.

Victoria
That is not for you to decide.  The school is part of our church.

Ramón [with a sneer]
We don't teach Indians.

Diego [taking a couple of steps toward Ramón]
You can't deny anyone an education, Alcalde.

Ramón
The only thing these savages understand is force.

Diego [slightly menacingly]
That's probably just how Zorro feels about you.

Ramón [obviously rethinking his position]
Well, after all, it a church school.  I-I suppose you're right.

[He walks away as Diego, Victoria, Felipe, and Kinona all smile at each other.]

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

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland 15 & 22 September 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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