Coco Page #3

MIGUEL (V.O.)

He lived the kind of life you dream

about... Until 1942...

As the audience swoons over de la Cruz, an absent-minded

stagehand leans on a lever. Ropes and pulleys go flying.

DE LA CRUZ:

UNTIL YOU'RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN

REMEMBER ME!

De la Cruz is subsequently crushed by a giant bell.

MIGUEL (V.O.)

When he was crushed by a giant

bell.

CUT TO:

MARIACHI PLAZA - DAY

Miguel gazes up at the statue of de la Cruz in awe.

MIGUEL (V.O)

I wanna be just like him.

CUT TO:

EXT. CEMETERY - MOMENTS LATER

Miguel weaves up to de la Cruz's mausoleum and peeks in the

window. He catches a glimpse of de la Cruz's signature skull

guitar.

MIGUEL (V.O.)

Sometimes, I look at de la Cruz and

I get this feeling... like we're

connected somehow. Like, if HE

could play music, maybe someday I

could too...

10.

EXT. MARIACHI PLAZA - DAY

MIGUEL (CONT'D)

...If it wasn't for my family.

PLAZA MARIACHI:

(playful)

Ay, ay, ay, muchacho.

MIGUEL:

Huh?

PLAZA MARIACHI:

I asked for a shoe shine, not your

life story.

Miguel comes out of his reverie and looks up at the PLAZA

MARIACHI whose shoes he is shining.

MIGUEL:

Oh, yeah, sorry.

He goes back to scrubbing the man's shoe. As Miguel shines,

the mariachi plucks his guitar idly.

MIGUEL:

I just can't really talk about any

of this at home so...

PLAZA MARIACHI:

Look, if I were you I'd march right

up to my family and say, "Hey! I'm

a musician. Deal with it!"

MIGUEL:

I could never say that...

PLAZA MARIACHI:

You ARE a musician, no?

MIGUEL:

I don't know. I mean... I only

really play for myself--

PLAZA MARIACHI:

Did de la Cruz become the world's

best musician by hiding his sweet,

sweet skills? No! He walked out

onto that plaza and he played out

loud!

11.

The mariachi gets an idea. He points to the gazebo where

organizers are setting up for a show. They unfurl a canvas

poster which reads "TALENT SHOW."

PLAZA MARIACHI (CONT'D)

Ah, mira, mira! They're setting up

for tonight. The music competition

for Día de Muertos. You wanna be

like your hero? You should sign

up!

MIGUEL:

Uh-uh, my family would freak!

PLAZA MARIACHI:

Look, if you're too scared, then,

well... have fun making shoes.

Miguel considers this.

PLAZA MARIACHI (CONT'D)

C'mon. What did de la Cruz always

say?

MIGUEL:

...Seize your moment?

The mariachi appraises Miguel, then offers his guitar.

PLAZA MARIACHI:

Show me what you got, muchacho.

I'll be your first audience.

Miguel's brows rise, surprised. He reaches to take the

instrument, regarding it as if holding a holy relic.

Miguel spreads his fingers across the strings anticipating

his chord and...

ABUELITA (O.S.)

MIGUEL!

Startled, Miguel impulsively throws the guitar back onto the

mariachi's lap. He turns to see Abuelita marching toward

him. Miguel's TÍO BERTO (40s) and PRIMA ROSA (16), follow

with supplies from the market.

MIGUEL:

Abuelita!

ABUELITA:

What are you doing here?

12.

MIGUEL:

Um...uh...

Miguel quickly packs away his 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 grandson alone!

PLAZA MARIACHI:

Doña, please -- I was just getting

a shine!

ABUELITA:

I know your tricks, mariachi!

(to Miguel)

What did he say to you?

MIGUEL:

He was just showing me his

guitar...

Gasps from the family.

TÍO BERTO

Shame on you!

Abuelita lords over the mariachi, shoe aimed directly between

his eyes.

ABUELITA:

My grandson is a sweet little

angelito querido cielito -- he

wants no part of your music,

mariachi! You keep away from him!

The mariachi scrambles away, snatching his hat off the

ground before he goes. Abuelita hugs Miguel protectively to

her bosom.

ABUELITA:

Ay, pobrecito! Estás bien, mijo?

She peppers him with kisses then releases him from the

embrace. He gasps for air.

ABUELITA:

(distressed)

You know better than to be here in

this place! You will come home.

Now.

13.

Abuelita turns toward home. Miguel sighs and gathers his

shine box. Then, seeing a flyer for the plaza "TALENT SHOW",

he can't help but pocket it. He follows Abuelita.

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