January 23rd, 1821/ Day 121
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I wonder where should I take her after we marry this time. He pondered. We've been to Santa Paula over 30 times, till I got bored of the place. The windmill was a good idea but it is rather drafty, and she did not seem to enjoy it as much. Although it was rather romantic... Perhaps a ship? What if she gets seasick? Perhaps not a ship. The cave? Not sure the smell would provide for the right mood. My room? With those bandits out there, and my father and Felipe outside the door? No, thank you! There might still be some other taverns in Santa Paula or in San Pedro. I should ask Father. Maybe this time I will confess to him that I am Zorro. Again. I should tell her without the mask, as Diego. No need to ride back and change. Yet, last time I did that, she took a little more convincing than it usually takes by just removing the mask. When has this become so complicated?
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 352
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I love getting married to Victoria but this is becoming ridiculous. I wish the padre could consider something different to say from time to time. He is just repeating himself. I cannot stand it anymore. Perhaps I should just take her away and marry her somewhere else. Maybe I won't marry her today. I can just take her to a picnic at the beach. Sounds like a plan.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 659
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I need a break. I should just stay home and read. I will visit Victoria as Zorro first to make sure she is not in the tavern when the bandits get there. I'll invite her to lunch. Mendoza as well. Perhaps I will not visit Victoria as Zorro, but as Diego. She might find it strange for Zorro to invite her to lunch at the De la Vega Hacienda.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 831
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I made love to Victoria over 1000 times. I am becoming quite an expert at that. Why do I feel so exhausted?
This day is killing me. I am starting to understand my father's idea of putting a bullet through one's head. Would suicide work? I die and the world might go on. I should give it a try! I will leave letters, just in case I actually succeed.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 832
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Suicide is not an option. Let's try death by bandits. Wait. Wasn't that how I died the first time? Perhaps I am in Hell and I am being punished by reliving this day over and over again. No...No version of Hell would have allowed me to be with Victoria so many times. Victoria. I haven't married her in a few days. Perhaps I should marry her today. Have a big wedding like she had always wanted. Invite the entire pueblo.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 833
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Note to self: I should remember that De Soto is not that stupid. Big wedding leads to sudden arrest. Spending night in jail is much less pleasant than spending it with Victoria.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 928
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Maybe I should spend this day with my father. He is always complaining we don't spend enough time together. I can tell him I am Zorro...again...I always like the face he makes when he sees the cave for the first time...again. Should I tell him the day is repeating itself and he just doesn't remember? What's the use? He will forget about it by the next morning.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 929
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Note to self: Father is not that fun to hang out with for more than half a day after he finds out I'm Zorro. The man has far too many questions. He also tries too hard to play matchmaker with me and Victoria during lunchtime, which is rather embarrassing especially since I have already married the woman almost 900 times. And Mendoza was there.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 960
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I guess I will have breakfast in the tavern today. Just for diversity. Should I take Felipe? No...he always worries too much.
"Buenos dias, Senor!" Victoria greeted Diego as he neared the bar around eight in the morning, an unusual hour for him.
"Good morning, Victoria!" Replied Diego with a big smile and unable to completely disguise the love radiating from his eyes. "What's for breakfast?"
"Breakfast? Don't you usually have breakfast at the hacienda?" She inquired.
"Not today. Would you be kind enough to prepare something for me? Whatever you want. I always love your food." He complimented her.
"Of course, Diego!" She agreed with a grin, and hurried to cook something for her friend, returning back from the kitchen about 5 minutes later. "Here you are, Diego! Huevos rancheros, just as you like them!"
"Thank you, Victoria. You are most kind." He replied, eagerly enjoying his breakfast.
About half an hour later, he saw Mendoza and De Soto entering and, pondering on his actions, he decided to ask for a drink.
"I hope you have prepared a lot of lemonade this morning since it's already almost unbearably hot out there!" He told Victoria.
"Pilar is just preparing a new jar, Diego." She answered. "Nice and fresh just for you!"
"You know, Don Diego," started De Soto as Victoria brought him the jar of fresh lemonade and a glass "I've always found that the best morning drink for true men is a nice glass of Port. Don't you agree, Sergeant?"
"Port is very nice, mi Alcalde!" Answered Mendoza, more than happy to be consulted and feeling certain he had the correct answer.
"To each his own, Alcalde!" Answered Diego.
