After dying, Maddie sees Ernesto in the Land of the Dead. He remembers who she is and they are both famous again in the Land of the Dead. Maddie doesn't know that her brother is in the Land of the Dead with her, so she lives with Ernesto in his tower. But 50 years before Miguel and Belle are born she finds him and the group is reunited again. Ernesto has a twin brother named Hans de la Cruz and he is jealous of Ernesto because he wants Maddie to marry him.

In the future 100 years later. The current time period begins.

A path of marigold petals leads up to an altar lovingly arranged in a humble cemetery. An old woman and man lights a candle as the smoke of burning copal wood dances lyrically upward.

The smoke lifts up toward lines of papel picado ​- cut paper banners that sway gently in the breeze.

MIGUEL (V.O.):
Sometimes I think me and Belle are cursed -- 'cause of something that happened before we were even born.
See, a long time ago there were these 2 families. The papás and mama, they were musicians. He and his family plus his sister's family would sing, and dance, and count their blessings --
But he and his sister and her husband also had a dream -- to play for the world. And one day he left with his guitar and sister and her husband -- and never returned.
And the mamá--? She didn't have time to cry over those walkaway musicians!
After banishing all music from her life,
She found a way to provide for her daughter and her nephew-- She rolled up her sleeves and she learned to make shoes. She could have made candy!
Amongst the papel picado, a stick swings at a strung up piñata which bursts with candy. Or Fireworks!
Or sparkly underwear for wrestlers!
But no -- she chose shoes --
Then she taught her daughter and nephew to make shoes. And later, she taught her son-in-law and niece.
Then her grandkids and grad nieces and nephews got roped in. As her family grew, so did the business.
Music had torn her family apart, but shoes held them all together.
You see, that woman was my great-great grandmother, Mamá Imelda.
She died WAY before Belle or I was born. But my family and Belle still tells her story every year on Día de los Muertos -- the Day of the Dead --
And her little girl and nephew?
She's my great grandmother, Mamá Coco and Belle's great grandfather Papa Lafayette.

MIGUEL
Holá, Mamá Coco.

MAMÁ COCO
How are you, Julio?

BELLE
Hola, Papa Lafayette.

PAPA LAFAYETTE
How are you, Melle?

MIGUEL (V.O.)
Actually, my name is Miguel and her name is Belle. Mamá Coco and Uncle Lafayette has trouble remembering things --But it's good to talk to them anyway. So Belle and I tell them pretty much everything.

MIGUEL
We used to run like this --

BELLE
But now we run like this which is way faster!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
And the winner is -- Luchadora Coco and Luchador Lafayette!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
I have a dimple on this side, but not on this side. Dimple. No dimple. Dimple. No dimple --

ABUELITA
Miguel! Belle! Eat your food.

MIGUEL (V.O.)
My Abuelita? She's Mamá Coco's daughter. Belle's Abuelo is here too. He's Uncle Lafayette's son.

ABUELO
Aw, you're a twig, mijo and hija. Have some more.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, gracias.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
We asked if you 2 would like more tamales.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
S-sí?

ABUELITA
That's what I THOUGHT you 2 said.

MIGUEL (V.O.)
Abuelita and Abuleo runs our house just like Mamá Imelda did.

ABUELITA
No music!! No music!!

MUSICIANS
AUNQUE LA VIDA --

ABULEO
NO MUSIC!!!

MIGUEL (V.O)
Belle and I think we're the only family in México who hates music --
And my family's fine with that.
But Belle and I?

MAMÁ AND AUNT
Be back by lunch, mijo and hija!

MIGUEL
Love you, Mamá!

BELLE
Love you, Mama!

MIGUEL (V.O.)
We are NOT like the rest of our family --

WOMAN
Hola, Miguel and Belle!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hola!

They pass a band of musicians playing a tune. Miguel and Belle joins with some air guitar and the further down the street they go, the more instruments and sounds layer in. The bells of the church chime in harmony, a radio blares a cumbia rhythm.
Running past a food stand, Miguel and Belle grabs a roll of pan dulce and tosses the vendor 2 coins.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Muchas gracias!

STREET VENDOR
De nada, Miguel and Belle!
As Miguel and Belle pass all these scenes, the music synthesizes and they 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. Miguel and Belle finish with a SMACK on a trash can, out of which a pops up a scrappy hairless Xolo dog. The dog, DANTE, barks and jumps up to lick Miguel and Belle, who laughs.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hey, hey! Dante!

Miguel holds the pan dulce over Dante's head.

MIGUEL
Sit. Down. Roll over. Shake. Fist bump.
Dante obeys to the best of his ability.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Good boy, Dante!

Miguel tosses the pan dulce to his and Belle's furless friend who topples back into the trash can.

MIGUEL (V.O)
I know we're not supposed to love music -- but it's not our faults!
It's theirs: Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz --

Miguel and Belle approaches a statue of a handsome mariachi and his wife at the heart of the plaza.

MIGUEL (V.O)
-- The greatest musicians of all time.

A tour group and their TOUR GUIDE are gathered around the base of the statue.

TOUR GUIDE
And right here, in this very plaza, the young Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz took their first steps toward becoming the most beloved singers in Mexican history!

MIGUEL (V.O.)
They started out as total nobodies from Santa Cecilia, like me and Belle. But when they played music, they made people fall in love with them.
They starred in movies. Ernesto had the coolest guitar -- They both could fly! And they wrote the best songs! But my all-time favorite? It's --

A CLIP of Ernesto and Maddie performing in a fancy nightclub.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
REMEMBER ME THOUGH I HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE. REMEMBER ME, DON'T LET IT MAKE YOU CRY. 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. REMEMBER ME, EACH TIME YOU HEAR A SAD GUITAR. KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE.

MIGUEL (V.O.)
They lived the kind of life you dream about -- Until 1942 --

As the audience swoons over Ernesto and Maddie, 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!

MADDIE
Ernesto look out!

Ernesto and Maddie are subsequently crushed by a giant bell.

MIGUEL (V.O.)
When they were crushed by a giant bell.

Miguel and Belle gazes up at the statue of Ernesto and his wife in awe.

MIGUEL (V.O)
Belle and I wanna be just like them.

Miguel and Belle weaves up to Ernesto and Maddie's mausoleum and peeks in the window. They catch a glimpse of de la Cruz's signature skull guitar.

BELLE (V.O.)
Sometimes, I look at Ernesto and Maddie and I get this feeling -- like we're connected somehow. Like, if THEY could play music, maybe someday Miguel and I could too --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
-- If it wasn't for our family.

PLAZA MARIACHI
Ay, ay, ay, muchacho and muchacha.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Huh?

PLAZA MARIACHI
I asked for a shoe shine, not your guys life story.

Miguel and Belle comes out of their reverie and looks up at the PLAZA MARIACHI whose shoes they are shining.

MIGUEL
Oh, yeah, sorry.

BELLE
Sorry.

They go back to scrubbing the man's shoe. As Miguel shines and Belle helps, the mariachi plucks his guitar idly.

MIGUEL
We just can't really talk about any of this at home so --

PLAZA MARIACHI
Look, if I were you 2 I'd march right up to my family and say, "Hey! We are musicians. Deal with it!"

MIGUEL
We could never say that --

PLAZA MARIACHI
You 2 ARE musicians, no?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
I don't know. I mean -- We only really play for ourselves--

PLAZA MARIACHI
Did Ernesto and Maddie become the world's best musicians by hiding their sweet, sweet skills? No! They walked out onto that plaza and they 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 which reads "TALENT SHOW."

