Coco Page #9

Suddenly twin skeleton gents run, huffing, toward the family.

TÍO FELIPE

(huffing)

Oye!

TÍO OSCAR

(winded)

It's Mamá Imelda--

34.

TÍO FELIPE

(huffing)

--She couldn't cross over!

The others gasp.

TÍO OSCAR

She's stuck--

TÍO FELIPE

--On the other side!

Miguel sees pictures of his Tío Oscar and Tío Felipe flash in

his memory.

MIGUEL:

Tío Oscar? Tío Felipe?

TÍO OSCAR

Oh, hey Miguel.

Tía Victoria turns her gaze on Miguel.

TÍA VICTORIA

I have a feeling this has something

to do with you.

TÍA ROSITA

But if Mamá Imelda can't come to

us...

PAPÁ JULIO

...Then we are going to her!

Vámonos!

Papá Julio grabs Miguel by the arm and the family rushes

through the cemetery, trailed by Dante.

EXT. CEMETERY - MOMENTS LATER

Miguel and his family weave through the graves, rounding a

corner.

His gaze falls upon a glowing MARIGOLD BRIDGE arching before

them.

MIGUEL:

Whoa...

The bridge extends into the mist. A stream of skeletons

amble across for the holiday.

35.

The family passes through an invisible barrier onto the

bridge. Their bodies change from ghostly to solid. Miguel

hesitates at the threshold.

PAPÁ JULIO

Come on, Miguel. It's ok.

Miguel follows after the family, the petals glowing under his

feet. Dante takes off.

MIGUEL:

Dante! Dante! Dante, wait up!

Miguel 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 Miguel's face.

MIGUEL (CONT'D)

You gotta stay with me, boy. We

don't know... where...

Out of the mist, the sparkling cityscape of the Land of the

Dead emerges. It's breathtaking. His family sidles up.

MIGUEL:

This isn't a dream, then. You're

all really out there...

TÍA VICTORIA

You thought we weren't?

MIGUEL:

Well I don't know, I thought it

might've been one of those made up

things that adults tell kids...

like... vitamins.

TÍA VICTORIA

Miguel, vitamins are a real thing.

MIGUEL:

Well, now I'm thinking maybe they

could be...

As skeletons pass in the other direction, Miguel receives

some strange looks. A little skeleton girl gasps, pointing

at him.

SKELETON MOTHER:

Mija, it's not nice to stare at--

(seeing Miguel)

Ay! Santa Maria!

36.

The woman goes wide-eyed, her head turning backwards to gawk

at Miguel as she walks in the opposite direction. Miguel

puts up his hood.

The Riveras continue on toward an arrivals area on the far

side of the bridge. Miguel sees fantastical creatures

crawling, flying, making nests in the nearby architecture.

MIGUEL:

Are those...? Alebrijes! But

those are--

TÍO OSCAR

REAL alebrijes. Spirit

creatures...

TÍA ROSITA

They guide souls on their

journey...

TÍO FELIPE

Watch your step, they make caquitas

everywhere.

They get to the far edge of the Marigold Bridge.

EXT. MARIGOLD GRAND CENTRAL STATION

CANNED LOOP (V.O.)

Welcome back to the Land of the

Dead. Please have all offerings

ready for re-entry. We hope you

enjoyed your holiday!

A sign reads RE-ENTRY.

ARRIVALS AGENT:

Welcome back! Anything to declare?

TRAVELER:

Some churros... from my family.

ARRIVALS AGENT:

How wonderful! Next!

CANNED LOOP (V.O.)

...If you are experiencing travel

issues, agents at the Department of

Family Reunions are available to

assist you.

Miguel and family get into the line for RE-ENTRY, along with

other skeletons returning from the Land of the Living.

37.

Nearby, skeletons exit the Land of the Dead through a gate

marked DEPARTURES. Miguel watches.

DEPARTURES AGENT

Next family, please!

An ELDERLY COUPLE steps in front of a camera-mounted monitor.

The monitor scans their faces and returns an image of their

photos on an altar in the Land of the Living.

DEPARTURES AGENT (CONT'D)

Oh, your photos are on your son's

ofrenda. Have a great visit!

ELDERLY COUPLE:

Gracias.

The couple unites with the rest of their family. They all

step onto the bridge, which begins to glow as they gain

footing.

CANNED LOOP (V.O.)

...And remember to return before

sunrise. Enjoy your visit!

DEPARTURES AGENT

Next!

A skeleton man, a smile full of braces, steps up to the

monitor.

DEPARTURES AGENT (CONT'D)

Your photo's on your dentist's

ofrenda. Enjoy your visit!

JUAN ORTODONCIA:

Grashiash!

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