Chapter 3
Don Alejandro sat in one jail cell while the brothers Esteban sat in another. "You didn't fool me, de la Vega. I knew it was you," the alcalde sneered maliciously as he stood outside the cell with several lancers. At last, I have captured the mighty Zorro, he thought.
"You did, Alcalde?" Mendoza stated incredulously. He still did not believe that Don Alejandro was Zorro. He could feel it in his bones...There must be some horrible mistake.
"Of course, I did," De Soto nodded then turned his head in Mendoza's direction, "I want a guard on this cell twenty-four hours, Sergeant. We must not let Zorro escape."
"Muy bien, Alcalde."
De Soto and his sergeant started to leave but were delayed by Esteban's hand waving through the bars. "Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!" Esteban begged as the duo stopped to look at him, "What about us?"
"What about you? I really have no time for you or your petty complaints!"
"Don't you have another cell somewhere? Solitary confinement or something?" the bandit replied desperately.
"You're asking for solitary confinement? Why?"
"Well, it's him," Esteban's brother indicated Don Alejandro, "He never stops. He goes on and on all about glory, and chivalry, and the quest! It's torture! Shut him up! Shut him up!"
"Torture?" The alcalde walked away leaving Mendoza behind. He had no time for such matters...
"Walls do not a prison make. . Nor iron bars a cage. . ."
The door opened as Victoria entered the jail. She was anxious to see the man she had long considered a father figure. She knew within her heart of hearts that Don Alejandro could not be Zorro. She had kissed the masked man and knew that we was taller, younger and more athletic...There must be some horrible mistake...I know he is not Zorro. Someone else is...
"Señorita."
"Don Alejandro, why were you in the tavern dressed as Zorro?" There had to be some explanation as to how he got Zorro's clothes and Zorro's horse...
"To look at your radiance is to be rejuvenated by the sun itself."
"Well, thank you. Wait a minute. There must be some terrible mistake here."
"Oh, yes, of course. There's a horrible mistake. I was captured. I beg your forgiveness, your highness."
"Don Alejandro, now listen to me. Soon it will be dawn and unless something is done, you will hang."
"This troubles you, does it, dear lady?"
"Troubles me? Of course it troubles me. I don't want to see you hanged."
"Then I curse them doubly for placing one crease upon milady's brow. Upon my oath, they shall pay dearly."
Mendoza loudly blew his nose into a red handkerchief. "So romantic."
"Uh. . ."
"Do not worry, Señorita. Do not worry. Soon you and I will be reunited. Ah, my beloved Dulcinea."
"Dulcinea. Isn't that his horse, Senorita Victoria?"
"I think so." Mendoza cried into his handkerchief as the Esteban brothers look confused.
"Uh. . ."
"I'm so sorry, Don Alejandro," the portly sergeant interrupted. He hated to see the old man executed because of the alcalde's suspicions despite the fact that he was wearing the outlaw's clothing...
"Sancho Panza. My squire!" the caballero went over to the bars in front of Mendoza. "You could never be in league with these wicked rogues. I was thinking. We should escape tonight, after nightfall. Don't you agree?"
"Yes. I mean no! Don Alejandro, what is the matter?" Mendoza whispered, "You're not really Zorro, are you?"
"You should know better than anyone, Sancho."
"Why do you keep calling me Sancho? My. . .my name is Jaime."
"Jaime? Yes, of course. Jaime!' What a disguise. Pure genius. My lips are sealed." The old don made a 'Z' in the air with his right index finger then touched his finger to his lips. "Shh . . . "
"Gracias." Mendoza was confused by Don Alejandro's bizarre behavior. He knew that the older man could not be Zorro...Why would he believe that he was?
Don Alejandro turned suddenly to face the Esteban brothers. "Rat catchers!"
Diego stood near the base of the gallows watching two soldiers hung a rope from a beam on the gallows that was being constructed. De Soto was serious about hanging Don Alejandro...He was obsessed with capturing the masked bandit and he would hang an innocent man to prove his point. "Alcalde, you cannot actually believe my father is Zorro."
"I realize it's difficult to accept, Don Diego but facts are facts. He was wearing Zorro's costume..riding Zorro's horse...He believes that he is Zorro. Even confessed to it. That is all the evidence I need."
"Be objective for a moment. Now, we've both seen Zorro. He's a much younger man. . . Agile. . . Powerful. . . Taller. . ."
"An illusion. You see, Diego, you people have idolized Zorro to the point you assign him qualities he doesn't have. I see him for what he really is. . .a common criminal. I'm not blinded by romantic illusions."
"My father's life is not an illusion. It has been an exemplary one dedicated to public service. To execute such a man would be a crime!" I have to get De Soto to see reason somehow...My father's life depends on it...
"I agree. I agree. Don Alejandro de la Vega is a model citizen. I suggest you think of this as not his execution, but as Zorro's."
Diego jumped back as the trap door of the gallows swung open loudly. "My father is a much-loved and respected man in this community. The people will not stand for this."
"Oh, please. Diego, you realize that common rabble love to see nothing more than a man of wealth and property dangling from the end of a rope."
"Then why is this to be a closed execution behind locked gates?"
"Passions about Zorro run very high in this town. I cannot afford to have a riot on my hands. " The alcalde paused as padre wearing a brown hooded robe cams up behind him then went up the gallows steps. De Soto chuckled then followed the padre up the steps. Everything was going as planned...I will finally dispose of that masked terror once and for all as well as rid myself of Don Alejandro. It could not have worked out any better.
Diego watched as the padre goes up the steps. I think I know exactly to rescue my father.