PLAZA MARIACHI
Ah, mira, mira! They're setting up for tonight. The music competition for Día de Muertos. You 2 wanna be like your heroes? You 2 should sign up!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Uh-uh, our family would freak!

PLAZA MARIACHI
Look, if you 2 are too scared, then, well -- have fun making shoes.

Miguel and Belle considers this.

PLAZA MARIACHI
C'mon. What did Ernesto and Maddie always say?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
-- Seize your moment?
The mariachi appraises Miguel and Belle, then offers his guitar.

PLAZA MARIACHI
Show me what you got, muchacho and you can sing, muchacha. I'll be your guys first audience.

Miguel's and Belle'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 Belle takes a breath and--

ABUELITA (O.S.)
MIGUEL!

ABULEO (O.S.)
BELLE!

Startled, Miguel impulsively throws the guitar back onto the mariachi's lap. They turn to see Abuelita and Abuleo marching toward them. Miguel's TÍO BERTO and PRIMA ROSA, and Belle's TIO MICHAEL follow with supplies from the market.

MIGUEL
Abuelita!

BELLE
Abuelo!

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
What are you 2 doing here?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Um -- uh --

Miguel and Belle quickly packs away their 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 and grand niece alone!

PLAZA MARIACHI
Doña, please -- I was just getting a shine!

ABUELITA
I know your tricks, mariachi!
What did he say to you 2?

MIGUEL
He was just showing me his guitar --

BELLE
And helping me to sing—

TÍO BERTO
Shame on you!

Abuelita lords over the mariachi, shoe aimed directly between his eyes.

ABUELITA
My grandson and grand niece are 2 sweet little angelito querido cielitos -- they want no part of your music, mariachi! You keep away from them!

The mariachi scrambles away, snatching his hat off the ground before he goes. Abuelita hugs Miguel protectively to her bosom. While Abuleo hugs Belle tight.

ABUELITA
Ay, pobrecito! Estás bien, mijo?

ABUELO
Are you ok, Belle?

They pepper them with kisses then releases them from the embraces. They gasp for air.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
You 2 know better than to be here in this place! You 2 will come home. Now.

Abuelita and Abuleo turns toward home. Miguel and Belle sighs and gathers their shine box. Then, seeing a flyer for the plaza "TALENT SHOW", they can't help but pocket it. They follow Abuelita and Abuleo.
Miguel and Belle catches up to their family.

TÍO BERTO
How many times have we told you 2 -- that plaza is crawling with mariachis!

MIGUEL
Yes, Tío Berto.

Dante ambles up to Miguel and Belle, sniffing and whining for a treat.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, no, no!

Abuelita shoos him away.

ABUELITA
Go away, you! Go!

Dante darts off, scared.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It's just Dante --

Abuelita throws her shoe at the dog.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Never name a street dog. They'll follow you forever.
ABUELO
Now, go get her shoe.

The Rivera workshop is abuzz with family making shoes. WHOMP! Miguel and Belle are plopped onto 2 stools, ready for a lecture.

ABUELITA
I found your son in Mariachi Plaza!

ABUELO
And Belle was with him!

PAPÁ AND AUNT
disappointed
Miguel -- Belle —

MAMÁ
You know how Abuelita and Abuleo feel about the plaza.

MIGUEL
We were just shining shoes!

TÍO BERTO
A musician's shoes!

Gasps from the family. PRIMO ABEL is so shocked he loses his grip on the shoe he is polishing, which zips away from the polisher and lodges itself in the roof.

BELLE
But the plaza's where all the foot traffic is.

AUNT
If Abuelita and Abuleo says no more plaza, then no more plaza.

MIGUEL
But what about tonight?

PAPÁ FRANCO
What's tonight?

BELLE
Well they're having this talent show --

Abuelita and Abuleo perks their ears, suspicious. Miguel and Belle squirms, deciding whether to go on.

MIGUEL
And we thought we might --

Mamá and Aunt looks at Miguel and Belle, curious.

MAMÁ AND AUNT
-- Sign up?

MIGUEL
Well, maybe?

PRIMA ROSA
You 2 have to have talent to be in a talent show.

PRIMO ABEL
What are YOU 2 going to do, shine shoes?

The shoe from the ceiling falls back down on Abel's head.

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

They deposit a pile of marigolds in Miguel's and Belle's arms.

ABUELITA
Ofrenda room. Vámonos.

Miguel and Belle follows their Abuelita and Abuleo to the family ofrenda, holding the pile of flowers as they arrange them on the altar.

ABUELITA
Don't give me that look. Día de los Muertos is the one night of the year our ancestors can come visit us.
We've put their photos on the ofrenda so their spirits can cross over. 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, mijo and hija. All this work to bring the family together. I don't want you 2 sneaking off to who-knows-where.

They look up to find Miguel and Belle sneaking away.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Where are you 2 going?

MIGUEL
We thought we were done --

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Ay, Dios mísos -- Being part of this family means being HERE for this family -- We don't want to see you 2 end up like--

Abuelita and Abuleo looks up to the photo of the 3 faceless musicians.

MIGUEL
Like Mamá Coco's papá?

BELLE
Like Papa Lafayette's mom and dad?

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Never mention that man or that couple! They're better off forgotten.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
But you 2 are the ones who--

ABUELITA
Ta, ta, ta-tch!

MIGUEL
We were just--

ABUELITA
Tch-tch!

MIGUEL
But--

ABUELITA
Tch!

MIGUEL
We—

ABUELITA
Tch-tch!

MAMÁ COCO
Papá?

PAPA LAFAYETTE
Mama and Papa?

They look to find Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette are agitated.

MAMÁ COCO
Papá is home--?

PAPA LAFAYETTE
Mama and Papa are home—?

ABUELITA
Mamá, cálmese, cálmese.

ABUELO
Papa, shh, shh.

MAMÁ COCO
Papá is coming home?

PAPA LAFAYETTE
Mama and Papa are coming home?

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

ABULEO
No Papa. I'm here. I'm here.

Mamá Coco looks up at Abuelita and Papa Lafayette looks up at Abuleo.

MAMÁ COCO AND PAPA LAFAYETTE
Who are you 2?

Sadness rises in Abuelita and Abuleo; they swallow it down.

ABUELITA
Rest, Mamá.

ABUELO
Rest, Papa.

Abuelita and Abuleo return to the ofrenda.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
We're hard on you because we care, Miguel and Belle. Miguel -- Miguel? Belle — Belle?

They look around the room. Miguel and Belle are nowhere to be found. Abuelita and Abuleo sigh and step up to the ofrenda.

ABUELITA
What are we going to do with that boy-- and girl?

They look to the photo of Mamá Imelda. Abuelita's and Abuleo's eyes brighten with an idea.

ABUELITA
You're right. That's just what they need!

Tío Berto unloads rolls of leather from a truckbed. 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 up.
Dante pokes his head in. Miguel and Belle turn and gasps.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Oh, it's you. Get in here, c'mon, Dante. Hurry up.

Dante wriggles into the hideout. Miguel  and Belle are huddled over something. The dog peeks around their shoulders.

MIGUEL
You're gonna get us in trouble, boy. Someone could hear us!

Miguel reveals a makeshift guitar, cobbled together from a beat up old soundboard and random other items.
He takes a china marker and sketches a nose on what appears to be his own version of a skull guitar head.

BELLE
I wish someone wanted to hear us--

Miguel tunes the guitar.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Other than you...

Dante gives Miguel and Belle a big sloppy lick. Miguel and Belle give a grossed-out chuckle. Miguel lifts his guitar and strums.

