Dead Men Tell No Tales
This
episode was written by Philip John Taylor and directed by Ron Satlof. The theme
that introduced this episode was the slower version sung by a male. It is most
probably the first episode that was shot.
(The hacienda. Diego has a telescope set up and has it focused on the Moon as Felipe approaches with a lit lamp.)
Diego: Put out that light. (Felipe blows out the lamp. Diego writes something on papers spread beside him. He alternates looking through the telescope and writing as he talks to Felipe.) What is it, Felipe? (Felipe points to the clock.) Well yes, I know the hour is late. You see, there is one obstacle which has vexed astronomers down through the ages. One can only study the moon at night. Take a look. (Felipe looks through the telescope.) Isn't she magnificent? She's the empress of all she surveys. You know, one day I believe we'll actually journey to the moon. (Startled, Felipe looks at him as if he’s lost his mind.) Well, not you and I, Felipe. When I say “we,” I mean mankind. (Felipe is relieved.) The sound of a horse’s hooves is heard.) Who could be in such a hurry at this time of night? (Diego points the telescope toward the sound. He sees a man riding a horse in the distance.) The man is riding as though a pack of jackals were at his heels.
(The tavern. There is a knock at the door. She walks forward in the darkened tavern and opens the locked door.)
Victoria: Mendoza, you’ll have to wait until morning… (She opens the door to find a stranger there.)
Morales: A room for the night, Señorita.
Victoria: A room? It's rather late.
Morales: And I have ridden long and hard. Is this a tavern or is it not?
Victoria: Very well, this way please. (She lets the man enter.)
(Upstairs. Victoria opens the door to one of the rooms for let. The man enters and looks around.)
Morales: Is the best you have to offer?
Victoria: I'm afraid so, but as you said, it's just for one night.
Morales: Then I suppose it will have to suffice. (He throws his saddlebags onto the bedstead.) I’ll expect breakfast at dawn.
Victoria: So early? You must have a long journey ahead of you.
Morales: That is none of your business. (He rudely pushes her out the door.) At dawn. Don't forget! (He slams the door in her face.)
Victoria: Sí, Señor. Buenas noches. (She is furious.) Oh!
(The plaza early the next morning. Mendoza has just awakened and heads from the quartel across the plaza.)
Mendoza: (Through a yawn.) I should be in bed. (He swipes an apple from a vendor’s cart.)
(Upstairs at the tavern. Victoria, carrying a breakfast tray, knocks on her tenant’s door.)
Victoria: Señor Morales? Buenas dias. (There is no answer and she knocks again.) Señor Morales? (She opens the door and screams. Señor Morales is lying face-up in bed. There are blood stains on his shirt directly over his heart.)
(The plaza. Mendoza is at the fountain and hears her screams. He runs toward the tavern.)
(Upstairs at the tavern.)
Victoria: (She picks a blood knife up off the floor.) Dios mio.
Mendoza: (Entering) Señorita! I was just bringing the Alcalde's coffee and when I heard you scream —(He sees the man in bed.) Señorita, what have you done? (Victoria can only shake her head in confusion.)
(The cave)
Diego: It’s time for you to learn some swordsmanship. Here! (He tosses a sword to Felipe. Felipe immediately lunges at Diego with the sword. Diego easily bats it away with his own.) Excellent. But you forgot the salute. That’s very impolite. (Felipe spreads his arms.) You don't care if you're impolite? (Felipe draws his hand across his own neck.) You're trying to kill him? (Diego chuckles.) No, Felipe, the salute is an essential part of the ritual.
Alejandro: (From inside the hacienda) Diego!
Diego: I thought my father went to town? (Diego tosses his own sword to Felipe and runs up the steps toward the entrance. Emerging through the fireplace, he quickly sits at the piano and begins playing.)
Alejandro: (Entering) That's strange. I looked in here just a... (Diego keeps playing and he dismisses the thought.) Have you heard the news?
Diego: (Still playing) No.
Alejandro: Señorita Victoria has been arrested.
