COCO

2024

1
SCRIPT ADAPTED BY:
Sasha Castillos
Chiara Kijuto
Mercedes
Lezama
Ma. Eugenia Rodríguez

CHARACTERS:
Miguel - Mechi
Mama Coco - Vale
E
Ernesto De la Cruz - Nacho
T Dante - Miranda
Chicharrón -
Germán Óscar -
Facundo Felipe -
Benjamìn Papa
Julio - Matías M
Mamá - Sofía
Mariachi 1 -
Tatiana Mariachi 2
- Romina Mariachi
3 - Chiara Mariachi
4 - Camila
Abuelita - Sasha (the first part) and Belén M (the last part)
Mama Imelda - Mauge (the first part: scene 7 & scene 8) and Belén C. (the last part:
scene 10, scene 12, scene 18)
Papá - Matías T.
Presenter- Martina D
Tía Victoria - Candela
Héctor - Santiago L
Police officer 1 -
Paula P Police officer
2 - Belén A
Police officer 3 - Milagros
Stage Manager - Nadia

CHARACTERS WITHOUT ACTORS:

- Random Lady - A teacher?

PEOPLE WITHOUT ACTING ROLES:

- Belén B (doesn’t want to act)
- Oriana
- Salvador
- Milagros
- Lorenzo
- Martina F (doesn’t want to act)
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- Andrés - Electric's part
- Santiago C - Electric's part

3
 First act
Scene 1

(The light points at Miguel as he says)

MIGUEL
Sometimes I think I'm cursed... because of something that happened before I was even
born.

(The light turns off and another turns on pointing to the mariachis)

MARIACHIS 1
See, a long time ago there was this family. The papá, he was a musician.

(The sound of a guitar is played in the background)

MARIACHIS 2
But he also had a dream... to play for the world.

(The sound of the guitar stops)

MARIACHIS 3
And one day he left with his guitar... and never returned.

MARIACHIS 4
And the mamá...?

MARIACHI 1
She didn't have time to cry because of his disappearance. She decided to stop
listening to music and to destroy all the instruments and records.

MARIACHI 2
That is why Miguel kept his guitar hidden in the attic. She found a way to provide for her
daughter... She rolled up her sleeves and she learned to make shoes.

MARIACHI 3
Then she taught her daughter to make shoes. And later, she taught her son-in-law. As
her family grew, so did the business. Music had torn her family apart, but shoes held
them all together.

MARIACHI 1
You see, that woman was Miguel´s great great grandmother, Mamá Imelda. She died
way before Miguel was born. But his family still tells her story every year on the Day of
the Dead...

MARIACHI 4
And her little girl?

MARIACHI 2
She's his great grandmother, Mamá Coco.

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Scene 2
(The lights are turned off as the scenery and characters change.He has his shine box, and heads
out of the park.)

Mamá appears from the backstage (and stays in the corner of the stage)

MAMÁ(shouting)
Be back by lunch, honey!

MIGUEL
Love you, Mamá!

(He walks and Dante appears from the back of a trash can)

MIGUEL
Hey, hey! Dante!

DANTE
Oh hey Miguel! What’s up?. Are we going to the park? I love the park! Let’s

go, let’s go! (Miguel pets Dante for a second and then they walk

together to the park) (We would need a mini stage where Ernesto can

stand up as a statue)

MIGUEL
I know I'm not supposed to love music -- but it's not my fault! It's his: Ernesto de la Cruz,
the greatest musician of all times. He wrote the best songs! But my all-time favorite? It's--

(The song “Remember me” starts fading in as dancers come on stage and start dancing along the
rhythm of the song.)
A recording of Miguel’s voice edited in the same audio of the song:

He lived the kind of life you dream

about... Until 1942...
When he was crushed by a giant
bell. (sound of a bell crashing)

MIGUEL
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… If it wasn't for my family.

PLAZA MARIACHI 2
Ay, ay, ay, muchacho.

MIGUEL
I just can't really talk about any of this at home so...

PLAZA MARIACHI 3
Look, if I were you I'd go to my family and say, "Hey! I'm a musician. Deal with it!"
5
MIGUEL

6
I could never say that...

PLAZA MARIACHI 4
You know what? My friends are organizing a Talent show, you should sign up!

MIGUEL
Uh-uh, my family would go crazy!

PLAZA MARIACHI 1
Look, if you're too scared, then, well... have fun making shoes.

(Miguel considers this.)

PLAZA MARIACHI 2
Come on. What did de la Cruz always say?

MIGUEL
...Seize your moment?

(The mariachi appraises Miguel, then offers his guitar.)

PLAZA MARIACHI 3
Show me what you got, mate. 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 angrily walks into
scene)

ABUELITA
What are you doing here?! You leave my grandson alone! I know your tricks, mariachis!

(The mariachis walk out as Abuelita throws a flip flop to them, snatching his hat off the ground
before he goes.)

(Miguel quickly packs away his shine rag and polishes.)

DANTE
Oh no, we’re in trouble

ABUELITA (to Miguel)

What did he say to you?

MIGUEL
He was just showing me his guitar...

Gasps from the family.

PAPÁ
Shame on you!

ABUELITA
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My grandson is a sweet little angelito querido cielito -- he wants no part of
your music, mariachi! You keep away from him!

(Abuelita hugs Miguel protectively to her bosom.)

ABUELITA
Oh dear, are you ok?

(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.

(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).
Miguel catches up to his family.

Scene 3
PAPÁ
How many times have we told you that plaza is crawling with mariachis!

MIGUEL
Yes, papá.

(Dante walks quietly around Miguel. Abuelita shoos him away.)

ABUELITA
Go away, you! Go!

(Dante darts off, scared.)

MIGUEL
It's just Dante...

(Abuelita throws her shoe at the dog.)

ABUELITA
Never name a street dog. They'll follow you forever. Now, go get my shoe.

DANTE
I knew this would happen…

(They all go to the shoe workshop)

ABUELITA
I found your son in Mariachi Plaza!

MAMÁ (disappointed)
Miguel... You know how Abuelita feels about the plaza.

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MIGUEL
I was just shining shoes!

PAPÁ
If Abuelita says no more plaza, then no more plaza.

MIGUEL (blurting)
But what about tonight?

MAMÁ
What's tonight?

MIGUEL
Well they're having this talent show

(Abuelita perks her ear, suspicious. Miguel whins, deciding whether to go on).

MIGUEL
And I thought I might...

(Mamá looks at Miguel, curious.)

MAMÁ
...Sign up?

MIGUEL
Well, maybe?