MIGUEL
Perfecto!

They crawl to the far side of the attic where they've built their own ofrenda to Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz. Posters, candles, and songbooks are arranged with care. Miguel and Belle lights the candles with reverence, illuminating an album cover of Ernesto holding his skull guitar and Maddie hugging him. Miguel compares the head of his guitar to the album cover. Then he imitates Ernesto's pose and smile. He switches on a beat up old TV and pushes a tape into the VCR, "Best of Ernesto and Maddie" scrawled on the spine. A montage of the greatest moments from Ernesto and Maddie's films plays out.

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
I have to sing. I have to play. The music, it's -- it's not just in me. It is me.

Miguel strums his guitar as Ernesto imparts his wisdom. More clips run in the background as Miguel plays:

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
When life gets me down, I play my guitar.

MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
The rest of the world may follow the rules, but I must follow my heart!

Ernesto kisses Maddie passionately. Miguel and Belle cringe.

DE LA CRUZ AND MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
You know that feeling? Like there's a song in the air and it's playing just for you --

As Miguel watches de la Cruz play guitar in the video, he repeats the melody on his own guitar.

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
A FEELING SO CLOSE YOU COULD REACH OUT AND TOUCH IT I NEVER KNEW I COULD WANT SOMETHING SO MUCH BUT IT'S TRUE --

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
You must have faith, sister.

MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
Oh but Padre, he will never listen.

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
He will listen -- to MUSIC!
ONLY A SONG ONLY A SONG HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE A HEART --

Miguel and Belle lose themselves in the music.

DE LA CRUZ AND MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
Never underestimate the power of music --

Miguel's tune intertwines with the melodies on the TV set. The clip jumps forward:

MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
But my father, he will never give his permission.

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
I am done asking permission. When you see your moment you mustn't let it pass you by, you must seize it!

The tape ends with an interview clip.

INTERVIEWER (FILM CLIP)
Señor de la Cruz and Senorita de la Cruz, what did it take for you 2 to seize your moments?

DE LA CRUZ AND MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
We had to have faith in our dreams. No one was going to hand it to us. It was up to us to reach for that dream, grab it tight, and make it come true.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
-- and make it come true.

The tape ends. The words sink into Miguel and Belle. They reach for the flyer for the plaza "TALENT SHOW."

MIGUEL
No more hiding, Dante. We gotta seize our moment!

Dante wags his tail, panting happily.

MIGUEL
We're gonna play in Mariachi Plaza if it kills us!

Children run by with sparklers as Abuelita and Abuleo open the doors to the family compound.

ABUELITA
Día de los Muertos has begun!

In the courtyard, two TODDLER COUSINS haphazardly scatter marigold petals from their baskets.

MAMÁ AND AUNT
No, no, no, no, no.

Mamá and Aunt correct them, creating a path from the ofrenda room to the front gate.

MAMÁ AND AUNT
We have to make a clear path. The petals guide our ancestors home. We don't want their spirits to get lost. We want them to come, and enjoy all the food and drinks on the ofrenda, sí?

As Mamá and Aunt teaches, Miguel, Belle, and Dante sneak across the roof and drop to the sidewalk outside the compound, Miguel clutching his guitar.
Suddenly Tío Berto and Papá round the corner carrying a small table from storage.

PAPÁ
Mamá, where should we put this table?

Miguel, Belle, and Dante back up to avoid the adults, only to find Abuelita and Abuleo sweeping the sidewalk behind them! Miguel, Belle, and Dante jump into the back into the Rivera courtyard before they see them.

ABUELITA
In the courtyard, mijos.

PAPÁ
You want it down by the kitchen?

ABUELITA
Sí. Next to the other one.

Miguel and Belle back out of the courtyard and into the family ofrenda room. Nearly cornered, they usher Dante past a sleeping Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette. They stash the dog and the guitar under the ofrenda table.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Get under, get under!

ABUELITA AND ABULEO (O.S.)
Miguel! Belle!

Miguel and Belle straighten up to notice the doorway of the ofrenda room darkened by six figures.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Nothing!

His Abuelita and her Abuleo and parents stare straight at them. A pit grows in their stomachs; they've been caught.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Mamá -- Papá, We —

The Papás lifts their fingers to silence their children.

PAPÁ
Miguel --

UNCLE
Belle —

BOTH
Your Abuelita and Abuleo had the most wonderful ideas! We've all decided -- it's time you 2 joined us in the workshop!

Abuelita and Abuleo hands Papá and Uncle a leather apron, each, which they hang over Miguel's and Belle's shoulders.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
What?!

PAPÁ AND UNCLE
No more shining shoes -- you 2 will be making them! Every day after school!

Abuelita shuffles toward Miguel squealing. She squeezes his cheeks, full of pride.

ABUELITA
Our Migueli-ti-ti-ti-to carrying on the family tradition! And on Día de los Muertos! Your ancestors will be so proud!

ABULEO
And our Belle too, at the same time!

They gesture to the shoes adorning the ofrenda.

ABUELITA
You 2 will craft huaraches just like your Tía Victoria.

UNCLE
And wingtips, like your Papá Julio--

Miguel and Belle cross away from the ofrenda.

BELLE
But what if we're no good at making shoes?

PAPÁ AND UNCLE
Ah, Migue and Bell-- You 2 will have your family here to guide you 2 --
You 2 are Riveras. And Riveras are —?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
--shoemakers. Through and through.

Papá and Uncle swells.

PAPÁ
That's my boy!

UNCLE
That's my girl!

BOTH
Berto, break out the good stuff, we wanna make a toast!

Papá and Uncle head out of the room, Mamá and Aunt follow. Last is Abuelita and Abuleo, who smothers Miguel and Belle with tons of kisses as they leave.
With the family gone, Miguel and Belle deflate. Suddenly, a noise comes from the ofrenda. Miguel and Belle turn to find Dante on the bottom tier, licking a plate of mole to his heart's content. Miguel and Belle are horrified!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante! No, Dante, stop!

Miguel and Belle pull 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.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, no, no, no, no! No --

Miguel and Belle pick up the old photo of Mamá Imelda, which unfolds to reveal another portion, hidden all these years; the man with no face is revealed to be holding a familiar skull-headed guitar and two people, one who's also holding the same guitar, who's faces are cut out stand beside them.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
De la Cruz's guitar--?

MAMÁ COCO
Papá?

PAPA LAFAYETTE
Mama and Papa?

Miguel and Belle turn, startled. Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette point a crooked finger at the picture in their hands.

MAMÁ COCO
Papá?

PAPA LAFAYETTE
Mama and Papa?

Miguel's and Belle's eyes go wide as the connection dawns on them. Could it possibly be true?

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

BELLE
Papa Lafayette, is your papa — Ernesto de la Cruz?

MAMÁ COCO
Papá! Papá!

PAPA LAFAYETTE
Mama! Papa!

Miguel and Belle goes to their secret ofrenda, to the record album of Ernesto  and Maddie de la Cruz. They compare the guitars in the family photo with the guitar on the sleeve. An exact match!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ha, ha!

Miguel and Belle run to the edge of the roof, overlooking the courtyard, photo in one hand, guitar in the other.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Papá! Papá!

Their parents stop, looking up at Miguel and Belle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It's him! We know who our great-great grandfather was!

MAMÁ AND AUNT
Miguel! Belle! Get down from there!

MIGUEL
Mamá Coco's father was Ernesto de la Cruz!

BELLE
Papa Lafayette's father was Ernesto de la Cruz!

