Vitani: Sometimes I think I’m cursed that something that happened to me before I was even born, you see a long time ago. There was this family.
The images on the papel picado come to life to illustrate a
father, a mother, a tia, and a little girl. The family is happy.
Vitani: The “papa” he was a musician, he and his family would sing and count their blessing.
The papá plays guitar while the mother dances with her
daughter and sister.
Vitani: But he also had a dream to play for the world and one day he left with his guitar and never return.
The man walks down a road, guitar slung on his back. In
another vignette his daughter stands in the doorway, watching
her papá leave. Two feet step up next to her and then two more. It is her mamá and tia, hardened.
The mama shuts the door.
Vitani: Several days later, the family started to become poor. And the tia didn't want any of them to remember that musician. After bashing music from their lives.
The woman gets rid of all of the instruments and
records.
Vitani: She found a way to provide for her sister and niece...So she rolled up her selves and learn to make shoes,
Amongst the papel picado, a stick swings at a strung up
piñata which explodes with candy...Fireworks go off in the background...Sparkly underwear and a luchador mask hang on a line amongst other linens...
Vitani: She could have made anything in the world. But, no she chooses shoes.
On the papel picado, the little girl becomes a young woman.
Vitani: then she taught her sister and brothers how to make shoes, then later her niece!
She gives her niece the tools.
Vitani: Then her great-nieces got roped into it, as her family grew so did the business.
In the next vignette, a bunch of goofy grandchildren joins in
the shoemaking. The shoe shop is full of family!
Vitani: Music had torn them apart. But shoes had them all together. You see, those women were my great-great-grandmother and her big sister, my tia Selena and my mama Imelda.
TILT DOWN from the papel picado to the
OFRENDA ROOM - DAY. Where a photo sits at the top of a beautiful altar. The photo features MAMÁ IMELDA and TIA SELENA -- serious, formidable. Mama Imelda holds a baby on her lap. Tia Selena is next to her. Her husband stands beside her, but his face has been torn away.
Vitani: They died way before I was born. But my family still tells their stories every on the day of the dead and mama Imelda's little girl.
Fade from the face of the little girl to present-day MAMÁ
COCO (97), a living raisin, convalescing in a wicker
wheelchair.
Vitani: That my great-grandmother Mama Coco.
A girl (about 15) walks into the frame and gives her kisses on the cheeks.
Vitani: Hola mama coco.
Coco: How are you, Julie?
Vitani: Actually, my name is Vitani. Mama coco can’t remember much. But it is good to talk to her. So I tell her some things.
EXT. COURTYARD
Vitani: I used to run like this, but now I run like this, which is way faster.
INT. MAMÁ COCO'S ROOM
Vitani, in a luchador mask, climbs onto the bed, arms raised.
Vitani: .......And the winner is Luchadora
Coco.
Vitani leaps off the bed onto a pile of pillows that bursts,
sending feathers onto Mamá Coco, who wears a mask of her own.
CUT TO:
EXT. DINING AREA
Vitani leans toward Mamá Coco at the dinner table.
Vitani: I have a dimple on this side but not on this side see? Dimple,no dimple(4x)
Vitani's ABUELITA (in her 70s) runs the table like a ship captain.
She kisses Mamá Coco on the head.
Abuelita: Vitani, eat your food
Vitani: My Abuelita, she’s mama coco’s daughter
Abuelita piles extra tamles on Vitani's plate
Abuelita: Vitani, you’re a twig, have some more
Vitani: No thanks
Abuelita: I ask if you would like more tamales
Vitani: Uh si
Abuelita: That’s what I thought you said
Vitani: Abuelita runs our house just like Mama imelda and Tia Selena did
CUT TO:
INT. OFRENDA ROOM - DAY
Abuelita adjusts the photo of her beloved Mamá Imelda and Tia Selena. Then, she perks her ear at a hooting sound.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Vitani idly blows into a glass soda bottle. Abuelita takes
the bottle away. After that, Vitani listens as a truck drives by the window, blaring radio tunes. Abuelita angrily slams the window shut. At night, A trio of gentlemen serenades each other as they stroll by the
family compound.
Abuelita: No music(3x)
Vitani: I think we’re the only family in Mexico that’s hate music.
We see the Rivera family tinkering in the shoe shop, no music
to be heard. Vitani jogs past them. She grabs her shine box and heads out of the shoe shop.
Vitani: my family's fine with that but me…….
Mama: Be back by lunch, Mi Hija
Vitani: Love you, mama.
Vitani goes outsides and makes her way through the small town.
Vitani: I’m not like the rest of my family
She passes a woman sweeping.
Maria: Hola Vitani
Vitani: Hola.
She passes a band of musicians playing a tune. Vitani joins
with some air guitar and the further down the street she goes,
the more instruments and sounds layer in. The bells of the
church chime in harmony, a radio blares a cumbia rhythm. Running past them, Vitani grabs a roll of pan dulce
and tosses the vendor a coin.
Vitani: Thank you, sir,
Carlos: De na, Vitani
As she passes all these scenes, the music synthesizes and
she can't help but tap out rhythms along a table of alebrijes.
The fantastical wooden animal sculptures each play a
different tone like a marimba. Vitani finishes with a SMACK
on a trash can, out of which pops up a scrappy hairless
Xolo dog. The dog, DANTE, barks and jumps up to lick Vitani,
who laughs.
Vitani: Hi Dante. Sit, rollover, shake, fist bump, good boy Dante.
She tosses the pan dulce to her furless friend who topples
back into the trash can.
Vitani: I know I can’t love music, but it’s not my fault, it’s his: Ernesto de la Cruz.
Vitani approaches a statue of a handsome mariachi at the
heart of the plaza.
Vitani: The greatest musician of all time,
A tour group and their TOUR GUIDE are gathered around
the base of the statue. CLIPS of de la Cruz in his hay day: playing as a young man in the plaza, serenading bystanders in a train car...
Vitani: He started as a total nobody, like me from san hill. But when he played music, he made people fall in love with him.
MORE CLIPS from de la Cruz's films. He leaps from a tree
branch onto a galloping horse. He plays his signature skull
guitar with flourish and flair.
Vitani: He starred in movies, he has the coolest guitar, he could fly!
A CLIP features de la Cruz dressed as a hovering priest, held
up by strings, in front of a cycling sky flat.
Vitani: and he wrote the best songs, but one of my best songs is… remember me! He lives the can of life you can dream of until 1942…... when he was crash by a giant bell, I want to be just like him. Sometimes I look at de la Cruz and I have this feeling like if he can play music maybe someday so could i. If it wasn’t for my family
Plaza Musician: Ay(3x) Mija
Vitani: huh?
Plaza Musician: I ask for a shoeshine, not your life story
Vitani: Oh yeah, sorry, I just can't talk about this at home so.
Plaza Musician: look if I were you, I’d march right up to my family and say “hi I’m a musician, deal with it”
Vitani: I could never say that
Plaza Musician: You are a musician, right?
Vitani: I don't know, I mean I only play for myself
Plaza Musician: Ah! Did de la Cruz become the world’s best musician by hiding his skills? No! He walks on to that plaza and he played out loud!
The mariachi gets an idea. He points to the gazebo where
organizers are setting up for a show. They unfurl a canvas
poster that reads "TALENT SHOW."
Musician: Mira looks there setting up for tonight, the music competition for the Day of the Dead, you want to be like your hero? You should sign up.
Vitani: uh-uh, my family would freak!
Plaza Musician: Look if you’re too scared then have fun making shoes. Come on, what did de la Cruz always say?
Vitani: Seize your moment?
Plaza Musician: Show me what you got, Mija. You can at least show me.
Vitani brows rise, surprised. She reaches to take
the instrument, regarding it as if holding a holy relic.
Vitani spreads her fingers across the strings anticipating
her chord and...
Abuelita: Vitani!!
Startled, Vitani impulsively throws the guitar back onto the
mariachi's lap. She turns to see Abuelita marching toward
her. Vitani's TÍO BERTO (40s) is with her.
Vitani: Abuelita!
Abuelita: what are you doing here?
Vitani quickly packs away her shine rag and polishes.
Abuelita barrels up to the mariachi.
She hits his hat with her shoe and waves him away.
Abuelita: You leave my granddaughter alone!!
Plaza Musician: Dona please, I was just a shine
Abuelita: I know your tricks musician, what did he say to you?
Vitani: Nothing, he was just showing me his guitar
Tio Berto: Shame on you!
Abuelita: my sweet granddaughter is a little Angel, She wants no part of your music Musician! You keep away from her!
The mariachi scrambles away, snatching his hat off the
ground before he goes. Abuelita walks back to Vitani before she could sneck away from her Abuelita. She peppers her with kisses then releases her from the embrace. She gasps for air.
Abuelita: Vitani Rivera, you know better than to be here in this place, you come will home now!
Abuelita turns toward home. Vitani sighs and gathers her
shine box. Then, seeing a flyer for the plaza "TALENT SHOW",
she can't help but pocket it. She follows Abuelita and catches up with her famila.
Tio Berto: How many times have we told you? That Plaza has Musicians in it!
Vitani: yes, tio Berto,
Dante ambles up to Vitani, sniffing and whining for a treat.
Vitani: Dante, not now. Abuelita, it’s just dante
Abuelita: Never name a street dog. They’re following you forever now go and get my shoe.
The Rivera workshop is abuzz with family making shoes.
WHOMP! Vitani is plopped onto a stool, ready for a lecture.
Vitani: I found your daughter in the Plaza
Papa: Vitani!
Mama: you know how Abuelita feels about the plaza
Vitani: But I was shining shoes…..
Tio Berto: A musician's shoes!
Vitani: But the Plaza is where the feet are
Papa: If Abuelita says no more plaza, then no more plaza
Vitani: But what about tonight?
Mama: what’s tonight?
Vitani: Well, They're having this show and I thought I could…
Mama: Sign up?
Vitani: Well, maybe?
Abuelita: It día de Los muertos.No one going anywhere, tonight is about family.
She puts flowers in Vitani's arms and they go to the Ofrenda room. Vitani follows her Abuelita to the family ofrenda, holding
the pile of flowers as she arranges them on the altar.
Abuelita: don't give me that look, Dia De Los Muertos is the one night of the year our family can visit us, we put their photos on the ofrenda so they’re spirits can cross over, that is very important If we don’t put them up, they can’t come. We made all of this food, set out the things they like Mija, all of this to bring the family back together, I don’t you sneaking off to who knows where.
She finds Vitani snecking away.
Abuelita: Mija!!
Vitani: I thought we were done
Abuelita: Ay Mija, being part of this family means being here for this family. I don’t want to become like…..
Vitani: Like Mama Coco’s Papa?
Abuelita: Never say his name!
Mama Coco: Papa…is home?
Abuelita: No mama it okay I’m here please rest. I'm hard on you because I care about Vitani(2x).
She looks around the room. Vitani is nowhere to be found.
Abuelita steps up to the ofrenda.
Abuelita: What are we going to do about that girl?
She looks at the photo of Mamá Imelda and tia Selena. Abuelita's eyes brighten with an idea.
Abuelita: Oh, that's perfect!
CUT TO:
EXT. SIDE STREET
Tío Berto unloads rolls of leather from a truck bed. Nearby,
Dante sleeps under the shade of a tree. He startles awake by
a faint TWANGING. The dog scrambles up to the roof.
He reaches a shoe sign advertising the Rivera Family business
and lifts it.
INT. ROOFTOP HIDEOUT
Dante pokes his head in. Vitani turns and gasps.
Vitani: it’s only you, get in here. Come on, Dante hurry up!
Dante wriggles into the hideout. Vitani's huddled over
something. The dog peeks around her shoulder.
Vitani: You’re going to get me in trouble, boy, someone could hear me.
Vitani reveals a makeshift guitar, cobbled together from a
beat-up old soundboard and random other items.
She takes a china marker and sketches a nose on what appears
to be her version of a skull guitar head.
Vitani: I wish someone wanted to hear me, other than you ok boy,
Dante gives Vitani a big sloppy lick on her face. Vitani gives a grossed- out chuckle. She lifts her guitar and strums.
Vitani: Perfecto!
She crawls to the far side of the attic where she's built her
ofrenda to Ernesto de la Cruz. Posters, candles, and
songbooks are arranged with care. Vitani lights the candles
with reverence, illuminating an album cover of de la Cruz
holding her skull guitar. Vitani compares the head of her guitar to the album cover. Then she imitates de la Cruz's pose and smile.
she switches on a beat-up old TV and pushes a tape into the
VCR, "Best of de la Cruz" scrawled on the spine.