ABUELITA
It's Día de los Muertos -- no one's going anywhere. Tonight is about family.

(She deposits a pile of marigolds (the orange flowers) in Miguel's arms. They are on the ofrenda
room)

ABUELITA
Come on.

(Miguel follows his Abuelita to the family ofrenda, holding the pile of flowers as she arranges them
on the altar.)

ABUELITA
Don't give me that look.Tonight is the only night when our dead family can come visit
us. We've put their photos on the ofrenda so their spirits can cross over.

(Abuelita points to the ofrenda scenography)

ABUELITA
That is very important! If we don't put them up, they can't
come! We made all this food -- set out the things they loved in life, honey. And we put
the marigolds to guide the dead ones to our ofrenda. All this work to bring the family
together.

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(Abuelita looks up to the photo of the faceless musician.)

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MIGUEL
Like Mama Coco’s father?

ABUELITA
Never mention that man! He's better off forgotten.

MIGUEL
But you're the one who--

ABUELITA
Ta, ta, ta-tch!

(Mamá Coco, who was in the background listening to them, now looks agitated.)

MAMÁ COCO
Papá is home...?

ABUELITA
Mamá, calm down. No Mamá. It's okay, I'm here.

(Mamá Coco looks up at Abuelita.)

MAMÁ COCO
Who are you?

(Sadness rises in Abuelita; she swallows it down.)

ABUELITA
Rest, Mamá.

(Abuelita returns to the ofrenda. She looks around the room. Miguel is nowhere to be found. Abuelita
steps up to the ofrenda. She sighs.)

ABUELITA
What are we going to do with that boy...?

Scene 4
(The lights are shut down. Miguel appears grabbing his guitar next to Dante. They’re on their way to
Miguel is trying to sneak out with Dante and his guitar, but his Abuelita and parents stare straight at
him. He feels ashamed)

MIGUEL
Mamá -- Papá, I--

(Papá lifts his finger to silence his son )

PAPÁ
Miguel... Your Abuelita had the most wonderful idea! We've all decided -- it's time you
joined us in the workshop! No more shining shoes -- you will be making them! Every
day after school!
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 (Papá hands Miguel a leather apron. Abuelita squeezes his cheeks, full of pride.)

ABUELITA
Our Migueli-ti-ti-ti-to. Your ancestors will be so proud!

(She gestures to the shoes adorning the ofrenda.)

MIGUEL
But what if I'm no good at making shoes?

PAPÁ
Ah, Miguel... You have your family here to guide you... You are a Rivera. And a Rivera is...?

MIGUEL
...A shoemaker. Through and through.

PAPÁ
That's my boy!

(Papá heads out of the room, Mamá follows. Last is Abuelita, who smothers Miguel with tons of
kisses as she leaves.
With the family gone, Miguel exhales.
Suddenly, a noise comes from the ofrenda. Miguel turns to
find Dante under the table, scratching his guitar. Miguel is horrified! )

MIGUEL
Dante! No, Dante, stop!

(Miguel pulls the dog away from the ofrenda, but the table shakes.The frame with Mamá Imelda's
photo sways back and forth, then topples to the ground with a sickening crack.)

DANTE
What? I didn’t do anything!

MARIACHIS 3
Miguel was picking up the old photo of Mamá Imelda, but suddenly he saw a man holding
the guitar Miguel always dreamt of. However, his face was missing!

MARIACHI 4
De la Cruz's guitar

MAMÁ COCO
Papá?

(Miguel's eyes go wide as the connection dawns on him. Could it possibly be true?)

MIGUEL
Mamá Coco, is your papá... Ernesto de la Cruz?

MAMÁ COCO
Papá! Papá!
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 (Papá and Mamá appear on the stage.They were overhearing Miguel’s conclusions)

PAPÁ
We've never known anything about this man. But whoever he was, he still abandoned
his family. This is no future for my son.

MIGUEL
But I'm supposed to play music!

ABUELITA
Never! That man's music was a curse! I will not allow it!

MAMÁ
You will listen to your family. No more music.

MIGUEL
Just listen to me play--

PAPÁ
End of argument.

ABUELITA
Come. You'll feel better after you eat with your family.

(She reaches out to comfort Miguel, but he is hurt beyond repair.)

MIGUEL
I don't wanna be in this family!

(He snatches the photo from Papá and bolts out of the hacienda.)

PAPÁ
Miguel! MIGUEL!

Scene 5
(As Miguel runs, the mariachi music starts playing
Miguel approaches a STAGE MANAGER in the
gazebo.)

MIGUEL
I wanna play in the plaza. Like de la Cruz! Can I still sign-up?

STAGE MANAGER
Have you got an instrument?

MIGUEL
No... But if I can borrow a guitar--

STAGE MANAGER
Musicians must bring their instruments... If you find a guitar, I'll put you on the list.

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 (Miguel looks disappointed and approaches any musician he can find.
Miguel interacts with the mariachis, asking them)

MIGUEL
Excuse me, can I borrow your guitar?

MARIACHI 1
Sorry, mate.

MARIACHI 2
We’ve to use it, kiddo!

(Miguel walks away. He finds himself facing the statue of de la Cruz (I. Toscano standing on a
pedestal).

MIGUEL
Great-great grandfather... What am I supposed to do?

(After some seconds, he acts like having an incredible idea.)

DANTE
Maybe steal one? Just kidding!

MIGUEL
Of course, why didn’t I think about it before?! Dante, keep an eye on them! Don’t let them
catch us!

DANTE
Don’t worry! No one will see anything!

MIGUEL
Señor de la Cruz? I’m so sorry, but I need to borrow this.

(Miguel takes the guitar off the statue hands. The orange lights start to turn down (simulating the fall
of the marigolds). Confidence building, he strums it once.
Suddenly, the lights turns red and the musicians of the plaza look to Ernesto’s statue. Miguel acts
ashamed and nervous, noticing what he’s done.)

STAGE MANAGER
The guitar! It's gone! Somebody stole de la Cruz's guitar!

MIGUEL
I’m so sorry

(He is surprised because no one seemed to see him)

MIGUEL (shouting)
Hellooooo? Are you there? Can you see me? HAHAHAH

STAGE MANAGER
There's nobody here!

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 Second act
Scene 6
(Miguel starts running with Dante, he stumbles and falls. The lights turn down and when they turn on
again, the dead members of Miguel’s family are walking around the stage, as they would normally do.
Suddenly Dante surprises Miguel and puts its paw on Miguel’s leg. Miguel screams.)