Diego: (He stops playing abruptly.) On what charge?
Alejandro: Murder. Sergeant Mendoza found her in a dorm with a bloody dagger in her hand and a dead man at her feet. They arrested her on the spot. (Diego begins to play again.) Now I ask you, how could anyone possibly believe that Victoria would ever — Oh, it's an outrage! (He begins pacing back and forth.)
Diego: How convenient that the good sergeant just happened to be passing by at such an early hour.
Alejandro: Yes. What was that?
Diego: Ah, nothing. Just an idle thought.
Alejandro: Hm. The Alcalde is up to something. Victoria needs our help.
Diego: (He stops playing and rises.) You're right. I'll take a basket of food to the jail for her.
Alejandro: And that's all?
Diego: Well, what else can we do? There's no evidence against the Alcalde. (Alejandro walks away with disbelief.)
(Outside the jail. Mendoza searches the basket of food Diego has brought as Diego patiently watches and waits.)
Diego: Everything in order, Sergeant? No files, no pistols?
Mendoza: Ah, the custard looks mouth-watering, Señor. (Diego laughs.) I'd better examine it further. There might be a weapon in the bottom. No, nothing there. Come along, Don Diego. (He takes the custard from the basket and begins to eat it as he leads Diego to the jail.)
(The jail. Both Mendoza and Diego enter.)
Diego: Señorita Escalante!
Victoria: Don Diego!
Diego: I’ve brought you some food.
Mendoza: (unlocking the door.) It is very tasty too. (Mendoza leaves as Victoria looks into the basket.)
Diego: Don't touch the custard. It was make especially for the sergeant.
(The plaza. Ramon sees Mendoza and approaches him.)
Ramon: Ah, Mendoza. I want you to —
Mendoza: (Suddenly holding his stomach) I'm sorry, Alcalde. Urgent business. Oooo! (He runs off leaving Ramon confused.)
(The jail)
Victoria: (As Diego paces back and forth.) He was very tall. And very rude. Oh, and he also had a mustache.
Diego: Whoever killed him certainly had a reason. Find out who exactly this Morales was and you're closer to finding the real killer. At least that's what my father believes.
Victoria: But how can it be done?
Diego: The dead man's belongings?
Victoria: The Alcalde impounded them at once. They are locked away in his office.
Diego: Indeed?
Victoria: Don Diego? Please help me.
(The cave)
Diego: (Entering from the hacienda and taking off his shirt.) Felipe! Saddle Toronado. (Felipe makes the sign of the “Z.”) Yes, tonight Zorro rides. (Diego begins changing into Zorro.)
(Zorro rides toward the pueblo. Once there, he climbs onto the roof of the quartel. Evading the soldiers on guard, he steps on a loose tile, dislodging it. Before it can hit the ground and alert the guards to his presence, he lashes out with his whip and neatly catches it. He puts it back in place quietly.)
Zorro: (Voiceover) I wish the Alcalde would have this roof repaired. (The key is in the lock of the alcalde’s office. Zorro manages to push the key out of the lock onto his cape pushed underneath the door. He pulls it toward him and enters with the key. There is a trunk in the office and Zorro picks the lock with his sword. He smiles as he inspects the saddlebags he finds. He then rips a piece from the bloody shirt and puts it in his pocket.
When he opens the door to leave, he sees the lancers with muskets ready to fire. He closes the door and locks it. They fire. More lancers arrive and so does Ramon.)
Ramon: Good evening, Zorro. Those shots were a warning. The pleasure of killing you is mine.
Zorro: My sword says differently, Señor Alcalde. (Zorro slides the latch of the door again, unlocking it. Ramon raises two pistols and aims at him.)
Zorro: Indeed, a sword is no match for a pistol, as your valor is no match for your mouth.
Ramon: Choose your next witticism with care, for it will be your last.
(Zorro smiles, opens the door as Ramon fires, wasting his shots. Zorro again locks the door and he and Ramon fence briefly before Zorro disarms him.)