A montage of the greatest moments from de la Cruz's films
plays out. While playing, at one point, she closes her eyes and she lets the music take her.
Vitani: No more hiding dante, I got to seize my moment, I’m gonna play in the plaza if it kills me!
Abuelita: Dia De Los Muertos has started!
In the courtyard,
Vitani's four TODDLER COUSINS haphazardly scatter
marigold petals from their baskets. Mamá corrects them, creating a path from the ofrenda room to
the front gate.
Mama: No boys, we have to make a clear path. The petals guide our family home, we don’t want their spirits to get lost.
As Mamá teaches, Vitani and Dante sneak across the roof and
drop to the sidewalk outside the compound, Vitani clutching
her guitar. Suddenly Tío Berto and Papá round the corner carrying a small table from storage.
Papa: Mama, where should we put this table?
Abuelita: In the yard, mijos.
Papa: You want it down with the others?
Abuelita: Si
Vitani: Get under(2x)
Abuelita: Vitani!!
Vitani: Nothing, Mama, Papa
Papa: Vitani, your Abuelita had the greatest idea, we all agree. It’s time for you to join us in the workshop!
Vitani: Wait for what !??
Papa: No more shining shoes, you'll be making them every day.
Abuelita: oh! Our Vitani-Ti-Ti-Ta! Carrying on the family life and the day of the dead, your family would be so proud of you!
Vitani: But what if I’m not good at making shoes?
Papa: Ay, Vitani! You have your family here to guide you, you are a Rivera, and what is a Rivera?
Vitani: A shoemaker, though, and though
Papa: That’s my girl!!!
Vitani: Dante stop!! no(4x) De La Cruz’s Guitar?
Mama Coco: Papa(2x)
Vitani: Mama Coco, is your papa De La Cruz?
Mama Coco: Papa(2x)
Vitani: Mama,Papa. I know who my great-great-grandfather was!
Mama: Vitani, get down from there
Vitani: Mama Coco’s papa was Ernesto De la cruz!
Papa: What are you talking about?
Vitani: I’m gonna be a musician!!!!!
EXT. COURTYARD - EARLY EVENING
Vitani's guitar is cast at her feet, along with her de la
Cruz albums. The whole family encircles the girl.
Abuelita: What is all this?! You keep from your own family!!!?????
Tio Berto: It’s all that time she’s in the plaza
Tia Carmen: Fill her head with crazy fantasy
Vitani: It’s not a fantasy, that man was Ernesto De La Cruz. The greatest musician of all time!
She hands her father the photo and points to the skull guitar.
Papa: We never knew anything about this man, whoever he was, he still left his family! This is no future for my daughter.
Vitani: But papa, you said my family would guide me. Well, De La Cruz is my family, I’m supposed to play music.
Abuelita: Never! That man’s music was cursed! I will not allow it!
Vitani: But if you just……
Mama: Vitani!
Papa: You will listen to your family! No more music!
Vitani: Just listen to me play
Papa: End of argument!
Vitani lifts her guitar to play when Abuelita snatches the
instrument away. She points to the man in the photo.
Abuelita: You want to end up like that man? Forgotten? Left off your family’s Ofrenda?
Vitani: I don’t care if I’m some stupid ofrenda!! No, My guitar!!
Gasps from the family. Abuelita's brow hardens. She lifts the guitar in the air and smashes it to bits!
Abuelita: There, no guitar, no music. Oh! Come, you feel better after you eat with your family.
She reaches out to comfort Vitani, but she's hurt beyond
repair.
Vitani: I don’t want to be in this family!!!!!
She snatches the photo from Papá and bolts out of the
hacienda.
Papa: Vitani(2x)
EXT. SIDE STREET
Vitani bursts out of the compound, desperate to get away.
Dante, nose buried in a trash bag, hears Vitani and chases
after her. Vitani runs past a poster for the plaza "TALENT
SHOW."
EXT. MARIACHI PLAZA - EVENING
Vitani approaches a STAGE MANAGER in the gazebo.
Vitani: I want to play in the plaza, like De La Cruz, can I still sign up?
Maira: You got an instrument?
Vitani: No, but if I can a guitar…
Maira: Musicians have to bring their instrument, you find a guitar kid. I’ll put you on the list
Vitani finds a few people if she can borrow their guitar. But they all said No. Vitani, Disheartened, she away and finds herself facing the statue of de la Cruz.
Vitani: Great-great-grandpa, what should I do?
No answer. Vitani's gaze falls on a plaque at the base of
the statue that reads "Seize Your Moment!" Vitani looks at
the photo in her hand. She moves her thumb to reveal the
skull head guitar. Then, a firework illuminates the skull
head guitar that the statue holds. Vitani gets an idea.
EXT. CEMETERY - MOMENTS LATER
A sea of candles and flowers, families gathered at graves.
Vitani sneaks through the cemetery unnoticed, slipping from
one shadow to the next. Dante suddenly catches up to Vitani. He barks excitedly.
Vitani: Dante, not now. Here fetch.
She throws a chicken and he goes to get it.
EXT. DE LA CRUZ'S MAUSOLEUM
Vitani slinks around the side of the tomb. She looks in one
of the windows. Inside, the famous guitar hangs above the crypt. Fireworks pop; bursts of light glint off the instrument. It seems to
beckon her. She tries the window, but it's locked.
More fireworks shoot into the sky. Timing to the explosions, Vitani throws her shoulder into the rusted-shut window pane and forces it open with a scraping. KRRRR-LANK! She slinks inside the tomb.
INT. DE LA CRUZ'S MAUSOLEUM
Vitani drops down to the mausoleum floor. The noise from
outside muffled. She climbs onto the crypt, slightly
moving the lid. She stifles a gasp. She crawls over the marble sarcophagus and comes face-to-face
with the famed guitar. Vitani wipes away a layer of dust,
revealing the rich painted wood beneath. She looks up to the
portrait of de la Cruz.
Vitani: Señor De La Cruz, please don’t be mad, I’m Vitani, your great-great-granddaughter. I need to borrow this.
Heart in her throat, Vitani lifts the guitar off its mount.
Unbeknownst to her, some marigold petals in the mausoleum
begin to sparkle.
Vitani: Our family this music is a curse, None of them understand. But I know you would you had. You told me to follow my heart, to seize my moment.
She gets down off the tomb with the guitar. She backs up in full view of the painting.
Vitani: So if it’s okay with you, I’m gonna play in the plaza, just like you did!
Confidence building, she strums it once.
The air around her vibrates -- radiating like a shock wave.
The petals on the ground whirl and surge with light for just
a moment. Vitani's visibly taken aback. What
happened? Suddenly, a flashlight shines in the window of the mausoleum.
Man: Who’s in there?
Vitani hears keys jangling and the door unlocking. A
GROUNDSKEEPER enters with a flashlight. Startled, she puts the guitar on the ground.
Vitani: I’m sorry, it just that De La Cruz is my...
But the man didn't hear her, and he didn't even see her standing there. He went through Vitani like she was a ghost. She gasps and the man puts the guitar where it belongs.
Man: There’s no one here
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
A panicked Vitani runs out, trying to figure out what's going
on! But the people in the cemetery walk through her too.
Suddenly she hears a familiar voice.
Mama: Vitani!!?
Vitani: Mama, papa!
Papa: Vitani, where are you?
Vitani runs to them, but like she did everyone, she went through them and fell in a who. then, she hears a voice. She reaches her hand out to Vitani and helps her get out of the hole.
Lady: Dios mi hija, little girl. Are you ok? Here let me help you
Vitani: Thanks, i-
They both scream. The lady that helped her was a skeleton! She bumps into a lot of them and they encircle her, then she runs away from them and behind a tombstone. After a moment, she
peeks over the headstone to watch the skeletons engaging with
their living families., One couple dances. Another man reaches for offerings on his grave, which solidify in his hands when he takes them. A couple of skeletons coo over a toddler. Suddenly Dante surprises Vitani and licks her on the cheek.
Vitani screams.
Vitani: Dante, you can see me, hi dante what going on, dante stop!
Vitani gives chase until - BAM! She runs smack into a
mustached skeleton and falls to the ground. The skeleton's
bones break apart and scatter. The head pops up.
Vitani: Oh, I'm sorry.
Papa Julio: Vitani!?
Vitani tries to gather the scattered bones.
Tia’s: Vitani(2x)
The bones roll away from Vitani and make a body again.
Papa Julio: You’re here with us?
PAPÁ JULIO reconstitutes himself.
Rosita: Vitani!!!!
TÍA ROSITA charges through Papá Julio, sending his bones
scattering again. She grabs Vitani, hugging her tight.
Vitani smothered by Rosita's ample ribcage, struggles for
air.
Vitani: Remind me how I know you again?
Rosita: We’re your family, Mija
She lets of Vitani and tries to remember where she sees their faces before. then, she remembers, they're her family! Tía Rosita's ofrenda photo flashes in Vitani's memory.
Vitani: Tia Rosita?
Rosita: Si
Vitani: Papa Julio?
She looks at Papá Julio, whose head is still turned the wrong
way. TÍA VICTORIA straightens it.
Julio: Hola
Vitani: Tia Victoria?
Tía Victoria pokes Vitani's cheek, skeptical
Victoria: She’s doesn’t seem entire dead
Rosita: She’s not quite alive either
Julio: We need Mama Imelda or Tia Selena. They know how to fix this.
Suddenly twin skeleton gents run, huffing, toward the family.
Oscar: Oye! It the girls they can’t cross over, they’re stuck on the other side!!!!
Vitani sees pictures of her Tío Oscar and Tío Felipe flash in
her memory.
Vitani: Tio Oscar, Tio Felipe?
Felipe: Oh! Hi, Vitani
Victoria: I have a feeling this had to do something with you.
Tía Victoria turns her gaze on Vitani.
Rosita: But if they can’t to us…..
Julio: Then we are going to them, vamonos!
Papá Julio grabs Vitani by the arm and the family rushes through the cemetery, trailed by Dante.
EXT. CEMETERY - MOMENTS LATER
Vitani and her family weave through the graves, rounding a corner. Their bodies change from ghostly to solid. Vitani hesitates at the threshold.
Julio: Come on Vitani.it ok
Vitani follows after the family, the petals glowing under her feet. Dante takes off.
Vitani: Dante, wait up! You got to say with me boy, you don't know where...
Vitani runs after Dante, finally catching up to the dog as he rolls in the petals at the crest of the bridge. He sneezes some petals into Vitani's face. Out of the mist, the sparkling cityscape of the Land of the Dead emerges. It's breathtaking. Her family sidles up.
Vitani: This isn’t a dream then, you all are out there
Victoria: You thought we weren’t?
Vitani: Well. I don’t know, I thought it was one of those things adults tell their kids like vitamins
Victoria: Vitani, vitamins are a real thing
Vitani: Well, now I'm thinking maybe they could.
As skeletons pass in the other direction, Vitani receives some strange looks. A little skeleton girl gasps, pointing at her. The woman goes wide-eyed, her head turning back to gawk at Vitani as she walks in the opposite direction. Vitani puts up her hood. The Riveras continue toward an arrivals area on the far side of the bridge. Vitani sees fantastical creatures crawling, flying, making nests in the nearby architecture
Vitani: Are those………..Alebrijes! But those are...
Oscar: Real Alebrijes! They guide on their afterlives. But watch your step, they make dust everywhere
They get to the far edge of the Marigold Bridge.
Lady: Welcome back to the land of the dead, please have all treats ready for return and remember to return before sunrise and have a great visit!
Vitani and family get into the line for RE-ENTRY, along with other skeletons returning from the Land of the Living. Nearby, skeletons exit the Land of the Dead through a gate marked DEPARTURES. Vitani watches.
Lady: The next family pleases, oh! Your photos are on your kids Ofrenda! Have a great visit!
The couple unites with the rest of their family. They all step onto the bridge, which begins to glow as they gain footing. A skeleton man, with a smile full of braces, steps up to the monitor.
Lady: your photo is on your daughters, have a great visit! Next!
HÉCTOR (20s), a ragged fellow, steps up to the monitor, disguised as Frida Kahlo. Vitani couldn't help but laugh at him.
Hector: Yes it is i.frida Kahlo. Shall we skip the scanner? I’m on so
many ofrendas it will overwhelm your blink-thing
The monitor scans him, but an "X" appears, accompanied by a negative buzzing sound.
