Welcome to Victoria's Tavern
By
Nancy J. Smith
Disclaimer: I am not the owner of these characters. They are owned by the Family Channel's New World Zorro. I am merely using them for the sole purpose of my story, and the fact that I have fun taking characters out of their ordinary settings, and putting them in settings that you normally wouldn't see them in. Not to worry however, I plan on treating them with the dignity and respect they rightfully deserve, and return them just as they were, before I borrowed them.
Memo: The story you are about to read is loosely based (and I emphasize the word loosely) on the episode entitled "Water." For the purposes of my story, I have updated the characters to fit the scenario. Enjoy!
It was hotter than Hades in the small pueblo of Los Angeles. People were mopping their brows every 5 minutes, and wringing out the sweat that was pouring down from their faces. Even Ignacio DeSoto, the attending Alcalde who always prided himself on having an exemplary appearance, sat back in his chair at his desk, in sheer exhaustion with the jacket of his uniform completely unbuttoned, rapidly fanning himself trying to cool off.
Sergeant Mendoza his aid and sometimes confidant, sat partially semiconscious by the open window, waiting for the next small breeze to come wafting in any moment.
"Madre de Dios! I cannot believe how hot it is!" said DeSoto grimacing, as he kept fanning himself. He glanced over at Mendoza, who still had his head glued to the open window waiting for another breeze.
"OHHHH, Mi Alcalde!" Mendoza moaned. "I think I am dying!"
Ignacio flashed a snarling look at Mendoza.
"Shut up you imbecile! You're not dying!" he grumbled. "Dios! The things I have to put up with, in this God-forsaken pueblo! Deliver me!" he exclaimed, as he shook his head in disgust.
Even a few stray dogs and cats that sometimes frequented the pueblo, lay sprawled on the harsh rough dirt panting heavily; secretly hoping that some kind human would take pity on them, and douse them with a bucket of water. Occasionally another small breeze would spontaneously blow over them, or whoever came slowly trudging across the plaza, giving them a small, but welcome relief. Yes, it was truly, and unmercifully hot!
The de la Vegas and their young servant boy Felipe, decided to escape the heat of the hacienda by making a trip to the pueblo, and taking refuge in the local tavern owned by the lovely, and effervescent Victoria Escalante. However, considering how hot it was, Victoria was feeling neither lovely nor effervescent, as she plunged a rag into a pan of semi cool water, and splashed it upon her face; letting the rivulets of water trickle down her face, and neck.
Victoria let the rag briefly rest upon her face, then slowly peeled it away. She glanced around just in time, to see Diego, Felipe, and Alejandro, briskly walk into the tavern. Her eyes widened with surprise, as she noticed how crisp and fresh they looked, compared to her other patrons; whose clothes were plastered to their bodies from sweat, and were either sitting sprawled in their chairs, or slumped over on the tables from sheer heat exhaustion.
"Buenos tardes Don Alejandro, Don Diego, and Felipe!" she greeted, as she took her rag, and mopped the sweat pouring down from her face. "What brings you to town, on this devilishly hot day?" she inquired, as she managed a smile.
Diego being the ever consummate gentleman, flashed a gallant smile, then walked up to Victoria, and kissed her hand.
"My Victoria, you're looking rather Hot!" he replied jokingly, as a big grin stretched across his face.
Felipe and Alejandro quickly put their hands over their mouths, to hide the grins that were slowly creeping across their faces.
Victoria slightly rolled her eyes and shook her head, and responded with a half smile.
"Very funny, Diego!" she replied half-heartedly, as she brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Alejandro stepped up to the bar, and gave it a hearty slap with his hand.
"Say Victoria, what do you have on tap, for a couple of very thirsty caballeros, and this young boy here?" he inquired, casting a gentle smile at Victoria.
Victoria released a heavy sigh, then looked at her three friends.
"Just one moment, I'll go see what I have. Why not take a seat, and I'll bring it to you," she replied smiling.
Alejandro flashed a broad grin at Victoria, then motioned for Diego and Felipe to sit down.
"Well, you heard the lady, let's go find a table," he stated as gestured with his hand toward a table in the middle of the room.
