Written by Robert L McCullough
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 15 March 1992   Episode 3.19

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Mendoza and de Soto stand face to face.  De Soto brushes the front of Mendoza's uniform.  A stagecoach enters the plaza.]

de Soto
Here he is.

[De Soto and Mendoza walk toward the tavern as the coach comes to a halt in front of it.]

de Soto
Remember to stand up straight, Sergeant.

Mendoza
Si, mi Alcalde.

[Mendoza walks over to the coach door.]

de Soto
Assist the lady, Sergeant.

[Mendoza helps a woman get out of the coach.  A man in a white uniform also gets out of the coach.]

de Soto [saluting]
Captain Dominguez.  Ignacio de Soto welcomes you to Los Angeles.

Dominguez
Thank you, Alcalde.  I've heard good things about you.

de Soto [waving his hand to his right]
This way, Captain Dominguez.

Dominguez [turning over some papers he holds in his hands]
However, the governor is concerned that other than yourself, this garrison has no commissioned officers in its ranks.

[They walk toward the cuartel as Mendoza follows behind them.]

de Soto
The governor worries needlessly.

Dominguez
He thinks you need help in generating the revenues expected by the Spanish Crown.

de Soto
Ah, speaking of revenues. . .

[He turns to his left and points as three lancers on horseback riding into the pueblo.  Sepulveda brings his horse to a halt as he holds out a pair of saddlebags.]

Sepulveda
Full payment, Alcalde.  Every farmer in the territory paid his sales tax.

[De Soto nods.]

Dominguez [chuckling]
Sales tax from farmers and it isn't even harvest time yet?

de Soto
True.  But they still barter among themselves.  Sharpening plows in exchange for milk.  Trading butter for eggs. [Zorro rides into the pueblo, his whip in his right hand.] All taxable in Los Angeles.

[Zorro brings Toronado to a halt.]

Dominguez
Good.

[A loud whinny off camera causes de Soto, Dominguez, and Mendoza to turn in Zorro's direction.  Zorro  is riding Toronado around in a circle in front of the cuartel gates.  Three lancers run toward him as other lancers watch.]

Lancers
Zorro!  Zorro!

de Soto
Shoot him, Sergeant!

Mendoza
With my sword?

[Toronado rears, scattering the lancers and knocking some onto their backs on the ground.  Zorro then spins his whip around over his head before using it to pull a musket from a lancer's hands.  He keeps spinning the whip then cracks it at three lancers who fall backward out of its way.  He continues to spin the whip then uses it to snatch the saddlebags from Sepulveda.]

Sepulveda [shaking his hand]
Ow!

Zorro
The product of honest farm labor is exempt from taxation throughout the Spanish colonies, Alcalde.  And you know that.

Dominguez
What's going on?

Zorro [holding up the saddlebags]
I'll return this money to the people who earned it.

[He nods and smiles.]

de Soto
Stop him!

[Zorro rides out of the pueblo as lancers help each other up off the ground.]

Dominguez [off camera] That's the one I've heard about, isn't it?

de Soto
Lancers!  After him!

[Several lancers rides out after Zorro.]

Lancers [as they ride away]
Hiyeah!  Hiyeah!

Dominguez [angrily to de Soto]
I suggest you get him on the gallows before I return to Monterey.

de Soto
You think that would impress the governor?

Dominguez
Possibly.

Victoria [coming out from behind Mendoza]
And that would surprise some of us around here too!

[She darts back behind Mendoza.]

Dominguez
This pueblo's administration is in serious question.  Now hear me.  I'm going to hold interviews for officer candidates at week's end.

de Soto
Captain, I assure you, if I had any men. . .

Dominguez [thrusting his papers at de Soto]
See that your best men receive applications.

[He walks away.  Mendoza steps closer to de Soto.]

Mendoza
Alcalde. . .

de Soto [snapping]
What is it?

Mendoza
Could I have one?

de Soto [turning to look at Mendoza incredulously]
You?  An officer?

Mendoza
Well, I just thought. . .  Perhaps. . .

de Soto [suddenly looking thoughtful]
Sergeant, that's an excellent idea.  Indeed, that's an excellent idea.  And as matter of fact, I'll help you fill out the application.