Zorro: Your office is so drab, Alcalde. Allow me to redecorate it. (He uses his sword to carve a “Z” into the desk.) Much better, but such a cheap wood. Tsk. (The door opens. A lancer fires as both men duck. Zorro pushes the two lancers back through the door and throws the key to Ramon.) Yours, I believe. (He runs out of the office and begins climbing back up to the roof, fighting off lancers as he does so.)
Ramon: Get your rifles! Get your rifles! (The lancers raise their muskets.) Ready! Aim!
Zorro: (Gaining the roof.) Fire! (They fire as Zorro ducks behind a chimney. Zorro escapes on Toronado.)
(Outside the jail the next morning.)
Mendoza: (As Felipe hands him a plate of custard.) Ah hah! Baked for me? (Refusing the custard, Mendoza reaches into the basket Felipe carries.) I think I'll have a piece of this cake. (He waves Felipe on into the jail.)
[Two lancers are repairing the ‘Z' etched into his desk as Ramón enters his
office. The lancers stop their work and stand attention. Ramón glares at them
and walks past them on his way out of the office. Mendoza is once again walking
through the plaza, grabbing his belly and groaning. He runs right past Ramón
who was holding up his hand, meaning to speak to Mendoza. Again, Ramón stares
after Mendoza with a confused expression before striding off.]
(The alcalde’s office. Two lancers are trying to repair the desk. Ramon walks in and is obviously embarrassed by the need for this. He lifts his head high and continues through the room. The lancers return to their task. He sees Mendoza and walks up to him once more to say something. But Mendoza groans, clutches his stomach, and runs away. Ramon stares after him in bewilderment.)
(The jail.)
Victoria: (As Felipe hands her an orange from the basket). Gracias.
Ramon: (Entering) Who is this boy?
Victoria: A servant of the de la Vegas. He's a deaf-mute.
Ramon: (Waving him out.) Get out of here! (Felipe leaves the room but remains in the outer one, listening.) A gift from the oh-so-chivalrous Don Diego?
Victoria: Yes. Chivalry is a rare commodity around these parts
Ramon: I am astonished at your composure, Señorita.
Victoria: I am innocent and my trial will prove me so.
Ramon: Trial? There will be no trial. The evidence is overwhelming. Under the emergency statute, I can hang you in the morning and I have every intention of doing so. (He leaves. Victoria stares after him.)
(The cave. Felipe runs in and signs his news to Diego quickly. )
Diego: Victoria will hang? At dawn? We've got work to do. See this crest, Felipe? (He hands him a drawing of the crest.) I saw it on the dead man's saddlebags. It may prove to be the Alcalde's undoing. (Diego begins working with his lab equipment, pouring liquids from test tubes into a crucible. He dips the cloth of the bloody shirt into the liquid.) Let's see if the intrigue goes any deeper. This is a piece of the dead man's shirt. Now, let's just see what kind of blood ran through his veins. (The liquid turns green and Diego smiles.) Now the only question is. . . where is this dead man?
(The alcalde’s office. Ramon and Morales are toasting each other with wine.)
Ramon: By tomorrow, Zorro will be nothing but a memory.
Morales: Ah, be careful, Luis. A memory like Zorro has a nasty way of turning into a legend. He could be more trouble dead than he is alive.
Ramon: As you were? (They laugh.)
Mendoza: (Entering) Alcalde! Con
Permiso. The men are — (He recognizes Morales and smiles.) Oh, buenos
noches, Señor Morale. You look much better than when I saw you last. And with
good reason, you were dead. He was (finally realizing where he’s seen the
man) deaa…(Mendoza falls to the floor.)
Ramon: Get up, Mendoza.
Mendoza: (Rising.) You were stabbed in the heart! I saw it with my own eyes!
Morales: A subterfuge, I fear, Sergeant. You and your men dragged me all the way over here without ever realizing I was still alive. Ricardo Cortez, at your service. (Be bows.)
Mendoza: (to Ramon) Madre de Dios! Why didn't you let me in on this plan, mi Alcalde?