Lady: Oh shoot! Look like no one put your photo, Frida
Héctor peels off his unibrow and throws off his frock.
Hector: Look. When I said I was Frida, that was a lie and I’m sorry about that.
Lady: No photo on an ofrenda, No crossing the bridge
Hector: Ok, I'm just gonna zip over, you would even know I’m gone.
Héctor bolts for the bridge. A security guard blocks the gate. Héctor splits in two and slides past the guard, half going over, half under. Héctor reaches the bridge at a sprint, but the magic doesn't engage; he sinks right into the petals. The guards saunter to the bridge and casually pull Héctor back toward the Land of the Dead.
Hector:! Also, there just got to……ok fine who cares? Dumb flower bridge!
Vitani watches as the guards haul him out. Tía Rosita looks up in time to see her back.
Rosita: Oh! I don’t know what I'll do if no one put up my photo. Come on Mija, It’s our turn!
The arrivals line moves forward. The Dead Riveras crowd around the gate. The arrivals agent leans out from his window.
Officer: Welcome back, amigos! Anything to bring back?
Julio: As a matter of fact, yes
Vitani: Hola?
The family pushes Vitani to the front, very much alive. The arrivals agent's jaw drops.
INT. MARIGOLD GRAND CENTRAL STATION
Vitani and her family are escorted by a security guard across an arching second-floor walkway. Skeletons stare at Vitani as she walks by. At the end of the walkway are doors emblazoned with "DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY REUNIONS." The family passes through.
Man: Come on, help us out amigo. We got to get to a dozen ofrendas tonight
INT. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY REUNIONS Inside, they find caseworkers helping travelers work out holiday snafus.
Lady: We are not seeing your ex-wife’s family for the day of the dead!
CUT TO: In a far corner, one traveler, in particular, is raising sand, while the other one is sitting.
Imelda: We demand to see the person in charge!
A beleaguered CASE WORKER cringes as Mamá Imelda tears into her.
Lady: I’m sorry, but it says here no one put up your photo(s)
Mamá Imelda coldly eyes the Macintosh 128k on the woman's desk.
Selena: Sis, let’s go home, please! We can see our family next year or something!
Imelda: No way! Our family always puts our photo on the ofrenda, that devil box tells you nothing but lies!
In a swift movement, Mamá Imelda removes her shoe and smacks the computer. While tia Selena's being embarrassed by her baby sister.
Julio: Mama Imelda?
She turns her shoe on Papá Julio, who leans back and yelps. Mamá Imelda softens.
Imelda: Oh! Mi Familia! They wouldn’t let us cross the bridge
Selena: Oh, Now you're calmed?
Selena turns and gives the lady at the desk some cash to fix what her sister did.
Imelda: Tell this woman and her devil box that our photo is on the ofrenda.
Julio: Well, we never made it to the ofrenda
Selena: What?
Julio: We ran into, um…….
Mamá Imelda's and Tia Selena's eyes fall on Vitani. Vitani looks at Mamá Imelda and tia selena. their photo flashes before her.
Both: Vitani!!?!
Vitani: Mama Imelda, Tia Selena
Selena: What is going on?
Man: you the Rivera famila?
Just then, a door opens and a CLERK pokes his head out. The computer short circuits.
INT. CLERK'S OFFICE
Man: Well, you’re cursed
that family gasps
Vitani: What?!
Selena goes to the clerk's desk. getting the file.
Selena: Let me see that! Yea we’re cursed!
Vitani: How!?
The clerk searches through a huge stack of papers.
Man: Día de Los Muertos is a night to give to the dead, you stole from it
Selena: You did what!?
Vitani: But I wasn’t stealing the guitar
Imelda: Guitar!?
Vitani: It was my great-great-grandfather’s, he would have wanted me to have it!
Imelda: Ah(3x) We do not speak of that musician, He is dead to this family!!
Vitani: Uh, you’re all dead
Dante balances his paws at the edge of the clerk's desk and tries to reach a plate of food.
Man: I’m sorry, who’s alebrije is that?
Vitani steps up, trying to pull Dante away from the treats.
Vitani: That’s not an alebrije. That just Dante. and he's a puppy
Rosita: He sure doesn’t look like one
Tía Rosita gestures to the fantastical creatures fluttering on the other side of the window.
Man: Whatever he is, I’m allergic to him
She puts dante on the floor.
Vitani: But Dante doesn’t have any hair
Man: And I have a nose and yet here we are
Imelda: But none of this explains why we can’t cross over
Vitani: Oh, well, i-
She takes out the photo and unfolds.
Imelda: You took our photo off the Ofrenda!?
Vitani: I didn’t mean to!
Selena and Imelda's turns to the clerk, fire in Both eyes.
Selena: How do we send her back home!?
Man: Well, since it is a family matter. (flipping pages) To get your family blessing, just get your family blessing and everything should go back to normal. but you gonna do it before sunrise
Vitani: What happens at sunrise?
Julio: Mija, your hand. Whoa!
Vitani looks at her hand and sees a bone. The tip of one of her fingers has started to turn skeletal. She turns pale. She starts to faint when Selena picks her up and gently slaps her awake.
Selena: Vitani, can’t have you fainting on us!
Man: But not to worry, your family here. You can get a blessing right now, I need a petal.
Tía Rosita gives the clerk a petal from off her dress.
Rosita: Here you are!
Man: Thanks, Now you and your sister look at the living and say her name.
Imelda and Selena: Vitani
Man: Nailed it! Now say I give you my blessing.
Selena: you can do it
Imelda: I give you my blessing, to go home to put our photo back on the ofrenda
Imelda delivers it like a scolding, but Vitani nods.
Selena: and to never play music again!
Vitani: What? They can’t do that!
Man: Actually, they can add anything they want
Vitani stares them down. Imelda and Selena are firm in their resolve.
Vitani: Fine
Man: Now you give the petal to Vitani
Imelda extends the petal to Vitani, who reaches for it. He grabs the petal. WHOOSH! She's consumed by a whirlwind of petals and disappears.
DE LA CRUZ'S MAUSOLEUM - NIGHT
she reappears in a whirlwind of petals. It seems like she's solid. She runs to the window and looks out. Vitani laughs, relieved. Then, a mischievous smile on her face, she turns and eyes de la Cruz's guitar. She grabs the guitar quickly.
Vitani: No skeletons, plaza here i come
CLERK'S OFFICE - SAME TIME
Vitani appears back in the clerk's office in another flash of the marigold whirlwind, without the guitar. The family turns, shocked to see her back so soon. Vitani realizes her hands are still in a guitar-holding position.
Imelda: Two seconds and you already break our trust!
Vitani: This isn’t fair, it's my life, you already have yours! Papa Julio, I ask for your blessing. Tia Rosita, Oscar, Feilpo, Tia Victoria?
Selena: Don’t make this hard Mija, you go home our way or no way
Vitani: You guys hate music that much?
Selena: We will not let you go the same path he did.
Vitani: The same path he did, he’s family. Excuse me, I have to go to the restroom, be right back
Man: Uh, should we tell there are no restrooms in the land of the dead?
Imelda: Great, now how are we gonna find her?
Selena: Sis, you're forgetting one thing. I'm a cop.
Victoria: No offense, tia, but how's that gonna help?
Selena grabs her walkie.
Selena: Hola, otros policías, hay una niña viva de 15 años en la tierra de los muertos. si la encuentras antes del amanecer. Daré el resto de la semana libre y un aumento del 50%. Pero si la encuentras antes, podría aumentarla al 60 o 70%. ¡Gracias y que tengan un gran día de muertos!
INT. STAIRCASE - MOMENTS LATER
Vitani hustles down a staircase with Dante. Once on the ground floor, they huddle beneath the staircase. She looks to the upper floor. The Dead Riveras are there. Tío Oscar asks a PATROLWOMAN about a girl of Vitani's height. The patrolwoman picks up her walkie-talkie.
Vitani: Vamous, I want to be a musician. I need a musician’s blessing we got to find my great-great-grandpa
INT. NEARBY CORRIDOR
Vitani and Dante hide from the patrolman. But Dante wanders off to inspect a side room.
INT. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Vitani catches up to Dante. She overhears an exchange in a nearby cubicle.
Officer: ...disturbing the peace, fleeing an officer, falsifying a unibrow.
Hector: That’s illegal?
Officer: Very illegal, you need to clean up your act, amigo
Hector: Amigo? That’s so nice for you to say that because I just had a hard día de Los Muertos and I could use an Amigo right now.
Héctor leans gratefully toward the officer, overwhelmed with mock emotion.Héctor spies a de la Cruz poster at the officer's workstation.
Hector: and Amigo they help they’re each other. Look you get me across and you can have something great. Oh! Do you like De La Cruz? He and I go way back and I can get you front row seats to his show tonight, I'll get you backstage you can even meet him, you just gotta let me cross that bridge.
Officer: I should lock you up for the rest of the holiday, but my shift is almost and I want to see my family, so I'm letting you off with a warning
Hector: Can I at least get my suit back?
Officer: Uh no
Hector: Some Amigo
Vitani follows him.
INT. HALLWAY
Vitani: Hey(2x) You know De La Cruz?
Hector: Who wants to know-Ahh!! You’re alive!!
INT. PHONEBOOTH
Vitani pulls Héctor into a phone booth to avoid suspicion
Vitani: Yea I’m alive and if I want to get back to the land of the living, I need De La Cruz’s blessing
Hector: Why?!
Vitani: He’s my great-great-grandpa
Hector's eyes drop into his mouth. He pops them back up with a punch to his jaw. Vitani is a little grossed out. Héctor turns to conference with himself
Hector: Wait (8x) yes, you're back to the land of the living.
Vitani: D'ya know what, maybe this isn't such a g--
Hector: Nina(4x) I can help you, you can help me. We can help each other. But important you can help me.
Selena: Vitani!!
Vitani suddenly spies her family hurrying down a staircase. Mamá Imelda spots Vitani. Vitani grabs Héctor by the wrist and drags him to the exit, away from her family. The riveras try to catch up with her, then. Selena knew who Vitani was with.
Selena: Sis, i think Vitani might have found her great-great-grandfather.
Imelda: what do you mean by that?
Selena: look!
Imelda: oh, for the love of.....*sighs* out of all the people in the land of the dead.
Hector: I’m Hector
Vitani: That’s nice!!!
EXT. MARIGOLD GRAND CENTRAL STATION
Vitani and Dante burst out the door and rush down the stairs. Héctor's arm snaps to get Vitani attention. Vitani realizes it’s no longer attached to Héctor’s body. The arm signals backward to Héctor who is ten paces behind.
Hector: Let’s go, Mija!!
Vitani throws the arm back to Héctor and they disappear into a dense crowd. Moments later, the Dead Riveras burst from the revolving doors. Mamá Imelda scours the crowd for Vitani. she's nowhere to be found
Imdela: Ay! She's going to get herself killed, I needed my spirit guide. Pepita.
Mamá Imelda looks to the night sky, puts two fingers to her mouth, and lets out a piercing whistle. FWOOOMP! A giant winged jaguar lands in front of Mamá Imelda and tia Selena. They turn to their family.
Selena: Who has that petal Vitani touch?
Rosita: Here you go
Rosita steps forward with a marigold petal. Pepita sniffs the petal’s scent. Suddenly Pepita's head darts, narrowing in on the scent. She takes to the air.
EXT. UNDERPASS TUNNEL - NIGHT
Vitani sits on a wooden crate. Héctor uses his thumb to smudge black and white shoe polish on the Girl's face.
Hector: Hi(2x) lookup(4x) And there, dead as a door knock.
He hands Vitani. Her face's painted to look like a skeleton.
Hector: So listen, Vitani, this place runs on memories. When you well remember, people put up your photo and you get to see the living on día de Los Muertos unless you’re me.
Vitani: You don’t get to cross the bridge?
Hector: No one ever put up my photo, but you can change that!
He unfolds a photo and gives it to Vitani.
Vitani: This is you?
Hector: Muy Guapo, eh?
Vitani: so you get me to my great-great-grandpa and find your family and ask them to put your photo up when I get home?
Hector: Such a smart girl yes, great idea yea. But one thing De La Cruz is tough to get to and I need to cross that bridge soon like tonight! So you got any other family here you know, like someone you can else trust?
Vitani: Nope!
Hector: Don’t pull my chain, Mi Hija. You got to have some other family!
Vitani marches out of the alley, whistling for Dante to follow.