Mendoza [smiling]
Thank you, sir.

[De Soto walks away, chuckling.  Mendoza stands and watches him go, a big grin on his face.]

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

[Exterior shot of de Soto's office.]

Mendoza [off camera]
Place of birth?

[Interior shot of de Soto's office as Mendoza sits at de Soto's desk, holding a red quill.  De Soto stands to Mendoza's right, holding a decanter of wine and a glass.]

de Soto
Oh, uh, write down Barcelona.

Mendoza
Barcelona? [He chuckles.] I was born in a farm in Guadalajara, near Mexico City.

de Soto
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, Sergeant.  You're from a very old Spanish family.  Your father was a. . .um. . .an architect. . . [Mendoza eyes de Soto nervously.] to King Philip.  Your mother was an heiress.  You see, Sergeant, it takes a certain amount of breeding to be an officer.

Mendoza
Ah, but I don't have any breeding.

de Soto
Sergeant, I thought you said you wanted to be an officer?

Mendoza
Yes, I do, but. . .

de Soto
My friends. . .  This applications means as much to me as it does to you.  Besides, no one will ever check these little details.

[Mendoza smiles as he dips his quill in the inkwell and starts writing.]

Mendoza
Bar. . .ce. . .lona. [He looks up at de Soto confidently.] My father was an architect.  He built. . .all of Madrid.

de Soto
That's the spirit, Sergeant.  You fill out the rest of this application with that much imagination and your promotion is guaranteed.

[He sets a glass of wine down on the desk.]

Mendoza [sincerely]
I want you to know I appreciate this, sir.

de Soto [waving his hand dismissively]
Nah. . .  Oh, one more thing, Sergeant.

Mendoza
Huh?

de Soto
I happen to know Captain Dominguez very well.  He's a very vain man.  He prides himself on his family's regal profile.  If I were you, I would find a moment in the interview to compliment his, um, fine nose, hmm?

Mendoza
Oh, thank you very much.  I'll do that.

[He starts writing again.]

de Soto
Sepulveda!

[The office door opens and Sepulveda comes inside, closing the door behind him before running up and saluting de Soto.]

Sepulveda
Sir!

de Soto
I want five volunteers, armed and mounted.  We're going to put Zorro on the gallows.

Sepulveda
Si, Alcalde. [He starts to leave but turns back around.] But don't you have to find him first?

de Soto [chuckling]
He has a horse, hmm?

Sepulveda
Si, a big, smart horse.

de Soto [as he starts unbuttoning his jacket]
Yes, and that horse has to eat and sleep, just as Zorro himself needs a place to sleep, yes?

Sepulveda
But nobody know where that is.

de Soto
Yes, someone does know.  Someone provides that food and shelter for Zorro.  Corporal, I want a thorough search of every possible hiding place in this territory.  Every hacienda, every place of business, every shack.  If necessary, we are going to tear this pueblo apart, stick by stick.

Mendoza [looking at Sepulveda as de Soto takes off his jacket]
You heard the alcalde.

Sepulveda [saluting]
Yes, sir.

[He turns and leaves the office.]

de Soto [chuckling as he tosses his jacket aside]
Sergeant. . .

[He picks up his wine glass as does Mendoza and they clink their glasses together then drink.  De Soto starts laughing and Mendoza joins in for a moment then stops and looks up at de Soto worriedly.]

[Exterior shot of the tavern as a man pushes a cart in front of it.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
Sergeant Mendoza. . .

[Interior shot of the tavern as Don Alejandro and Diego walk up to Mendoza who is sitting at a table with his application, quill, inkwell, a pitcher, and a glass half full of wine.]

Don Alejandro [as Mendoza turns to look at him]
Join us for lunch, sir.

Mendoza
Oh, thank you, Don Alejandro, but I have to finish this.

[Don Alejandro and Diego both lean over to look at the application as they sit down at Mendoza's table.]

Diego [sitting next to Mendoza]
I didn't know you were born in Barcelona, Sergeant.

Mendoza
Oh, I wasn't, Don Diego.  I'm not a Biblical scholar either. [Diego looks over at Don Alejandro.] The Alcalde thought it would look good on the application.

