The Mark of Zorro Page #2

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Oh, yes. I was saying

that I must tear myself away

and make some speeches

to my father and mother.

Don't leave me to these barbarians.

Come to the shops with me

and help me make my selections.

Oh, you... you tempt me, seora.

I love the shimmer of satin and silk,

the matching of one delicate shade

against the other.

Then there's the choosing

of scents and lotions -

attar of rose, carnation,

crushed lily... and musk.

- As for ornaments and jewels...

- But Don Diego must see his parents.

Too true. Duty rather than pleasure.

Excellency. Capitn.

- Seora.

- I'll see you to the door.

That's one little peacock

that won't give us any trouble.

You think not?

The capitn is jealous. The fop

has pricked the fencing master. Touch.

(stammers)

I don't like such jests.

Your eye might fail you.

It's possible.

- Who was that?

- Oh, no one you know.

Someone new. Very charming.

He must be, from the colour in your cheeks.

At last, aFTer all these months

in this dreary place,

someone who knows the newest fashions,

the latest dances, how to flatter a woman.

- When can I meet him?

- Listen to the child.

You're much too young to cope with his sort.

Why do you allow her to wear that mantilla?

It makes her look like a woman grown.

I am a woman grown.

I'll be 18 my next birthday.

Carmen Castellano

is younger and already wed.

Carmen Castellano.

Her grandmother was a peon.

Such riffraffwed when they like.

You have the blood ofthe hidalgos

in your veins.

Keep it cool, my girl,

or I'll whisk you into a convent.

I pity your poor mount, Sergeant.

Such a heavy whip.

Do you think I'd strike a good mare with this?

It would ruin her, break her spirit.

See? She didn't flick an ear.

She knows. We are collecting

taxes from the peons today.

And you use that little... switch

on the taxpayers?

Only when they are stubborn.

When you come to collect my taxes,

Sergeant, I won't be stubborn, I promise you.

- Turn right in here, driver.

- Adis, seor.

Adis.

- Oh, Mother.

- Diego!

My son. My baby.

Mother.

- Hello, Mara.

- (in Spanish) I'm so happy to see you.

Good old Juan, fat as ever.

Hello, Manuel. And Jos. Where's Father?

In the study with Fray Felipe.

Come, he's longing to see you.

- Take Don Diego's things to his room.

- S, seora.

I tell you, these conditions

are beyond bearing.

This whole district, from the hills

ofVerdugo to the shores of Del Rey,

is a stench in the nostrils of heaven.

- I know, I know.

- You know, yes, but what do you do about it?

- Nothing.

- What can...? Diego!

- Ah, Father.

- Diego.

My boy.

Padre.

Welcome back to your home

and my heart, Diego.

- Oh, Padre, I've missed your wise counsel.

- Not too greatly, I suspect.

You remember Don Miguel and Don Jos?

- Seores.

- Have you returned to steal more melons?

Melons?

This scamp and my scapegrace son

crept into my garden

and gorged themselves

on my seed melons one year.

Oh, but God punished us, Don Miguel. We

were visited by the father of all bellyaches.

But he's ripe for more

than boyish pranks now, Alejandro.

- I feel good muscle here.

- Arms, muscle. You men!

Madre de Dios, is he without a face?

Can't you see he's even better-looking

than when he leFT?

You should've seen me

when I approached the Spanish throne.

I looked like a frightened gopher.

More like a young angel, I'm sure.

An angel, that's what we need

in California now.

- An angel with a flaming sword.

- Please don't start that.

- He didn't come home to get himself killed.

- Hold your tongue. Go to your women.

Leave my son to me. Sit down, Diego.

- What is all this, Father?

- Well, I am no longer alcalde.

- In my place is a man...

- In his place sits a viper so foul and black...

Ah, to be alone with him for five minutes,

five little minutes!

Long enough to tear his windpipe

out of his throat.

God forgive me.

- Why did you resign in the first place?

- I was forced out of office.

They threatened to burn

the homes ofthe peons.

- And now he sits here doing nothing, when...

- Enough, Felipe. Enough.

The friar urges me to lead the caballeros

in a revolt which would surely fail

against a garrison oftrained soldiers.

Even if I thought it would succeed, I'd refuse.

- But why, Father?

- Because the law is the law, my son.

I won't rebel against a government

I served for 30 years.

But that government is now vile and corrupt.

I know, but two wrongs don't make a right,

and never will.

- That is my feeling also.

- Sometimes, one must fight fire with fire.

I am a Vega. I will not follow

the lawless footsteps of Luis Quintero.

- Nor will my son.

- No. No, no, of course not, Father.

Oh, by the way, I went directly

from the ship to our old home.

I met Seor Quintero and his charming wife.

I found them very pleasant and agreeable.

Pleasant scorpions. Agreeable rattlesnakes.

Oh, Padre. The alcalde spoke

with great respect ofyou, Father.

I must admit he hasn't

troubled me or my flocks so far.

Well, that being the case,

why get overly excited in this heat?

Oh, I know I'm going to miss

the scented breezes of Spain.

Then you believe we should not be moved

by injustice and cruelty until it touches us?

But, my dear Padre, such things

exist in the world and always will.

By the way, I took up sleight of hand

while I was in Madrid.

It's all the rage just now. Watch closely.

To think that the boy that I helped to raise,

the boy that I taught to hold a firm wrist

behind a true point, has turned into a puppy!

Bah!

(tuts)

How vexatious. Well, I must go

and remove the dust oftravel.

Adis, seores. I'll see you later, Father.

(drum roll)

Stay where you are.

Put this up.

Put it up! Be quick about it.

Back to the barracks!

Cuidado, muchachos!

(murmuring)

- Zorro.

- Zorro.

I don't understand why

you insist on this stupid drive.

And without an escort.

I have my reasons.

Suppose you share them with me.

Look. Gold.

An agent ofthe Bank of Madrid

is meeting us in a quiet inn.

This goes to Spain. For us, my love, for us.

I see. How stupid of me.

A military guard would...

Let our friend Esteban

know about this transaction.

- Of course, he would have claimed his share.

- I'm afraid so.

Don't move ifyou want to live.

- A bandit.

- I have distressing news for Your Excellency.

I had a drinking bout

with the agent ofthe Bank of Madrid.

While in his cups, the fellow was somewhat

indiscreet. A drunken man is untrustworthy.

I will act for him. Hand it over.

- And now, that little trinket.

- You would rob a woman?

- I can't afford gallantries.

- I refuse.

Quickly, seora. I should hate

to mark such a lovely cheek.

This time, Excellency,

I take only your money. Next time...

(chuckles)

Adis.

(horse galloping)

- Zorro.

- What a nice, quiet study, Your Excellency.

I like a quiet room. Very quiet.

What do you want?

A little talk with you, that's all -

ifwe come to an understanding.

Do you think the climate in Spain

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