"The Challenge"

Written and Directed by Robert L McCullough

First US Airdate 25 November 1990 Episode 2.11
 

[Exterior shot of the pueblo as a carriage goes underneath the pueblo gate and into the plaza as a man on horseback rides out.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as people walk about as the shot pans to where Victoria is placing a basket into the back of a wagon.  Diego and Don Alejandro stand nearby as a boy with a blanket comes up to Victoria.]

Victoria [as the boy hands her the blanket]
Gracias.

Don Alejandro [as he and Diego come over to her with another blanket and basket]
Victoria.

Victoria
Thank you, Don Alejandro.  I'm sure your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

[Exterior shot of a man wearing a fringed buckskin jacket sitting at a table with a glass of brown liquid and a rifle lying across the table.  He stares ahead.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Ramone and Mendoza walk across it.  Ramone stops by the wagon while Mendoza walks past it.]

Ramone [crossly]
What's this?

Victoria [somewhat defiantly as Mendoza stops and stands beside her]
These good people have made contributions of food, clothing, and baskets for the Indians living outside the pueblo.

Mendoza
Ah, what a wonderful idea, Señorita.  Such generosity.

[Diego stands behind Victoria and Mendoza writing something in a little notebook.]

Ramone
You intend to feed those savages?

Victoria
Without our help, they will be driven off by the cold and hunger.

Ramone
Perhaps then we can put that land to better use.

Diego
Indians have lived on that land for centuries.

Ramone
Perhaps so.  But I will not let my citizens risk life and limb.

Don Alejandro
What do you mean?  "Your citizens."

[He angrily tosses a blanket into the back of the wagon.]

Ramone
I have been entrusted with the public safety of this pueblo.  A woman [he gestures toward Victoria] riding alone into the Indian camp will fall prey to their barbarous cruelty.

Diego [closing his notebook]
I'll be glad to drive out there with Victoria.

[He bends down and picks up something as Victoria puts her hands on her hips and smiles smugly at Ramone.]

Ramone [snarling]
Your on-going attempt to undermine my authority is duly noted. [He turns and faces the plaza, raising his right hand and his voice.] In the interest of public safety, and by official emergency decree. . .

[The man in the buckskin jacket picks up his rifle then stands up.]

Ramone
. . .no citizen of Los Angeles is allowed to enter the Indian land. . .

[Victoria indignantly turns to Don Alejandro.]

Ramone
. . .without my personal authorization.

Man in the Buckskin Jacket [as he comes up to Victoria]
Well, in that case, ma'am, I'd be glad to take this wagon to them Indians.

[Ramone turns around angrily.]

Victoria
You will?

Man in the Buckskin Jacket
Yes, ma'am.

Victoria
But who. . .

Ramone [pointed a gloved finger at the man]
. . .are you?

Man in the Buckskin Jacket
Name's Joshua Barnes. [nods at Mendoza] And since I just paid a traveler's tax, I'm sure no citizen. [He walks toward Ramone.] So your emergency decree doesn't fly to me, does it?

[Mendoza moves forward to stand beside Ramone as Barnes climbs up into the driver's seat of the wagon.]

Ramone
But the Indians will have your hide!  You'll be killed!

Barnes
Mister, I smoked the peace pipe with the Iroquois, nearly been scalped by the Apache.  I married a Cree woman.  I truly doubt I'll have any trouble with the Indians around here.

Victoria [as she comes over to stand beside Ramone]
Thank you, Mister Barnes.

Barnes [tipping his head and saluting]
Ma'am.

[He drives off with the wagon.]

Ramone [quietly to Mendoza]
I want four men, armed and mounted.

Mendoza [as Diego obviously eavesdrops]
But Alcalde. . .

Ramone [growling]
Now!

[Mendoza walks off resigned.  Diego comes to stand beside Don Alejandro.]

Diego
Looks like Joshua has more than Indians to worry about.

[Don Alejandro nods.]

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

[Exterior Day de la Vega hacienda]

[Interior Zorro's cave]

Diego's voice [off camera]
I'm not sure Felipe. . .

[Zorro and Felipe walk down the steps into the cave]

Zorro
But if something unfortunate where to befall Joshua Barnes while he's defying the Alcalde's wishes [Zorro picks up hi whip from a laboratory table.] it would certainly be a simple matter to lay the blame on the Indians.