Don Alejandro
Sergeant Mendoza, officers have a certain bearing, a certain aplomb, and that's because, well, they're gentlemen.  It's in the blood, sir.

Mendoza
In that case, I don't have a chance.  You see, the only thing I have in my blood is blood.

Diego
Oh, what nonsense!  Anyone can become a gentleman.

Don Alejandro
Ha!  You really think it's that simple?

Diego
I'll prove it by turning Sergeant Mendoza [He puts his arm around Mendoza's shoulders.] into the finest caballero you've ever saw.

Don Alejandro
Diego, remember what they say about sow's ears and silk purses?

[Diego shakes his head in annoyance.]

Mendoza
What do they say?

[Don Alejandro starts to answer by is interrupted.]

Sepulveda [off camera at first]
Under His Majesty's law of eminent domain. . .

[Diego, Don Alejandro, and Mendoza all turn to look at Sepulveda as he holds up a scroll.  De Soto stands to Sepulveda's right as several other lancers stand behind.]

Sepulveda
These premises are subject to official search. [He turns to the lancers.] Search the premises, men!

[The lancers move about the tavern.  Victoria comes up to face de Soto.]

Victoria
What is the meaning of this?

de Soto
Señorita, my men are running the outlaw Zorro into the ground.

[Two lancers head toward the kitchen.  Victoria looks at them angrily then gives de Soto a look before following after the lancers.  De Soto walks over to the table where Don Alejandro, Diego, and Mendoza sit.]

de Soto
Sergeant. . .  You've finished your application?

Diego
I'm helping him make a few corrections.

de Soto [sarcastically]
Are you now?

Diego
Only in the interest of simple honesty, of course.

de Soto
Well, Sergeant, you realize the application is only the beginning.  There's a very rigorous interview process.

Mendoza [as Diego pats him encouragingly on the arm]
Oh, Alcalde, Don Diego has promised to help me to prepare by teaching me how to become a real gentleman.

de Soto [even more sarcastically]
He's hardly a fitting example for a officer of the Royal Brigade.

Don Alejandro [indignantly]
I beg your pardon.  My son is the equal of any man under your command.

Diego [embarrassedly]
Father, please. . .

Don Alejandro
No, Diego. [to de Soto] If my son says he is going to help Sergeant Mendoza win his commission, then that is exactly what my son will do, sir.

de Soto
Would you care to put a little wager on that, de la Vega?

[Don Alejandro gets to his feet as Diego looks a little sick.]

Don Alejandro
I'm not a gambling man, sir.  But if I were. . .  What?

de Soto
Well, not gambling really, de la Vega.  Let's just say that if Sergeant Mendoza falls to pass muster with Captain Dominguez, Diego enlists in the Royal Lancers and joins in the manhunt for Zorro.

Diego [chuckling nervously]
I'm afraid that's not possible.  I. . .

Don Alejandro
Ah, Diego, don't. . . [to de Soto] But if Diego helps him win the commission, then you, sir, must rescind the new sales tax.

de Soto [chuckling]
Agreed.

[De Soto and Don Alejandro shakes hands.]

Don Alejandro
Good.

[Diego closes his eyes as Don Alejandro sits back down.  De Soto walks around the table and bends down next to Diego's right ear.]

de Soto
I can't wait to get you in uniform, Señor.

[De Soto starts laughing as Diego looks even sicker.  Don Alejandro pats Diego on the shoulder.  Diego gives him a look.]

de Soto [as he walks away]
Corporal!

Sepulveda [off camera]
Nothing, sir.

[De Soto and the lancers leave the tavern as Diego looks worried.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

Diego [off camera at first]
Square those shoulders!

[Interior shot of the de la Vega hacienda as Diego stands to Mendoza's left and puts one hand on Mendoza's back and the other on his stomach then pushes.  Diego looks down at Mendoza's backside then rolls his eyes.]

Diego
Newton was right.  For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. [He sighs wearily as Mendoza smiles vacantly.] Let's review our elocution, shall we? [He begins to speak very fast.] ‘The secretary reads rapidly regularly in the library, [He and Mendoza start walking.] during the months of January and February.  Et cetera instead of etcetera and thus instead of et cetera and instead of thus and et cetera and so forth.' Repeat.