Alejandro, Diego, and Felipe glanced around, then quickly found an empty table, and sat down.
Victoria soon returned with their drinks, which consisted of a couple of wine bottles, and a pitcher of juice, for Felipe. As she began setting the glasses and drinks on the table, Diego gently grabbed her arm, then looked up at her, and smiled.
"Come on Victoria, sit down, and take a load off your feet! How about having a drink with your old friends?" he replied in his usual charming tone.
Victoria returned a weary smile, and gave a resolute nod.
"Oh thank you, Diego!" she sighed with relief. "I don't mind if I do!" she replied in a decided tone and promptly sat down. She briefly glanced around the table, and noticed that she needed an extra glass. "Oh dear! I need another glass," she sighed somewhat dismayed.
Diego smiled, and gently patted her hand.
"Not to worry Vicky. I'll just send Felipe to get one," he replied looking warmly into her eyes. He briefly turned to Felipe, and held up a glass, then pointed to the bar. "One more glass please, Felipe," he stated smiling.
Felipe nodded, then rose from his chair, and dashed off to retrieve an extra glass for Victoria. He quickly returned and sat the glass in front of her, then sat down never even breaking a sweat.
Victoria looked at him in amazement, and shook her head.
Diego looked at Victoria concerned.
"What's wrong, Victoria?" he asked.
Victoria poured herself a drink, then looked at Diego concerned.
"Say Diego, how is it that everyone else is just practically dying of heat, and you, your father, and Felipe, aren't even sweating?" she asked curious, as she took another glance around the tavern, then at her three friends.
Diego shook his head, and briefly shrugged his shoulders. He looked at Alejandro, and Felipe who in turn did the same.
Alejandro looked at Victoria, and smiled.
"Beats me, Victoria. Maybe it's the power of the mind, over the body. For example, if you believe it's hot, then it's hot. If you believe it's not, then it's not. We just refuse to believe that it's hot. That's why we aren't bothered by this heat, and you are," he explained.
Diego spoke up.
"Father is right. You can train your mind, to believe in whatever you want to believe. Just think cool thoughts, and before you know it, you'll feel fresh, as a daisy," he replied smiling.
Victoria looked at Diego as if he was slightly touched in the head, then shook her head, and sighed.
"I don't know Diego. I have been trying to think of cool thoughts all day. But it hasn't worked for me," she replied, looking somewhat downcast.
Diego put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and smiled.
"Perhaps you're not trying hard enough. Maybe you just need a little help," he replied with compassion. He briefly glanced at Alejandro and Felipe, and winked.
Victoria looked at Diego with curiosity.
"What do mean, I'm not trying hard enough?" she inquired concerned.
Diego gave Victoria a decided look.
"The trick is, to completely convince yourself, that it's not as hot as it seems. First of all, you have to clear your mind of everything else around you, and focus on what it is you're trying to do," he explained.
Victoria looked at Diego curious.
"How do I do that, Diego?" she inquired with interest.
Diego looked at her, and smiled.
"The first step, is to relax. Just clear your mind, and relax," he instructed.
"This should be easy," Victoria decided. She sat back in her chair, and closed her eyes, then released a long sigh.
Diego watched Victoria with interest as she closed her eyes, and sighed.
"You have to be completely relaxed. Don't think of anything else," he instructed in a quiet tone.
As Victoria sat back in her chair with her eyes closed, she let her head slowly drop to her chest, then slowly relaxed her shoulders; letting them slightly drop down. Soon her arms and hands rested limp in her lap. Diego watched her closely as he noticed her body seemingly go limp.
"Ok Victoria, are you completely relaxed?" he quietly asked.
She muttered something that sounded like a yes. Diego gently picked up her hand, and noticed it was completely limp. He carefully placed it back in her lap. He looked at Alejandro and Felipe surprised, and shook his head.
"Wow, that was fast!" he whispered. "Ok, all you have to do, is think of nice cool thoughts. Think about a cool breeze, blowing in the wind. Think about jumping into a cool mountain lake, and splashing around. Or standing under a small waterfall, as it cascades down the mountain with gentle breezes blowing all around. Think about a cold winter's day, with snowflakes blowing all around," he replied in a soothing tone.