[He goes over to where a saddled Toronado is waiting and climbs into the saddle.  Felipe make several hand gestures ending with squeezing his fist near his heart.]

Zorro
Yes, Señor Barnes is a brave man.  But where the Alcalde is concerned, bravery may not be enough.

[Felipe stares as Zorro turns Toronado around and exits the cave.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Joshua Barnes drives the wagon over rough terrain.]

[Exterior shot of Zorro and Toronado emerging from some trees and riding down a steep hillside.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as four lancers and four horses mill around, grabbing their rifles from their saddles and murmuring unintelligibly to each other.  One lancers points the other three lancers into three different directions and they take up positions behind rocks.  Barnes driving the wagon comes into view and one of the lancers primes his rifle before aiming it at the wagon.  Zorro comes up behind the lancer and taps him on the shoulder.]

Lancer [turning around]
Huh?

[Zorro punches the lancer in the face and the lancer falls with a thud.  Then Zorro jumps over some huge rocks, landing near another lancer before backhanding him across the face.  Barnes drives along obliviously.  A third lancer is pointing his rifle then licks his thumb before touching it to the end of the rifle barrel then aims it at Barnes. As the lancer cocks the rifle, Zorro who is standing above him, wraps his whip around the barrel and jerks it upward as it fires.  Barnes jumps at the sound of the shot and looks concerned.  Zorro hits the lancer in the head with the butt of the rifle, then tosses it to the ground before jumping down.  Barnes starts driving the wagon faster.  The fourth lancers fires his rifle, hitting a support stake of the wagon bed.  Barnes really looks alarmed now.  The lancer starts to reload his rifle.  Barnes stands up as he whips up the reins driving the wagon's horses.  Zorro, holding a rifle, comes up behind the fourth lancer who turns around in time for Zorro to smack him upside the head with the rifle butt.  Zorro then jumps onto Toronado's back, turns him around, and rides up to the top of a hill before disappearing over the crest.  Barnes stares openmouthed, presumably at Zorro who is now riding across a flat piece of land.  Barnes stares some more.]

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

[Exterior shot of the tavern porch where Ramone, Mendoza, and four lancers sit at a table while Victoria, who is holding a tray, uses a pitcher to fill their glasses.]

Mendoza [to Ramone]
I don't believe it!  She's going to give Barnes the last of the tamales.

[Victoria walks across the porch with the tray to where Don Alejandro and Diego are sitting at a table with Barnes.]

Don Alejandro
Are you sure there wasn't anyone else?

Barnes
No. . .No, there was just. . .just one f. . .

Victoria [placing the last of the tamales in front of Barnes]
Lunch is on the house, Señor Barnes.

Barnes
Well, thanks, ma'am.  I'll be glad to pay. . .

Victoria [waving her hand]
No, no.  I insist.  In return for getting those supplies through to the Indians.

[Don Alejandro raises in glass at Barnes.]

Barnes
Thank you, ma'am. [He looks over at Don Alejandro and Diego.] Well, like I was saying, there was just one of them; tall, masked. . .

Ramone [who was about to take a drink, pauses to eavesdrop]

Barnes
and riding a black horse.

Victoria
Zorro?

Diego [rubbing his chin]
He does fit that description.

Victoria [looking troubled]
But Zorro would never attack an innocent man.

Barnes
Well, somebody took a couple of shots at me.

[Ramone stands up and moves closer.]

Barnes
And he was the only one I saw.  Who is this Zorro, anyway?

Victoria [gushingly as Ramone comes up and stands behind Barnes]
Well. . .he is the most wonderful. . .intell. . .

Ramone [as he picks up Barnes's rifle]
Renegade with a bounty on his head.  A bounty I would gladly pay to any man who put a bullet in his back.  You had your chance today, Señor.  Why didn't you take it?

[Ramone examines Barnes's rifle.]

Barnes [nodding once]
Well, he wasn't much of a shot.

Ramone [setting the rifle down next to Barnes]
A rifle like this, you must be used to your share of killing.

Barnes
Nothing I'm very proud of. [He moves the rifle away form Ramone.] That's why I'm here.  Though I'd settle down.  Get some land.  Try my hand at farming.

Don Alejandro [smiling]
Well, glad to hear that. [He raises his glass toward Diego.] Maybe we can help?