Mendoza
‘The secretary reads rap. . .rap. . .  Uh, et cetera, et cetera. . .  Repeat.

[He looks over at Diego and smiles.]

Diego [looking exasperated]
Let's try it again, shall we?

[He puts his hand on Mendoza's shoulder and he turns him around then walking back the way they came.]

Diego
‘The secretary reads rapidly regularly in the library. . .'

[Exterior shot of the countryside as four lancers led by de Soto ride across a field where they meet Don Alejandro coming from the opposite direction.  Don Alejandro turns his horse around and rides alongside de Soto.]

Don Alejandro
I just rode back from the hacienda Cordera.  Shame on you!  You nearly destroyed their home, sir.

de Soto
Well, we must all make sacrifices in the pursuit of a man like Zorro.

Don Alejandro
I must say, you're very eager to prove yourself to the governor.  Wish I could be there when you explain the rollback of the new sales tax once Mendoza wins his commission.

[Both men come to a halt and face each other.]

Don Alejandro [smugly]
Have a nice day, Alcalde.

[He grins as he turns his horse back around and rides off.  De Soto watches him go before riding off to his left, followed by the lancers.]

[Exterior wide shot of the de la Vega hacienda.  De Soto and the lancers ride up to it then come to a halt.]

[Interior shot of the de la Vega hacienda library as Mendoza awkwardly holds Victoria's wrist and brings it to his lips as they stand in front of the fireplace.  Victoria looks concerned.]

Diego
No, no, no, no, Sergeant.

[Victoria looks over at Diego pleadingly as Felipe looks on with a smile.]

Diego
When a lady offers a gentleman her hand. . .

[A door is thrown open off camera, followed by loud footsteps.]

de Soto [off camera]
De la Vega!

[Diego walks over toward the foyer as de Soto and the lancers come inside the hacienda.]

Diego
What is the meaning of this?

de Soto [looking over his shoulder]
Search everything, Corporal.

Sepulveda [to the other lancers]
You heard the alcalde.

[The lancers scatter as de Soto walks past Diego and into the library.  He goes over to a settee and lifts up a pillow.]

de Soto
You know, this is really a lovely hacienda.

Victoria
And it's the last place you would ever find evidence of Zorro.

de Soto [as he comes over to stand next to Victoria]
Ah, Señorita, in the search for Zorro, [He taps his fist on the fireplace mantle as he speaks.] we must leave no stone unturned, hmm?

[Victoria turns away angrily.  De Soto rubs his fist as the panel in the fireplace swings open.]

Diego [nervously]
Aah!  Uh. . .um. . . [He jerks his head at Felipe then looks over toward a window to his right.] Have any of you noticed how the cloud formations today so closely resemble the peaks out at Stony Ridge?

[Victoria and de Soto look over at Diego like he is crazy.]

Diego [moving aside the curtains on the window]
Beautiful! [He laughs a little too loudly.] Look!  There's a horse!

[He laughs again.  Felipe looks at Mendoza then points toward the window.  Mendoza crouches down to look.]

de Soto
You know, Diego, you really are a very odd fellow, sometimes.

Diego [ignoring de Soto as Felipe steps next to Victoria]
Haven't you noticed such incredible things in the clouds?  Just the other day, I saw Fern disguised as Venus on her way to the baths.  I saw garlands [He waves his hand in the air to his right.] of flowers, [He looks to his left.] and archifices, Corinthian columns. . .  The entire scope of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.

[He turns his back to them and holds out his arms.  Victoria takes a step forward and Felipe slides in behind her.]

Diego
Complete with angels. . . [He waves his hands again to the right.] and cherubs.

[He waves his hands over to his left as Felipe touches the mantle and the panels closes.  Diego lowers his  hands, obviously feeling like a fool.]

Diego
Oh, it was just fantasizing. . .   It's helpful to the mind. . .  It's. . .uh. . .

de Soto
I see.  Well, as I was saying, in the search for an outlaw. . .

Sepulveda [running into the library]
Alcalde, we found Zorro's horse!

de Soto [excitedly]
He must be here, right under our noses!  [He and Sepulveda run out of the room.] Mendoza!