Vitani: Only De La Cruz, if you can’t help. I can find him myself. Come on, dante.
Hector: Fine(3x) I’d get you to him, it’s not going to be easy, you know, he’s a busy man. What are you doing?
EXT. BUSTLING STREET
They make their way through a pedestrian path.
Vitani: I’m walking like a Skeleton, blending in.
Hector: Kid, skeleton don’t walk like that
Vitani: That’s how you walk!
Hector: No, I don’t, stop it!
Vitani notices a billboard advertising "ERNESTO DE LA CRUZ'S SUNRISE SPECTACULAR!;" "Remember Me" blares from attached speakers.
Vitani: Whoa! Does De La Cruz have a show? That’s cool!
Hector: Every year, your great-great-grandpa puts on that dumb show to mark the end of día de Los Muertos.
Vitani: And you can get us in! What’s wrong, you said you had front row seats!
Hector: That was a lie, sorry! Cool off, kid. I’ll get you to your great-great-grandpa!
Vitani: How?!
Hector: Cause I had to know where he at!
CUT TO: EXT. WAREHOUSE, BENEATH WINDOWS
Héctor uses his suspenders to slingshot his arm to a third-floor window. The hand taps on it.
INT. COSTUME ROOM CECILIA, a customer, turns from a costume to look at the window. Héctor's hand waves. She rolls her eyes and goes to open the window.
Ceci: You better have my dress, hector!
Hector: Hola, Ceci
EXT. BENEATH WINDOW
She lowers a ladder, so Héctor, Vitani, and Dante can climb up. Héctor grabs his arm and reattaches it.
INT. COSTUME ROOM
They all crawl in through the window.
Vitani: Hola
Hector: Ceci……... I lost the dress
Ceci: Are you kidding me!?
As Héctor tries to talk her down, Dante wanders away from the costume area. Vitani goes after him.
INT. REHEARSAL AREA
Vitani follows Dante through a giant warehouse, divided into different artist's workspaces. He passes paper-mâché sculptures, giant paper cut out banners, a skeleton posing nude for a painter... Dante sniffs around. Suddenly an ALEBRIJE MONKEY jumps out at Dante. The monkey starts riding Dante, tormenting him. Vitani hustles after him.
Vitani: Dante, we shouldn’t be in here boy!
The monkey jumps up onto the shoulder of FRIDA KAHLO, the REAL Frida Kahlo, who stands in front of a rehearsal stage. Vitani reins Dante is just as Frida turns to find them.
Frida: You! How did you get here?
Vitani: I was just following my-
Frida's eyes go wide when she sees Dante. She kneels and takes his head in her hands.
Frida: Oh! The mighty Xolo dog, Guider of wandering spirits! And whose spirit have you guided to me?
Vitani: I don't think he a spirit guide!
Frida takes a closer look at Vitani.
Frida: Ah(3x). The alebrijes in this world can take many forms, they are great as they are powerful.
The patterns on Frida's monkey swirl and he opens his mouth to breathe a blue fire. He fumbles at the end with a chesty cough. Then they look to Dante, who is chewing his leg. Suddenly, Frida turns back to Vitani.
Frida: or maybe he just a dog. Come, I need your eyes!
Frida guides her to view the rehearsal space.
Frida: you are the person who is watching this, darkness. And from the darkness papaya.
Lights come up on a giant papaya prop.
Frida: dancers engrave from the papaya and the dancers are all me!
Leotarded, unibrow dancers crawl around the sides of the mesh papaya. Behind the papaya is an even larger half-finished mesh structure
Frida: And they go to drink from the milk of their mother who a flower, but who also I and her milk is not milk but tears, is it too obvious?
Vitani: I think it just the right amount of obvious? It could use some music,( find the part on youtube)
Frida: You’re right, and what if everything was on fire, yes fire everywhere! Thank you. You have the spirit of an artist!
The dancers gasp and look at each other, now concerned. A spotlight shines on the silhouette revealing it to be a mannequin.
Frida: The dancers exit, the light goes out and Ernesto De La Cruz Rises to the stage! He does a couple of songs, the sun rises, and everyone cheers!
Vitani hustles up to Frida.
Vitani: Excuse me? Where the real De La Cruz?
Frida: Ernesto doesn’t do rehearsals, he’s too busy hosting that fancy party at the top of his tower!
She gestures out a large window to a GRAND ESTATE lit up in the distance, atop a steep hill. Suddenly Héctor rounds the corner, out of breath.
Hector: Mi Hija, you can’t run off from me like that! Leave Firda alone
Hector pulls Vitani away. But Vitani won't be wrangled.
Vitani: You said my great-great-grandpa would be here! He’s halfway across town hosting some big party!
Hector: That bum! Who doesn’t show up for his rehearsals?
Vitani: If you’re sure good friends, how come he didn’t invite you?
Hector: He’s your family, how come he didn’t ask you?
Hector walks away from Vitani.
Hector: Hi Carlos, you know anything about this party?
Carlos: It’s a hot ticket, but if you’re not on his guest list, you’re never getting in the party. Tamale!
Hector: Yea(2x) really funny guys
Vitani: Tamale?
Carlos: You know these guys famous, go on(2x) ask him how he dies!
Hector: I don’t want to talk about it!
Carlos: He chokes on some tamales!
Hector: I didn’t choke, ok I got food poisoning. Which is another thing, this is why I don’t like musicians, a bunch of jerks!
The musicians laugh. Vitani tries to stifle a giggle. More laughter.
Vitani: Hi, I’m a musician
Hector: You are?
Carlos: Well, if you want to get to Ernesto. There is that music show at the Plaza De La Cruz, the winner gets to play at his party.
Vitani gets an idea
Hector: No(2x) Mi Hija, you are loco if-
Vitani looks at her hands, progressed in their skeletal transformation.
Vitani: I need to get my great-great-grandpa’s blessing. Do you know where I can get a guitar?
Hector: I know a guy
EXT. UNDERPASS TUNNEL - NIGHT
Pepita sweeps across the sky, landing in a darkened corner. She casts a shadow on the wall, then lurches into the light. She sniffs out the spot where Héctor painted Vitani's face, finding a canister of shoe polish. She lets out a low growl. The Dead Riveras follow after her.
Selena: Have you found her, Ava have you found our girl? Look, there a footprint. That’s Vitani. We’re getting close come on.
Pepita breathes on the ground, revealing a footprint. It glows for a moment. The family leans in to inspect. They know it's Vitani's and follow a path. Pepita leans forward, breaths again, and the glow spreads to reveal a trail of footprints.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CUT TO: EXT. NARROW STAIRWAY
Vitani follows Héctor down a steep stairway. Vitani looks to her bony knuckles, concern on her face.
Hector: Why the heck would you want to be a musician?
Vitani: My great-great-grandpa was one!
Hector: Who sends his live doing show for people he didn’t know? That’s not my life!
Vitani: What do you know?
As Vitani descends the staircase, de la Cruz's distant glowing tower is obscured by old forgotten buildings.
Vitani: So how far is this guitar anyway?
Hector: We’re also there.
Héctor jumps from the stairway and crashes on the ground below. But his bones reassemble immediately. Héctor leads Vitani through a stone archway.
EXT. SHANTY TOWN
Graffiti on the archway depicts skeletal angels with wings the color of marigolds. Inside the archway, a group of ratty skeletons huddle around a burning trashcan and laugh raucously. They are gray and dusty, not unlike Héctor, but there's a camaraderie about them.
Vitani: Keep up Mi Hija, come on
Friends: Cousin Hector!
Hector: Hi! These guys! Hi tio
Vitani: These people are all your family?
Hector: In a way, we’re all the ones with no photo or Ofrenda. No family to go home to, nearly forget you know? So we all can each other cousin or tio or whatever
They approach three old ladies playing cards around a wooden crate. One, TÍA CHELO looks up. Héctor hands them a bottle.
Tia Cheech: Hector!
Tia #2: Muchas gracias!
Hector: Hey(2x) Save some for me, is Cheech around?
Tia Cheech: In his house, I don’t think he’s in the mood for anyone
Hector: Ahh!! Who doesn’t like good old cousin hector?
INT. SHANTY BUNGALOW TENT Héctor holds the curtain open. Vitani and Dante walk in. The tent is cramped, dark, and quiet. Piles are organized everywhere: stacks of old dishes, a drawer full of pocket watches, magazines, records. This place belongs to a collector of things. Vitani almost knocks one stack over. Héctor spies a hammock piled with old junk, a dusty hat on top. He lifts the hat and finds the grumpy face of CHICHARRÓN.
Hector: Buenas Noches Cheech.
Cheech: I don’t want to see your dumb face, hector. So get out of here!
Hector: I would Cheech, but the thing is. Me and my friend, Vitani. We need to borrow your guitar!
Cheech: Like that is going to happen, have you forgot all the other things you borrow you-
Chicharrón raises his finger to give a tongue lashing. But then he weakens and collapses in his hammock, a golden flicker flashing through his bones. Héctor rushes forward.
Hector: You okay, Amigo?
Cheech: I’m fading hector, I can feel it. I can’t even play that thing if I want to. Hector play me something.
Hector: You know I don't play anymore Cheech, the guitar is for the kid.
Cheech: You want it, you gotta earn it!
Chicharrón raises his finger to give a tongue lashing. But then he weakens and collapses in his hammock, a golden flicker flashing through his bones. Vitani's eyes go wide at Héctor's skill.
Hector: Only for you, Amigo, Any request?
Cheech: You know my song hector( look on youtube) brings back memories Gracias.
Suddenly, the edges of Chicharrón's bones begin to glow. A soft, beautiful light. Then... he dissolves into dust. Vitani is stunned, concerned. Héctor picks up his shot glass, lifts it in honor, and drinks. He places it rim down next to Chicharrón's glass, which is still full.
Vitani: What, where did he go?
Hector: He’s been forgotten, when no left in the living world remembers you, you faded away from this world, we call it the great death
Vitani: But I met him. I can remember him when I got back!
Hector: Mi Hija, it doesn’t work like that, our memories they have to pass down from who knew us in life and the story they tell about us. But there is no one alive to pass down Cheech’s story.
Vitani is deep in thought. Héctor puts his hand on Vitani's back, suddenly cheerful.
Hector: Hi, it happens to everyone once in their after-life, comes on Mi Hija, you got a show to win.
EXT. LAND OF THE DEAD
Héctor and Vitani hang off the back of a moving trolley. Vitani holds Héctor's photo in his hands, scanning it, while Héctor fiddles on the guitar idly.
Vitani: You told me you hate musician, you never said you one!
Hector: How do you think I knew Ernesto? We used to play music together, told him everything he’s known
Héctor plays a fancy riff but botches the last note.
Vitani: No way! You play with De La Cruz, the greatest musician of all time?
Hector: Ahh!! You’re funny, great eyebrows of all time maybe, but his music. Not so much.
The trolley arrives at the stop for the PLAZA DE LA CRUZ. There's a giant statue of Ernesto de la Cruz in the center.
Hector: Well here we, welcome to the Plaza De La Cruz, showtime Mi Hija
Héctor hands the guitar to Vitani.
QUICK CUTS: Energetic plaza shots. Lights and colors, beautiful dresses, violins, pyrotechnic bullfight, dancing. A t-shirt vendor is selling "de la Cruz" shirts.
EXT. ON STAGE An EMCEE greets her audience.
Lady: Hola everyone who's ready for some Musica? It’s the battle of the band's amigos, the winner(s) get to play for De La Cruz and his party tonight!
Hector: This is our ticket, Mi Hija!
Lady: Oh! Let the show begin! ( find it on youtube)
QUICK MONTAGE: Acts perform on stage -- a tuba/violin act, a saxophone player, a hard-core metal band, a kid who plays marimba on the back of a giant iguana alebrije, a DJ with a laptop and keyboard setup, a dog orchestra, nuns playing accordions...
EXT. BACKSTAGE
Vitani and Héctor stand amongst other contestants.
Hector: Ok, what the plan? What are you going to play?
Vitani: Remember me!
Vitani plucks out the beginnings of de la Cruz’s most famous song. Héctor clamps her hand over the fretboard.
Hector: No, Mi Hija
Vitani: Come on, it’s his greatest song!
Hector: Ah! It too great
Elsewhere backstage, they notice multiple other acts rehearsing their versions. One man plays water glasses to the famous tune. Héctor looks at Vitani as if to ask, "Need I say more?" Vitani can't help but laugh at hector's face.