[Diego nods as Barnes smiles as Ramone looks annoyed.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside.  Don Alejandro, Barnes, and Diego are standing in front of three horses.  Diego is holding a large piece of paper that Barnes is pointing at.  Don Alejandro points at the paper then points straight ahead at a piece of flat land (that looks exactly like the flat land Zorro rode across earlier in the episode).  The men talk inaudibly with each other as the camera pans out.]

[Exterior shot of the tavern at night as cricket chirps and an owl hoots.  Two men walk onto the tavern porch as Don Alejandro, Barnes, and Diego emerge from the front door.]

Don Alejandro [folding up a piece of paper]
Congratulations, Joshua. [He hands the paper to Barnes.] You are now the proud owner of forty prime acres.

Diego
What do you plan to grow?

Barnes
I'm not sure yet.

Ramone [suddenly stepping out in front of Barnes]
I'm afraid you cannot grow anything on the de la Vega property.

Barnes
What are you talking about?  That's prime bottom land.  Corn, beans, [he glances over at the de la Vegas]
fruit trees, maybe?

Ramone
I'm afraid these gentlemen have taken your money under false pretenses. [Don Alejandro and Diego look offended.] We have a law in this pueblo against the selling of property to foreigners.

Diego
I don't recall any such law.

Mendoza [nervously]
He just passed it ten minutes ago.

Diego [sighing loudly then shaking his head]
Why wouldn't you want a new taxpayer on the books?

Ramone
Don Diego, money isn't everything.  The people who have the privilege of paying property taxes do so as citizens loyal to the Spanish crown.

Barnes [shrugging]
Alright, I'll become a citizen.

Ramone
It isn't that easy.  You have to prove your loyalty.

Don Alejandro [angrily]
How he's supposed to do that?

Ramone
A man who had crossed the American west frontier, survived on his own. . .  This man can find Zorro. . .and kill him.

Barnes
Sorry.  I'm just looking to be a farmer.  As far as tracking a man down and killing him. . .[he steps off the porch and starts to walk past Ramone] I just soon go to jail.

Ramone
Fine. [points at Barnes] Arrest him.

Mendoza
But Alcalde. . .[Ramone glares at him.] Si, mi alcalde.

[Two lancers move toward Barnes.]

Don Alejandro
You know you can't do that.

Ramone
Can't I?  Watch me.

[He turns and walks away.]

Don Alejandro [chasing after Ramone as the two lancers lead Barnes away]
Excuse me!  What about due process of law?

[Diego throws up his hands as he walks past Mendoza.  Mendoza turns to stare at Victoria (who suddenly just appeared on the porch).]

Victoria
The Alcalde is obsessed with Zorro!  Absolutely obsessed!

Mendoza
This is very true.

[Hoof beats are heard in the distance, drawing Mendoza's attention.  Three men ride into the plaza as Victoria looks on.]

Mendoza [peevishly, off camera]
Now what?

[The three men on horseback ride up to the tavern and stop in front of Mendoza and Victoria.]

Mendoza
Buenos noches.

Victoria [crossing her arms over her stomach]
Are you. . .gentlemen looking for a room?

Guy with Long Straight Hair
We're looking for Joshua Barnes.

[Mendoza looks nervous.  Victoria puts her hands on her hips and looks concerned.]

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

[Exterior night shot of the plaza as crickets chirp.]

[Exterior night shot of tavern porch as the three men sit at a table.]

Guy with Long Straight Hair [in a low voice]
He didn't even cover his tracks.  This is going to be easy.

Guy with Brown Curly Hair
Yeah, but any man who can get the drop on Pa must be some kind of shooter.

Guy with Black Curly Hair
Shooter or not, he's gonna die.

[Ramone strolls up to the men's table.]

Ramone
I understand you gentlemen are looking for Joshua Barnes.

Guy with Black Curly Hair [standing up]
Do you know where he is?

Ramone [a bit snarly]
Indeed I do.  He's in my jail.

Guy with Long Straight Hair
Yeah?  What for?  Did he shoot somebody?

Ramone
Not exactly.  Why are you looking for him?

Guy with Black Curly Hair
Let's just call it. . .family business.

Ramone
Well. .   If you. . .gentlemen were to solve a little problem for me, I could release him at your earliest convenience.

Guy with Long Straight Hair
Yeah?  What's this ‘little problem'?

Ramone
There is this man. . .a masked bandit.  Calls himself Zorro.

Guy with Brown Curly Hair
Zorro?  What kind of fool name is that?