"That is true." De Soto agreed. "After all, men do come in all shapes and sizes. You know, Diego, I am sure some fencing lessons from Sergeant Mendoza might go a long way in getting you started in the right direction and, since I am feeling rather generous, I might even throw in some lessons with myself. I understand you would be highly outclassed, but I will do my best to go easy on you! What do you say?"
"Oh, I appreciate the offer, Ignacio." Diego answered. "But I am quite sure I would disarm you in less than 6 moves." He decided to challenge him.
"Disarm me? Really, Diego! I see you've found your sense of humor today!"
"Why don't I prove it, if you don't believe me?" He asked.
"Prove it? Is that a challenge, De la Vega?" De Soto laughed in his face.
"It most certainly is, Alcalde. I hope you are not afraid to fight me. At least you can be sure I won't kill you." Diego answered with a grin.
De Soto's smile faded as he saw that Diego was serious.
"Kill me? Diego, if you are seriously challenging me to a duel, I will make sure to give you a lesson you shall never forget!" De Soto said as his blood pressure was rising.
"On the contrary, Ignacio. If anyone will be giving lessons here, I can assure you it will be me!" The tall caballero answered.
"What are you doing, Diego?" Victoria inquired, protectively. "You cannot fight the Alcalde. You have no skill with the sword!"
Diego just smiled at her wickedly.
"Get up, De la Vega!" De Soto asked him.
"Alcalde, maybe Don Diego is not feeling himself today. Why don't you just let it go?" Mendoza tried to intervene as Diego stood up, asking the Sergeant to borrow his sword.
"No, Sergeant. I believe it is time to teach this arrogant a lesson!" De Soto replied as he turned on his heels and headed outside, Diego following him closely.
Once in the plaza, the two opponents saluted each other and took their positions. De Soto attacked and was easily parried twice, suddenly realizing he had underestimated Diego. Three more moves, easily controlled by his opponent, and De Soto's saber went flying through the air.
"What were you saying about being outclassed, Ignacio?" Diego asked.
"Lucky accident, Diego! Even a bad swordsman can sometimes get lucky!" Ignacio rejected the truth.
"Would you like a rematch, in that case?" Diego inquired while the plaza was filling up with people.
"En guard!" Ignacio uttered after picking up his sword.
This time it took Diego just three strikes to disarm him.
"How did you do that?" Ignacio inquired as Victoria, Mendoza, the other lancers and the people gathered there were watching open-mouthed.
"I may have downplayed my level of swordsmanship during the years." Diego answered him.
"So it's not something new? You were always this good, Diego?" Ignacio asked him.
"Let's say I had a good sword master in Spain." He answered, amused at De Soto's face.
"What sword master?" De Soto wondered.
"Sir Kendall. Bested him before I left." Diego bragged.
"You bested Kendall? He was never defeated!" De Soto retorted.
"The English lord who died here a few years ago?" Mendoza intervened. "The one who said you were the best student he ever had?"
"Kendall's best student, Diego? Why have you never said anything? You could have trained my men! Trained me! With your help I could have defeated that plague dressed in black..." Ignacio paused as soon as he thought of Zorro.
"I am not sure if taking you so long to realize why I haven't told you sooner is the result of denial, or just merely a compliment to my acting skills." Diego retorted when he realized De Soto finally put the pieces together.
"YOU! LAAANNNNNCEEEEERRRRSSSSSSS!" De Soto yelled.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 961
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Why have I never before thought about challenging De Soto to a duel as Diego? He was so sure he was going to win! The face he made when I defeated him so easily! I will never forget that! Perhaps have a repeat today, just to remember it better. Lands me in jail, but it is definitely worth it! Remember to take one of my own swords. Mendoza's rather low quality.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 978
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Maybe I should kill De Soto today. I've never done that before, but I am becoming tired of visiting the jail just for outmatching him in a duel every time I decide to take a break from getting married. I am not really eager to do it, but maybe that will stop all this nonsense. Should I kill him as Zorro, or pretend to accept his offer to take fighting lessons and "accidentally" kill him as Diego? No one will even doubt it was an accident.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 979
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Let's never injure De Soto again. That felt terrible. I couldn't even do the merciful thing and put him out of his misery. I hate seeing Mendoza crying.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 990
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Alright! The uncertainty is killing me. I must know!
