The Alcalde's Trick

Critique On

In this episode, the Alcalde, Luis Ramon, is up to his old tricks again, as he tries to pin a robbery charge, on the de la Vega servant boy Felipe.

A wealthy couple, Don Alfonso Calderon, and his wife, Dona Elena, were victims of a robbery, in which several valuable items, were stolen. One such item, included a very priceless, diamond clustered brooch, which Felipe by accident, just happens to find. As he picks up the valuable brooch, a wooden lever snaps, and suddenly a bucket full of dirt, falls upside down, on top of his head, completely soiling his hair, and clothes.

As Felipe removes the bucket, he notices a white thread, attached to the lever, and tree. Right away, he knows that someone, has played a joke, on him. He soon realizes, that the joke was a trap, as Ramon and the lancers, ride up, and accuse Felipe, of stealing from the Calderons, and arrest him.

Felipe is immediately jailed, for robbery, and to make matters worse, sentenced to be hung at dawn. For the moment, things look pretty grim for this poor boy, as he sits in the Alcalde's jail, woefully awaiting his demise.

Our beautiful tavern owner, Victoria Escalante, quickly comes to his aid, by delivering the tragic news, to her wealthy, and influential friends, Don Alejandro de la Vega, and his handsome son, Don Diego, who also happens to be, the infamous masked avenger, Zorro.

Before they receive the news, however, a stranger approaches them, and asks for directions, to the pueblo de Los Angeles. They notice that, one of the gold buttons, on the man's jacket, seems to be missing. [Key part in this story.] Diego gives the stranger directions, and the stranger rides off.

Victoria arrives, moments later, and gives the de la Vegas the shocking news about Felipe. Immediately, Alejandro, and Diego are upset, not to mention furious, that Ramon would arrest Felipe for robbery. Alejandro becomes angry, as he calls Ramon, "a swine," and "a viper."

As they ride to town, Diego reflects on Ramon's past years of tyranny, and injustice, calling him, "cruel," "greedy," and "dishonest." He also recalls, how Ramon has pinned his crimes on innocent people, and how he has stolen things himself, from other people. Diego knew, that Ramon, was framing Felipe, for a crime, that he himself, committed.

Kathy sites another Zorro episode in this story, as Alejandro recalls the time, when Enrique Vargas, was framed for robbery, when Ramon, embezzled some bank funds, and staged a robbery, to frame Vargas. [Big Brother.]

Alejandro, and Diego, try to bail Felipe out, but Ramon informs them, that he is not going to post bail, and Felipe, cannot have visitors. He tells them that, Felipe, was "caught red-handed, with a diamond brooch, belonging, to the Calderons." Diego becomes angry, and decides, to the take action. As they leave the Alcalde's office, they overhear Ramon telling the Calderons, that their thief has been caught, and "will hang, very soon."

That night, Diego, rides to the pueblo, as Zorro, to try to rescue Felipe. When he arrives, however, he sees that the Alcalde's office, and the cuartel, is heavily guarded, by lancers, making it impossible, for him to save, Felipe. He surmises that Ramon, anticipated Zorro's rescue, and increased the security, on the jail.

Zorro, quickly enlists the aid, of his lady love, Victoria, and gives her a note, to give to Felipe, to let him know, that help, is on the way. He tells her to hide the note, in some food, so that the lancers, won't find it. He tells Victoria, to inform Felipe, to eat all his food, that Victoria takes him. Zorro tells Victoria, that he will get the information, that will clear Felipe of his charges.

While Zorro, and Victoria, are working on their plan, to save Felipe, we see Felipe, agonizing, over the cruel sentence, that was falsely, thrust upon him. He worries that Zorro, will not rescue him in time, and wonders if Diego, and Alejandro, knows he's in jail. He too, has flashbacks, as he recalls, Zorro rescuing others, who were falsely accused of a crime; i.e. Victoria, being falsely accused, of a murder, she didn't commit, because she too, was framed. [Dead Men Tell No Tales.] He also, recalls the time, when the Deranoso woman, and her partner Jorge, kidnapped him, and Diego, didn't know it. [Family Business.] He remembers that because of Victoria, and her brother Francisco, Diego found out, that Senora Deranoso, was really not his mother, and that they were going to use him, to rob a bank.

Felipe is soon relieved, as Mendoza, brings him the basket of food, that Victoria has, made for him. As he begins eating all the food in the basket, he suddenly finds a note, stuck inside, a piece, of strawberry custard. Ashe reads the note, he learns that it is from Zorro, and that he will get him out, and clear his name. Zorro tells Felipe, to write down, how Ramon framed him, and the place, where it happened. He instructs him, to put the note, in the bottom of the basket, and cover it up, and Victoria, will take the message, to Don Diego. Zorro, also instructs Felipe, to eat Zorro's note, so that the soldiers, won't find it. Felipe quickly eats the note, and then writes down the account of how Ramon framed him.