PAPÁ AND UNCLE
What are you 2 talking about?

Miguel and Belle whips off their shoemaker's aprons, striking a pose with the guitar.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We're gonna be musicians!

Miguel's guitar is cast at their feet, along with their Ernesto and Maddie albums. The whole family encircles the boy and girl.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
What is all this? You 2 keep secrets from your own family?

TÍO BERTO
It's all that time they spend in the plaza --

TÍA GLORIA
-- Fills their heads with crazy fantasies!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It's not a fantasy!

Miguel hands Papá the photo and points to the skull guitar and Belle points to the other skull guitar.

MIGUEL
That man was Ernesto de la Cruz! The greatest musician of all time!

BELLE
Or that man standing beside that woman could be him!

PAPÁ AND UNCLE
We've never known anything about these men or woman. But whoever they were, they still abandoned their family. This is no future for my son or daughter.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
But Papá, you said our family would guide us! Well de la Cruz IS our family! We're supposed to play music!

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Never! Those men's and that woman's music was a curse! We will not allow it!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
If you would just let--

MAMÁ AND AUNT
Miguel--Belle

PAPÁ AND UNCLE
You 2 will listen to your family. No more music.

MIGUEL
Just listen to me play--

BELLE
And to me sing—

PAPÁ AND UNCLE
End of argument.

Miguel lifts his guitar to play and Belle prepares to sing when Abuelita snatches the instrument away. She points to the men and woman in the photo.

ABUELITA
You 2 want to end up like those men and that woman? Forgotten? Left off your family's ofrenda?!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We don't care if we're on some stupid ofrenda!

Gasps from the family. Abuelita's brow hardens. She lifts the guitar in the air.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No!

PAPÁ
Mamá --

Abuelita smashes it to bits!

ABUELITA
There. No guitar, no music.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Come. You 2 will feel better after you eat with your family.

They reach out to comfort Miguel and Belle, but they are hurt beyond repair.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We don't wanna be in this family!

They snatch the photo from Papá and bolt out of the hacienda.

PAPÁ AND UNCLE
Miguel! MIGUEL! Belle! BELLE!

Miguel and Belle burst out of the compound, desperate to get away.
Dante, nose buried in a trash bag, hears Miguel and Belle and chases after them. Miguel and Belle runs past a poster for the plaza "TALENT SHOW."

Miguel and Belle approach a STAGE MANAGER in the gazebo.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We wanna play in the plaza. Like Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz! Can we still sign-up?

STAGE MANAGER
You got an instrument?

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

STAGE MANAGER
Musicians gotta bring their own instruments --You find a guitar, kid, I'll put you 2 on the list.

Miguel and Belle look distraught.
Miguel and Belle approach any musician they can find.

MIGUEL
Excuse me, can I borrow your guitar?

MUSICIAN #1
Sorry, muchacho.

MIGUEL
You guys have a spare guitar?

MUSICIAN #2
No.

MIGUEL
I need a guitar, just for a little bit--

MUSICIAN #3
Get outta here, kids!

Disheartened, Miguel and Belle walk  away. They find themselves facing the statue of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Great-great grandfather -- What are we supposed to do?

No answer. Miguel's and Belle's gaze falls on a plaque at the base of the statue that reads "Seize Your Moment!" Miguel and Belle look at the photo in their hands. They move their thumbs to reveal the skull head guitars. Then, a firework illuminates the skull head guitar that the statue holds. Miguel and Belle gets an idea. A sea of candles and flowers, families gathered at graves.
Miguel and Belle  sneaks through the cemetery unnoticed, slipping from one shadow to the next. Dante suddenly catches up to Miguel and Belle. He barks excitedly.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, no, no, no, no, Dante stop! Cállate! Shhh!

Miguel swipes a chicken leg off a neighboring grave, and chucks it. Dante bounds after the food.
Miguel and Belle slink around the side of the tomb. They look 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 him. They try the window but it's locked. More fireworks shoot into the sky.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We're sorry --

Timing to the explosions, Miguel and Belle throws their shoulders into the rusted-shut window pane and forces it open with a scraping KRRRR-LANK!They slink inside the tomb. Miguel and Belle drop down to the mausoleum floor. The noise from outside is muffled. They climb onto the crypt, slightly moving the lid. They stifle a gasp. They crawl over the marble sarcophagus and comes face-to-face with the famed guitar. Miguel and Belle  wipes away a layer of dust, revealing the rich painted wood beneath. He looks up to the portrait of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Señor de la Cruz? Please don't be mad. We're Miguel and Belle, your great-great grandson and daughter-- We need to borrow this.

Heart in their throats, Miguel and Belle lifts the guitar off its mount. Unbeknownst to them, some marigold petals in the mausoleum begin to sparkle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Our family thinks music is a curse. None of them understand, but we know you would have. You would've told us to follow our hearts. To seize our moment!

They back up, in full view of the painting.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
So if it's all right with you, We're gonna play in the plaza, just like you and your wife did!

Confidence building, he strums it once and Belle sings a note. The air around them vibrates, radiating like a shock wave. The petals on the ground whirl and surge with light for just a moment. Miguel and Belle are visibly taken aback. What just happened?
Suddenly, a flashlight shines in the window of the mausoleum.

VOICES (O.S.)
The guitar! It's gone! Somebody stole de la Cruz's guitar! The window's broken, look.

Miguel and Belle hear keys jangling and the door unlocking. A GROUNDSKEEPER enters with a flashlight.

GROUNDSKEEPER
Alright, who's in there?

Startled, Miguel puts down the guitar and Belle surrenders.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
W-- We're sorry! It's not what it looks like! De la Cruz is our --

The groundskeeper walks straight through Miguel and Belle! He doesn't even see them!

GROUNDSKEEPER
There's nobody here!

A panicked Miguel and Belle run out, trying to figure out what's going on! But the people in the cemetery walk through them too. Suddenly they hear a familiar voice.

MAMÁ
Miguel! Belle!

Miguel and Belle turns to see Papá and Mamá still searching for them.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Mamá!

PAPÁ
Miguel! Belle! Come home!

They reach for his and her parents, but goes straight through them.

PAPÁ
Where are you, Miguel and Belle?!

Frantic, Miguel and Belle trip and falls into an open grave. A nearby woman gasps and peeks over the ledge of the grave.

WOMAN
Dios mío! Little boy and girl, are you 2 okay?

She reaches into the grave.

WOMAN
Here, let me help you.

Miguel and Belle takes her hand and she pulls them out.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Thanks, We—

They see each other face to face. The woman is a skeleton! Miguel and Belle screams! She does too!
Miguel and Belle backs away. They turn to see another skeleton. They fall backwards and scoots away frantically. They bump into another skeleton whose head falls off and lands in Miguel's and Belle's hands.

SKELETON HEAD
Do you 2 mind?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ahhh!

SKELETON HEAD
Ahhh!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
AHHH!

Miguel and Belle tosses the head away from them and turn to see the whole cemetery is teeming with skeletons! And they can all see them!
They race off and hides behind a grave. After a moment, they peek 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.

SKELETON ABUELA
Look how big she's getting!

Suddenly Dante surprises Miguel and Belle and licks them on the cheek.
Miguel and Belle screams.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante?! You can see us? W-wait! What's going on?!

Dante barks, points, and bounds through the crowd.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante! Dante!

Miguel and Belle gives chase until -​ BAM! They run smack into a mustached skeleton and falls to the ground. The skeleton's bones break apart and scatter. The head pops up.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We're sorry, We're sorry --

PAPÁ JULIO
Miguel?! Belle?!