[Mendoza runs out after them.  Victoria glances around nervously then follows after Mendoza.  Diego looks over at Felipe and shakes his head then nods toward the door.  He then turns and starts walking out of the room.  Felipe runs after him.]

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

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega stables as Sepulveda leads de Soto, Diego, Mendoza, Victoria, and Felipe to a black horse in one of the stalls.]

Sepulveda
There's Toronado!

[De Soto goes over and touches the horse's bridle.]

de Soto
So. . .this is Zorro's horse, is it?

Sepulveda
Si, mi Alcalde.  A magnificent animal, don't you think?

[Diego and Felipe smile at each other knowingly.]

de Soto
Congratulations, Corporal.  I hope you've enjoyed you rank, hmm?  Because this is a very fine mare indeed and as everyone knows, Zorro rides a stallion!

[Sepulveda looks worried.]

de Soto [as he walks away]
Lancers!

[Mendoza and the other lancers follow de Soto.  Sepulveda stops and looks at the horse for a second then walks on.  Diego and Felipe smile at each other then start laughing with relief.]

[Exterior wide shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

[Interior shot of the de la Vega hacienda as Don Alejandro walks into the foyer where Diego is waltzing with Victoria as Mendoza watches, trying to imitate Diego's movements.]

Diego [as he and Victoria dance]
One, two, three. . .  One, two, three. . .  One, two, three. . .

[Mendoza steps up to Diego and Victoria and clears his throat.  Diego and Victoria stop dancing.]

Mendoza
Con permiso.  Perhaps, Señorita Escalante, you would grace this humble servant of the Royal Brigade with a dance?

Victoria [as Diego sits down at the piano]
Well, it would be my pleasure.

[Diego starts playing ‘Cielito Lindo' as Mendoza and Victoria waltz around the foyer while Don Alejandro watches.]

Don Alejandro
Very nice, Sergeant Mendoza, very nice. [to Diego] Diego, I think you've done it. [Diego smiles and continues to play.] The perfect gentleman.

[Mendoza and Victoria stop dancing.  Mendoza holds up his hand.]

Mendoza
Watch this, Don Alejandro.  This is my favorite part.

[Diego stops playing as Mendoza bows over Victoria's hand before kissing it.]

Don Alejandro [as he and Diego start clapping]
Bravo!

Victoria
And my favorite part will be having our sales tax repealed when you get your promotion.

[A door is flung open off camera then Felipe runs into the room.  Diego stands up.]

Diego
What is it, Felipe?

[Felipe passes both of his hands over the top of his head then crosses his wrists together then runs his fingers over his eyes.]

Diego
The Alcalde has captured. . .Zorro?

[Felipe puts his hand out toward Diego.]

Victoria [worriedly]
What?  Excuse me, I must go.

[She runs off to her left as Mendoza reaches to his right for his hat.]

Don Alejandro [to Diego]
Are you going?

Diego
Uh, no.  Um, the less I have to do with the Alcalde the better. As it is, I might wind up in his garrsion.

Don Alejandro [pointing at Diego]
Good.

[He walks past Diego.  Diego reaches his left hand toward Felipe's shoulder as they start walking toward the library.]

Diego
Elaborate, amigo.

[Felipe put his hand by his right ear as they walk.]

[Closeup shot of a man with a noose hanging in front of his face.  The camera pans to the man's right to show de Soto standing next to him.]

de Soto
My friends! [Behind his head, Don Alejandro, Victoria, and Mendoza can be seen riding into the pueblo.]  The search for the outlaw Zorro has finally come to any end.

Dominguez [standing in front of the tavern]
Excellent work, Alcalde.  Now this will impress the governor.

Don Alejandro [as he and Victoria step out in front of Dominguez]
Señor Alcalde, wait a minute!  No, there's a mistake been made! [He points at the gallows.] That man is Eliedar Real!

de Soto
De la Vega, your error only proves his cunning use of disguises.  Make no mistake about it, this man is Zorro.

Victoria [to Don Alejandro as she stares at the man on the gallows]
Well, it could be Zorro.  I mean, he is handsome enough. [to de Soto] But can you prove it?

de Soto [holding up a wad of black cloth]
We found this in his house.  The same black satin from which he fashions his infamous black cape.

