Chapter 1: The Telegraph Company and meeting Ken Mason
(We zoom on a map of California until a wagon train is in the background heading west, then some newspapers with headlines saying, "Wagons Trek Westward: New Lands open for settlers in California," "Abraham Lincoln Elected President: Leads 3 other candidates by large margin")
Narrator: From the time California joined the Union, a flood of pioneers swept westward to claim the fertile lands. Even though the Spanish Dons accepted the newcomers, some greedy men tried to implement trouble between them and the settlers. Then, with the discovery of gold, a new breed descended onto mining camp and frontier town alike, preying upon their more industrious and honest neighbors. (Some prospectors are panning for gold in streams and rivers, a saloon's roulette wheel rotating, another newspaper headline announcing the end of the Civil War saying, "Lee Surrenders at Appomattox: General U.S. Grant gives terms of surrender to Defeated South") With the end of the War between the states, this lawless element burst into action. (A large house exploding, some Indians and outlaws doing raids) In an effort to claim the Golden State for their own, they fought against the encroachment of law and communications. (We see a notice nailed to a tree saying, "Wire Workers Wanted: For Western Expansion Project Good Pay-Steady Employment Apply to J.R. White, Pres., Pioneer Telegraph Company St. Joseph, Missouri" until a man named Hank Kilgore removes it and reads it for himself, then rides into St. Joseph to look around)
Man: When I get out there, I plan to sign on as a freight agent. (An elderly man and young woman come out of their office and walks over to the crowd)
Mr. White: How do you do, men? My daughter and I welcome you to Pioneer Telegraph. Before we are through, our lines will connect St. Joe with the Pacific, but it won't be an easy job. Along the route, there'll be places where the 6-gun is the only law. The only way to lick this job is working together as a team, doing a good job under a great leader. That's why I've asked you here to meet our new engineer, Mr. Ken Mason. He's to arrive on the stage from the east this morning.
Rita: There's the stage now, Dad. (The stagecoach pulls in and as it comes to a stop, Ken Mason is seen aboard and disembarks) It can't be Mr. Mason.
Mr. White: Must be. He's the only passenger.
Ken: (Walks over carrying his briefcase and takes off his hat) Mr. White, I'm Ken Mason. I understand you were expecting me.
Mr. White: (Shakes Ken's hand) I wasn't expecting such a fine gentleman. Maybe there's been a mistake.
Ken: No mistake, sir.
Rita: Stringing telegraph lines isn't an easy job, Mr. Mason. If you have-
Ken: I don't anticipate any unusual problems, Miss, uh?
Mr. White: My daughter, Rita. She's my assistant.
Ken: (Tips his hat) Delighted.
Rita: Mr. Mason, we might lose our franchise if we don't make the November 15 deadline. If you have any doubts as to your ability to meet that date, now's the time to bow out.
Ken: And break our contract? I wouldn't think of it, Miss White.
Mr. White: Very well, Mason. Here's your crew. A wagon train at Hatton Stables is waiting transport men and supplies to a base camp near Los Angeles, California.
Rita: Dad and I have some business matters to attend to. We'll meet you there.
Ken: Okay. I'll see you there. (Turns around to the crew) All right, men. Let's get started. (Leaves with the crew and Kilgore climbs on his horse and rides away)
Los Angeles, California
(Kilgore rides into Los Angeles and stops in front of a blacksmith shop with a large sign saying in large letters, "BLACKSMITH SHOP, GEORGE CRANE, PROP. SPECIAL SERVICES LEGAL ADVISOR UNDERTAKER-ALDERMAN," Crane slams his hammer on a horseshoe as Kilgore enters his shop)
Crane: Hello, Kilgore. Have a nice trip?
Kilgore: I'd say it's interesting. Pioneer Telegraph's got a work crew moving out this way.
Crane: Really? When?
Kilgore: They already left St. Joe heading for a camp outside of town.
Crane: (Lights up a cigar) How many men did they hire?
Kilgore: I figure about 50, with the exception of Old Man White and the girl, they're going to follow the wagon train. Job's being handled by some Eastern dude by the name of Ken Mason. Wouldn't be surprised if he's easy pickings.
Crane: (Puffs out some smoke) You always did have a lot of bad habits, Kilgore, and one of them's jumping to conclusions. Colonel Martin has this place under martial law by order of the Governor, even though the Colonel's working with us. Even before then, the only law in Los Angeles is me. So you, the James Gang, and the Daltons were free to come and go as you please, knowing it's safe while you're here.
Kilgore: Yeah, that's right. As long as we paid you a fair price.
Crane: Anybody gettin' tired of paying me?
Kilgore: Take it easy, Crane. We're not fools. You keep the law out of Los Angeles and you'll be paid. (An elderly Spanish woman enters the shop)
Crane: Ah, Dona Anna Maria, buenes tardes.
Dona Anna Maria: Buenes tardes, Senor Crane.
Crane: Kilgore, this is Senora de la Vega. Her late husband Don Diego's family was California's wealthiest landowners during the old Spanish days.
Kilgore: (Tips his hat) How do you do, Senora?
Dona Anna Maria: Senor Kilgore. Senor Crane, I want to thank you for helping me with my rancho.
Crane: No thanks necessary, Senora. Kilgore tells me that Pioneer Telegraph has hired an Easterner named Ken Mason as their engineer.
Dona Anna Maria: Ken is their engineer?
Kilgore: You know him, Senora?
Dona Anna Maria: Si, he is my grandson. He wrote to me when he graduated college and told me that a company hired him as an engineer. If my husband, Diego, had lived, he would have been so proud. Ken has proved that he has de la Vega blood in his veins. He has just worshipped his grandfather. Ken also said in his letter that he plans to use our land as part of the route for the line. I have arranged with the servants to have the hacienda ready for when Ken comes home. Audios, Senores. (Leaves the shop and climbs aboard her carriage)
Crane: Audios.
Kilgore: I never thought that old woman is Ken Mason's grandmother.
Crane: That seems to make a bit of a twist on things, don't it? Now, let's talk about the telegraph. That'll bring the United States Marshal in Sacramento to town in a hurry.
Kilgore: Sure, if they run their lines through here, which I don't think they will. Them Indian raids we stirred up ran the settlers off the land Pioneer Telegraph needs to put their lines through. That is, except for the de la Vega land as the old woman mentioned. So either give up or go someplace else.
Crane: Still, it probably wouldn't hurt to discourage White and his daughter personally.
Kilgore: What do you mean?
Crane: While I arrange with the Colonel to send a troop out to protect the wagon train, ride out to Yellow Hawk's camp. Tell him...(Fades into the next chapter)
A/N: The 1949 Ghost of Zorro Serial was originally set in New Mexico, but I plan to have it set in California as the original stories were set. As you noticed, Ken's grandmother is Anna Maria from the Disney TV Series during the Monterrey episodes. I thought she and Diego make a good couple and I'm sure others felt the same way. It seems Rita and her father may be running into some Indian trouble in the next chapter. Wonder how things'll turn out.