MIGUEL
Dante?! Can you see me? W-wait! What’s going on?!

(Dante barks, points, and bounds through the crowd.)

MIGUEL
Dante! Dante!

(Miguel gives chase until -– BAM! He runs smack into a mustached skeleton and falls to the
ground.)

DANTE
Yes, I see you, Miguel! What happened? you’re so strange..

MIGUEL
I'm sorry, I'm sorry…

(Óscar, Felipe, Papa Julio and Tía Victoria look over Miguel as he tries to stand up. They are
astonished.)

PAPÁ JULIO
Miguel?!

TÍA VICTORIA
You're here! Here, here!

OSCAR
And you can see us?!

(Tía VICTORIA grabs Miguel, hugging him tight.)

TÍA VICTORIA
Our Migueli-ti-ti-ti-ti-to!

MIGUEL (muffled)
Remind me how do I know you?

TÍA VICTORIA
We're your family, honey!

MIGUEL
Tía... Victoria? Papá Julio? Oscar? Felipe?

FELIPE
We are family!

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 (They all hug Miguel. Tía Victoria pokes Miguel's cheek, skeptical.)

TÍA VICTORIA
He doesn't seem entirely dead. He's not quite alive either...

PAPÁ JULIO
We need Mamá Imelda. She’ll know how to fix this!

OSCAR
She couldn't cross over! She's stuck On the other side!

(The others gasp.)

FELIPE
Well, if Mamá Imelda can't come to us, then we are going to her! Vámonos!

Papá Julio grabs Miguel by the arm and the family rushes through the cemetery, trailed by Dante.

MARIACHIS 3
They couldn’t solve this problem without Mamá Imelda, so they went straight to the
world of the dead. But to arrive into it, they had to cross an amazing and shining
marigold bridge.

(The lights pointing at the mariachis turn down, then, they turn on in an orange color.)

Scene 7
CANNED VOICE (playing on the speakers of the theatre)
Welcome back to the Land of the Dead. Please have all offerings ready for re-entry. We
hope you enjoyed your holiday! And remember to return before sunrise. Enjoy your visit!

(Miguel and his family appear on stage)

MIGUEL
This isn't a dream, then. You're all really out there...

TÍA VICTORIA
Did you think we weren't?

MIGUEL
Well I don't know, I thought it was a fantasy that adults tell kids... like... vitamins.

TÍA VICTORIA
Miguel, vitamins are a real thing!!!!!

MIGUEL
Well, now I'm thinking maybe they could be...

POLICE OFFICER 1
Welcome back! Anything to declare?

(Miguel and family get into the line for RE-ENTRY, along with other skeletons returning from the
16
Land of the Living.)

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MARIACHI 1
Nearby, skeletons exit the Land of the Dead through a gate marked DEPARTURES.

On the left side of the stage:

POLICE OFFICER 1
Next family, please!

OSCAR
Oh! Come mijo, it's our turn.

(They walk to the Arrivals agent.)

POLICE OFFICER 1
Welcome back, mates! Anything to declare?

PAPÁ JULIO
As a matter of fact, yes.

(The family pushes Miguel to the front, very much alive. Miguel smiles nervously. The arrivals agent
gasps, acting surprised. The characters mentioned above stay still and quiet, as on the right half of
the stage Mamá Imelda appears. She is handcuffed and held by two police officers. As she walks,
she argues with them.)

MAMÁ IMELDA (screaming)

I demand to speak to the person in charge!

POLICE OFFICER 2
I'm sorry, señora, it says here no one put up your photo--

MAMÁ IMELDA
My family always -- ALWAYS -- puts my photo on the ofrenda!

(In a swift movement, Mamá Imelda tries to free herself from the police officers holding her. Papá
Julio looks to the right side of the stage and says)

PAPÁ JULIO
Mamá Imelda?

(As Mamá Imelda sees him, she softens and walks to the left side of the stage.)

MAMÁ IMELDA
Oh, my family! They wouldn’t let me cross the bridge! Tell this man that my photo is on
the ofrenda.

PAPÁ JULIO
Well, we never made it to the ofrenda...

(Mamá Imelda's eyes fall on Miguel.)

MAMÁ IMELDA
What?! And who is this guy?

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FELIPE

19
We ran into... um... Miguel

MAMÁ IMELDA
What is going on?

(Just then, the CLERK walks into the stage from the right and sits exhaustedly on the chair next to
the desk (there is a plate of food on it).

POLICE OFFICER 1
Are you the Rivera family? Well, you're cursed.

The family gasps.

MIGUEL
What?!

POLICE OFFICER 2
The Day of the Dead is a night to GIVE to the dead. You STOLE from the dead.

MIGUEL
But I wasn't stealing the guitar!

MAMÁ IMELDA
Guitar...?

MIGUEL
It was my great-great grandfather's, he would have wanted me to have it--

MAMÁ IMELDA
Ah-ah-ah! We do not speak of that... (disgust) ...musician! He is DEAD to this family!

MIGUEL
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. The clerk
grunts as he looks to Dante and Miguel
Miguel steps up, trying to pull Dante away from the treats.

MIGUEL
That's just Dante.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Can we focus on the important issues? I couldn't cross over the bridge!

Miguel realizes something. He sheepishly pulls out the folded photo.

MIGUEL
Well, I think I have the answer

He unfolds the photo.

MAMÁ IMELDA
You took my photo off the ofrenda?!
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MIGUEL
It was an accident!

Mamá Imelda turns to the clerk, fire in her eyes.

MAMÁ IMELDA
How do we send him back?!

POLICE OFFICER 1
Well, since it's a family matter... The way to revert a family curse is to get your
family's blessing. But you gotta do it by sunrise!

MIGUEL
That’s it?

PAPÁ JULIO
My god! Your hand!

Miguel looks at his hand. He starts to faint when Papá Julio picks him up and gently slaps him
awake.

PAPÁ JULIO
Miguel, you are turning into a skeleton! Aren’t you?

POLICE OFFICER 3
But not to worry! Your family's here, you can get your blessing right now.

The clerk plucks a marigold petal from the hem of his desk. He hands the petal to Mamá Imelda.

POLICE OFFICER 3 (to Imelda)

Now, you look at the living, say his name and give him your blessing.

Imelda turns to Miguel.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel, I give you my blessing to go home...To put my photo back on the ofrenda...

Imelda delivers it like a scolding, but Miguel nods.

MAMÁ IMELDA
And to never play music again!

MIGUEL
What? She can't do that!

POLICE OFFICER 2
Well technically she can add any conditions she wants.

