The Sign of Zorro

Out of the night When the full moon is bright

Comes a horseman known as Zorro

This bold renegade carves a "Z" with his blade

A "Z" that stands for Zorro

Zorro

Zorro

The fox so cunning and free

Zorro

Zorro

Who makes the sign of the "Z"

Zorro

Zorro

The fox so cunning and free

Zorro

Zorro

Who makes the sign of the "Z"

-Zorro... -Zorro...

Well done, Señor de la Vega.

I shall miss these daily bouts.

I too, sir. They have made the long voyage most enjoyable.

Your agility with a sword, sir, should serve you well in California.

Why do you say that?

How long have you been away?

Three years.

I am afraid you're going to find conditions

quite changed when you reach Los Angeles.

Haven't you finished packing yet? We'll be going ashore soon.

Yes, California is beautiful.

Where did you put my father's letters?

I want to read the last one again.

"My dear son, it is with a heavy heart

"that I ask you to give up your studies and come home.

"Certain matters have arisen which I can no longer face alone."

You know how puzzled I have been over this?

Well, now I know what he was trying to tell us.

We're heading for trouble, Bernardo.

No, no, not Indians. Políticos.

I have just learned that our pueblo is under the heel of a dictator.

We're certain to be searched on arrival. Burn this.

No one must suspect that my father has summoned me home.

We must find a way to deal with this tyrant.

Ah, the direct approach? No, Bernardo.

When dealing with a powerful enemy, we must play another game.

You know the old proverb...

"When you cannot clothe yourself in the skin of a lion,

"put on that of the fox."

I must convince the new comandante that I am perfectly harmless.

But how?

Ah! An excellent idea!

Instead of a man of action, I shall become a man of letters,

an innocent scholar interested only in arts and sciences.

Well, as for these fencing medals and trophies...

They are no longer part of my life. Throw them overboard.

Oh.

No, Bernardo. Get rid of them.

Here. This, too. Go.

Bernardo, this is no time for sentiment. Throw them out.

Now, get me my fanciest jacket,

the one with the gold braid, and my walking stick.

It shall be part of my new character.

You also...

You also want to be something you are not.

Very well, you shall play the fool.

You want to pretend you cannot hear? Even better!

You shall be the eyes and ears behind my back.

From now on, you not only cannot speak, you hear nothing.

Bravo, Bernardo.

Cochero, why are we stopping here?

All vehicles passing through Los Angeles must be inspected, patron.

But this is an imposition.

We have already gone through customs!

All baggage to be opened!

Passengers have their identity papers ready.

Don Diego de la Vega.

I thought you were still in Spain.

Obviously, I have returned, Sergeant.

Uh, what is this nonsense about another inspection?

For you, Don Diego, a mere formality.

Oh, then my luggage does not have to be opened again?

Forgive me, please, but Capitán Monastario,

he allows no exceptions.

Is he the new comandante?

Ah, for over a year now.

Please, Señor, he makes the orders. I only carry them out.

Very well, then, Sergeant. Get on with it.

Sí.

What is this?

Oh, I am instructing my mozo to remove the luggage.

-He is deaf and dumb? -Since childhood.

Would you mind helping my manservant with the luggage, please?

Sí, Don Diego. Sí.

I don't like it.

Why has the son returned so unexpectedly?

What difference does it make, Licenciado?

The de la Vegas are the most important family

in Southern California.

Do you think Don Alejandro called him back?

Even if he did, there is nothing to worry about.

If he is a troublemaker,

I shall handle him as I did all the others.

Nothing shall stop me from being the richest man

in all of California.

Out of the way! Clear the street!

Sergeant Garcia, that is my neighbor, Nacho Torres.

Why is he being brought in?

The Comandante ordered his arrest.

One moment!

Why have you taken this man prisoner?

Help me, Señor Alcalde. I am innocent.

What are the charges against you, Don Nacho?

They accuse me of treason, but it is a lie.

I dared to speak out against injustice.

It is forbidden to speak to this prisoner.

Take him inside and lock him up.

Are you Diego de la Vega?

At your service, Comandante.

Capitán Enrique Sanches Monastario.

I'm sorry to inconvenience you.

Not at all, Comandante.

As a matter of fact,

it gave me the opportunity to finish this last chapter...

"The effects of moorish culture on Spanish poetry."

Have you read it?

No, I have not.

Oh, then I must lend it to you when I finish.

Thank you. Some other time.

Would you please make yourself comfortable in my quarters?

I shall not detain you long.

-Did he say why he has returned? -I shall find out.

But, certainly, we have nothing to fear from that fastidious señorito.

Get back to the inn. We should not be seen together.

What are you doing up there?

You... Come down here.

I'll teach you to spy on me! Come down, I say...

-Capitán, your pardon. -What are you doing? You, speak.

But this man, he cannot answer you.

-He is deaf and dumb. -Who is he?

Don Diego's servant. He brought him from Spain.

Get on with the inspection, Sergeant.

-(GUNSHOT) -(SCREAMS)

Carry on, Sargento.

I know you are anxious to be on your way home.

Yes, it's been a most fatiguing day.

Please fill out this brief declaration, if you don't mind.

Your return is rather unexpected, is it not?

Your father gave the impression

that you would be at the university another year.

Well, I decided to forgo it.

There was an overemphasis on gymnastics, swordsmanship...

You know, there were even duels among some of the students.

-Really? -Yes.

How this Toledo blade sings!

A thousand pardons, Don Diego.

Your father would never forgive me if anything happened to you.

Welcome home, Don Diego.

Juan, it's good to see you.

Is this pepito?

How is my father? Have you taken good care of him?

-We have tried, Don Diego. -(LAUGHS)

Juan, this is Bernardo.

He cannot speak nor hear, but he would die for me if necessary.

Show him where my room is.

Sí, patrón.

-Father. -My son.

It fills my heart to see you again.

I send a boy to Spain, and a man returns.

Diego, I have many things to tell you,

but they can wait until you have changed

and we have had supper.

Come. Your old room is waiting for you.

The vaqueros used to sing this as they rode home from work.

You know, this piano needs tuning.

Are you not interested at all in what I have been telling you?

Extremely so, Father.

I'm sorry to find the situation so unpleasant.

Unpleasant? It is intolerable!

The rancheros are being taxed out of existence.

Those who cannot pay are flogged and thrown into prison.

The Indians are torn from their families and forced into slave labor,

all for the benefit of one man... Capitán Monastario.

I have met the gentleman.

Gentleman? (SCOFFS)

He is a black-hearted scoundrel.

If he remains in power, our country faces ruin.

We must get rid of him, Diego. That's why I have called you home.

Someone must do something!

You're right, Father.

I am going to sit down

and write a detailed letter of complaint to the Governor.

It would never reach him.

Monastario's guards intercept all mail into Monterey.

Our neighbor, Nacho Torres, dared to protest,

and this morning he was arrested for treason.

Well, have you... Have you appealed to the civil authorities?

-Certainly, we have rights under the law. -Monastario is the law!

He brought in a crooked lawyer from Mexico City

to make his crimes appear legal.

Then I fail to see what we can do.

We can stand up to him! Fight him!

Calm yourself, Father.