Ramone [smirking]
Yes, it is rather silly, isn't it? [his face and tone become serious] Be that as it may. . .kill Zorro and I will release Joshua Barnes from my jail.

[The three men stare at each other as Ramone looks on smugly.]

[Exterior night shot of the Alcalde's office.]

[Interior shot of the jail as Barnes paces in a cell while Don Alejandro and Diego stand outside the bars.]

Don Alejandro
We'll find a good lawyer in the morning, Barnes.

Barnes [indignantly]
What I need a lawyer for?  I've done nothing wrong.

Ramone [suddenly appearing]
I should warn you, Señor Barnes.  Free advice, especially given from the de la Vegas, is worth precisely what you pay for it.

Don Alejandro
You have no right to detain this man.

Ramone
Perhaps not.  I shall release the prisoner in the morning.

Diego
Morning?  Why not right now?

Ramone
Because there are some friends of Señor Barnes that need some time to prepare a little. . .reception. . .for him.  The. . .Harper brothers, I believe?

[Barnes looks worried as he sags against the cell wall.]

Barnes
Harpers?  They followed me all the way out here?  Looking for me?

Ramone
I could provide you with some protection, if you would only cooperate.

Barnes [walking toward the cell door]
I told ya. . .I'm though with killing.

Diego
What makes you so sure Joshua could kill Zorro, even if he wanted to?

Ramone [with a sarcastic snort as he addresses Barnes]
They don't know who you really are, do they?

[Barnes looks at Ramone nervously.  Ramone smiles evilly then turns and leaves.  Barnes looks over at Don Alejandro and Diego.]

Don Alejandro
What's he talking about, Barnes?

Barnes [sagging against the cell wall again]
Back in Abilene, (a town that did not exist in neither in Kansas until 1857 nor in Texas until 1881, well past the setting of this series, which is in the 1820's) the sheriff of the town was killed by a man named Jake Harper.  Since I'd done some tracking, the people of the town wanted me to find him and bring him back for trial.  I found him all right, but he wouldn't listen to reason.  Drew down on me, and I shot him.  After that, every young hot-head wanting to make a name for himself came looking for me.

Diego
So Jake Harper's sons are seeking revenge.

Barnes [shaking his head]
I never should've shot him.

Don Alejandro
You had no choice.

Diego
If what the Alcalde says is true, you won't have any choice at dawn either.

[Barnes looks nervously around his cell.]

[Exterior night shot of the de la Vega hacienda as a coyote howls and crickets chirp.]

[Interior shot of Zorro's cave as Zorro swings a round object tied to the end of a rope as Felipe enters the cave.  Zorro swings the object up into the air then catches it as Felipe sets down a couple of handfuls of rocks onto a laboratory table.]

Zorro
Excellent, Felipe, those will do nicely. [He places the round object and rope onto the table.] Now you'll see while a straight line is the shortest distance between two points, it may not always be the best route to take.

[Felipe looks confused as Zorro picks up then breaks off the tip of an arrow.  Zorro then picks up one of the rocks Felipe brought and ties it to the broken end of the arrow as Felipe watches.]

[Exterior night shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado over various terrains.]

[Exterior shot of the pueblo gate as the sun begins to rise.]

[Exterior dawn shot of the pueblo as the Harper brothers stand in front of a building.  The Brother with Black Curly Hair cups his hands and the Brother with Brown Curly Hair puts his foot into the cupped hands and is boosted up onto the building's porch roof.  The Brother with Brown Curly Hair gets to his feet then the Brother with Long Straight Hair tosses a rifle up to him.  The Brother with Brown Curly Hair then climbs to the top of the building's roof and hides behind a buttress-type projection and aims the rifle.]

[Exterior day shot of the pueblo gate as Zorro rides Toronado up to the gate then stops and goes to the right side of the gate where he gets out a rope and ties one end of it to a extremely handy iron ring hanging on the side of the gate.  Zorro then moves Toronado to the left side of the gate and ties the other end of the rope to the iron ring hanging on that side of the gate.]

[Exterior shot of the pueblo as the Brother with Long Straight Hair, carrying a rifle, and the Brother with Black Curly Hair walk to the side of a building.  The Brother with the Black Curly Hair points at some barrels and whispers inaudibly to the Brother with the Long Hair.  The Brother with the Long Straight Hair crouches down behind barrels as the Brother with Black Curly Hair looks across the plaza.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Alcalde's office's front door.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as the Brother with Black Curly Hair walks toward the plaza fountain as the Brother with Long Straight Hair aims his rifle.  The Brother with Black Curly Hair takes a pistol from the sash tied around his waist as he walks.]