[He tosses down the cloth and Don Alejandro reaches out to catch it.]

de Soto
Proceed with the hanging!

Don Alejandro
No!  You listen to me just for reasoning.  Please. [He holds up the black cloth.] Just last week, Jose's father-in-law was killed in an accident.  This black satin material that you found.  Look at it!  It's obviously the widow's mourning dress!

[De Soto shakes his head.]

Dominguez
If there is any doubt, Alcalde, we must wait for the territorial magistrate.

de Soto
Trust me, Captain, once we have disposed of this abominable felon, things will change in our fair pueblo.  Proceed with the hanging!

Zorro [off camera at first]
You're hanging the wrong man, Alcalde.

[Zorro rides Toronado into the pueblo.  He throws his dagger and it slices the rope right above the noose.]

Victoria [bouncing happily]
Zorro!

de Soto
This man's obviously a fraud.  Meant to keep us from having our justice.

Zorro [spinning his whip over his head]
I assure you, Alcalde, there is only one Zorro.

[De Soto aims a pistol at Zorro.]

de Soto
You'll pay for this!

[Zorro uses his whip to knock the pistol from de Soto's hand.]

de Soto
Aaah!

[De Soto grabs a post on the gallows with his right hand to keep from falling.  Zorro keeps spinning his whip then coils it around de Soto's right wrist, then yanks on the whip.  De Soto is pulled from the gallows and lands head first into a barrel.  Dominguez looks disgusted as Mendoza eyes him nervously.]

de Soto [his voice muffled as he is upside down in the barrel, his legs flailing]
Mendoza!  Mendoza, there's things in here!  Get me out of here!

Zorro [riding up to Mendoza]
Good luck on your officers's examination, Sergeant.  I say the garrison could use a good man at the helm.

Mendoza [smiling and tipping his head]
Thank you, Zorro.

Zorro [saluting]
Adios.

[He rides away.  Mendoza stops smiling when he turns to look at Dominguez who is look at him a bit angrily.]

de Soto [off camera at first]
Sergeant!  Get me out of here! [He is still upside down in the barrel.] Get me out of here!

[Don Alejandro, Victoria, and the rest of the people in the plaza laugh.]

de Soto [his legs flailing]
Captain!

[Exterior shot of de Soto's office.]

Dominguez [off camera]
Officer's ceremonial attire for commissioned officers?

[Interior shot of de Soto's office as Mendoza stands at attention facing Dominguez.  De Soto sits at his desk.]

Mendoza
Full dress tunic, double brace epaulets, single edged rapier, worn on the left hip, sir.

Dominguez
Excellent.  Philosophy of the Spanish throne as to armed conflict?

Mendoza
Society needs to understand the perils of war to truly understand the security of peace.

Dominguez [nodding then turning to his left]
Very impressive, Alcalde.  This man has obviously been well-informed about the tenets of leadership. [He looks back at Mendoza.] Sergeant. . . [He steps up and puts his hand on Mendoza's right shoulder.] Señor, I am personally going to see that your applications for promotion will receive every possible consideration.

[De Soto looks at Mendoza then taps his own nose.  Mendoza looks at Dominguez and smiles.]

Mendoza
Thank you, sir.  And if I may say so, sir, you have a very impressive nose.

[Dominguez instantly looks anger and glares at Mendoza.]

Dominguez [through clenched teeth]
What did you say?

[Mendoza gulps nervously.]

Dominguez
My nose?  This hideous disfigurement?  Broken four times in battle? [De Soto looks on passively as Dominguez touches his own nose.] The source of my perpetual failure with women?  A barrier to a better life?

Mendoza
I'm sorry, sir.  I only meant. . .

Dominguez
Mock me!  To ridicule a superior officer! [He holds up Mendoza's application and starts to crumple it up.] You're not fit to eat with an officer's horse!

[He shoves the crumpled application down the front of Mendoza's uniform.]

Mendoza
Uh!

Dominguez [grabbing Mendoza by the shoulders.]
Get out of my sight! [He pushes Mendoza to his right.] Out! [Mendoza opens a door.] Out!

[Mendoza shuts the door behind him.  De Soto holds his face in his hand.]