He finishes writing the events that led to his capture, and quickly hides it, inside the basket. Mendoza collects the basket, and gives it, to Victoria. She quickly puts Felipe's message in her pocket, and continues to clean her tavern. Mendoza informs her, that Ramon has left, to do some business, with a visiting, caballero. He says that the caballero's name, is Don Carlos Bajio. Victoria tells Mendoza, that Bajio, has rented a room, at the tavern. Mendoza tells her that, she can visit Felipe, while the Alcalde is out, so she does.

While they are in, the Alcalde's office, they suddenly hear Ramon, speaking to someone, on the porch. They quickly run to the barracks, and hide, behind a door. When Ramon and his caballero visitor, enter the office, Victoria recognizes the man's voice, as Don Carlos Bajio. Mendoza informs her, that Bajio, is the one, who Ramon, has business with.

Mendoza and Victoria, find out, that Bajio, was hired by Ramon, to rob the Calderons, of their prized possessions, in exchange, for granting him immunity, from the charge, he was accused of. Also, Ramon, promised him a share, of the money. Ramon tells Bajio, that he has to sell the "goods," that Bajio stole from the Calderons, and then he will give Bajio, the money. He tells Bajio, that he has to go, to San Diego, to do that.

Don Carlos, asks Ramon, how he will explain the robbery, to the Calderons. Ramon tells Bajio, how he set a trap, by using one the stolen items, and the local peasant boy, Felipe, fell into it. He tells Bajio, that Felipe, has been accused of the robbery, and will hang, tomorrow. He assures Bajio, that after he sells the stolen items, that he will give Bajio, a percentage, and that will be enough, for him to go to Spain, and no one will suspect, that he, was the thief.

After Victoria, and Mendoza, hear this conversation, Victoria, immediately rides, to the de la Vegas, to tell them, what she heard. When Diego, and Alejandro, hear of the Alcalde's scheme, and about Don Carlos, they suddenly recognize Don Carlos, as the man, who came to their hacienda, asking, for directions. Victoria, gives Diego, and Alejandro, Felipe's account, of how Ramon framed him, and they read it. Diego tells Victoria, that he will make sure, that Zorro, gets Felipe's note.

After Victoria leaves, Diego tells Alejandro, that he will find, Zorro. Alejandro tells Diego, that while he finds Zorro, that he will try to "reason," with the Alcalde. When his father leaves, Diego rides as Zorro, and goes to the place, where Felipe, was framed. He finds the devices, that Ramon used, to set his trap, and takes them to the Calderons, in hopes of enlisting their aid, to save Felipe. He shows the devices, to the Calderons, and tells them, that Felipe was framed, and that the Alcalde, was behind, the whole thing. He also shows them, Felipe's note.

Zorro tells them that, Felipe, is no thief, and that he was raised carefully, by the de la Vegas. The Calderons agree, and say, that they will help, him. Zorro, asks Don Alfonso, if he found anything left behind, after, the robbery. Don Alfonso states, that he did in fact, find a gold button, under his carpet. He tells Zorro, that he always wears silver buttons, on his coat. Zorro informed them, that Diego said, when Don Carlos Bajio stopped by, the de la Vega hacienda, asking for directions, he had a gold button, missing, from his jacket.

Zorro tells Don Alfonso, to keep the button, and come to the plaza, at dawn, tomorrow, and tells him to bring the button. The Calderons tell Zorro, that they, will be there. Zorro, also tells them, that he will be there too, with Don Carlos Bajio, that he was in on the scheme, to frame Felipe, too.

Zorro returns to the tavern, in hopes of finding Bajio, but Victoria informs him, that he has already, checked out. She tells Zorro, however, that Bajiorode south, to San Diego, to the same town, where Ramon, plans to fence, the stolen items. Zorro quickly rides, towards San Diego, and finds, a set of hoof prints. He follows them, until he comes, to a ravine. He soon comes upon, Don Carlos, sleeping, near a campfire. He quickly captures Don Carlos,and takes him to the plaza.

As Felipe, is being taken to the gallows, he still worries, if he is going to be saved, in time. In the plaza, people are shouting, and booing, the Alcalde, for accusing an innocent boy, of a crime, he didn't commit.

When Felipe walks up the steps of the gallows, he still worries, that Zorro, will not rescue him, in time. After Ramon reads Felipe's charges, and his sentence, Zorro finally shows up, and the crowd cheers. Felipe, is especially relieved, and his faith in his friend, and patron, restored. A feeling of guilt, flows through him, for doubting, that Zorro, would save him.

The soldiers fire at Zorro, standing on the church roof, and Felipe, sees him fall. At first, he thinks they have shot Zorro, but it is only, a stick figure, wearing Zorro's cape, and hat. Zorro walks out with Don Carlos, and admonishes Ramon, for trying to hang, an innocent boy. Zorro tells the people, that Don Carlos, is the one, who robbed the Calderons. When Ramon asks, if he has proof, Don Alfonso, shows Ramon the gold button, that was missing, from Don Carlos' coat. Zorro also points out, that servants, don't wear gold buttons, like the ones, on Don Carlos' coat. Zorro tells the crowd, that Ramon, hired Don Carlos, to steal from the Calderons, and then pinned the crime, on "an innocent, young citizen." The crowd, grows angry.