Then Imelda hands the petal to Miguel. He grabs the petal.

The lights turn down, the desk and the chair are taken out of the stage for a moment.

21
Scene 8
Ernesto appears on the pedestal, holding his skull guitar, pretending to be a statue on the park
Miguel looks around.

MIGUEL (happily says)

No skeletons!

Miguel laughs, relieved. Then, he turns to de la Cruz's guitar. He quickly grabs the guitar. The
lights turn off again, the desk and the chair are put back into their place on the stage and Miguel
appears back in the clerk's office (without the guitar) surrounded again by his dead family
members. The family is shocked to see him back so soon. Miguel realizes his hands are still in
guitar-holding position.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Two seconds and you already break your promise!

MIGUEL
This isn't fair, it's my life! You already had yours!

MAMÁ IMELDA
Don't make this hard, honey. You go home my way, or no way.

MIGUEL
Do you really hate music that much?

MAMÁ IMELDA
I remember how my husband played, I sang and nothing else mattered. But, when we had
Coco, something more important appeared in my life. I wanted to establish while he
wanted to play for the world. I won’t let you go the same way he did.

Miguel starts walking towards the door.

MIGUEL
Excuse me, I... need to visit the restroom. I’ll be back!

POLICE OFFICER 3
Uh, should we tell him there are no restrooms in the Land of the Dead?

Scene 9
The lights turn off and the scenography is taken out of the stage. Miguel puts up his hood,
tightening it to a tiny eye hole, and heads out. Dante pads after him.

MARIACHI 1
Miguel decided to go chase his dreams of wanting to be a musician.

MARIACHI 2
All the authorities were looking for this living boy

MARIACHI 3
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So he decided to go find his great-great grandpa blessing.

MARIACHI 4
In this way, Miguel will achieve his dream of being a singer like him

The exit gets closer when Miguel is stopped by a PATROLMAN. The Mariachis, exit the stage. Dante
runs behind Miguel, who runs into Héctor. behind Hector, there must be two wooden logs.

HÉCTOR
Hey hey, boy! Are you hurried? Wait….you are alive!

MIGUEL
Shhh… don’t say that out loud.
Yeah I'm alive. And if I wanna get back to the Land of the Living, I need de la Cruz's
blessing.

HÉCTOR
That's weirdly specific.
MIGUEL
He's my great-great-grandfather.

HÉCTOR
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait,
wait... (gasp)
Yes! You're going back to the Land of the Living?!

MIGUEL
Do you know what, maybe this isn't such a--

HÉCTOR
No, kiddo, we can help each other! But most importantly, you can help ME.

Héctor extends his hand while Dante walks around him, sniffing him.

DANTE
Who is this man?

HÉCTOR
I'm Héctor.

MIGUEL
That's nice! I’m Miguel

HÉCTOR
You stand out too much, let’s try a makeover on you

Héctor puts a skeleton eye mask on him. They both sat on wooden logs as Héctor explains him
:
HÉCTOR
So listen, Miguel: this place runs on memories. When you're well remembered, people
put up your photo and you get to cross the bridge and visit the living on the Day of the
Dead. Unless you're me.
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MIGUEL

24
You don't get to cross over.

HÉCTOR
No one's ever put up my
picture... But you can change
that!

He unfolds an old picture. In it is a young, living Héctor.

MIGUEL
This is you?

HÉCTOR
Very handsome, right?

MIGUEL
So you get me to my great-great grandpa, then I put up your photo when I get home?

HÉCTOR
Yes! One disadvantage: It’s difficult to meet de la Cruz. And I need to cross that bridge
soon. Like TONIGHT. So, you got any other family here, you know? Someone a bit
more... accessible?

MIGUEL
Mmm, nope.

HÉCTOR
Come on, mate. You gotta have SOME other family.

MIGUEL
ONLY de la Cruz. If you can't help me, I'll find him myself.

HÉCTOR
Okay, okay, kid, fine -- fine! I'll get you to your great-great grandpa...!

DANTE
Yes! a new adventure, i love it!

They both start walking with Dante. Miguel notices a billboard advertising "ERNESTO DE LA
CRUZ'S SUNRISE SPECTACULAR!" (the poster is projected)

MIGUEL
Whoa..."Ernesto de la Cruz's Sunrise Spectacular...!” How cool!

HÉCTOR
Well, every year, your great great grandpa puts on that dumb show to mark the end of the
Day of the Dead

MIGUEL (nervosuly)
Bu-bu-but, how will we get in?

HÉCTOR
Calm down, guy, come on... I'll get you to him. I happen to know where he is! On every
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Day of the Dead, he hosts a fancy party at the top of his tower

26
 Héctor points at the building.

MIGUEL
If you're such good friends, how come he didn't invite you?

HÉCTOR
He's YOUR great-great grandpa. How come he didn't invite YOU?

A random lady walks into scene. Héctor walks into her and says:

HÉCTOR
Hey, madame! Excuse the interruption, but, do you happen to know anything about De
la Cruz’s party?

RANDOM LADY
Well, I’m very sure you must be on the guest list to get in. Otherwise, you are never
getting in.

MIGUEL
Oh, holy heaven! We will never get in!

RANDOM LADY
Well, if you really want to get to Ernesto, there IS that music competition at the Park.
Winner gets to play at his party...

Miguel starts giggling and jumping happily, Dante does too.

MIGUEL
You know where I can get a guitar?

HÉCTOR
I know a guy... Follow me

Miguel follows Héctor down the theatre stairway. They talk as they descend and walk in front of the
first row seats.
HÉCTOR
Why the heck would you wanna be a musician?

MIGUEL
My great-great grandpa was a musician.

HÉCTOR
...Who spent his life performing like a monkey for complete strangers. I actually wouldn’t
like that

Miguel sighs disgustingly

MIGUEL
So, how far is this guitar anyway?

HÉCTOR
We're almost there...Come on, kiddo!

27
Héctor gestures to the other stair. They go up to the stage.

28
Scene 10
On the stage, Chicharrón is lying on a sofa or rocking
chair.
The lighting is not very bright

HÉCTOR
Night night Chicharrón!

CHICHARRÓN
I don't want to see your dumb face, Héctor.

HÉCTOR
Come on, it's the Day of the Dead! I brought you a little offering!

CHICHARRÓN
Get out of here...

HÉCTOR
I would, mate, but the thing is... me and my friend, Miguel, we really need to borrow your
guitar.

CHICHARRÓN
My prized, beloved guitar...?

HÉCTOR
I promise we'll bring it right back.