[Exterior shot of the pueblo as Mendoza walks over to the tavern.  Diego, Victoria, and Don Alejandro come out of the tavern to meet Mendoza on the porch.]

Diego
How did it go, Sergeant?

Don Alejandro
Did we win the bet?

Mendoza [to Diego]
I'll get you a good bunk with the enlisted men.

[Diego exhales defeatedly.]

Victoria
You mean the Alcalde won?  You didn't get the promotion?

Don Alejandro
The sales tax is still in effect?

Victoria
But, Sergeant, you were so well rehearsed.  You knew exactly what to say, how to behave.

[Mendoza just walks through them then stops and turns to Diego.]

Mendoza
You will look good in a uniform, Don Diego.

[Diego smiles and chuckles nervously.]

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

[Exterior shot of the cuartel as de Soto walks past the cuartel gate.  The lancer standing there salutes de Soto, who salutes back as he keep walking.  De Soto stops as Dominguez comes up to him and hands him a scroll.]

Dominguez
This letter will serve to verify all denials of all promotions in this garrison.

de Soto
Perhaps next time.

Dominguez [in a low growling tone]
The authorities in Monterey will be disappointed to learn of your abject failure to capture Zorro.

de Soto
Ah, yes.  Well, I've already posted a letter to the governor, detailing Zorro's pernicious tactics and requesting additional men.

Dominguez
If that boorish, insulting sergeant of yours is all you have to offer, you're going to need all the help you can get.

[De Soto nods.  Diego marches up to de Soto and Dominguez, then stops, clicking his heels together.]

Diego [in a loud strident voice]
Private de la Vega, reporting for duty, sir.

[He salutes de Soto, who salutes back.  Diego then turns and saluted Dominguez.]

Diego
Sir.

Dominguez [saluting back]
I see you wasted no time in recruiting, Alcalde.

Diego
Oh, no, sir.  The Alcalde is really quite aggressive when it comes to recruiting.  He even made a wager with my father calling for my immediate induction should Sergeant Mendoza fail to win promotion.

[Dominguez grins and looks over at de Soto, who smiles back nervously.]

Dominguez [chuckling]
Really?  Tell me more, Private.

Diego
Other than the fact that such recruitment procedures are in direct violation of Section Fourteen of the Royal Spanish Military Code, there's really not much to say.  Other than that I would be glad to serve my country, sir.

[He salutes and clicks his heels again.]

Dominguez [saluting]
Very impressive, Alcalde. You've finally got a thinking soldier in the ranks. [to Diego] Señor, we need more men like you.

[He salutes Diego, who salutes back.]

Dominguez [to de Soto]
Carry on.

[Dominguez and de Soto salute each other then Dominguez walks off to his left.  Diego turns, clicks his heels, and salutes de Soto, who eyes Diego nervously as he starts to salute.  De Soto then walks toward his office instead.  He stops, turns around and walks back over to Diego, then beckons with his right index finger.  He then points his finger toward his office.  Diego salutes, clicks his heels and turns, marching toward the office, followed by de Soto.  Diego stops outside the office, makes a sharp turn, clicks his heels, then goes through the office door.  De Soto follows.]

[Exterior shot of de Soto's office as Diego comes out the front door, looking over his shoulder.  He shakes his head then walks out into the plaza.  Don Alejandro walks up to him.  Diego holds out his arms then drops them.]

Don Alejandro [as they walk away from the cuartel]
Well, come on, Diego.  How did it go?

Diego [putting his hand on Don Alejandro's arm and chuckling]
Well, it seems the Alcalde has no use whatsoever for the thinking soldier.  He accused me of disloyalty and threw me out.

Don Alejandro [laughing]
That means you are off the hook, huh?

Diego
Yes.  A hook you put me on with that impulsive wager of yours.

Don Alejandro
Well, I'm sorry about that, Diego, but you know sometimes impulsiveness is good for the soul.  You should try it sometime.

Diego
Well, if I were a betting man, I know one bet I'd certainly make.

Don Alejandro
What is that?

Diego
That the Alcalde hasn't seen the last of Zorro.

[Don Alejandro smiles, shakes his head then keeps walking.  Diego turns, looks at de Soto's office, shakes his head then sighs before following Don Alejandro.]

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

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland   9 & 10 August 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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