[Exterior shot of Zorro walking across several building roofs, carrying a crossbow.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as the Brother with Black Curly Hair walks across the plaza carrying his pistol with a sour look on his face.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro crouches down while still holding the crossbow.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as the Brother with Black Curly Hair keeps walking across the plaza carrying his pistol as people scatter.  He then stops.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Alcalde's office's front door.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Black Curly Hair turning and looking upward.]

[Exterior closeup shot of building roof #2 of the Brother with Brown Curly Hair aiming his rifle.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Black Curly Hair blurring as he turns to look at the Brother with Long Straight Hair by the barrels aiming his rifle.  The Brother with Black Curly Hair nods.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 of Zorro on the rooftop holding his crossbow.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #2 of the Brother with Brown Curly Hair aiming his rifle.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza of the Brother with Long Straight Hair crouching behind the barrels as the wind starts blowing.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro stands up and aims his crossbow.]

[Exterior closeup shot of building roof #2 of the Brother with Brown Curly Hair.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro fires his crossbow and the camera pans upward as it follows the rock arrow's trajectory.]

[Exterior closeup shot of building roof #2 of the Brother with Brown Curly Hair as the rock arrow hits him on the head.]

Brother with Brown Curly Hair [as he falls to one side and disappears from the shot]
Uhhh. . .

[Exterior shot of building roof #1where Zorro is standing as he crouches bad down then nods.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Long Straight Hair by the barrels.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro stands up slightly holding the round object on a rope and starts swinging it back and forth.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Long Straight Hair's arm and rifle as seen from above.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro stands up completely and begins to swing the rope harder and in ever bigger circles.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Long Straight Hair's arm and rifle as seen from above.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro keeps swinging the rope into bigger circles down the side of the building he is standing on.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Long Straight Hair as he looks up.]

Brother with Long Straight Hair [looking confused]
What's that?

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 of Zorro still swinging the rope then suddenly reversing its direction.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Long Straight Hair as the round object on the end of the rope hits him in the face.]

Brother with Long Straight Hair [as he falls down]
Ahh. . .Uhh. . .

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro pulls up the round object and coils up the rope before he crouches back down then rises up a little.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Brother with Black Curly Hair stands there with a sour look on his face.]

[Exterior closeup of the Alcalde's office's front door as Ramone steps out holding a pistol by end of its barrel.]

[Exterior closeup of the Brother with Black Curly Hair.]

Brother with Black Curly Hair
Where's Barnes?

[Exterior shot of the Alcalde's office as Ramone looks over his shoulder before leaning against a porch roof support pole as Barnes emerges from the doorway followed by a lancer.  Barnes walks past Ramone and opens both sides of his jacket then raising his hands slightly.]

Ramone [moving forward and still holding the pistol by the end of its barrel]
You're going to need this.

[Ramone tosses the pistol toward Barnes.  The camera cuts to a closeup of the pistol on the ground.  Barnes glances down at it then back up.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro watches.]

[Exterior closeup shot of the Brother with Black Curly Hair still with a sour look on is face.]

[Exterior closeup shot of Ramone looking smug then narrowing his eyes]

[Exterior shot of the plaza.]

Barnes
I have no quarrel with you, Seth. (sounds like he saying Zeth)

Seth (formerly known as Brother with Black Curly Hair) [in an angry whine]
You killed my pa!

Barnes
What happened was his fault.  This won't bring your pa back, Seth.

Seth [in same angry whine]
Maybe not.  But at least you'll pay.  Now pick it up!

[Barnes glances down at the pistol then back up at Seth.  Ramone smirks smugly then looks slowly upward.]

[Exterior shot of building roof #1 as Zorro watches from the roof and smiling slightly.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza.]

Ramone [pointing upward and in a whisper]
Zorro.

[Exterior shot of the tavern as Zorro starts running across its roof to the right.]

Ramone [off camera]
Lancers!

[Closeup shot of Seth as he raises his pistol and fires at Barnes.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Barnes stands still as Ramone gestures and yells.]

Ramone [as the lancer in the doorway just stands there]
Lancers!