Chicharrón looks upset.

CHICHARRÓN
I wouldn’t lend you anything to—--

Chicharrón stands up and raises his finger. But then he weakens and collapses into the chair.
Héctor feels worried.

HÉCTOR
Whoa, whoa -- you okay, mate?

CHICHARRÓN
I'm fading, Héctor. I can feel it. I couldn't even play
my guitar if I wanted to. Could you play me
something?

Héctor looks surprised.

HÉCTOR
You know I don't play anymore. The guitar's for the kid--

CHICHARRÓN
You want it, you got to earn it...

Héctor sighs, then reaches over Chicharrón and takes the instrument.
Héctor begins pretending to strum the guitar as the music starts playing on the speakers.
29
WELL EVERYONE KNOWS JUANITA,
HER EYES EACH A DIFFERENT COLOR.

30
HER TEETH STICK OUT,
AND HER CHIN GOES
IN, AND HER...
...KNUCKLES THEY DRAG ON THE FLOOR.
HER HAIR IS LIKE A BRIAR,
SHE STANDS IN A BOW-LEGGED STANCE.
AND IF I WEREN'T SO UGLY,
SHE'D POSSIBLY GIVE ME A CHANCE!

Héctor finishes playing. Chicharrón is joyful

.
CHICHARRÓN
Brings back memories. Thank you...

His eyes close. He looks at peace. Héctor looks sad.

The lights start turning off softly as Héctor and Miguel look sad. With the lights turned off,
Chicharron and its couch are taken out of the stage.
Scene 11
The lights turn on again, Héctor and Miguel appear on stage walking to Ernesto’s party with
Chicharrón’s guitar.

MIGUEL (asks concernedly)

Wait... what happened?

HÉCTOR
He's been forgotten. When there's no one left in the living world who
remembers you, you disappear from this world. We call it the "Final Death."

MIGUEL
Where did he go?

HÉCTOR
No one knows.

Miguel has a thought.

MIGUEL
But I've met him... I could remember him, when I go back...

HÉCTOR
No, it doesn't work like that, kiddo. Our memories... they have to be passed down by
those who knew us in life.

Miguel is deep in thought. Héctor puts his hand on Miguel's back, suddenly cheerful.

HÉCTOR
Hey, it happens to everyone eventually

MIGUEL
Well, you told me you hated musicians, you never said you were one.

31
HÉCTOR
How do you think I knew your great great grandpa? We used to play music together.
Taught him everything he knows.

Héctor plays a fancy riff, but botches the last note.

MIGUEL
Are you kidding me?! You played with Ernesto de la Cruz, the greatest musician of all
time?

HÉCTOR
Ha-ha, you're funny! Greatest eyebrows of all time maybe but his music, eh, not so much.

MIGUEL
You don't know what you're talking about...

Scene 12
The lights turn off, MIGUEL and Héctor go out of the scene and the presenter appears on stage.
She will talk to our real audience as if this was the Ernesto’s Sunrise Spectacular audience.

HÉCTOR
So what's the plan? What are you gonna play?

MIGUEL
Definitely "Un poco loco".

HÉCTOR
Epa! That’s a good song! But now it is important to remember that you have to win.
Your life LITERALLY depends on it!

MIGUEL
I will sing with all my heart, not just because of De la Cruz's blessing. I need to
prove that... that I'm worthy of it.

HÉCTOR
Oh. Oh, that's such a sweet feeling... at SUCH a bad time!

Héctor softens.

HÉCTOR
Well, first you have to loosen up. Shake off those nerves! shake it off, shake it off!

Héctor shakes it off with Miguel.

HÉCTOR
Now give me your best mariachi’s shout!

MIGUEL
My best, what?

32
HÉCTOR
Come on, yell! OOOOOOH HE-HE-HEY! Ha! Ah, feels good! Okay... now you.

MIGUEL (uncertain)
Ah -- ah -- ayyyyy yaaaaayyyyay...

DANTE
very good Miguel, you can do it!

Dante whimpers.

HÉCTOR
Oh, c'mon kid...
Hey! Hey, look at me. You can do this. Grab their attention and don't let it go!

PRESENTER
Welcome everyone! Who's ready for some music?

The speakers sound as if the audience was whooping.

PRESENTER
The winner gets to play for Ernesto de la Cruz, at his party tonight!

Héctor and Miguel appear on the front corner of the stage, as if they weren’t on the real Sunrise
Spectacular stage.
PRESENTER
Let the competition begin. Ladies and gentlemen! De la Cruzcito!

Miguel slowly takes the stage, guitar in hand. He's blinded by the lights. He's frozen. Panic is
painted across Miguel's face.

HÉCTOR (to Dante)

What's he doing? Why isn't he playing?

Héctor makes eye contact with Miguel and starts shaking off his body. On stage Miguel shakes off
his nerves. Deep exhale and...

MIGUEL
HAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAI!

He begins his guitar intro.

MIGUEL (singing)
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
MIGUEL (CONT'D)
33
YOU MAKE ME UN POCO LOCO

34
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 Miguel.

HÉCTOR
No, no, no, no...

Once in the spotlight, Héctor warms up and busts out some percussive footwork to Miguel's guitar.
On the right front part of the stage, Mamá Imelda, Óscar, Felipe, Papa Julio and Tía Victoria. They
mime as if they were looking for Miguel, searching into the audience, acting like they don’t know
he is on stage.

HÉCTOR (singing)
THE LOCO THAT YOU MAKE
ME IT IS JUST UN POCO CRAZY
THE SENSE THAT YOU'RE NOT MAKING...

MIGUEL (singing)
THE LIBERTIES YOU'RE TAKING...

HÉCTOR
LEAVES MY CABEZA SHAKING YOU ARE JUST UN POCO LOCO

MIGUEL
LEAVES MY CABEZA SHAKING YOU ARE JUST UN POCO LOCO

The audience starts clapping in time with the song. Dante lets out a howl.

MIGUEL
UN POQUI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI TI-TI-TO LOCO!!

HÉCTOR
UN POQUI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI TI-TI-TO LOCO!!

The speakers play the sound of applauses. Miguel smiles proudly as he looks over the audience.
Then he sees his family. Panicking, Miguel pulls Héctor off stage. Héctor tries to pull back. They
walk again to the front edge of the stage.

MIGUEL
We gotta get out of here.

HÉCTOR
What, are you crazy? We're about to win this thing!

The presenter walks into the middle of the stage and says through the microphone.