Vitani: Ok, what about POCO LOCO?
Hector: Ok, now that’s a song!!
Man: Hi kid you’re on standby, Los chiros. You’re on next.
ON STAGE
An impressive banda group steps onto the stage.
They burst into a mighty introduction and the audience goes wild.
BACKSTAGE
Vitani peeks at the frenzied audience from backstage. She looks sick and begins to pace, fidgety.
Hector: You all was this scared before you go on stage?
Vitani: I don’t know, I’d never gone on stage before
Hector: What! You said you were a musician!
Vitani: I am! I mean I will be, once I win!
Hector: No(2x) you have to win, your life depends on you winning and you never did this before? Give me the guitar and I’ll go up there!
Hector reaches for the guitar. Vitani recoils, keeping hold of the instrument.
Vitani: No I need to do this, because if I can't go out on that stage and play one song. How can I call myself a musician?!
Hector: What’s does that matter?
Vitani: Because I don’t want to get De La Cruz’s blessing, I need to prove that I'm worthy of it.
Hector: Oh. Oh, that's such a sweet sentiment... at SUCH a bad time!
Héctor looks into Vitani eyes. The kid is sincere. Despite himself, Héctor softens.
Hector: Okay... okay, okay, okay. Okay. Okay. (beat) Okay. (beat) Okay, you wanna perform? Then you’ve got to PERFORM!
Vitani perks surprised that Héctor wants to help.
Hector: First you have to loosen up. Shake off those nerves! Sáquenlo sáquenlo, sáquenlo!
Héctor does a loose-bone skeletal shimmy and Vitani copies.
Hector: Now gimme your best grito!
Vitani: My best gito?
Hector: Come on, let it out! A-ha! That feels good, ok now you. Come on kid
On stage, Los Chachalacos wrap up to raucous applause.
Man: De la cruzita, you’re next!
Hector: Vitani(2x) look at me, you can do it!
The crowd applauds as Vitani is led on stage.
Hector: What she’s doing, why can’t she play?!
Héctor's face contorts with a mix of encouragement and dread.
ON STAGE
Vitani slowly takes the stage, guitar in hand. She's blinded by the lights and squints out at the audience. She's frozen stiff. Panic is painted across Vitani's face. The crowd begins to murmur impatiently. Vitani looks to Héctor in the wing. Héctor makes eye contact with Vitani and does the "loosen up" bone shimmy.
On stage
Vitani shakes off his nerves. Deep exhale and...
Vitani: HAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAI!
The sound is full-throated and resonant. Some return the grito, some applaud lightly. Her brows go up and she begins her guitar intro. Vitani starts singing.
Vitani: WHAT COLOR IS THE SKY? AY MI AMOR, AY MI AMOR YOU TELL ME THAT IT'S RED AY MI AMOR, AY MI AMOR WHERE SHOULD I PUT MY SHOES? AY MI AMOR, AY MI AMOR YOU SAY PUT THEM ON YOUR HEAD AY MI AMOR, AY MI AMOR.
As the audience warms up, so does Vitani. Héctor perks up, she’s got this!
Vitani: YOU MAKE ME UN POCO LOCO UN POQUI-TI-TI-TO LOCO THE WAY YOU KEEP ME GUESSING I'M NODDING AND I'M YES-ING I'LL COUNT IT AS A BLESSING THAT I'M ONLY UN POCO LOCO...
INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE.
Dante grabs Héctor by the leg and drags him onto the stage with Vitani. Once in the spotlight, Héctor warms up and busts out some percussive footwork to Vitani's guitar.
Vitani: Not bad for a dead guy!!
Hector: Not so bad yourself, chica!
EDGE OF AUDIENCE A ripple of glowing footprints leads Pepita and the Dead Riveras to the edge of the audience. The Dead Riveras fan out through the audience.
Imelda: She’s close, find her!
ON STAGE Héctor gets more creative with his dancing, head coming off, limbs spinning around. The audience hoots!
Hector sings with Vitani.
Hector: THE LOCO THAT YOU MAKE ME IT IS JUST UN POCO CRAZY THE SENSE THAT YOU'RE NOT MAKING...
Vitani: THE LIBERTIES YOU'RE TAKING...
Both: LEAVES MY CABEZA SHAKING YOU ARE JUST UN POCO LOCO.
Julio: We’re looking for a living kid, about 14?
Rosita: Have you seen a living girl?
ON STAGE
Both: UN POQUI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TITI-TI-TO LOCO!!
The audience erupts into applause!
Hector: Hey! You did great, I’m proud of you!
Vitani swells and looks back out of the crowd when she suddenly spots Oscar and Felipe talking to a stranger. She looks over and Tía Rosita is talking to someone else! Vitani looks to stage right, where she sees Papá Julio talking to the Emcee! Panicking, Vitani pulls Héctor off stage. Héctor tries to pull back.
Hector: Hey! Where are we going?
Vitani: We need to get out of here, Now!
Hector: What? Are you crazy? We’re about to win this thing!
ON STAGE
The Emcee takes the microphone.
Lady: I have some news everyone, please be on the lookout for a loving girl! Answer to the name of Vitani, earlier tonight she ran away from her family, they just want to send her back to the land of the living
Hector: Wait(2x) you said De La Cruz was you’re only family, the only person that could send you home!
Vitani: I do have other family, but-
Hector: You could have my photo taken back this whole time?!
Vitani: But they hate music, I need a musician’s blessing
Hector: You lied to me!
Vitani: Oh, you're the one to talk!
Hector: Look at me, I’m being forgotten Vitani, I don’t even know if I’m last the night and I’m not gonna miss my one chance to cross that bridge because you want to live off some stupid musical fantasy!
Vitani: It not stupid!
Héctor grabs Vitani's arm and pulls her toward the stage. Vitani yanks her arms away.
Hector: I’m taking you back to your family! You’re thanking me later!
Vitani: Let go of me! You don’t want to help me, you only care about yourself! Keep your dumb photo and stay away.
She pulls Héctor's photo out of her pocket and throws it at him. Héctor tries to grab it but it catches a breeze and drifts into the crowd. As Héctor scrambles to catch his photo, Vitani runs away. Héctor looks up but Vitani is gone.
EXT. PEDESTRIAN THOROUGHFARE
Vitani hustles to get away from Héctor. Dante bounds after her, but looks back and whimpers. He barks to get Vitani attention. But Dante is insistent. He tugs at Vitani pants, pulling him back to Héctor. Dante grabs onto her hoodie sleeve. Vitani tries to shake him off, but her hoodie slips off, revealing the arms of a living girl. Dante redoubles his efforts.
Vitani: Dante calilate, no boy stop it, he can’t help me! Dante stop, leave me alone! You’re not a spirit guide, you’re just a dumb dog! Now get out of here!
Vitani yanks her hoodie away from Dante, who shrinks back, rebuffed. The scuffle has drawn the eyes of the crowd. Startled skeletons see Vitani's arms. She hurries to get her hoodie back on.
Vitani runs and jumps down some scaffolding. In the distance, she sees de la Cruz's tower. After only a few paces, Pepita lands in front of Vitani, cutting off her path! She skids to a stop. She sees her Mama Imelda and Tia Selena on top.
Both: This nonsense ends now Vitani, we are giving you our blessing and you are going home!
Vitani: I don’t want your blessing!
Vitani scrambles upright and bounds for a narrow alley staircase. Not able to get through on her spirit guide, Imelda and Selena are forced to pursue Vitani on foot.
EXT. NARROW STAIRCASE
Vitani wriggles through an iron gate.
Selena: Vitani Stop! We are trying to save your life!
They stop at the gate.
Vitani: You’re ruining my life! Music is the only thing that makes me happy and you want to take it away from me! You guys will never understand!
Vitani heads away from them up the stairs.
Selena: Y AUNQUE LA VIDA ME CUESTE, LLORONA... NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE...
Vitani stops when she heard her tia Selena singing.
Vitani: I thought you guys hate music.
Selena: Oh! We love it, we remember that feeling, when her husband would play and we would sing, dance and nothing else matters.
Imelda: But when we had Coco, suddenly there was something that matters in our lives that matter more in music, we want to put down roots, he wanted to play for the world. We all made a sacrifice to get what we all wanted. Now you must make a choice
Vitani: But I don’t want to pick sides, why can’t you be on my side? That is what family is supposed to do, support you! But you never will!
Vitani wipes the corner of her eye, frustrated. Imelda and Selena is shocked to see her so hurt, but Vitani turns away before one of them can answer and ascends the narrow staircase toward de la Cruz's tower.
EXT. BOTTOM OF THE TOWER
Vitani arrives at the foot of the hill to de la Cruz's tower. Vehicles from all eras (limousines, motor cars, carriages) drop off finely dressed guests who line up to get aboard a funicular that scales the tower to the mansion. A couple at the front of the line shows a fancy invitation to a SECURITY GUARD, who then lets them onto the funicular. EL SANTO, the silver-masked luchador, produces a fancy invitation to the security guard. The security guard sheepishly holds up a camera. El Santo nods. The security guard removes his head and hands it to the luchador for a selfie. His body proceeds to take the photo. The security guard puts his head back on and El Santo heads past the velvet rope. Vitani is revealed waiting in line behind him.
Guard: Invitation?
Vitani: It’s okay, I’m Ernesto’s great-great-granddaughter!
Vitani strikes de la Cruz's signature pose with her guitar.
CUT TO:
Vitani is tossed out of the line. Just then she sees Los Chachalacos unloading their instruments from their van. She runs up to them.
Vitani: Excuse me, senores
Man: Hi guys, it’s poco loco! You were a fire tonight!
Vitani: You too! Hi musician to musician, I need a favor
CUT TO:
The Band Leader hands an invitation to the security guard.
Los Chachalacos file onto the funicular, the sousaphone player angling his instrument away from the security guard. After they get onto the funicular, he turns to reveal a pair of legs hanging out of the bell of the sousaphone. With a deep “TOOT!” Vitani spills out onto the floor of the funicular.
Guard: Oh, the competition winners. Come on in!
Vitani: Thanks, guys!
The funicular ascends.
EXT. DE LA CRUZ'S MANSION
The doors of the funicular open to reveal de la Cruz's lavish mansion. Los Chachalacos all file out.
Lady: Hey! Enjoy the party, kid!
Vitani: Gracias
Vitani heads off toward the mansion. On the stairs leading up, the party is bustling -- performers, servers, and guests dressed to the nines. A fire breather lets out flames that transform into a flurry of butterflies. Vitani's already wishing she was already dead!
Lady: Look, it’s Ernesto!
Vitani catches a glimpse of de la Cruz heading deeper into the party. Vitani pursues.
Vitani: De La Cruz! Pardon me, Señor de la cruz!(2x)
INT. DE LA CRUZ’S MANSION
Vitani heads into the foyer but loses de la Cruz in the crowd.
A clip of de la Cruz riding his noble steed plays behind Vitani. Vitani jumps to see above the crowd. Vitani is unable to get her great-great grandfather’s attention. Meanwhile, a clip behind Vitani features de la Cruz as a good-natured priest. The passionate words embolden Vitai. She climbs a pillar to the landing of a grand staircase, she stands above the crowd. Vitani takes a breath and throws out a grito as loud as she can. It echoes through space, and party guests turn. As a hush falls on the crowd, the sound of Vitani's guitar becomes singular.
Vitani: SEÑORAS Y SEÑORES BUENAS TARDIS, BUENAS NOCHES BUENAS TARDIS, BUENAS NOCHES SEÑORITAS Y SEÑORES TO BE HERE WITH YOU TONIGHT BRINGS ME JOY! ¡QUÉ ALEGRÍA! FOR THIS MUSIC IS OUR LANGUAGE AND YOU ARE MI FAMILIA.
Vitani continues to play and sing as she nervously walks forward; the crowd parting, she moves closer to DLC.
Vitani: FOR THIS MUSIC IS OUR LANGUAGE AND YOU ARE MI FAMILA.
She passes a movie screen where a clip features de la Cruz singing the same song in one of his films, the songs overlapping for a brief moment. Vitani's soul pours into the strings as she approaches her hero-- SPLASH! Vitani tumbles into the indoor pool. The party-goers gasp, but it's Ernesto who rolls up his sleeves, and, in true movie hero fashion, jumps into the pool and lifts a coughing Vitani to the edge.
Ernesto: Are you all right, Nina?
Vitani looks up, mortified. Her painted face begins to run, revealing her to be a living girl. De la Cruz's eyes go wide. The crowd gasps and murmurs.