[A plume of smoke rises from the roof support post to Barnes's right.  Barnes ducks then rolls on the ground, grabbing the pistol that Ramone threw onto the ground earlier.  Ramone runs over to the cuartel gates.]

Ramone [as he pushed the gates open]
Lancers!

[Barnes stands up and points the pistol at Seth.]

Ramone [off camera]
Lancers!  Lancers!

Seth [yelling to his right]
Brad! (almost sounded like he was yelling bread) [yelling to his left] Charlie!

Barnes
Looks like it's just you and me now, Seth

[Seth throws his fired pistol onto the ground.]

Seth [throwing out his hands]
Go ahead!  Do it!

Barnes
No. [pauses] No more killing.

[Seth looks on nervously.]

[Exterior shot of the cuartel as Ramone runs around yelling.]

Ramone
Men!  Men!  Come on! [waves his right arm] After him!

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Ramone runs up to Seth and points his right arm across Seth's chest.]

Ramone
That's Zorro, Harper!

[Seth takes another pistol from the sash tied around his waist.]

Ramone [angrily]
We had a deal!

[Zorro rides across the plaza on Toronado, holding his sword upright in his right hand and the reins in his left hand.]

Ramone [off camera]
Shoot him!

Zorro [as he reins in Toronado]
It's time the killing stops, Señor!

[Seth lowers his pistol.]

Zorro [reaching downward with his sword]
A lesson you should learn, Alcalde.

[Closeup shot of a ‘Z' being slashed into Ramone's brown paisley vest.]

[Closeup shot of Ramone look down at the ‘Z' in horror then looking up.]

Voices [off camera]
Hey ya!  Hey ya!

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Zorro looks to his right then rides off to his left.]

[Exterior shot of the cuartel as several lancers ride out of the gate on horseback.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Zorro rides past Ramone who looks confused as the lancers give chase.  Zorro rides through the plaza as the camera focuses on the rope Zorro strung across the pueblo gate earlier.  Zorro ducks as he rides under the rope.  The first lancer to the pueblo gate rides right into the rope with his throat then is flipped backward off his horse.  The other lancers pull up their horses, who rear, as the first lancer rolls around on the ground.  Zorro and Toronado ride away on the road out of the pueblo.]

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

[Exterior day shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro ties a rope around two perpendicular fence posts.  Diego approaches from Don Alejandro's right carrying more rope as Barnes approaches from Don Alejandro's left.]

Barnes
Pretty nice of you fellas to give me a helping hand.

Don Alejandro [grunting as he ties the rope]
Well, remember what they say - "Good fences maybe make good neighbors," huh?

Diego
The Harper brothers rode out of town earlier today.

[He raises his right hand as hoof beats sound off camera.]

Barnes
Oh?  That's too bad.

[The camera pans out to show Mendoza riding up to the other three men.]

Barnes
Was gonna offer them a job, but I guess Zorro's got ‘em spooked.

Mendoza [nervously looking around as he brings his horse to a stop]
Zorro?  Did you say Zorro?  He hasn't been around here, has he?

Diego [to Don Alejandro]
I guess the Harper brothers aren't the only ones.

[Don Alejandro chuckles.]

Mendoza
Mister Barnes, you're a good man.  If there is anything I can do. . . [raises his left hand] Unofficially, that is, of course.

[Barnes looks at Don Alejandro, who points at a shovel and smiles.]

Barnes
Well, you can start by getting off that horse and digging us a post hole.

Mendoza
Oh. [chuckles and smiles] I would like to.  You see, [he reaches his left hand around to his back] it's my back.  So many grueling military campaigns.  I have to be careful.

Diego [walking up to Mendoza]
Sergeant, I've got just the job for you.

[Mendoza looks at him expectantly as Diego reaches down.]

Diego
Suppose you ride into town and fetch us all some lunch?

[He hands Mendoza some coins.]

Mendoza
Excellent idea, Don Diego.  They're serving chile relleno at the tavern. [He chuckles.] Gentlemen, lunch is on its way!

[Mendoza turns his horse and rides off in the direction he came.]

Diego
I'm afraid the only thing Mendoza know about fences is sitting on them.

[Barnes and Don Alejandro laugh.]

Don Alejandro [shaking a finger at Diego]
Good.

[Diego smiles.]

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

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland 31 January 2013 & 6 February 2013

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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