"Buenos dias, Diego!" Victoria greeted him as he dismounted his horse in front of the tavern.
"Buenos dias, Victoria!" He answered
"Is that a new horse? "She asked, noticing the impressive black steed.
"Tornado? Of course, not! I've been riding him for years!" He replied as it was the most natural thing in the world for her to know that.
"Tornado? As in Zorro's Tornado?" She asked incredulously.
"I'm quite sure there's only one Tornado." He told her as he was putting a coin in the horse's teeth.
She stared at him dumbstruck.
"What are you doing with Tornado?" She eventually mustered the courage to return to her line of questioning.
"Oh! The money you mean?" He wondered. "I have a bet with Felipe. He says Tornado prefers carrots. I believe he prefers apples. So I decided to clarify the subject once and for all. I just can't stand not knowing for sure."
The two of them as well as other bewildered people in the plaza watched the horse heading towards the food stand, and give the coin to the surprised woman tending to it before selecting his snack.
"Apples!" Diego exclaimed. "I knew it! So, Victoria, what's for lunch today? Also, would you like to go to Santa Barbara to get married a little later?" He asked as Victoria was standing there, frozen, unable to cope.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 995
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I must find a way to stop this day from repeating itself before I go completely crazy.
Maybe Victoria has an idea. She has good instincts. I will ask her for advice.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 996
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Note to self: More tact is needed in telling Victoria everything. Her punch can rival my own. Maybe I should take her away from town so we can discuss it properly.
Right. Let's try again.
"Buenos dias, Senor!" Victoria greeted Diego as he neared the bar around eight in the morning, an unusual hour for him.
"Good morning, Victoria!" Diego replied. "May I have a word with you?"
"A word, Diego? What about?" She inquired.
"Let's say it is complicated, but I promise to explain. In private, if you have the time." He told her.
"In private?" She wondered while deciding how to reply. "I always have time for you, Diego!"
"Join me on a picnic?" He decided to push his luck.
"A picnic? Just the two of us?"
"Why not? A break from work might do you some good!"
"Yes! Maybe you are right! It is not so crowded today, anyway. I will ask Pilar to look after the tavern." She agreed.
Diego took Victoria to the banks of a stream, not far from his hacienda.
"I need to talk to you, Victoria." He started. "I need your advice."
"My advice?" She wondered.
"Yes. It will sound strange and might make little sense in the beginning, but I just feel lost..." He started. "Maybe before diving into that, though, I should confess something."
"Confess something?" She inquired.
"Yes. I think I should confess that I am Zorro." He said, trying to get that revelation out of the way.
"You ...are...Zorro" She repeated.
Now I understand exactly how Don Fernando felt when he visited me. He considered while nodding his head to confirm she had heard right.
"And I have already told you this almost a thousand times. You just don't remember. And that is why I need your help." He continued.
"What? You...you can't be Zorro, Diego! Is this a game? Do you think this is funny? I would certainly know if you had told me that before!" She protested.
"No you wouldn't, and that's the problem. Victoria, I am Zorro. I am engaged to you. I gave you my mother's ring the day I took you to my cave."
"No...that's impossible!" She protested, oscillating between rage and disbelief, fighting the urge to flee.
"The first time I told you my secret you confessed to me that you had imagined many times what Zorro might look like under the mask, and you always hoped he would look a lot like me, 'your Diego'. You also told me I should never doubt your love."
"How do you know that? How can I not remember that?" She asked, studying him.
"That is where it becomes complicated." He continued. "You see, the reason why you don't remember is because we are reliving the same day, Victoria. The same day over and over again, and nobody but me seems to realize that. There is no tomorrow. Just today! And I don't know why this is happening and what can I do to stop it!"
Victoria just stared at him for a few minutes, not saying anything as if trying to determine if he was telling her the truth. He looked like Zorro. Same height, same eyes, same jawline. He knew about the engagement ring. About the cave. She knew how she felt about him. She had never told anyone any of those things.
"You are telling me the truth, Diego?" She asked, sincerely trying to believe him.
"I am, Victoria. Please! I need you to trust me. I need your help in figuring all this out." He begged her.
"Can you kiss me?" She asked. "If you really are Zorro, I will..." His lips prevented her from saying anything else. "Zorro!" She exclaimed with loving eyes and a smile, when they parted their lips.
"Yes, Victoria! Do you believe me now?" He asked her.