Miguel and Belle tries to gather the scattered bones.

TÍA ROSITA
Miguel? Belle?

TÍA VICTORIA
Miguel? Belle

The bones magically pull away from Miguel and Belle

PAPÁ JULIO
You 2 are here! HERE here!

PAPÁ JULIO reconstitutes himself.

PAPÁ JULIO
And you 2 can see us?!

TÍA ROSITA charges through Papá Julio, sending his bones scattering again. She grabs Miguel and Belle, hugging then tight.

TÍA ROSITA
Our Migueli-ti-ti-ti-ti-to! And Belle!

Miguel and Belle, smothered by Rosita's ample ribcage, struggles for air.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Remind us how we know you?

TÍA ROSITA
We're your family, mijo and hija!

Tía Rosita's ofrenda photo flashes in Miguel's and Belle's memory.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Tía -- Rosita?

TÍA ROSITA
Sí!

They look at Papá Julio, whose head is still turned the wrong way. TÍA VICTORIA straightens it.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Papá Julio?

PAPÁ JULIO
Hola.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Tía Victoria?

Tía Victoria pokes Miguel's and Belle's cheeks, skeptical.

TÍA VICTORIA
They don't seem entirely dead.

A living person ambles through Miguel's and Belle's non-corporeal forms.

TÍA ROSITA
They're not quite alive either --

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

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

TÍO FELIPE
Oye!

TÍO OSCAR
It's Mamá Imelda--

TÍO FELIPE
She couldn't cross over!

The others gasp.

TÍO OSCAR
She's stuck --

TÍO FELIPE
--On the other side!

Miguel and Belle see pictures of their Tío Oscar and Tío Felipe flash in their memories.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Tío Oscar? Tío Felipe?

TÍO OSCAR
Oh, hey Miguel and Belle.

Tía Victoria turns her gaze on Miguel and Belle.

TÍA VICTORIA
I have a feeling this has something to do with you 2.

TÍA ROSITA
But if Mamá Imelda can't come to us...

PAPÁ JULIO
-- Then we are going to her! Vámonos!

Papá Julio grabs Miguel and Belle by the arms and the family rushes through the cemetery, trailed by Dante.
Miguel and Belle and their family weave through the graves, rounding a corner. Their gaze falls upon a glowing MARIGOLD BRIDGE arching before them.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Whoa --

The bridge extends into the mist. A stream of skeletons amble across for the holiday. The family passes through an invisible barrier onto the bridge. Their bodies change from ghostly to solid. Miguel and Belle hesitate at the threshold.

PAPÁ JULIO
Come on, Miguel and Belle. It's ok.

Miguel and Belle follow after the family, the petals glowing under their feet. Dante takes off.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante! Dante! Dante, wait up!

Miguel and Belle run 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 and Belle's face.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You gotta stay with us, boy. We don't know -- where --

Out of the mist, the sparkling cityscape of the Land of the Dead emerges. It's breathtaking. Their family sidles up.

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

TÍA VICTORIA
You thought we weren't?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Well we don't know, we thought it might've been one of those made up things that adults tell kids -- like -- vitamins.

TÍA VICTORIA
Miguel and Belle, vitamins are a real thing.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Well, now we're thinking maybe they could be --

As skeletons pass in the other direction, Miguel and Belle receive some strange looks. A little skeleton girl gasps, pointing at them.

SKELETON MOTHER
Mija, it's not nice to stare at--
Ay! Santa Maria!

The woman goes wide-eyed, her head turning backwards to gawk at Miguel and Belle as she walks in the opposite direction. Miguel and Belle puts up their hoods. The Riveras continue on toward an arrivals area on the far side of the bridge. Miguel and Belle see fantastical creatures crawling, flying, making nests in the nearby architecture.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
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.

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 Belle 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. Miguel and Belle watch.

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
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
Your photo's on your dentist's ofrenda. Enjoy your visit!

JUAN ORTODONCIA
Grashiash!

DEPARTURES AGENT
Next!

HÉCTOR, a ragged fellow, steps up to the monitor, disguised as Frida Kahlo.

HÉCTOR
Yes, it is I. Frida Kahlo.
Shall we skip the scanner? I'm on so many ofrendas, it'll just overwhelm your blinky thingie --

The monitor scans him, but an "X" appears, accompanied by a negative buzzing sound.

DEPARTURES AGENT
Well shoot. Looks like no one put up your photo, Frida --

Héctor peels off his unibrow and throws off his frock.

HÉCTOR
Okay, when I said I was Frida -- just now? That -- that was a lie. And I apologize for doing that.

DEPARTURES AGENT
No photo on an ofrenda, no crossing the bridge.

HÉCTOR
You know what, I'm just gonna zip right over, you won't even know I'm gone.

Héctor bolts for the bridge. A security guards blocks the gate. Héctor splits in two and slides past the guard, half going over, half under.

HÉCTOR
Ha HA!

Héctor reaches the bridge at a sprint, but the magic doesn't engage; he sinks right into the petals.

HÉCTOR
Almost there, just a little further--!
The guards saunter to the bridge and casually pull Héctor back toward the Land of the Dead.

OFFICER
Upsy-daisy --

HÉCTOR
Fine, okay. Fine, who cares -- Dumb flower bridge!

Miguel and Belle watch as the guards haul him out. Tía Rosita looks up in time to see his back.

TÍA ROSITA
I don't know what I'd do if no one put up my photo.

ARRIVALS AGENT (O.S.)
Next!

TÍA ROSITA
Oh! Come mijo and hija, it's our turn.

The arrivals line moves forward. The Dead Riveras crowd around the gate. The arrivals agent leans out from his window.

ARRIVALS AGENT
Welcome back, amigos! Anything to declare?

PAPÁ JULIO
As a matter of fact, yes.

The family pushes Miguel and Belle to the front, very much alive.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hola.

The arrivals agent's jaw literally drops.
Miguel and Belle and their family are escorted by a security guard across an arching second floor walkway.

VOICE OVER P.A.
Paging Marta Gonzales-Ramos. Marta Gonzales-Ramos, please report to Level 7. Dante happily trots alongside. Miguel and Belle look up to see gondolas traveling by.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Whoa --

Skeletons stare at Miguel and Belle as they walk by. Suddenly Miguel and Belle notices Tío Oscar staring at their faces in deep contemplation.

TÍO OSCAR
I miss my nose --

At the end of the walkway are doors emblazoned with "DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY REUNIONS." The family passes through. Inside, they find case workers helping travelers work out holiday snafus.

DISTRESSED TRAVELER
C'mon! Help us out amigo -- We gotta get to a dozen ofrendas tonight --

MIFFED WIFE
We are NOT visiting your ex-wife's family for Día de Muertos!

In a far corner, one traveler in particular is raising hell.

MAMÁ IMELDA
I demand to speak to the person in charge!

A beleaguered CASE WORKER cringes as Mamá Imelda tears into her.

CASE WORKER
I'm sorry, señora, it says here no one put up your photo--

Mamá Imelda coldly eyes the Macintosh 128k on the woman's desk.

MAMÁ IMELDA
My family always -- ALWAYS -- puts my 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.

PAPÁ JULIO
Mamá Imelda?

She turns her shoe on Papá Julio, who leans back and yelps. Mamá Imelda softens.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Oh, mi familia! They wouldn't let me cross the bridge! Tell this woman and her devil box that my photo is on the ofrenda.

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

MAMÁ IMELDA
What?!

