Coco Page #22

DE LA CRUZ:

My great-great grandson!

CUT TO:

In the parlor:

DE LA CRUZ:

He's alive! And a musician to

boot!

CUT TO:

Miguel chats away with de la Cruz and guests.

MIGUEL:

Dimple. No dimple. Dimple. No

dimple.

De la Cruz laughs, delighted.

DE LA CRUZ:

No dimple!

CUT TO:

A film clip is projected in the main hall.

ON SCREEN:
Don Hidalgo turns raising two glasses. Miguel

acts along with the clip.

DON HIDALGO (FILM CLIP)

To our friendship!...

DON HIDALGO (FILM CLIP) MIGUEL

...I would move Heaven and ...I would move Heaven and

Earth for you, mi amigo. Earth for you, mi amigo.

Salud! Salud!

In the clip Don Hidalgo and de la Cruz drink. De la Cruz

spits.

MIGUEL DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)

Poison! Poison!

88.

Miguel and de la Cruz gleefully act out the ensuing fist

fight.

DE LA CRUZ:

You know, I did all my own stunts.

CUT TO:

A small crowd sways, arms around shoulders, as Miguel 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.

DE LA CRUZ:

All of this came from my amazing

fans in the Land of the Living!

They leave me more offerings than I

know what to do with!

Miguel takes in the room, it's almost too much to absorb.

Something seems to be on the boy's mind.

DE LA CRUZ:

Hey, what's wrong? Is it too much?

You look overwhelmed...

MIGUEL:

No -- it's all great.

DE LA CRUZ:

But...?

MIGUEL:

It's just -- I've been looking up

to you my whole life. You're the

guy who actually did it! But...

(beat)

Did you ever regret it? Choosing

music over... everything else.

De la Cruz kneels down and looks into Miguel's eyes.

DE LA CRUZ:

It was hard. Saying goodbye to my

hometown. Heading off on my own...

MIGUEL:

Leaving your family?

89.

DE LA CRUZ:

Sí. But I could not have done it

differently.

(beat)

One cannot deny who one is meant to

be. And you, my great-great

grandson, are meant to be a

musician!

Miguel smiles, chest swelling. He feels validated for the

first time in his life.

DE LA CRUZ (CONT'D)

You and I, we are artists, Miguel!

We cannot belong to one family.

The world is our family!

De la Cruz gestures to the sparkling city beyond his hilltop

estate. Fireworks go off on the veranda.

DE LA CRUZ (CONT'D)

Ooo, the fireworks have begun!

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 are de la Cruz's film clips that

continue to play on the walls.

De la Cruz and Miguel descend the staircase into the empty

hall.

DE LA CRUZ:

Soon, the party will move across

town for my "Sunrise Spectacular!"

(beat)

Miguel, you must come to the show!

You will be my guest of honor!

Miguel's eyes light up.

MIGUEL:

You mean it?!

90.

DE LA CRUZ:

Of course, my boy!

Miguel's chest swells. Then deflates. He lifts his shirt,

revealing the skeletal transition partway up his torso.

MIGUEL:

I can't... I have to get home

before sunrise.

DE LA CRUZ:

Oh, I really do need to get you

home.

De la Cruz plucks a marigold petal from a vase.

DE LA CRUZ (CONT'D)

It has been an honor. I am sorry

to see you go, Miguel. I hope you

die very soon.

(beat)

You know what I mean.

(beat)

Miguel. I give you my bles--

HÉCTOR (O.S.)

We had a deal, chamaco!

They are startled.

DE LA CRUZ:

Who are you? What is the meaning

of this?

From the shadows, Héctor, dressed as Frida, steps into the

light.

DE LA CRUZ (CONT'D)

Oh, Frida! I thought you couldn't

make it.

Héctor takes off the wig and throws his outfit off.

HÉCTOR

You said you'd take back my photo.

You promised, Miguel.

Miguel turns, backing into de la Cruz's arms. De la Cruz

rises to his feet, hands defensively on Miguel's shoulders.

DE LA CRUZ:

(to Miguel)

You know this, uh... man?

91.

MIGUEL:

I just met him tonight. He told me

he knew you--

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