Author's note: I noticed that the number of Zorro stories on this site was approaching one hundred so I thought I'd write a little story with a theme that included the number.
The Bet
Chapter 1
The two caballeros were seated at a table outside the tavern. Their grumbling could be heard in the street and caused many a head to turn and stare. Diego de la Vega could not help but overhear their conversation as he sat drinking his juice and furtively watching his favorite señorita.
"Women!"
"Yes. That's exactly what we need! Women! Señoritas!"
"Yes, but where do we find them?" Sebastian shook his head. "There's only so many around. My men are not willing to travel to San Diego or Santa Paula. They want someone here in the pueblo, someone they can court when they finish their work. It is indeed a problem. There's just not that many young señoritas around here." He drained his glass as Señorita Escalante came out of the doorway with a pitcher. "Ah, Señorita!"
"Don Sebastian, some more wine?" She smiled at both men.
"Si, Señorita," he said then changed his mind. "No, no, I shouldn't. I need to get back to the hacienda."
"Expecting more trouble from your men?" Don Alberto asked.
"More complaining, that's for sure! You know, the problem is only going to get worse. More men are moving to the area everyday. Never any women "
Don Sebastian's fist came down hard on the table, upsetting the glasses and causing Victoria to flinch. "We have to do something!"
"But what?" Don Alberto was discouraged. "There's no solution."
"Yes, there is!" A sudden light entered into the eyes of Don Sebastian. "We can bring women here. We can get them from Spain!" He licked his lips as his brain raced with his newly formed idea.
"Bring them from Spain?" Victoria entered the conversation despite herself. "What are you talking about?"
"Women! We need women!" The man had a crazed look in his eyes and Victoria backed up from him.
"Señor!" she admonished them with a glare.
"No, not those types of women. We don't mean the type of women the Sanchez brothers go visit in Monterey. No, we need women who the men can court, women they can marry. Surely there are such women in Spain that would be adventurous enough to come to Alta California to start a new life!"
"Oh, Señor," Victoria said with a laugh. "That's a bit much to ask of —"
"And just who is going to go convince these women? You?" Don Alberto asked. "You couldn't convince a rattlesnake into a henhouse!"
"I could!"
"No, you couldn't"
"Yes, I could!"
"You want to make a bet?" Don Alberto challenged.
"A bet?" Don Sebastian. "A real bet?" He stroked his beard in thought.
"Oh, please, you two!" Victoria had heard enough. "You two will bet on anything! Why don't you save your money instead of gambling away your father's hard earned money!" The señorita turned in disgust from the men and went back inside the tavern.
"A bet, heh? Yes, I'm willing to bet with you. Are you willing to do it?"
"Yes! I will! And it will solve both of our problems when I do! Are you willing to split the costs to back the expedition?"
Don Alberto laughed. "Oh yes, I'll back you! But what stakes? What are the rules of the bet? It all has to be settled before you go off —"
"The rules are simple. I go to Spain, bring back a bunch of women —"
"Women don't come in bunches." Don Sebastian said. "Just how many will you bring back? My ranchero alone employs twenty men. Yours has how many? Twenty-five? That's a lot of women."
"And there must be twelve working rancheros with the same problem. So let's say a nice round number —"
"Round? Like the curves of the women? Heh?" Don Alberto laughed and elbowed his friend.
"Exactly! Let's say one hundred women!"
"But no…uh…well, you know, I mean these women have to be…marriageable."
"Agreed, marriageable women. Women that the men could actually court and woo and marry."
"One hundred women!" Don Alberto swirled his glass of beer before he drained the last few swallows. "It is a huge project. We will need a contract. A binding contract."
"Not that you don't trust me?"
"Exactly, but I don't trust you. And those stakes? They need to be enough to make it hurt for us both. How about a nice round number for that?"
"Well, you've got those new paso finos. How about a hundred horses?"
They both laughed.
"One horse for each woman. There is a certain amount of poetry to that. It is a deal, Señor!" The men rose from their seats. "You will go to Spain and bring back one hundred women of marriageable age, reputation, and disposition. They have to stay here at least one year before they can choose to return to Spain should they not marry one of the men. We will share the costs and if you fail in all this, I get one hundred fine arabians from your ranchero."
"And if I win?"
"Then I would give to you one hundred of my best horses. But regardless of who wins, it will be good for the pueblo to have more women come here."
Diego couldn't contain himself any longer. He rose and crossed to the table of the two men and sat down. "I have been listening to your proposition. It is a very interesting one and I agree that if you actually do this it will be good for the pueblo. Would you like some help?"
"Of course, Don Diego. We would welcome it," Don Sebastian said. "So you like our idea?"
"Yes, I do. As you say, it would be good for the pueblo. I'd like to help. You will be asking these women to give up so much to come to the colony so far from their homes. You could use a pamphlet extolling the benefits and advantages of living in Los Angeles. I could write such a thing for you."
"Good! That is good, Don Diego."
"You also need to think about dueَñas, transportation and housing for the señoritas. I have always found that it is best to be prepared."
"Yes, that is so. We have much to do," Don Alberto mused.
Diego rose from his seat and said, "Why don't the both of you come out to our hacienda tonight around seven. We could sit down with my father and work out the details. I'm sure he will be as intrigued as I am."
"We will be there! At seven, then!"
"Good, I will go and begin work on the pamphlet. Adios!" As Diego turned to leave and made his way to a waiting Esperanza, Victoria once more came out of the doorway to make her rounds filling empty glasses.
"This is good. Don Alejandro and Don Diego will have good advice for us about bringing all those women to Los Angeles."
"Yes, very good. But, you know what's going to happen once we convince one hundred señoritas to come here?" Don Alberto was beaming.
"What?" Don Sebastian was smiling broadly too.
"They will all want to marry Zorro!"
The two men laughed loudly as they rose from their seats and tossed coins on the table to pay for their drinks. Neither of them noticed the look of nervous fear on the señorita's face.