PAPÁ JULIO
We ran into -- um --

Mamá Imelda's eyes fall on Miguel and Belle. Miguel and Belle look at Mamá Imelda. Her photo flashes before them.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel? Belle?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Mamá Imelda...

MAMÁ IMELDA
What is going on?

Just then, a door opens and a CLERK pokes his head out.

CLERK
You the Rivera family?

The computer short circuits.

CLERK
Well, you're cursed.

The family gasps.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
What?!

The clerk searches through a huge stack of papers.

CLERK
Día de los Muertos is a night to GIVE to the dead. You 2 STOLE from the dead.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
But we weren't stealing the guitar!

MAMÁ IMELDA
Guitar--?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It was our great-great grandfather's, he would have wanted us to have it--

MAMÁ IMELDA
Ah-ah-ah! We do not speak of those --
...musicians! They are DEAD to this family!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
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.

CLERK
ACHOO! I am sorry, whose alebrije is that?

Miguel and Belle step up, trying to pull Dante away from the treats.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
That's just Dante.

TÍA ROSITA
He sure doesn't look like an alebrije.

Tía Rosita gestures to the fantastical creatures fluttering on the other side of the window.

TÍO OSCAR
He just looks like a plain old dog --

TÍO FELIPE
-- Or a sausage someone dropped in a barbershop.

CLERK
Whatever he is, I am -- ACHOO! -- terribly allergic.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
But Dante doesn't have any hair.

CLERK
And I don't have a nose, and yet here we are -- ACHOO!!

MAMÁ IMELDA
But none of this explains why I couldn't cross over.

Miguel and Belle realize something. They sheepishly pull out the folded photo.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Oh --

They unfold the photo.

MAMÁ IMELDA
You 2 took my photo off the ofrenda?!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It was an accident!

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

MAMÁ IMELDA
How do we send them back?!

CLERK
Well, since it's a family matter --
The way to undo a family curse is to get your family's blessing.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
That's it?

CLERK
Get your family's blessing, and everything SHOULD go back to normal. But you gotta do it by sunrise!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
What happens at sunrise?

PAPÁ JULIO
Híjole! Your hand! Belle! Your hand!

Miguel and Belle look at their hands. The tip of one of their fingers has started to turn skeletal. They turn pale. They start to faint when Papá Julio picks them up and gently slaps them awake.

PAPÁ JULIO
Whoa, Miguel and Belle. Can't have you  2 fainting on us.

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

The clerk searches the ground near Tía Rosita.

CLERK
Cempasúchil, cempasúchil. Aha! Perdón, señora.

Tía Rosita titters. The clerk plucks a marigold petal from the hem of her dress. He hands the petal to Mamá Imelda.

CLERK
Now, you look at the living and say their names.

Imelda turns to Miguel and Belle.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel. Belle.

CLERK
Nailed it. Now say: I give you 2 my blessing.

MAMÁ IMELDA
I give you 2 my blessing.

The marigold petal glows in her fingers. Miguel and Belle brighten. But Mamá Imelda is not finished.

MAMÁ IMELDA
I give you 2 my blessing to go home...

The glow of the marigold petal surges.

MAMÁ IMELDA
To put my photo back on the ofrenda --

Each added condition makes the petal glow brighter. Imelda delivers it like a scolding, but Miguel and Belle nod.

MAMÁ IMELDA
And to never play music again!

The petal surges one last time.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
What? She can't do that!

CLERK
Well technically she can add any conditions she wants.

Miguel and Belle stare her down. Imelda is firm in her resolve.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Fine.

CLERK
Then you hand the petal to Miguel and Belle.

Imelda extends the petal to Miguel and Belle, who reach for it. They grab the petal. WHOOOOSH! They're consumed by a whirlwind of petals and disappear.
They reappear in a whirlwind of petals. It seems like they're solid. They run to the window and look out.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No skeletons!

Miguel and Belle laughs, relieved. Then, a mischievous smile on their faces, they turn and eye de la Cruz's guitar. Miguel and Belle quickly grab the guitar.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Mariachi Plaza, here we come --

They take two steps toward the door, then WHOOOOSH! Miguel and Belle appear back in the clerk's office in another flash of the marigold whirlwind, without the guitar. The family turns, shocked to see them back so soon. Miguel and Belle realizes their hands are still in guitar-holding position.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Two seconds and you 2 already break your promise!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
This isn't fair, it's our life! You already had yours!

Miguel's and Belle's grabs another petal, they march over to Papá Julio.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Papá Julio, we ask for your blessing.

Papá Julio shakes his head and pulls his hat down.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Tía Rosita? Oscar? Felipe? Victoria? Tía?

They all shake their heads.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Don't make this hard, mijo and hija. You 2 go home my way, or no way.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You really hate music that much?

MAMÁ IMELDA
I will not let you 2 go down the same path they did.

Miguel and Belle get an idea. They pull the photo out and turns from the group.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
The same path they did.

They gaze at the man with no face and they man and woman with no face.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
They're family --

TÍA VICTORIA
Listen to your Mamá Imelda.

TÍO OSCAR
She's just looking out for you 2.

TÍA ROSITA
Be reasonable.

Miguel and Belle start back toward the door.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Con permiso, we... need to visit the restroom. Be right back!

Miguel and Belle see themselves out. The family waits for a beat.

CLERK
Uh, should we tell them there are no restrooms in the Land of the Dead?

Miguel and Belle hustle down a staircase with Dante. Once on the ground floor, they huddle beneath the staircase. They look to the upper floor. The Dead Riveras are there. Tío Oscar asks a PATROLWOMAN about a boy of Miguel's height and a girl of Belle's height. The patrolwoman picks up her walkie-talkie. Miguel and Belle scope the ground floor and spies a revolving door exit.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Vámonos.

Miguel and Belle puts up their hoods, tightening it to a tiny eye hole, and heads out. Dante pads after them.

PATROLWOMAN
We got a family looking for a LIVING BOY and girl.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
If we wanna be musicians, we need a MUSICIAN'S blessing. We gotta find our great-great grandpa.

The exit gets closer when Miguel and Belle are  stopped by a PATROLMAN.

PATROLMAN
Hold it, muchacho and muchacha.

Miguel's and Belle's hoodies loosen to reveal their living faces.

PATROLMAN
Ahh!

The patrolman frantically grabs for his walkie-talkie.

PATROLMAN
I've found that living boy and girl!

A large family passes between Miguel and Belle and the officer, chatty, arms full of offerings.

PATROLMAN
Uh whoa, excuse me, excuse me folks! Excuse me --

Once the family clears, Miguel and Belle are nowhere to be seen. Miguel and Belle and Dante hide from the patrolman. But Dante wanders off to inspect a side room.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, no -- Dante!

Miguel and Belle catch up to Dante. They overhear an exchange in a nearby cubicle.

CORRECTIONS OFFICER
-- disturbing the peace, fleeing an officer, falsifying a unibrow- -

MADDIE
Hector.

HÉCTOR
That's illegal?

CORRECTIONS OFFICER
VERY illegal. You need to clean up your act, amigo.

MADDIE
Yes, you do. Brother.

HÉCTOR
Amigo? Oh, that's so nice, to hear you say that, because --
I've just had a really hard Día de Muertos, and I could really use an amigo right now.

Héctor leans gratefully toward the officer, overwhelmed with mock emotion.

HÉCTOR
And amigos, they help their amigos. Listen, you get me across that bridge tonight and I'll make it worth your while.

Héctor spies a de la Cruz poster at the officer's workstation.