Ramon, seeing the vicious looks, the people are giving him, becomes frightened. He quickly tells the people, that he was not involved, and tells Mendoza, to arrest, Don Carlos. Zorro, tosses Don Alfonso, a sack, and tells him, that it contains, his stolen, possessions. Felipe, quickly runs down, the steps, of the gallows. Don Alfonso, his wife, and Victoria, run to
Felipe, and untie him.

Zorro carves a Z, on Ramon's jacket, and issues him a sever threat, saying that if he ever troubles Felipe, or any of the de la Vega servants again, he is as good as dead. Ramon threatens Zorro, saying that when he captures Zorro, he will kill him. Zorro tells Ramon, that he will have to catch him first. Zorro whistles for Toronado, and quickly mounts, his trusty steed.

The crowd cheers, as he rides towards them. He pulls Felipe up behind him, and prepares, to take him home. Victoria, tells Felipe, that she knew, that Zorro, would save him, and Felipe, smiles back.

As Zorro and Felipe, ride toward the hacienda, Felipe thanks God, that Zorro saved him, and realizes that he was wrong, to doubt, that Zorro, wouldn't save him.

Author's Note: Well, Felipe, don't feel too guilty. I was beginning to wonder if Zorro was going to make it in time too. You have to admit, he cut it pretty close. If it hadn't been for Victoria, overhearing that conversation, between Ramon, and Don Carlos, I have a feeling that, Zorro, would have arrived, too late. Well, maybe not. But it probably would have taken him longer, to put together, all those clues. I guess you could say, that in this story, Victoria, was the real hero. She found out, some valuable information, that helped save, Felipe's life. And by telling Diego, Zorro, was able to, not only find out, where Don Carlos was, but bring him back, and clear, Felipe's name.

Also, by Felipe, writing down his account, of how he was framed, and passing the note, to Victoria, she was able to give this information, to Zorro, to help save, Felipe. Well, that part, was Zorro's idea, and it was a good idea, at that.

Zorro: Gracias! I thought so too!

Nancy: Zorro!

Zorro: Did I surprise you?

Nancy: Well.yes.

Zorro: Sorry!

Nancy: No problem.

Zorro: You're right, about what you said, about Victoria's help. She was very beneficial, in saving, Felipe.

Victoria: Gracias!

Zorro: Victoria! [Smiles]

Victoria: I would have done anything, to help save Felipe, from that nasty, Ramon. That scoundrel! [She scowls.]

Zorro smiles: Well Victoria, you did an excellent job! I couldn't have done it, without you! [He kisses her hand.]

Victoria: [She smiles and blushes.] Gracias! I'm glad, I could help you, Zorro! That was just terrible, the Alcalde, framing poor Felipe! Ramon, should have been up there, on the gallows, instead of, Felipe.

Nancy: I agree!

Zorro: You're right! Framing Felipe, was a cruel, and dastardly, thing to do. However, I think Ramon, has learned his lesson, for now, anyway.

Nancy: That's for sure! You really showed him! Especially, when you slashed that Z, on his coat! Not bad, Zorro! [smiles.]

Zorro: Gracias, Senorita! [Zorro bows.]

Nancy: De nada. By the way, Zorro, I always knew, that you were going to rescue, Felipe. You'll have to admit, though, you really had me worried, not to mention, poor Felipe.

Zorro: Well, I apologize for "cutting it close," as you say. But, there was just so many clues, to this mystery, that it just took a while, to fit all the pieces, together. Plus, with Ramon, not letting us see Felipe, I knew right off, he was hiding, something! And, we had no proof!

Nancy: You're right, this story was, pretty involved! Anyway, you both did a good job! You saved Felipe, captured Bajio, and returned the Calderon's valuables. I think that counts for a lot! [Smiles.]

Zorro and Victoria: Muchas Gracias!

Nancy: De nada!

Zorro: Well Victoria, I think we should be going! By the way, Nancy, if you need me for another critique, just let me know.

Nancy: Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. [Smiles.]

Zorro whistles for Toronado. As the beautiful black steed, trotts up, Zorro, swings himself up into the saddle, then pulls Victoria, up behind him. She wraps her arms, around his waist, and holds on, tight.

Zorro: Adios, Senorita! Good luck on your next critique.

Victoria: Si, good luck!

Nancy: Thanks! Vaya con Dios, you two!

Zorro and Victoria: Vaya con Dios, Nancy! [ They smile and wave.]

Nancy waves back. Zorro gives a clicking sound to Toronado, then Zorro and Victoria ride away.

[Nancy sighs.] Wow! That Zorro, is pretty cool! As I said, thanks to Victoria's help, and Zorro's Felipe was saved! Another Great story, by Kathy Green. Please be sure to read this one too! You'll really enjoy it! Oh yes, thank you for reading my critique! I'm sure, that there will be more to come. Adios for now!