As Diego's descriptions drifted through Victoria's mind, she could actually feel herself becoming cooler, and cooler as his voice echoed softly in her mind. She could actually see herself splashing about in a mountain lake, and standing under a waterfall letting the water splash all around her. She could even see herself standing in the snow, letting the snowflakes blow across her face, and through her hair.
Diego was right. she thought. This is amazing!
Just as Diego was about to bring Victoria out of her trance, Alejandro looked up, and suddenly saw a glint of mischief come into his son's eyes. He briefly widened his eyes, and was about to speak, when Diego put his finger to his lips, and quickly silenced him. He quietly rose from his chair, then instructed Alejandro and Felipe, not to say a word. Alejandro and Felipe looked at one another with curiosity, then nodded to Diego. Diego briefly walked back into the kitchen, then soon returned, carrying a small bucket behind his back. As he positioned himself behind Victoria, Alejandro suddenly gave Diego a stern look, and shook his head. Diego leaned over, and softly whispered into Victoria's ear.
"Victoria, when I count to three, I will snap my fingers, and you will wake up feeling completely refreshed. Do you understand?" he instructed.
Victoria slowly nodded.
"Ok, one...two..." Diego positioned the bucket over her head. "Three!" SPLASH!
Victoria suddenly jumped up out of her seat, then turned around gave Diego a very searing look. The moment Diego saw the expression on her face, he suddenly burst out laughing.
Victoria wiped the hair from her eyes, and looked down at her clothes, then back at Diego.
"That was a dirty trick, de la Vega!" she spat angry, as she stood clinching her hands into fists at her sides.
Diego wiped the tears from his eyes, and grinned.
"Well, I said you would wake up feeling refreshed," he stated.
Victoria scowled at him, and grumbled.
"You said refreshed, not WET!"
Diego looked at her with compassion, and smiled.
"Oh I'm sorry, Victoria! I just couldn't resist! The temptation was just too great!" he chuckled.
Victoria looked over at Alejandro, and gave him a stern look.
"Did you know anything about this?" she inquired pointing an accusing finger at Diego.
Alejandro threw up his hands, and shook his head.
"Don't get me involved in this! It wasn't MY idea!" he responded, innocent.
Just then DeSoto and Mendoza came lumbering through the doors, and looked over and saw Victoria's rather disheveled appearance.
"Madre de Dios! Señorita Escalante, what happened to You?" replied DeSoto, giving the beautiful young tavern owner a look of shock and disbelief.
Victoria kept her eyes viciously glued on Diego, as she prepared to give her answer.
"Diego dumped a whole bucket of water on me!" she snapped.
Diego looked at DeSoto with chagrin.
"Really Alcalde, I was just having a bit of fun with Victoria," he replied in defense.
Victoria looked at Diego angry.
"Well, I didn't think it was very funny!" she replied bitter. "Now I have to go change my clothes!" she grumbled. She immediately turned, and stormed off towards the stairs.
The Alcalde glared at Diego, and looked at him rather indignant.
"Really de la Vega! I can't believe you would take advantage, of Señorita Escalante like that!" he defended.
Diego shook his head, then dashed off after Victoria.
"Victoria, just a minute!" he pleaded.
Victoria briefly turned on the fourth step, and gave the tall handsome caballero an icy stare.
"Start talking, your minute is quickly turning into a second!" she snapped.
Diego gave her a pleading look, and sighed.
"Victoria, I said I was sorry! I promise I'll never do that again; cross my heart!" he replied with compassion, as he made the sign of a cross over his heart, and held up his right hand.
As he flashed his dazzling deep blue eyes at her with an apologetic gaze, Victoria knew right away, that she was putty in his hands. She put her hands on her hips and sighed, as her eyes briefly softened, and looked at Diego in earnest.
"Well, all right, Diego," she finally gave in. "But don't you ever pull a trick like that on me again, do you understand?" she responded, pointing a sentencing finger at Diego.
Diego looked at her sincere, and nodded.
"Oh I promise, Victoria. You have my word of honor, as gentleman," he promised.
Victoria nodded, then looked at him, and sighed.
"Ok, since you put it that way, I forgive you," she replied. "By the way Diego, this was my favorite dress," she remarked, holding out the skirt of her dress.