HÉCTOR
Oh, you like de la Cruz? He and I go way back! I can get you front row seats to his Sunrise Spectacular Show!

Miguel and Belle perk at the mention of de la Cruz.

CORRECTIONS OFFICER
Uh --

HÉCTOR
I'll -- I'll get you backstage, you can meet him! You just gotta let me cross that bridge!

The corrections officer pulls away.

CORRECTIONS OFFICER
I should lock you up for the rest of the holiday --But my shift's almost up, and I wanna visit my living family -- so I'm letting you off with a warning.

HÉCTOR
Can I at least get my costume back?

CORRECTIONS OFFICER
Uh, no.

MADDIE
Bye, Officer.

In a huff, Héctor and Maddie march out of the room.

HÉCTOR
Some amigo --

Miguel and Belle follows them.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hey. Hey! You 2 really know de la Cruz?

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Who wants to--
Ah! You 2 are alive!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Shhh!

Miguel and Belle pulls Héctor and Maddie into a phone booth to avoid suspicion.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Yeah we're alive. And if we wanna get back to the Land of the Living, we need de la Cruz's blessing.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
That's weirdly specific.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
He's our great-great-grandfather.

HÉCTOR
He's your wha-whaat--? You had a baby? Or did he cheat? If he did, I swear I'll—

MADDIE
Relax. I did have a baby Ernesto never did cheat. He's loyal to me forever.

Hector's eyes drop into his mouth. He pops them back up with a punch to his jaw. Miguel and Belle are a little grossed out. Héctor turns to conference with Maddie.

HÉCTOR
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait --Wait, no, wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait? Yes! You 2 are going back to the Land of the Living?!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
D'ya know what, maybe this isn't such a g--

Héctor snaps his fingers rapidly, pistons firing.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
No, niño, niño, niño, we can help you 2! You 2 can help us. We can help each other! But most importantly, you 2 can
help US.

Miguel and Belle suddenly spies their family hurrying down a staircase. Mamá Imelda spots Miguel and Belle

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel! Belle!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
AH!

Hector and Maddie extends their hands.

HÉCTOR
I'm Héctor.

MADDIE
I'm Maddie.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
That's nice!

Miguel and Belle grabs Héctor and Maddie by the wrists and drags them to the exit, away from their family.
Miguel and Belle and Dante burst out the door and rush down the stairs. Héctor's and Maddie's arms snaps to get Miguel's and Belle's attention. Miguel and Belle realize they're no longer attached to Héctor's and Maddie's body. The arms signal backwards to Héctor and Maddie who are ten paces behind.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Espérame chamacos!

Miguel and Belle throws the arms back to Héctor and Maddie and they disappear into a dense crowd.
Moments later, the Dead Riveras burst from the revolving doors. Mamá Imelda scours the crowd for Miguel and Belle. They're nowhere to be found.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Ay, they are going to get themselves killed -- I need 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. She turns to the family.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Who has that petal Miguel and Belle touched?

PAPÁ JULIO
Here!

Papá Julio steps forward with a marigold petal. He creeps forward, jittery, holding it out for Pepita.

PAPÁ JULIO
Nice alebrije...

Pepita sniffs the petal's scent.
Suddenly Pepita's head darts, narrowing in on the scent. She takes to the air. Miguel and Belle sit on a wooden crate. Héctor and Maddie uses their thumbs to smudge black and white shoe polish on the boy's and girl's faces.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Hey, hey, hold still. Look up. Look up. A ver, a ver -- look up. Up, UP! Ta-da!

Héctor and Maddie open a small mirror. Miguel's and Belle's faces are painted to look like a skeleton.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Dead as a doorknob.
So listen, Miguel and Belle: 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 Día de Muertos.

HECTOR
Unless you're me.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You don't get to cross over.

HÉCTOR
No one's ever put up my picture --
But you 2 can change that!

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

MIGUEL AND BELLE
This is you?

HÉCTOR
Muy guapo, eh?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
So you get us to our great-great grandpa, then we put up your photo when we get home?

HÉCTOR
Such a smart boy and girl! Yes! Great idea, yes! One hiccup: de la Cruz is a tough guy to get to. And I need to cross that bridge soon. Like TONIGHT. So, you 2 got any other family here, you know? Someone a bit more -- accessible? Like Maddie, she's married to him. Maybe she's related to you 2.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Mmm, nope.

HÉCTOR
Don't yank my chain, chamacos. You 2 gotta have SOME other family and Maddie has to be related to you 2, somehow.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
ONLY de la Cruz. If you can't help us, we'll find him ourselves.

Miguel and Belle march out of the alley, whistling for Dante to follow.

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

MADDIE
Yea, Ernesto! Darling, I'm coming back!

They make their way through a pedestrian path.

HÉCTOR
-- It's not gonna be easy, you know? He's a busy man.

MADDIE
What are you 2 doing?

Miguel and Belle slink-walk next to Héctor and Maddie goofily.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We're walking like 2 skeletons. Blending in.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
No, skeletons don't walk like that.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It's how you 2 walk.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
No, we don't.

Miguel and Belle keep walking funny.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Stop it!

Miguel and Belle notice a billboard advertising "ERNESTO DE LA CRUZ'S SUNRISE SPECTACULAR!;" "Remember Me" blares from attached speakers.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Whoa -- "Ernesto de la Cruz's Sunrise Spectacular--!" Qué padre!

MADDIE
His Sunrise Spectacular is always amazing. He makes it extra special for me.

HÉCTOR
Blech. Every year, your guys great-great grandpa puts on that dumb show to mark the end of Día de Muertos.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
And you can get us in!

HÉCTOR
Ahhhh --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hey, you said you had front row tickets!

HÉCTOR
That -- that was a lie. I apologize for that.

Miguel and Belle give Héctor a withering look.

HÉCTOR
Cool off, chamacos, come on -- I'll get you 2 to him.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
How?

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
'Cause we happen to know where he's rehearsing!

Héctor uses his suspenders to slingshot his arm to a third floor window. The hand taps on it.

CECILIA, a costumer, turns from a costume to look at the window. Héctor's hand waves. She rolls her eyes and goes to open the window.

CECILIA
You better have my dress, Héctor and Maddie!

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Hola, Ceci!

She lowers a ladder so Héctor, Maddie, Belle, Miguel, and Dante can climb up. Héctor grabs his arm and reattaches it.
They all crawl in through the window.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hola.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Ceci, we lost the dress--

CECILIA
Ya lo sabía! I gotta dress forty dancers by sunrise and thanks to you 2, I'm one Frida short of an opening number!

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Ceci -- we know, Ceci. We know, we know. Ceci -- Ceci -- Ceci. Ceci --

As Héctor and Maddie try to talk her down, Dante wanders away from the costume area.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante -- Dante!

Miguel and Belle chase after him.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We shouldn't be in here --

Miguel and Belle follow Dante through a giant warehouse, divided into different artists workspaces. They pass papier-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.
Miguel and Belle hustle after him.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, no, Dante! Ven acá!

The monkey jumps up onto the shoulder of FRIDA KAHLO, the REAL Frida Kahlo, who stands in front of a rehearsal stage. Miguel and Belle rein Dante in just as Frida turns to find them.

FRIDA
You 2! How did you 2 get in here?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We just followed our--

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 spirits have you guided to me?

Frida takes a closer look at Miguel and Belle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We don't think he's a spirit guide.