PRESENTER (announces excitedly)

35
I want to congratulate De la Cruzcito, the winner of the night!

36
 The police officer appears on stage and walks directly to the presenter, and mimes to tell her
something secretly in the ear. The presenter seems to be worried.

PRESENTER
Ladies and gentlemen, I have an emergency announcement. Please be on the
lookout for a living boy. He answers to the name of Miguel.

Miguel and Héctor are on the same front edge of the stage they were standing on before

HÉCTOR
Wait, wait, wait! You said de la Cruz was your ONLY family. The ONLY person who could
send you home.

HÉCTOR
You could have taken my photo back this whole time?!

MIGUEL
But my family hates music! I need a musician's blessing!

HÉCTOR
You lied to me! I'm being forgotten, Miguel. I don't even know if I'm gonna last the night!
I'm not gonna miss my one chance to cross that bridge because you want to live out
some dumb musical fantasy!

MIGUEL
It's not stupid.

Héctor grabs Miguel's arm and pulls him toward the stage.

HÉCTOR
I'm taking you to your family.

MIGUEL
Let go of me!

Miguel yanks his arms away.

MIGUEL
You don't wanna help me, you only care about yourself! Keep your dumb photo!

He pulls Héctor's photo out of his pocket and throws it away off stage. Héctor tries to grab it, but it
flies away into the audience.

HÉCTOR
No -- no, no, no! No...

As Héctor scrambles to catch his photo, Miguel and Dante try to run away (like getting into the
farthest side of the stage, running right in front of his dead family).

HÉCTOR (shouting)
Hey, guy! Where did you go?! I'm sorry! Come back!

37
MAMÁ IMELDA
It's him! Miguel!

Miguel runs.
Scene 13
Miguel arrives at de la Cruz's tower. The security guard puts his head back on and El Santo heads
past the velvet rope. Miguel is revealed waiting in line behind him.

POLICE OFFICER 1
Invitation?

MIGUEL
It's okay. I'm Ernesto's great-great grandson! And I’ve also won the Sunrise Spectacular.

Miguel strikes de la Cruz's signature pose with his guitar.

POLICE OFFICER 1
Ooo, the competition winner! Congratulations kid!

Miguel heads off toward the mansion. There are Extras that are socializing at De la Cruz’s party.
Miguel catches a glimpse of de la Cruz heading deeper into the party. Miguel pursues.

MIGUEL
De la Cruz...

Miguel heads into the foyer but loses de la Cruz in the crowd.

MIGUEL
Mister de la Cruz!

Miguel elbows his way through the room.

MIGUEL
Excuse me, Mister de la Cruz! Mister de la--

Miguel jumps to see above the crowd. Miguel is unable to get his great-great grandfather's attention.
He gets up into the pedestal (the one used for Ernesto’s statue), he stands above the crowd.
Miguel takes a breath and throws out mariachi’s shout as loud as he can. It echoes through
the space, and party guests turn and stop whispering.
Gathering some attention, Miguel plays his guitar.

MIGUEL (singing)
SEÑORAS Y SEÑORES
BUENAS TARDES, BUENAS
NOCHES BUENAS TARDES,
BUENAS NOCHES SEÑORITAS Y
SEÑORES
TO BE HERE WITH YOU TONIGHT
BRINGS ME JOY! ¡QUÉ ALEGRÍA!
FOR THIS MUSIC IS MY LANGUAGE
AND THE WORLD ES MI FAMILIA

38
Miguel continues to play and sing as he nervously walks forward; the crowd parting, he moves

39
 closer to DLC.
MIGUEL
FOR THIS MUSIC IS MY LANGUAGE
AND THE WORLD ES MI FAMILIA

MIGUEL & DE LA CRUZ

FOR THIS MUSIC IS MY LANGUAGE
AND THE WORLD ES MI FAMILIA

MIGUEL
FOR THIS MUSIC IS MY LANG--
Miguel runs into and the lights turn off, as the music also.

Scene 14
His facemask is removed.
After a few seconds, when De la Cruz starts talking again, the lights turn on.

DE LA CRUZ
Are you all right, kid?

Miguel looks up, mortified.

DE LA CRUZ
It's you... you, you are that boy, the one who came from the Land of the Living.

MIGUEL
You... know about, me?

DE LA CRUZ
You are all anyone has been talking about! Why have you come here?

MIGUEL
I'm Miguel. Your great-great grandson.

De la Cruz is shocked.

DE LA CRUZ
I... have a great-great grandson?

MIGUEL
I need your blessing. So I can go back home and be a musician, just like you. The rest of
our family, they wouldn't listen. But I... I hoped you would?

DE LA CRUZ
My boy, with a talent like yours, how could I not listen?

Miguel hugs de la Cruz who sweeps Miguel up onto his shoulders, showing him off to the room.

DE LA CRUZ (shouting in general)

I HAVE A GREAT-GREAT GRANDSON! Look dear friends, this boy is my little boy, a great
musician, like me.

40
Miguel looks sad.

41
DE LA CRUZ
Hey, what's wrong? Is it too much? You look sad...

MIGUEL
No -- it's all great. It's just -- I've been looking up to you my whole life. But… Did you ever
regret it? Choosing music over family

DE LA CRUZ
Saying goodbye to my hometown was hard

MIGUEL
Leaving your family?

DE LA CRUZ
Yes. But it was necessary to follow my dreams. And you, my great-great grandson, are
meant to be a musician!

Miguel smiles.

DE LA CRUZ
You and I, we are artists, Miguel! We cannot belong to one family. The world is our family!

The crowd starts to leave the party. De la Cruz and Miguel descend the staircase into the empty
hall.

Miguel was full of joy. Suddenly, his face is overwhelmed in worry as he looks at his arms
pretending to be surprised by his body becoming a skeleton

MIGUEL (nervosuly)
I - - I’m sorry to be in a hurry, but I have to get home before sunrise.

DE LA CRUZ
Oh, of course!

De la Cruz takes a marigold petal from his pocket.

DE LA CRUZ
It has been an honor. I am sorry to see you go, Miguel. I hope you die very soon. You
know what I mean. Miguel. I give you my bles--

Héctor storms onto the stage

HÉCTOR
We had a deal, kiddo!

DE LA CRUZ
Who are you?

HÉCTOR
You said you'd take back my photo. You promised, Miguel.

Miguel looks at him. De la Cruz puts his hands defensively on Miguel's shoulders.
42
DE LA CRUZ (to Miguel)
You know this, uh... man?

MIGUEL
I just met him tonight. He told me he knew you--

As Héctor steps forward with the photo, de la Cruz slowly recognizes him.