Ernesto: It’s you, you are that girl, the one that came from the land of the living!
Vitani: You know about me?
Ernesto: You are all everyone has been talking about! Why have you come here?
Vitani: I’m Vitani, your great-great-granddaughter! I need your blessing, so I can go home and be a musician, just like you! The rest of the family, they wouldn’t listen. But I hope you would
Ernesto: My girl, with a talent like yours.how, could I not listen?
Vitani goes to Ernesto and hugs him. Ernesto then sweeps Vitani up onto his shoulders, showing her off to the room.
Ernesto: I have a great-great-granddaughter!
EXT. BOTTOM OF THE TOWER
The silhouette of Frida Kahlo steps up to the security guard. The security guard lets her in immediately. No need to check the list. Hector steps onto the funicular, readjusting his unibrow to maintain his disguise.
Ernesto: Hey Negrete, Infantel, have you met my great-great-granddaughter(2x) She’s alive and a musician to boot!
Vitani: Dimple,no dimple(2x)
Ernesto: No dimple! You know, I did all my stunts!
EXT. DE LA CRUZ’S MANSION
Quick cuts over an instrumental version of "Remember Me:" De la Cruz barges into several conversations, proudly introducing Vitani. He seems almost giddy. They wedge themselves into a group laughing in the garden (which includes Jorge Negrete & Pedro Infante): De la Cruz and Vitani ride up on horseback while guests play polo: Vitani chats away with de la Cruz and guests. A small crowd sways, arms around shoulders, as Vitani and Ernesto lead them in a chorus of "Remember Me.
INT. DE LA CRUZ’S OFRENDA ROOM
De la Cruz gestures to the massive piles of gifts from his fans: bread, fruits, flowers, instruments, etc. All piled up to the ceiling.
Ernesto: All of this came from my amazing fans in the land of the living, they leave me more offerings then I know what to do with! Hey, is something wrong? You look overwhelmed.
Vitani takes in the room, it's almost too much to absorb. Something seems to be on the Girl's mind.
Vitani: No it all great, it just that I’d been looking up to you my whole life, you’re the guy who did it! But did you ever regret it?
De la Cruz kneels and looks into Vitani's eyes.
Ernesto: It was hard, saying goodbye to my old life, heading life off on my own
Vitani: Leaving your family?
Ernesto: Si, but I could not have done it any other way. One cannot decided who one is made to be and you Vitani, you are can be a musician! You and I, we are artist Vitani. We cannot belong to one family, the world is our family!
She feels validated for the first time in her life. De la Cruz gestures to the sparkling city beyond his hilltop estate. Fireworks go off on the veranda.
CUT TO: EXT. VERANDA
The party guests move outside to watch the light show.
INT. DE LA CRUZ’S MANSION
The hall has emptied, the lights are turned down. Bursts of color from outside flash across the walls. The only light coming from inside the hall is de la Cruz's film clips that continue to play on the walls. De la Cruz and Vitani descend the staircase into the empty hall.
Ernesto: Soon the party will move across for my show, Vitani, you much come to show! You will be my guest of honor!
Vitani's eyes light up.
Vitani: You mean it?
Ernesto: Of course, my girl!
Vitani's chest swells. Then deflates. She lifts her shirt, revealing the skeletal transition partway up her torso.
Vitani: I can’t, I have to get home before sunrise!
Ernesto: Oh! I do need to get you home, it has been an honor, I’m sorry to go Vitani, so here. Vitani I give you my blessing-
De la Cruz plucks a marigold petal from a vase.
Hector: We had a deal, Mija!
They are startled. From the shadows, Héctor, dressed as Frida, steps into the light.
Ernesto: who are you? What is the meaning of this? Oh! Frida, I thought you couldn’t make it!
Héctor takes off the wig and throws his outfit off.
Hector: You said you take back my photo, you promised Vitani!
Vitani turns, backing into de la Cruz's arms. De la Cruz rises to her feet, hands defensively on Vitani shoulders.
Ernesto: You know this man?
As Héctor steps forward with the photo, de la Cruz slowly recognizes him.
Vitani: I just met him tonight, he told me he knew you!
Ernesto: Hector!?
Hector: Please Vitani, put my photo up!
Héctor pushes the photo into Vitani hands. De la Cruz intercepts it. He looks from the picture to the gray, faded skeleton who kneels before him. Héctor looks weak.
Ernesto: My friend, you’re being forgotten
Hector: And who’s fault is that?!
Ernesto: Hector, please
Hector: Those were my songs you took, my songs that made you famous! If I’m being forgotten, it’s because you never told anyone that I wrote to them!
Vitani: That’s crazy! De La Cruz wrote all his songs!
Hector: You want to tell her, or should I?
Ernesto: Hector, I never met to take the credit, we made a great team but you died and I only sang you’re songs so I can keep a part of you alive
Hector: Oh! Just great! Look I don’t fight about I just want you to make it right. Vitani can put my photo up and I can cross over the bridge, I can see my girl. Ernesto remember the night I left? We drank together and you told me you would move heaven and earth for your amigo, well I’m asking you too now!
Vitani: Heaven and Earth? Like in the movie? That’s Don Hidalgo’s toast, in the De La Cruz’s movie, THE WAY HOME!
Hector: I’m talking about my real life, Vitani!
Vitani: No, it’s in there. Look!
Vitani looks around and points to the movie clip projected across the room.
Vitani: But in the movie, Don hidalgo poisons the drink.
INT. MEXICO CITY HOTEL ROOM
Héctor throws a songbook in a suitcase, shuts it. He grabs his guitar case like he means to leave. De la Cruz grabs young Héctor’s suitcase, but Héctor pulls away. De la Cruz looks angry. For a moment his face darkens. But he composes himself. De la Cruz pours a couple of drinks. He gives one to Héctor. they both drink.
EXT. EMPTY STREET
They walk down an empty street at night, Héctor with suitcase and guitar case in tow. Héctor stumbles, de la Cruz steadies him, takes his guitar case. A few more steps and Héctor collapses in the street. FADE TO BLACK.
INT. DE LA CRUZ’S MANSION
Héctor clenches his jaw. Then he bounds at de la Cruz, tackling him to the ground. Vitani watches as Héctor and Ernesto scuffle on the floor. Security guards rush in to pull Héctor off Ernesto. Héctor struggles, but it's no use. The guards drag Héctor through a wide doorway. The doors slam shut and cut off his shouts. Vitani is left alone with de la Cruz.
Hector: That night, the night I left. We’d been on the road for months, I got homesick and I packed up my songs! You walk me to the train station. But I felt a pain in my belly. I thought it may be something I ate or something to drink. I woke up dead! You……poisoned me! All this time I thought it was just bad luck-HOW COULD YOU?! You took everything away from me! You rat! I just want to go back home, no(2x)
Ernesto: I’m sorry, where when we?
De la Cruz pulls up a marigold petal but hesitates.
Vitani: You were going to give me your blessing, but is it true did you kill hector for his songs?
Doubt enters Vitani's mind. De la Cruz darkens, he places the photo of Héctor in his coat pocket, gears turning in his mind. De la Cruz crumples the marigold petal. De la Cruz's guards appear in the doorway. They drag Vitani away. She goes pale.
Vitani: Papa Ernesto, can I have my blessing?
Ernesto: Security! Take of Vitani, she’s going to stay for a little longer!
Vitani: What?! But I’m your family!
Ernesto: And hector was my best friend! Ok, Vitani, you have to do whatever it takes to seize your moment! I know you understand
EXT. DE LA CRUZ'S TOWER
The guards drag Vitani out the back of de la Cruz's mansion. They throw her into a cenote, an inescapable sinkhole behind the estate.
Vitani: No(2x) let go! Help, can anyone hear me, I want to go home!
Vitani collapses on the stone island. She falls four stories and splashes into the pool at the bottom of the hole. She breaks the surface and swims to a stone island in the center.
Her soaked hoodie sags off her shoulders. The skeletal transition is almost complete. She is alone. Suddenly, Vitani hears a noise. Footsteps. Héctor emerges from the darkness, looking beat up. Héctor stumbles.
Vitani: Hector? Oh! Hector,
Héctor tries to calm her, but Vitani is shaking.Héctor holds Vitani to his chest. Vitani is tense. Suddenly, a golden flicker flutters through Héctor's bones, and he falls to his knees.
Vitani: you were right, I should have gone back to my family, they told me to never be like de la Cruz, but I didn't listen! I told them I didn't care if they remember me! I told them I didn’t care if I was on their stupid ofrenda! I told them I didn't care, hector! What’s wrong?
Hector: My daughter is forgetting me,
Vitani: She the reason you wanted to cross the bridge.
Hector: I just want to see her again, I never should have left the town. I wish I could just say sorry and just tell that her papa was just trying to come home to her and tell her that I loved her so much. My coco
A chill runs through Vitani.
Vitani: Did you say............... coco?
Vitani reaches into her hoodie and pulls out the photo of Imelda, Selena Coco, and the faceless musician. Vitani shows the photo to Héctor. Héctor is confused; it’s like he's seen a ghost.
Hector: When did you get this?
Vitani: That’s my mama coco, that’s mama Imelda and my tia Selena, it that you?
Gears turn in both of their heads.
Hector: We’re…..
Héctor is as shocked as Vitani. He looks at her great-great-grandaughter. He looks to the photo, touches the image of baby Coco, and he becomes saddened.
Both: Family?
Hector: I always hope to see her again, that she missed me, maybe put up my photo but it never happened, you know the worst part? Even if I never got to see coco in the living world, I thought at least one day I'll see her here, give her the biggest hug! But she’s the last person who remembers me, the moment she’s gone from the living world, I’ll disappear from this one and never see her again! Do you know? I wrote her a song once, we used to sing it every night. At the same time no matter how from the part we were, what I wouldn't give to sing to her one more time(Music on DVD)
Vitani: He stole your guitar your songs. You should be what the world remembers. Not De La Cruz!
Hector: I didn’t write REMEMBER ME for the world, I wrote it for coco. I’m a pretty sorry excuse for a great-great-grandpa!
Vitani: Are you kidding? A minute ago I thought I was related to a murderer. You're a total upgrade!
Héctor doesn't smile. Vitani kneels close
Vitani: It’s doesn’t matter, because you know why? Because I'm proud we’re family, I’m proud to be his family!
Vitani looks up defiantly at the hole in the cenote. Héctor perks up.
They trade off their gritos until the cenote echoes with the sound.
They throw water at each other. Soon though, the echoes fade. They're still stuck. Suddenly they hear a distant howling.
Hector: I’m proud to be her family!
Vitani: Dante(2x) It’s Dante! Mama Imelda, look whom I found!
Up at the top of the cenote, Dante pokes his head in the opening. Dante pants and wags his tail happily. Behind him, Pepita peeks down through the hole and gives a powerful roar. Pepita's call shakes the cavern. She lowers her head to reveal Mamá Imelda riding atop her. Vitani and Mamá Imelda laugh with joy. Until her gaze falls upon Héctor.
Vitani: Dante, you know he was my papa hector the whole time, you are a real spirit guide. Look I’m sorry if I yelled ok, can you forgive me? Ok, I get it, love you too!
Dante smiles at Vitani dumbly. Suddenly, before Vitani's eyes, neon patterns spread outward from the dog's paws. A pair of little wings sprout on the dog’s back. He spreads them. He jumps up to fly... and plummets beneath the clouds! But then he's back up, flapping goofily and barking his head off, a full-blown spirit guide!
EXT. SMALL PLAZA
Pepita flies in, landing in a small plaza where the other Riveras wait. They dismount from Pepita. Héctor falls off first but gets up and raises his arm to help Imelda. She gives him a withering stare and dismounts without his help. Vitani pets Dante and Pepita give Vitani a big lick. Imelda rounds Pepita's shoulder and folds Vitani into a tight hug.
Julio: There they are!
Imelda: Mi Hija, we were so worried, thank goodness we found you in time! And you, how many times much I turn you away?!
Imelda's eyes fall on Héctor, who holds his hat in his hands sheepishly.
Selena: why is he here?!
Hector: Imelda, Selena-
Imelda: We want nothing to do with you, not in life or death! We spend decades protecting our family from your mistakes, she spends five mins with you and I have to fish her out of a sinkhole!
Vitani: I wasn’t in there cause of Hector, he was there because of me! He was just trying to get me back home! I didn’t want to listen, but he was right, nothing more important than family!