"I do, and I will never doubt you again!" She answered him.
"Yes, you will. But that is not the point." He answered and kissed her before she had a chance to protest.
"Will you marry me, now?" She teased him.
"No. Not this time. This time I need your help. If the day repeats itself, I will marry you again next time." He assured her.
"Again?" She asked.
"Ah… yes." He confirmed. "I didn't exactly keep count, but I believe I already married you over 900 times." He added. "You just don't remember."
"You married me 900 times? And I don't remember? Wait...did we..."
"Consummate our marriage? Yes. Not that you'd remember that, either!" He replied with some annoyance in his voice.
"You mean...you and I...you..." She blushed, unable to continue.
"You have a funny mole on your right breast, and a birthmark no man other than myself will ever see!" He declared as she watched him in disbelief. "Maybe the doctor, if we ever have children. However, for that to happen, I need to find a way to bring about tomorrow."
"Did you only marry me because you knew I'd forget about it?" She asked as he saw her anger rising.
"No." He told her calmly, somehow amused at her tone. Moments later, he stretched on the blanket, his arms pillowing his head. "When the day first restarted", he began his account with unmasked sadness in his voice, "I thought it had been a bad dream. A nightmare. The idea that a day might start all over again seemed absurd at that time, especially because nobody else seemed to remember anything. I thought it was a warning, a chance to prevent many deaths, yours and mine included. I managed to save us, but I lost Felipe instead and my soul with him. Then the day restarted and I managed to also save Felipe but lost my father and you...they hurt you and I wasn't there. I am grateful you don't remember that. It took me quite a few repeats until I managed to make sure that nobody died. I thought that way the day would stop repeating itself but the day started again. So I asked my father for help, and he suggested... Not suggested. He made me realize that, if, no matter what I changed, the day just restarted, again and again, I should consider it as an opportunity to make it a happy day. That's why I wed you so many times, not because you wouldn't remember, but because I could not imagine a happier day than the day I married you, Victoria." He confessed.
"Then why didn't you marry me today?" She asked with tears in her eyes after hearing his story.
"Because I need for this to stop. I love marrying you. I love... I love the spark in your eyes after the first time we make love. But it tears me apart to wake up alone after having shared so much of myself with you. And it is not fair that you don't remember anything that happened between us."
"Diego, would you make love to me now?" She asked.
"No. I will never touch you before I marry you." He replied.
"But you said you already married me hundreds of times. That you have already made me yours." She insisted.
"I did. But I haven't married you today. And if, by any chance, tomorrow does come and this day stops repeating itself..."
"I will remember..." She finished his train of thought.
"You will remember me having fallen prey to my desires instead of doing right by you." He smiled at her. "Truth is, I would wrong you either way. Even if the day repeats itself, as it might, and you will not remember a thing, what would you think of me if I confessed to have made love to you without having married you first? Taking advantage of you, aware that you would not remember me doing that?"
"You can keep that a secret." She replied, leaning against him and lovingly looking into his eyes.
"Yes. I am rather good at that, aren't I? But I wouldn't want any secret between me and my wife, so how about we first figure out a way for both of us to remember our wedding day?" He asked. "And maybe we can marry later, anyway."
"Sounds like a plan." She answered.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 997
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
Victoria surely is a passionate woman. About me, most of all. I love that about her. I wonder if her idea might work.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 998
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I basically knew it wouldn't work but at least I gave it a shot. What am I doing wrong? Maybe I should read more. Perhaps there's an answer in one of my books.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 1224
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I read all the books in the pueblo. I have learned to speak 3 more foreign languages and 2 Indian dialects. My swordsmanship skills are declining. Felipe bested me yesterday. Easily. I wonder if I still know how to play chess. Will spend the day riding Tornado.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 1282
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I should ride as Zorro. Haven't done that in a very long time. I miss it.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 1283
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
De Soto bested me yesterday. I am too rusty. I should ask Felipe to help me improve my swordsmanship. Not today. Haven't married Victoria in a week. I should rectify that first. It's good she doesn't remember how I was defeated by De Soto.
January 23rd, 1821/ Day 1400
The first ray of sun hit his face like a punch. Diego opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
This has gone on for long enough. Perhaps my first idea was correct and I am just missing something. I should get Victoria to safety and observe from the sidelines until I finally understand what's actually going on and why. As Zorro or as Diego? As both.