DE LA CRUZ
Hé-- Héctor?

HÉCTOR (to Miguel)

Please Miguel, put my photo up. I need to see my girl one last time.

Héctor pushes the photo into Miguel's hands. De la Cruz intercepts it. Héctor falls, he looks weak.

DE LA CRUZ
My friend... you're being forgotten...

HÉCTOR (sad, still lying on the floor)

And whose fault is that? Those were MY songs you took. MY songs that made YOU famous.

MIGUEL
W-What? That's crazy, de la Cruz wrote all his songs.

HÉCTOR (to de la Cruz)

You wanna tell him, or should I?

Scene 15
The mariachis appear on stage

MARIACHIS 1
Well, this is when things actually turn complicated. It turns out that the songs Ernesto
claimed were his, were written by Héctor. But the worst of all, is that de la Cruz killed
his friend on purpose just to steal his songs!

MARIACHI 2
This story happened a long time ago, (a soft music starts playing) back in the days when
Ernesto and Héctor were still alive. They had been performing on the road for months.
No matter how great music felt, he was missing home so much that he decided to go
back with his wife and daughter.

MARIACHI 3
The night he left, Ernesto tried to convince him to stay, but he couldn’t. He wanted to
say goodbye to him with a toast. He walked with Héctor to the train station, but the
moment Héctor was leaving, he felt a pain in his stomach.

MARIACHI 4
He thought it had been something he ate. But it was Ernesto who poisoned Héctor.
Fortunately, now the truth is being revealed.

43
Scene 16
HÉCTOR
Ernesto... Do you remember the night I left?

DE LA CRUZ
That was a long time ago.

HÉCTOR
You... poisoned me. I never thought that you might have... that you...How could you?!

DE LA CRUZ
Security! Security!

HÉCTOR
You took everything away from me!

Security guards rush in to pull Héctor off Ernesto. Héctor struggles, but it's no use.

HÉCTOR
I just wanted to go back home! No!...No!

The guards drag Héctor out of the stage. Miguel is left alone with de la Cruz.

DE LA CRUZ (to Miguel)

I apologize. Where were we?

MIGUEL
You were going to give me your blessing...

DE LA CRUZ
Oh! Yes…umm

De la Cruz pulls up a marigold petal, but hesitates.

DE LA CRUZ
Miguel, my reputation, it is very important to me. I would hate to have you think...

MIGUEL
That you murdered Héctor... for his songs?

DE LA CRUZ
You don't think that. Do you?

MIGUEL
I -- no! Everyone knows you're the... the good guy.

De la Cruz crumples the marigold petal.

MIGUEL
Papá Ernesto? My blessing?

44
DE LA CRUZ
Security!

De la Cruz's guards appear on stage, one of them grab Miguel by the shoulder.

DE LA CRUZ
Take care of Miguel. He'll be extending his stay.

MIGUEL
What?! But I'm your family!

DE LA CRUZ
And Héctor was my best friend. Success doesn't come for free, Miguel.
You have to be willing to do whatever it takes (pause) to seize your moment.

Miguel is carried away by the security guards, while he shouts “No! No!” Ernesto smiles evilly to the
audience.
Scene 17
The lights are turned off. When they turn on again Héctor is lying on the floor. The stage is in parcial
darkness. Miguel whimpers

HÉCTOR
Kid?

MIGUEL
(happily and relieved) Oh, Héctor!

They run to each other and Héctor hugs Miguel. But Miguel is overcome with shame.

You were right. I should have gone back to my family– They told me not to be like de la
Cruz, but I didn't listen--

Héctor weakens and falls to the floor, as he is being forgotten by his daughter

HÉCTOR
Hhuuh! She's... forgetting me.

MIGUEL
Who?

HÉCTOR
My daughter... I just wanted to see her again… Iwish I could apologize. That I loved her so
much. My Coco...

MIGUEL
Coco?

Miguel reaches into his hoodie and pulls out the photo of Imelda, Coco, and the faceless musician.
Miguel shows the photo to Héctor, he is confused.

45
HÉCTOR
Where... where did you get this?

MIGUEL
That's my Mamá Coco. That's my Mamá Imelda. Is that... you?

They look to each other into their eyes

MIGUEL AND HÉCTOR

(excitedly) We are family!

HÉCTOR
I always hoped I'd see her again. Do you know the worst part? Even if I never got to
see Coco in the living world... I thought at least one day I'd see her here. But she's the
last person who remembers me. The moment she's gone from the living world I
disappear from this one. So I’ll never get to see her again.

MIGUEL
You should be the one the world remembers, not de la Cruz!

HÉCTOR
Well, for me, music was something I loved, not something I wanted to be known for. I
remember writing this song for my little Coco. It was called "Remember Me"

MIGUEL
My whole life, there's been something that made me different… and I never knew
where it came from.
But now I know. It comes from you. I'm proud we're family!

MIGUEL AND HÉCTOR

AAAAYYYAYAYAY (typical mexican scream)

Dante calmly appears on stage with mamá Imelda, Oscar, Felipe, papá Julio and tía Victoria. Dante
barks. Miguel sees him and his face lights up.

FAMILY (PAPA JULIO, ÓSCAR, FELIPE, TÍA VICTORIA and MAMA IMELDA)
Miguel! / Miguelito! /It's Miguel! / He's all right! / Oh thank goodness!

MAMÁ IMELDA
Honey, I was so worried! Thank goodness we found you in time!

HÉCTOR
Imelda!

MAMÁ IMELDA
Héctor. (In a cold tone)

HÉCTOR
You look good...

While Héctor and Mamá Imelda talk, Miguel pets Dante. Imelda's eyes fall on Héctor
who holds his hat in his hands sheepishly.
46
MAMÁ IMELDA
And you! How many times must I turn you away?

HÉCTOR (confused)
Imelda--

MAMÁ IMELDA
I want nothing to do with you. I spent decades protecting my family from your mistakes.

MIGUEL
He was just trying to get me home... I didn't wanna listen, but he was right... nothing is
more important than family.

Mamá Imelda looks at Héctor, shocked.

MIGUEL
I'm ready to accept your blessing... and your conditions. But first, I need to find de la Cruz.
To get Héctor's photo. So he can see Coco again. He should be on our ofrenda. He's part
of our family--

MAMÁ IMELDA
He left this family!

MIGUEL
He tried to go home to you and Coco... but de la Cruz murdered him!

HÉCTOR
It's true, Imelda.