Mamá Imelda and Tia Selena look at Héctor, shocked to hear the sentiment.
Vitani: I’m ready to get your blessing and your conditions, but first I need to find De La Cruz to get hector photo! So he can see coco again! Hector should be on our ofendna, he’s part of our family!
Selena: He left this family, Mija!
Vitani: He tried to go home to you guys and coco, but De La Cruz murdered him!
Startled, they look to Héctor for confirmation.
Hector: It’s true, girls!
Selena: And so what if it is?! You left my baby sister alone with a child to rise and we’re just supposed to forgive you?!
Héctor's body suddenly shimmers, leaving him winded. Imelda gasps. So does Selena.
Hector: I’m running out of time, it’s coco!
Both: She’s forgetting you!
Vitani: You don’t have to forgive him, but we shouldn’t forget him!
Imelda: We want to forget you, we wanted coco to forget you too but-
Hector: This is my fault, not yours. I’m sorry girls
Mamá Imelda and Tia Selena, holding in their emotions, turns to Vitani.
Imelda: Mija, if we help you get his photo back, you will go home, NO MORE MUSIC?
Vitani: Family comes first!
Both: We can’t forgive you,
Mamá Imelda and Tia Selena consider. they turn to Héctor.
Both: but we will help you!
Vitani smiles. Vitani furrows her brow.
Selena: So how do we get to De La Cruz?
Vitani: I might know a way!
EXT. SUNRISE SPECTACULAR AMPHITHEATER - BEFORE DAWN
Crowds are congregated at de la Cruz's Sunrise Spectacular, which takes place in an open-air amphitheater. They hurry to their seats as the lights begin to dim.
ON STAGE
Frida's performance piece begins. Dramatic symphonic music plays as giant papaya appears to ignite on stage. The "seeds" in the body of the papaya unfurl to reveal that they are dancers, each dressed like Frida Kahlo, right down to the painted-on unibrow. The dancers roll out of the "flaming" papaya and gyrate their bodies nonsensically. A giant cactus that resembles Frida is illuminated, and all the dancers slink to it.
Frida: Good luck, Mija!
Vitani: Thanks frida!
INT. BACKSTAGE CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
The Dead Riveras congregate in a hidden backstage corridor, shedding their Frida outfits. Vitani rips off his unibrow. Dante has snuck in under Tío Oscar's skirt. Héctor sees that Imelda is tangled up in her outfit.
Hector: Here, let me help-
Imelda: DON’T TOUCH ME!
She rips off the outfit. The family joins together in a huddle.
Vitani: You guys remember the plan? Remember: we find the photo, you guys give it to me, and Mama Imelda and Tia Selena send me back home before sunrise!
Hector: Got your petals?
Each family member raises a marigold petal. Imelda leads the way out of the corridor. Right around the corner is de la Cruz who turns with a smile.
Imelda: Good, now we just have to find De La Cruz!
Ernesto: Yes?
The family stops in their tracks, still hidden from de la Cruz's view. It's just him and Imelda. His smile drops.
Ernesto: Don’t I know you?
Imelda pulls off her shoe and slaps de la Cruz across the face with it.
Imelda: That’s for murdering the LOVE OF MY LIFE!?
Ernesto: What?!
Héctor leaps out from around the corner.
Hector: She talking about me! I’m the love of your life?
Imelda: I don’t know, I’m still mad at you!
Imelda slaps Ernesto again.
Imelda: And that’s for trying to marry my sister!
Ernesto: Sister?
Selena gives out of the corner.
Selena: She’s talking about me!
Imelda slaps de la Cruz again.
Imelda: And that’s for trying to kill my granddaughter!
Ernesto: Granddaughter!?
Vitani leaps out of the corridor
Vitani: She’s talking about me! Guys look, at the photo.
De la Cruz sees the Four of them and puts the pieces together. Vitani sees the photo in de la Cruz's pocket. Outnumbered, de la Cruz turns and runs.
Both: After him!!!!
INT. BELOW STAGE
De la Cruz knocks over a group of giant sugar skull dancers. He emerges at a full sprint to where his rising platform is set up. The Riveras flood out after him. Héctor jogs next to Imelda.
Hector: You Said love of your life?
Imelda: Look, I don't know what I said, ok?
Vitani: that’s what we heard!
Selena grabs her sister by the arm and they fused into Selda.
A brawl ensues between the family and the guards. De la Cruz runs to a stage door.
Man: Place, Ernesto. You’re on in 30 seconds!
De la Cruz shoves the stagehand out of the way. As security guards try to wrangle the Riveras, Selda reaches de la Cruz and gets her hands on Héctor's photo. De la Cruz scuffles with her to get it back when Vitani tackles de la Cruz to the ground. De la Cruz loses his grip; Selda tumbles backward, photo in hand.
Selda: Vitani, we have to picture!
Vitani turns toward Selda but is chased by guards. Suddenly, Selda rises into the air. She is on de la Cruz's rising platform! She is lifted through the ceiling and up to the stage. De la Cruz hurries up the stairs after her. Vitani is detained by a security guard when Dante flies in and knocks the guard’s head clean off. Vitani, Héctor, Tía Victoria, and Tía Rosita hurry up the stairs after de la Cruz.
Vitani: Hurry, guys. Come on
Papá Julio, Tío Oscar, and Tío Felipe block the guards from following the others.
ON STAGE
Man: Lady and gentlemen, the one and only ERNESTO DE LA CRUZ!
The platform rises onto the stage and the spotlight falls on Selda. Neon letters blast brightly behind her, spelling "ERNESTO!" The audience bursts into applause! Selda appears onscreen for all to see.
STAGE WING RIGHT
De la Cruz rushes up a staircase and arrives in the wings. He gets the attention of his guards and points to Selda. His guards hustle onto the stage, scaling the set to get to her.
STAGE WING LEFT
Vitani, Héctor, Victoria, and Rosita emerge to see Selda spotlit above them.
ON STAGE
De la Cruz's guards begin to approach Selda. They didn't know what to do. One half was selena and she had stage fright, she wanted to freeze the floor, but she didn't want to risk her powers showing. The other half was Imelda, she was just frozen. Selda looks down and sees Vitani in the wing. Selda, seeing that the guards are approaching, closes her eyes, grasps the mic, and follows Vitani's instructions. The part of Selena was Singing.
Selena: Sí, sabes que ya llevo un rato mirándote
Tengo que bailar contigo hoy (DY)
STAGE WING LEFT
Héctor's mouth gapes open. Tía Victoria and Tía Rosita go wide-eyed. Vitani sets Héctor up with a guitar, then adjusts a mic stand in front of him. Héctor plays the guitar, its sound amplified through the stage speakers.
ON STAGE
Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamándome
Muéstrame el camino que yo voy (Oh)
The guards reach the edge of her spotlight but stop short, not wanting to interrupt the performance. Selda takes the spotlight with her as she descends the on stage staircase. As she comes down, she makes eye contact with Hector in the wing. He smiles as he accompanies her. Selda's eyes glint touched to see him supporting her. As she comes down, Selena's half changes the clothes and colors.
Selda: Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal
Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan
Solo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso (Oh yeah)!
As Héctor accompanies Selda, she becomes more confident. The audience begins to clap. De la Cruz grunts in frustration. Soon, the stage conductor joins with more instrumentation, which kicks into high gear.
Selda: Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal
Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más
She doubles down on her performance, taking the spotlight with her as she moves to put distance between her and the guards. Selda continues to vamp, trying to navigate away from the guards and toward her family. One guard blocks her way, but she grabs him and forces him to dance. And, of course, that had to be Selena's half. Scared of the spotlight, he runs away
Selda: Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro
Despacito
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito
Deja que te diga cosas al oído
Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo.
She heads to leave the stage when they unfused, leaving Selena in her hand and Imelda with the family. A voice joins her in harmony, the spotlight widens to reveal Ernesto de la Cruz singing too. The crowd goes wild.
Ernesto and Selena: Despacito
Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito
Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto
Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito (sube, sube, sube)
(Sube, sube).
He dances Selena around the stage, all the while trying to get to Héctor's photo.
Both: Quiero ver bailar tu pelo
Quiero ser tu Ritmo
Que le enseñes a mi boca
Tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos baby) Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro
Hasta provocar tus gritos
Y que olvides tu apellido (Diridiri, dirididi Daddy)
Selena stops singing.
Enresto: Si te pido un beso ven dámelo
Yo sé que estás pensándolo
Llevo tiempo intentándolo
Mami, esto es dando y dándolo
Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace bom, bom
Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi bom, bom
Ven prueba de mi boca para ver cómo te sabe
Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe
Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje
Empecemos lento, después salvaje.
At the finale of the song, Selena stomps her heel into de la Cruz's foot on his high note, causing him to let her go. She runs off stage with the photo.
BACKSTAGE
Selena arrives off stage and, somewhat high on adrenaline, she hugs Imelda, then Imelda embraces Héctor.
Imelda: We forgot what that felt like!
Héctor is taken by surprise. Imelda, realizing the impropriety, pulls away from him awkwardly.
Hector: You girls still have it
Vitani: Um, guys?
Selena: Oh! Right.
Imelda, now reminded, gives Vitani the photo. She pulls out her petal. The petal glows.
Imelda: Vitani, we give you our blessings, to go home, to put up ALL our photos, and to never.......
Vitani looks slightly saddened, anticipating the condition.
Vitani: to never play music again?
Imelda smiles.
Imelda: never forget how much we all love you!
The petal surges. Vitani brightens, touched.
Hector: You’re going home
Ernesto: You’re not going anywhere!
Suddenly Vitani is yanked away from her great-great-grandparents by de la Cruz. De la Cruz has grabbed Vitani by the scruff of her hoodie. Imelda lunges at de la Cruz, but he pushes her to the floor.
Hector: Imelda!
Selena: Sis!
De la Cruz drags Vitani away as her family encroaches. De la Cruz drags Vitani further and further back on the stage. Dante tries to grab Vitani.
Ernesto: Stay back(2x) All of you stay back, not one more step!
Vitani: Dante, stop-
De la Cruz pulls Vitani away, closer to the ledge of the building. Héctor struggles but continues pursuing de la Cruz.
Hector: Ernesto, stop! Leave the girl alone!
Héctor stumbles, shimmering like before. He falls to the ground.
Ernesto: I work too hard Hector, too hard to let her destroy everything!
In the stage wings, Tía Rosita commandeers one of the cameras and points it toward de la Cruz. Tía Victoria sidles up to a control board and pushes a volume dial-up.
Selena: She’s a living child, Ernesto!
Ernesto: She a threat! You think I'll let her go back to the LAND OF THE LIVING with any of your photos, to keep your memories alive?! No!
Vitani: You’re a coward because Hector's the real musician. You’re the guy who murdered him, stole his songs, took him away from his family, and tried to murder me!
CUT TO: STADIUM The crowd is gobsmacked by what they are hearing.
Ernesto: I’m the one who is willing to do whatever it takes to seize my moment, whatever it takes!
Suddenly, de la Cruz throws Vitani off of the structure.
Famila: Vitani!!!
The family runs to the ledge, horrified.
STADIUM
The audience gasps. Some shrieks.
BACKSTAGE
De la Cruz crosses from the ledge, past Héctor, who remains collapsed on the floor, breathless.
Vitani is in free fall, the photo still in her hand. As the wind whips against her face, she hears a faint howling. Dante slices downward through the air catches Vitani shirt in his teeth and opens his wings. He and Vitani jerk upward, but the photo falls from Vitani's hands and is gone from sight. Vitani and Dante twist in the air, Dante trying to slow their descent but the two of them are too heavy. Vitani shirt rips and Dante loses her. Vitani plummets toward the base of the tower. Suddenly Pepita flies in and scoops up Vitani, Selena's on pepita's back. Dante follows close behind. Vitani looks over the side of Pepita down towards the water. The photo is lost.
BACKSTAGE
De la Cruz steps up to the curtain, slicks back his hair, and emerges to his audience. He goes back to the stage.
ON STAGE
De la Cruz is found by a spotlight. He is met with boos. He looks confused. More booing. De la Cruz tries to kick up the orchestra. The conductor snaps his baton. More booing. The crowd pelts de la Cruz with fruit and offerings.
BACKSTAGE
Crowd members point up to the screen. Pepita rises above the ledge with Vitani and Selena on her.
Imelda: Sis?
Selena: I'll be right back.
The crowd cheers. There are sighs of relief.