Ramon: It was all a part of my strategy, Sergeant. If we could you, we could fool anyone, for you are a fool's fool.
Mendoza: (Smiling.) Oh, thank you, sir.
Ramon: He gave a superb performance, did he not? Ricardo and I have been friends for many years. He is one of the finest actors in Mexico City
Mendoza: Oh, just a minute. Now I understand. This was all a trap to catch Zorro!
Ramon: Excellent, Sergeant, excellent. Was there ever a doubt that Zorro would try to rescue the señorita, hm? He will not elude me as he did last night. That’s why every soldier in the pueblo is on full alert.
Mendoza: Yes, sir! They are on full alert and at their posts.
Cortez: (Raising his glass again.) Luis, I propose a toast to the ruin of your archenemy. (Ramon raises his own glass and drinks, smiling.)
(Outside the quartel. Zorro is climbing about on rooftops. He has his telescope with him.)
Mendoza: Ah, Señor Corpse. (He shakes his hand.) You are leaving us? You are not staying for Zorro's capture?
Cortez: Every good actor knows when to leave the stage, Sergeant. (He leaves with Zorro watching him through the telescope.)
(A trail outside Los Angeles.)
Cortez: Whoa. (He reigns in his horse and begins lighting a cigar.)
Zorro: (From above him) Señor, (cutting the cigar in two with his sword) don't you know that cigars are detrimental to your health? (Zorro salutes him and drops down in front of his horse.)
Cortez: Zorro!
Zorro: At your service. Down please.
Cortez: (Dismounting) But how…how did you know I was really still alive?
Zorro: The insignia of the great Calderon Theatre Company of Mexico City so nicely embossed upon your saddlebags. Who would want to kill an actor, I asked myself? Not even his harshest critic.
Cortez: But Señor Zorro, I swear to you, this was not my idea.
Zorro: No more words, my fine actor. For the rest is silence. Now if you would be so kind as to come with me.
(The crowded plaza. Ramon and his lancers lead Victoria through the angry crowd to the gallows.)
Ramon: (Reading from a document) Be it known that this woman, Victoria Escalante, has been found guilty of murder. The sentence is that she is to be hanged. Proceed, Sergeant.
(Zorro is directing the sunlight through his telescope at a spot on the backside of Mendoza’s uniform. The cloth starts to sizzle.)
Mendoza: (Sniffing) Does anyone smell burning? Madre de Dios! It's me!
Zorro: (From a rooftop, and holding his cape covering someone standing beside him.) Yes, Sergeant, I burn too. I apologize if I have made you uncomfortable, but such are the forces of nature when harnessed by man. I burn too, with injustice. (He tosses the telescope aside.) Alcalde, a remarkable thing has occurred. A dead man has been resurrected. (He moves his cape to reveal the man beside him.) May I present Ricardo Cortez, alias a corpse, known as Morales.
Ramon: Seize him! (Lancers run toward the building below Zorro and raise their muskets.)
Zorro: Another step and your own school friend may die yet again. Be so kind as to let the señorita go.
(Ramon waves his hand and Victoria is released. She runs down the steps of the gallows and looks toward Zorro. The crowd cheers.)
Victoria: Zorro, I knew you would come.
Zorro: At your service, as always, Señorita. (He steps back from the man.) Señor, a memento of our encounter. (He slashes a “Z” on his vest. The man looses his balance.) Careful, Señor, don't fall! (But the man does, right into a trough of water. The crowd cheers louder. Zorro salutes them and jumps off the roof onto Toronado as Ramon seethes.)
(The Hacienda.)
Diego: (Playing the piano.) The Alcalde is an incredibly determined, dangerous man. That viper was prepared to sacrifice Victoria in order to catch Zorro. (Felipe signs that he has the telescope ready.) It's ready? Ah, it's beautiful. Let's see what the man in the moon has in store for us tonight. (Diego sits down at the telescope, looks through it and smiles at Felipe for he has drawn a “Z” on the lens and it looks like the “Z” is on the moon itself.)
The End