MAMÁ IMELDA
And so what if it's true? You left me alone with a child to raise and I'm just supposed to
forgive you?

HÉCTOR
Imelda, I--

Héctor's body suddenly shimmers, leaving him winded. Imelda gasps.

HÉCTOR
I'm running out of time. It's Coco...She's forgetting me...

MIGUEL
You don't have to forgive him… But we shouldn't forget him.

MAMÁ IMELDA (to Héctor)

I wanted to forget you. I wanted Coco to forget you too, but-- I -- I can't forgive you.
But I will help you. So how do we get to de la Cruz?

MIGUEL
I might know a way…

Scene 18
47
EXT. SUNRISE SPECTACULAR AMPHITHEATER - BEFORE DAWN

There’s low music playing in the background. The lights turn focusing DLC on and DLC is singing on
the left side of the stage and the Riveras appear from the right side.

MAMÁ IMELDA
There! It´s De la Cruz!

She points at him

DE LA CRUZ
Yes? Don't I know you?

Imelda pulls off her shoe and slaps de la Cruz across the face with it.

MAMÁ IMELDA
That's for murdering the love of my life!

HÉCTOR (disoriented)
What? Am I the love of your life?

MAMÁ IMELDA (to Héctor)

I don't know! I'm still angry at you.

MIGUEL
There it is! The photo is in his pocket.

De la Cruz turns and runs in circles on the stage. The Rivera dead family tries to catch him (Imelda
holding a shoe). Héctor is still lying on the floor (dying).

MAMÁ IMELDA
After him!

DE LA CRUZ
Security! Help! Help!

VOICE THROUGH THE SPEAKERS

Places everybody, the show starts in thirty seconds!

Imelda tackles DLC, raises her arm, photo in hand.

MAMÁ IMELDA (happily)

Miguel! I have it!

Imelda finally tackles de la Cruz. The lights turn off. The actors still stay, when the lights turn on, a
round reflector points at de la Cruz and Imelda. DLC still on the floor.

DE LA CRUZ
I deserved this fame way more than Héctor. I've worked too hard to let him destroy
everything… So yes, I admit it: I killed Héctor and stole all of his songs.
Do you think I would let him go back to the land of the living with your photo? To keep
your memory alive?
48
No.

MIGUEL
Hector's the real musician, you're a coward, just the guy who murdered him and stole his
songs!

The Rivera dead family surprises.

TIO OSCAR
Hey, did you notice what just happened? Turn around, murder!

De la Cruz is found by a spotlight.

DE LA CRUZ (victimizing himself)

Please, please, mi familia...I’m human, I make mistakes, like everybody, come on my old
friends…

MIGUEL
Under no circumstances I’m leaving this place without the photo. I promised I'd put
your photo up and so you'd see Coco!

HÉCTOR
We're out of time, darling.

MIGUEL (crying)
No, no... she can't forget you!

HÉCTOR
You have our blessing, Miguel.

MAMÁ IMELDA
No conditions.

The petal glows. Héctor struggles to lift the petal to Miguel. Mamá Imelda takes his hand in hers.
Imelda and Héctor move their joined hands toward Miguel's chest.

Third act
Scene 19
FADE IN:
Lights turn off and the scenography and characters change

INT. DE LA CRUZ'S MAUSOLEUM - SUNRISE

Miguel finds himself back in the DLC’s statue. Again, Miguel grabs the guitar from DLC
statue. Miguel races back toward his house(DLC statue is on the right side of the stage, the ofrenda
room - where Mamá Coco is sitting is on the left side)
In front of Mamá Coco, the rest of the family is blocking his way to her.

ABUELITA
Where have you been?!

49
MIGUEL
Ah! I need to see Mamá Coco, please--

50
 Abuelita spies the guitar in Miguel's hand.

ABUELITA
What are you doing with that? Give it to me!

Miguel pushes past Abuelita and he kneels in front of Mamá Coco.

MIGUEL
Mamá Coco? Can you hear me? It's Miguel. (looking into her eyes) I saw your dad.
Remember? Héctor? Please -- if you forget him, he'll be gone... forever!

She doesn't answer. The rest of the family stands quietly next to them, listening to Miguel’s words

MIGUEL
Here -- this was his guitar, right? He used to play it to you? See, there he is.

Still nothing. She doesn’t react.

ABUELITA
Stop torturing that poor woman, Miguel!

Abuelita brushes Miguel aside to comfort her mother.

ABUELITA
It's okay, mum, it's okay.

Abuelita gently pushes Miguel aside from Mamá Coco, he stands next to his papá

PAPÁ
I thought I'd lost you, Miguel...

MIGUEL
I'm sorry, Papá.

MAMÁ
We're all together now, that's what matters.

Abuelita returns from consoling Mamá Coco.

ABUELITA
Miguel, you apologize to your Mamá Coco!

Miguel looks at Mamá Coco and approaches her.

MIGUEL
Mamá Coco...

ABUELITA (angry)
Well? Apologize.

He looks at the guitar and comes to a realization.

51
MIGUEL
Mamá Coco? Your papá -- he wanted you to have this.

He picks up the guitar. Abuelita steps forward to intervene but Papá places a hand on her shoulder.

MIGUEL (singing)

REMEMBER ME
THOUGH I HAVE TO SAY
GOODBYE REMEMBER ME
DON'T LET IT MAKE YOU CRY

Mamá Coco smiles nostalgically

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

Every member of the family looks at them full of tenderness.

MAMA COCO AND MIGUEL

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.

Abuelita starts to cry. Mamá Coco looks to her daughter, starting to cry too.

MAMÁ COCO
Elena? What's wrong, honey?

ABUELITA
Nothing Mamá. Nothing at all.

Mamá Coco turns to Miguel.

MAMÁ COCO
My papá used to sing me that song.

MIGUEL
He loved you, Mamá Coco. Your papá loved you so much.

A smile spreads across Mamá Coco's face. She turns to her nightstand, hand shaking. She opens a

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drawer and pulls out a notebook.

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MAMÁ COCO
I kept... his letters... poems he wrote me... and…

Mamá Coco leafs through the book to reveal a torn scrap of paper. She hands it to Miguel. It's the
missing face from the photo. Héctor's face. Miguel pieces the picture back together. Mamá Coco
smiles again.

Scene 20
MARIACHI 1
He could visit his family in all of the coming days of the dead. Some time later, Coco
died and reunited with Héctor.

MARIACHI 3
Finally, everyone knew de la Cruz’s secret and Héctor was recognized as the writer of
all those amazing songs.

Scene 21
Final dance (Proud Corazón)

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