Diego sighed, and shook his head.
"Madre de Dios! How can I ever make it up to you?" he inquired with remorse.
Victoria paused, then put her finger to her chin, and thought for a moment. Her eyes quickly lit up, as an idea suddenly popped into her mind.
"Diego, do you think you could get me a date with Zorro?" she asked excited.
Diego scratched his head, and cast a hesitant look at Victoria.
"Oh gee, I don't know Victoria, that Zorro is a pretty elusive character. That's a pretty tall order," he replied a bit anxious.
Victoria gave Diego a pleading look.
"Oh please Diego! Please! Please! Please! I mean, it's the least you can do, after you pulled that mean trick on me," she responded hopeful.
Diego looked at her rueful, and sighed.
Being Zorro, sure can be a pain sometimes! he thought. He looked at Victoria a bit curious. "Say Victoria, why are asking me, to get you a date with Zorro?" he queried.
Victoria gave him a knowing look and smiled.
"Well, you're the only one, who seems to have connections to Zorro. I mean, since you seem to know Zorro so well, I just thought that maybe you could ask him, if he would like to go out with me. Oh come on Diego! It couldn't hurt," she replied.
Diego nodded, and sighed.
"Well all right. I'll see what I can do," he finally replied sincere.
Victoria practically threw herself at Diego, and smothered him with kisses.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you," she squealed, as she hugged him around the neck. "I knew I could count on you, Diego!" she replied, smiling.
Diego put his hands about her shoulders in a reassuring gesture and smiled, as he looked into her dark eyes.
"Now Victoria, I said I would see what I could do. I'm not making any promises," he stated in earnest.
Victoria gave Diego's cheek a slight tweak, and smiled.
"Oh Diego! You always say that, and you always come through. You're such a good friend," she replied cheerful. With that, she quickly bounded up the stairs, then disappeared into her room.
As Diego watched her disappear, he shook his head, and sighed wistfully.
"Yeah, right!"
As he walked back over to his table, DeSoto quickly noticed the dejected look on his face, and immediately confronted him.
"Diego, why the long face? Did the señorita give you the cold shoulder?" he chuckled a bit smug.
Diego looked up at DeSoto, and shook his head, then smiled.
"Not really. Actually, she was quite amiable," he replied, as he took out his handkerchief and wiped the rouge from his cheeks where Victoria had kissed him.
Mendoza noticed Diego wiping his face, and gave DeSoto a knowing look.
"Mi Alcalde, I think the señorita has a slight crush, on Diego," he commented.
DeSoto's eyes immediately lit up with surprise, and a slight grin crossed his lips.
"Diego, is that true? Does Señorita Escalante have a crush on you?" he taunted.
Diego stuffed his handkerchief back in his pocket, then gave the two men an astute look, and smiled.
"Señorita Escalante is an extremely charming young woman, and very affectionate too. Sometimes, she gets a bit too affectionate. But I would hardly say that she has a crush on me. We are just merely good friends," he explained in earnest.
DeSoto and Mendoza looked at one another with smug looks, and nodded.
"Whatever you say, Diego," DeSoto replied in jest. He and Mendoza walked over to a table, and sat down.
Diego had no sooner sat down with his father and Felipe, when suddenly four very despicable, grubby-looking hombres came busting through the door, shooting their pistols into the air; whooping and hollering, as they stormed into the tavern. They were causing such an uproar, that some of the patrons who were passed out at their tables, suddenly shot their heads up, and looked around in surprise, just to see what all the commotion was about, and immediately dove under their tables for cover.
Victoria, who had just finished changing her clothes, heard the raucous going on downstairs. She quickly dashed out of her room, then ran downstairs to see who was causing such a disturbance, in her quaint little tavern.
As the shots rang out, Mendoza, upon quickly assessing the situation, immediately dove under the table, and hid from sight. DeSoto's eyes narrowed, and he muttered a few expletives under his breath, as he glared at Mendoza in disgust, as he watched him shivering with fright under the table.
The moment Victoria saw what was going on, she immediately raced behind the bar, and picked up her musket; then quickly shot it into the air.
End of part 1