De la Cruz, seeing this play out on screen, realizes his backstage treachery has been projected to the whole world. He watches horrified as the image of Selena grows larger and larger on the screen as she prowls past the camera. De la Cruz begins to back up just as Selena emerges through the curtain, eyes locked on him.
Ernesto: Selena, come on, mi amor.
Selena: I'm not your love.
Her hands now have long nails.
Selena: you've hurt my family, Coco, hector, and me, and now, you're gonna feel the pain we suffered for a long time!!!
The family goes to see what's happening.
Ernesto: But-But the show must go on.
Selena: oh, there's gonna be a show!!
Wings come out of Selena's back. She gets Ernesto by the shirt. Suddenly Selena head-butts de la Cruz and lifts him into the sky, flinging the singer in the air like a kitten playing with a ball of yarn.
She swings him around to gain momentum, then throws him over the audience. He flies out of the stadium, hitting a giant church bell in the distance. The stadium erupts in cheers. Amid the cheering, an unsuspecting crowd member returns from concessions.
Selena flys back down with her family, and they go backstage.
Vitani: Good boy, dante
Imelda: Mija!!
Behind them, Héctor struggles to get to his feet but stumbles with a flicker. Vitani runs to support him.
Vitani: Hector! The photo, I lost it.
Hector: It’s okay Mi Hija, it ok-
Suddenly Héctor suffers his most violent flickering yet. He collapses. Vitani kneels by him.
Vitani: Hector! (2x)
Hector: Coco
Héctor can barely move his limbs.
Vitani: No, I can still find the photo!
Mamá Imelda and Tia Selena look to the horizon, the first rays of sunlight peeking over.
Selena: Mija, it’s almost sunrise!
Vitani: No(2x) I can't leave you I promised I put all your photos up, I promised you to see Coco again
Héctor looks at Vitani. The skeletal transformation is creeping in on the edges of Vitani face. He's almost full skeleton now.
Hector: We’re both out of time, Mija
Vitani: No(2x) She can’t forget you!
Héctor musters the strength to grab the marigold petal.
Hector: I just wanted her to know that I loved her! You have our blessing, Vitani!
Both: And you can play music again
Vitani: I can’t leave you like, hector! Please
Hector: Go home!
The petal glows. Héctor struggles to lift the petal to Vitani. Mamá Imelda and tia Selena take his hand in theirs. Imelda, Selena, and Héctor move their joined hands toward Vitani's chest. Héctor's eyelids begin to close.
Vitani: I promise I won't let Coco forget you! Ahh!!
WHOOSH! A whirlwind of marigold petals and everything goes white.
FADE IN: INT. DE LA CRUZ’S MAUSOLEUM - SUNRISE
Vitani finds herself back in de la Cruz's tomb. Dazed, she looks through the windows; the day has broken. On the floor is the skull guitar. Vitani grabs it. She exits the tomb and takes off out of the cemetery.
EXT. PLAZA
Vitani races through the plaza, past the statue of de la Cruz. Vitani races through the streets towards home. She blows right past her Tia Carmen sleeping on a bench.
Tia Carmen: There she is!
Papá comes from around a corner as Vitani is running.
Papa: Vitani,stop
EXT. RIVERA COMPOUND
Vitani rounds the corner and follows the trail of marigolds through the front gate. She runs for Mamá Coco’s bedroom. Just as she makes it to the doorway, Abuelita steps up and blocks Her.
IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD
Hector was fading away. If Imelda had skin, she would be crying her eyes out till the pain was gone. Hector took his last breath. Selena went to Imelda, she hugged her, Imelda was still crying.
Selena: It's ok
Imelda: he's gone....forever!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Abuelita: Where have you been!?
Vitani: I’ll tell you later right now I need to see mama coco, please!
Abuelita spies the guitar in Vitani's hand. Vitani pushes past Abuelita and slams the door shut.
Abuelita: What are you doing with that? Give it to me, Vitani!
INT. MAMÁ COCO’S ROOM
Vitani locks the door and goes up to Mamá Coco. She stares into space, eyes completely vacant. Vitani looks into her eyes. Vitani shows her the guitar. Still nothing. Her eyes are glazed. Mamá Coco stares forward as if Vitani isn't even there. With a rattle of keys, the door flies open. The family pours in.
Vitani: Mama Coco, can you hear me? It’s Vitani, I saw you papa Remember papa. Please, if you forget him, he’ll be gone forever, look this was his guitar, he used to play to you. See? There he remembers papa. Mama coco please, don’t forget him!
Abuelita brushes Vitani aside to comfort her mother. Vitani looks down, defeated. Tears drip off her nose. Papá's anger gives way to relief. He embraces his daughter.
Abuelita: What are you doing to her!?
Papa: What gonna into you?
Vitani: I’m sorry Mama, Papa
Mamá steps forward. Abuelita returns from consoling Mamá Coco.
Abuelita: Vitani, say sorry to your Mama coco
Vitani looks at Mamá Coco and approaches her.
Vitani: Mama Coco...
Her toe accidentally taps against Héctor's skull guitar, a soft hollow ringing resonates.
Abuelita: Well say it!
She comes to a realization. She picks up the guitar. Abuelita steps forward to intervene but Papá places a hand on her shoulder.
Vitani: Mama coco, your papa. He wanted you to have this.
Vitani starts to sing "Remember Me" the way Héctor sang it... softly, from the heart.
Vitani: REMEMBER ME THOUGH I HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE REMEMBER ME DON'T LET IT MAKE YOU CRY
The glimmer in the Mamá Coco’s eyes grows brighter with every note. Memories flood in, filling the vacancy of her expression with life. Her cheeks soften and plump. Her lips arc into a smile.
Vitani: FOR EVEN IF I'M FAR AWAY, I HOLD YOU IN MY HEART I SING A SECRET SONG TO YOU EACH NIGHT WE ARE APART REMEMBER ME THOUGH I HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR
Vitani sings gently, with love.
Mamá Coco’s brows slope up, delighted. The song seems to bring her back to life. Abuelita can't speak. None of them can. Brimming, Mamá Coco joins Vitani in song -- her voice scratchy with age, Vitani's clear with youth.
Both: REMEMBER ME EACH TIME YOU HEAR A SAD GUITAR KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE UNTIL YOU'RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN REMEMBER ME.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD:
Imelda was still crying when a big light was showing in front of her.
Selena: Sis, look!
Coco was remembering her papa again!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tears stream down Abuelita's face; she's witnessing a miracle. Mamá Coco looks to her daughter and is troubled by her tears.
Coco: Elena, what wrong, Mija?
Abuelita: Nothing, Mama. nothing at all
Mama coco looks at Vitani.
Coco: My papa used to sing me that song!
Vitani: He loved you, mama coco, your papa. He loved you so much!
A smile spreads across Mamá Coco's face. She's waited a long time to hear those words. She turns to her nightstand, handshaking. She opens a drawer and pulls out a notebook.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hector was with his family. Imelda ran to Hector and hugs him.
Imelda: I'm sorry!!! (8x)
Hector looks at Imelda's face and wipes her tears.
Hector: it's ok. I'm here.
Imelda: I love you so much!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coco: I kept his letter, poems he wrote for me and this...
Mamá Coco leafs through the book to reveal a torn scrap of paper. She hands it to Vitani. It's the missing face from the photo -- Héctor's face. Vitani pieces the picture back together, finally seeing Héctor as he was in life, a young, handsome man. Mamá Coco smiles. She finds the words slowly, but she speaks with fondness and love.
Vitani: Papa Hector!
Coco: Papa was a musician when I was a little girl. He, mama, and tia would sing beautiful songs!
The family gathers close to listen.
EXT. CEMETERY - MORNING TITLE CARD: ONE YEAR LATER
The cemetery is once again filled with families cleaning off headstones and laying flowers.
EXT. DE LA CRUZ'S MAUSOLEUM
Not as many offerings this year, not as many fans. No mariachi band. Someone has hung a sign "FORGET YOU" on the bust of de la Cruz.
EXT. RIVERA WORKSHOP
The tour guide stands in front of the Rivera shoe shop. Tourists crowd in, taking pictures of the skull guitar and framed letters Héctor wrote to Coco.
EXT. COURTYARD
We travel through the courtyard catching glimpses of holiday preparation. Vitani's four little cousins find her in the ofrenda.
INT. OFRENDA ROOM
Vitani: So, you all want to learn more about our famila? Ok …..and that man is our papa julio, and that our tia rosita and our tia Vitoria and those two are Oscar and Felipe.
Vitani holds her baby Brother Miguel (10 months) in her arms and points out all of the family members.
Vitani: These aren’t just old pictures, they are our family and they’re counting on us to remember them( find the song on youtube)
Abuelita approaches and smiles to see her grandson passing on the tradition. Then she places a picture frame on the ofrenda, a photo of Mamá Coco. She looks to Vitani who puts her arm around her. Next to Mamá Coco’s picture sits the photo of Mamá Imelda, Tia Selena, and Héctor taped back together. Restored.
CROSSFADE TO: EXT. MARIGOLD GRAND CENTRAL STATION
Héctor waits in the departures line nervously.
Héctor steps up to the monitor. The agent recognizes him. Héctor chuckles nervously. The monitor scans him. DING!
EXT. FOOT OF THE BRIDGE
Héctor exits from the Marigold Grand Central Station. Mamá Imelda waits on the cobblestones to greet him. They kiss. Then he hears a familiar voice.
Mama Coco: Papi
Hector: Coco!
Héctor turns to see his daughter approaching. He opens his arms to give Coco the biggest hug. Imelda laughs. Selena goes to Imelda.
Selena: Oh? Is Imelda Rivera Laughing?
Imelda: No...
If Imelda had Skin, she would be blushing. But, of course, Selena knew when her sister was blushing.
Selena: You're blushing!!
Imelda: No, I'm not.
Coco: My mom's blushing!!
They laugh. Every moment together is a miracle and he holds Coco as he knows it. Soon Coco, Héctor, and Imelda join hands. The petals of the bridge glow as they step forward. The family crosses together. Selena spreads her wings out and flies.
Selena: WHOO!!!
She grabs Imelda and she laughs.
Imelda: Put me down!!
Selena: Nerp!!
They turn into Selda and fly the rest of the way. The family runs to beat them. Dante and Pepita fly through the night sky in the Land of the Dead. They alight on the marigold path and bound across into the Land of the Living.
EXT. STREETS OF SANTA CECILIA
Dante's shadow is cast against a wall. When he rounds the corner, he is just a normal Xolo dog, with no wings or vibrant colors. Pepita's shadow looms large, but as she rounds the corner it shrinks to reveal that she is a little alley cat in the Land of the Living.
Vitani: Say that I'm crazy or call me a fool
But last night it seemed that I dreamed about you
When I opened my mouth what came out was a song
And you knew every word and we all sang along
To a melody played on the strings of our souls
And a rhythm that rattled us down to the bone
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
Ay mi familia, oiga mi gente
Canten al Coro, let it be known
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
Ay mi familia, oiga mi gente
Canten al Coro, let it be known
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
EXT. RIVERA COURTYARD
They enter the Rivera compound. Abuelita greets Dante and tosses him a sweet treat. In the courtyard, the family is gathered as Vitani plays her guitar and sings. Dante hops up to give her a lick on the cheek. Amongst the living Riveras are the spirits of their loved ones, Tía Rosita, Tía Victoria, Papá Julio, Tío Oscar, and Tío Felipe, all present and enjoying the reunion. Papá cradles Vitani's new baby brother as Mamá leans on her shoulder. Abuelita listens proudly to her grandchildren while the spirit of Mamá Coco stands beside her, arm around her shoulder. The courtyard is full of Riveras, living and dead. Héctor and Imelda stand arm in arm, Selena hears her family singing. Listening to Vitani play. As Vitani sings, the whole family, living and dead, all sing, play, and enjoy the music. After a while. Vitani stops singing, her father asks if she can be with her brother and little cousins.
Vitani: Come on!
The four follow her. She holds Miguel. Suddenly, she can see ghosts!! She sees her dead famila!
Vitani: Mama coco!!
Coco: Hi, Mija!! Wait, you can see us?
Vitani: I guess!
Imelda: Aww!! is this your baby brother?
Vitani: yea. Watch this!
She shots ice from her hand.
Selena: Cool!!
Vitani: Can the boys and I visit you guys sometimes?
Selena: Si!!
Vitani laughs
Vitani: that's my story, what's yours?
THE END!!!!
ns 172.70.179.54da2