The Mask of Zorro Page #3

Stupido! Get over here now!

I warn you. I'll get another horse.

So?

What do you think?

Sir, I got the black stallion,

I carved a "Z" in the...

The people will be speaking

the name of Zorro again.

You think stealing a horse makes you

worthy enough to wear that mask?

Be careful.

You're a thief, Alejandro.

A pitiful clown.

Zorro was a servant of the people,

not a seeker of fame like you.

A buffoon.

- Zorro did what was needed.

- Now he is needed again.

I didn't ask for your help

in the cantina...

...but I came here

to learn how to fight like you.

To have your strength,

your courage.

Now when I try to use them,

you slap me down?

Let me tell you something. I am tired

of all your training, your lecturing.

I am tired of waiting for you

to tell me I am ready.

I have my own scores to settle,

a new life to find.

I thought I could do it here,

but I was wrong.

Alejandro!

En garde!

Choose your weapon.

Montero has invited every don

in California to a banquet.

If you want to be of service,

you can join them as a spy.

I think I do not understand, sir.

You have passion, Alejandro,

and your skill is growing.

But I must give you something

which is beyond your reach.

- Yes? What is that?

- Charm.

And what is that?

Convince Montero that you are

a gentleman of stature...

...and he will let you into his circle.

Me?

A gentleman?

This is gonna take a lot of work.

Yes.

Look at me. I look like a butterfly.

This is the most stupid thing

I've ever done.

- I doubt that.

- We'll never get away with this.

Yes, we will.

A nobleman is a man who says

one thing and thinks another.

What if Montero realizes who you are?

Montero thinks of himself

as a true nobleman.

He will never look a servant

in the eye. Listen to me.

Listen to me!

Most important thing of all...

...do not let the dons

leave the table without you.

Yes, sir.

- Good luck tonight.

- Thank you.

Stand up straight. Charm.

Charm.

Don Rafael Montero?

Good evening.

I am Don Alejandro

del Castillo y Garcia.

The formal Spanish greeting.

I have not seen that in years.

- My father was very strict.

- Who is your father?

Don Bartolo del Castillo.

I have heard of him, but never had

the pleasure of meeting him.

I arrived last week from Spain by way

of Paris, Lisbon and San Francisco.

I am inspecting

my family's holdings.

Queen Isabella of Spain

has been very generous to us.

Very impressive.

What brings you here?

I heard you were back in California

and knew I must introduce myself.

Her Royal Highness

speaks very highly of you.

Really?

I thought I fell out of favor with

the court when California was lost.

Only in certain circles.

Her Majesty knows those unfortunate

events were clearly no fault of yours.

She told me this is still a land

of opportunity for a man of vision.

- And you are a man of vision?

- I am a man in search of a vision.

But my timing is unfortunate.

I have interrupted a party.

Perhaps I could call again?

No, it would honor me

for you to join us.

No, it would honor me to do so, sir.

Please allow me to introduce

my daughter, Elena.

Charmed.

I'm afraid I have brought no gift

for the hostess...

...but wait a moment.

- Thank you.

- A pleasure.

Bernardo, pick up your feet.

Seorita. Caballero.

Don Alejandro.

My father and I would like you

to join us at our table.

I would be delighted, seorita.

Don Alejandro, I'm so pleased

you could join us.

Gentlemen, allow me to introduce

Don Alejandro del Castillo y Garcia.

Recently returned from Spain.

This is Captain Harrison Love.

Not a don, but a kindred spirit.

Are you not the man who was

chasing a legendary bandit recently?

- He was hardly legendary.

- So you caught him?

- It's only a matter of time.

- The bandit may have escaped...

...but the rest of us will think twice

before going to confession.

Thank you.

With all due respect, Don Hector,

I disagree.

Until these people are free

to govern themselves...

...I think we will see

many more Z's carved into walls.

Don Alejandro, what do you think?

I think sheep will

always need a shepherd.

But certainly not this Zorro creature.

He probably wears the mask to hide

his bald head and unsightly features.

- Some would call him heroic.

- Heroism, a romantic illusion.

- Much like nobility.

- Elena, that is enough.

I would think heroism is something

to aspire to, not sneer at.

All that playing swords, shooting guns,

racing around on horses...

...gives me a frightful headache.

Such sweaty pursuits are hardly

the work of a gentleman.

And what is?

Climbing in and out of carriages?

No, my dear.

But increasing one's holdings so as

to provide lavish comfort for ladies.

Such as yourself.

A woman's grasp of politics.

What can I say?

We're at a party, aren't we?

May I have the honor of this dance?

I would be glad to.

Yes? Were you looking

for something?

A sense of the miraculous

in everyday life.

Oh, really? Look someplace else.

The lady and I were trying to dance.

You were trying.

She was succeeding.

Forgive me, captain.

A shameless joke at your expense.

I hope it will not be the last.

Don Rafael wants you back. Now.

Should we try something more robust,

or do you feel unequal to the task?

No, on the contrary.

I think only of your distaste

for perspiration.

Maestro.

Well, that is the way they are dancing

in Madrid these days.

Excuse me, Don Rafael,

I need to catch my breath.

Your daughter is

a very spirited dancer.

"Spirited." Thank you

for putting it so delicately.

I apologize if you're offended.

No, no, no.

Completely unnecessary, I assure you.

She is young and impulsive,

but her beauty is beyond compare.

And she has her father's

commanding presence.

Don Rafael.

As an advisor to Her Royal Highness

in matters of finance...

...it would be my pleasure

to introduce you both at court.

Join us in the courtyard. There is

something I want to share with you.

What is that?

A vision.

Fellow dons of California...

...all of us can recall the golden years

when we ruled this country.

We commanded respect

and amassed a great deal of wealth.

But there was something

that we never achieved.

We never determined

our own destiny.

Well, the time has come to claim

what always should have been ours.

My friends...

...I give you the independent

Republic of California.

Don Rafael, every man here

owes you something.

The land you gave us

made us all wealthy men.

However, we must question

your motives.

The day you arrived,

you made us look like fools.

That is absurd, Don Pedro.

I was merely playing to the crowd.

And what are you doing now

if not playing to the crowd?

You're inciting us to raise arms

against Santa Anna.

You know perfectly well

we could never defeat his army.

I was not suggesting that

we fight him for California.

I was suggesting that

we buy it from him.

Santa Anna is waging an expensive

war with the United States...

...and is increasingly

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