FRIDA
Ah-ah-ah. The alebrijes of this world can take many forms -- They are as mysterious as they are powerful --

The patterns on Frida's monkey swirl and he opens his mouth to breath a blue fire. He fumbles at the end with a chesty cough. Then they look to Dante, who is chewing his own leg. Suddenly, Frida turns back to Miguel and Belle.

FRIDA
Or maybe he's just a dog. Сome! I need both of your eyes!

Frida guides them to view the rehearsal space.

FRIDA
You 2 are the audience. Darkness. And from the darkness -- A giant PAPAYA!

Lights come up on a giant papaya prop.

FRIDA
Dancers emerge from the papaya and the dancers are all me!

Leotarded, unibrowed 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 is a cactus, but who is also me. And her milk is not milk but tears. Is it too obvious?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We think it's just the right amount of obvious?

MIGUEL
It could use some music -- Oh! What if you did, like, doonk-doonk-doonk-doonk --

Frida, inspired, cues some musicians who start playing the tune.

BELLE
Oh! And then it could go dittle-ittle-dittle-ittle-dittle-ittle-dittle-ittle -- WHAAA!

The violins follow; a trombone punctuates.

FRIDA
And -- what if everything was on fire? Yes! Fire everywhere!

The dancers gasp and look at each other, now concerned.

FRIDA
Inspired! You -- you 2 have the spirits of 2 artists!

Miguel and Belle brighten. Frida turns back to the rehearsal.

FRIDA
The dancers exit, the music fades, the lights go out! And Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz rise to the stage!

Two silhouettes rise from a trap door. Miguel and Belle leans forward. A spotlight shines on the silhouettes revealing them to be mannequins.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Huh?

FRIDA
They do a couple of songs, the sun rises, everyone cheers --

Miguel and Belle hustle up to Frida.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Excuse us, where's the real Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz?

FRIDA
Ernesto and Maddie don't do rehearsals. They're too busy hosting that fancy party at the top of their tower.

She gestures out a large window to a GRAND ESTATE lit up in the distance, atop a steep hill.

Suddenly Héctor and Maddie round the corner, out of breath.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Chamacos! You 2 can't run off on us like that! C'mon, stop pestering the celebrities --

Héctor and Maddie pull Miguel and Belle away, but Miguel and Belle won't be wrangled.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You 2 said my great-great grandpa would be here! He's halfway across town, throwing some big party and you're supposed to be there too, Maddie!

HÉCTOR
That bum! Who doesn't show up to his own rehearsal?

MADDIE
I should probably head over there. He's probably getting to be worried. So bye! Stay safe!

Maddie leaves to go be with her husband.

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

HÉCTOR
He's YOUR guys great-great grandpa. How come he didn't invite YOU 2?

Héctor walks away from Miguel and Belle toward the musicians.

HÉCTOR
Hey Gustavo! You know anything about this party?

GUSTAVO
It's the hot ticket. But if you're not on the guest list you're never getting in, Chorizo --

MUSICIANS
Hey, it's Chorizo! / Choricito!

HÉCTOR
Ha ha, very funny guys. Very funny.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Chorizo?

GUSTAVO
Oh, this guy's famous! Go on, go on, ask him how he died!

Miguel and Belle looks to Héctor, eyebrows cocked.

HÉCTOR
I don't want to talk about it.

GUSTAVO
He choked on some CHORIZO!

The musicians laugh. Miguel and Belle try to stifle a giggle.

HÉCTOR
I didn't choke, okay -- I got food poisoning, which is a big difference!

More laughter.

HÉCTOR
This is why I don't like musicians -- bunch of self-important jerks!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hey, we're musicians.

HÉCTOR
You 2 are?

GUSTAVO
Well, if you 2 really want to get to Ernesto, there IS that music competition at the Plaza de la Cruz. Winner gets to play at his and Maddie's party --

Miguel's and Belle's wheels start turning.

HÉCTOR
No, no, no, chamacos, you 2 are loco if you think--

Miguel and Belle look to their hands, progressed in their skeletal transformation.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We need to get our great-great grandfather's blessing.

Miguel and Belle look up to Héctor.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You know where we can get a guitar?

Héctor sighs.

HÉCTOR
I know a guy --

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 and Maddie painted Miguel's and Belle's faces, finding a canister of shoe polish. She lets out a low growl.
The Dead Riveras follow after her.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Have you found them, Pepita? Have you found our boy and girl?

Pepita breathes on the ground, revealing 2 footprints. They glow for a moment. The family leans in to inspect.

TÍA ROSITA
Some footprints!

PAPÁ JULIO
It's 2 Rivera boots!

TÍO OSCAR
Sizes seven --

TÍO FELIPE
-- and a half.

TÍA VICTORIA
Pronated.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel. Belle.

Pepita leans forward, breathes again, and the glow spreads to reveal a trail of footprints. Miguel and Belle follow Héctor down a steep stairway. Miguel and Belle look to their bony knuckles, concern on their faces.

HÉCTOR
Why the heck would you 2 wanna be musicians?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Our great-great grandpa and grandma were musicians.

HÉCTOR
Who spent their lives performing like 2 monkeys for complete strangers. Blech, no, no thank you, guácala, no --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Whadda you know?

As Miguel and Belle descend the staircase, Ernesto and Maddie's distant glowing tower is obscured by old forgotten buildings.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
So, how far is this guitar anyway?

HÉCTOR
We're almost there --

Héctor jumps from the stairway and crashes on the ground below. But his bones reassemble immediately.

HÉCTOR
Keep up, chamacos, come on!

Héctor leads Miguel and Belle through a stone archway. 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.

RATTY GROUP
COUSIN HÉCTOR!!

HÉCTOR
Eh! These guys!

RATTY MEMBER
HÉCTOR!!

HÉCTOR
Hey Tío! Qué onda!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
These people are all your family?

HÉCTOR
Eh, in a way -- We're all the ones with no photos or ofrendas, no family to go home to. Nearly forgotten, you know?
So, we all call each other cousin, or tío, or whatever.

They approach three old ladies playing cards around a wooden crate. One, TÍA CHELO looks up.

TÍA CHELO
Héctor!

HÉCTOR
Tía Chelo! He-hey!

Héctor hands them a bottle.

OLD TIAS
Muchas gracias!

HÉCTOR
Hey, hey! Save some for me! Is Chicharrón around?

TÍA CHELO
In the bungalow. I don't know if he's in the mood for visitors --

HÉCTOR
Who doesn't like a visit from Cousin Héctor?

Héctor holds the curtain open. Miguel, Belle, 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. Miguel and Belle almost knock 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.

HÉCTOR
Buenas noches, Chicharrón!

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

HÉCTOR
C'mon, it's Día de Muertos! I brought you a little offering!

CHICHARRÓN
Get out of here --

HÉCTOR
I would, Cheech, but the thing is -- me and my friends, Miguel and Belle, we really need to borrow your guitar.

CHICHARRÓN
My guitar?!

HÉCTOR
Yes?

CHICHARRÓN
My prized, beloved guitar--?

HÉCTOR
I promise we'll bring it right back.

Chicharrón sits up, incensed.

CHICHARRÓN
Like the time you promised to bring back my van?

HÉCTOR
Uh --

CHICHARRÓN
Or my mini-fridge?

HÉCTOR
Ah, you see​-

CHICHARRÓN
Or my good napkins? My lasso? My femur?!

HÉCTOR
No, no, not like those times.

CHICHARRÓN
Where's my femur?! 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.

HÉCTOR
Whoa, whoa -- you okay, amigo?

CHICHARRÓN
I'm fading, Héctor. I can feel it.
I couldn't even play that thing if I wanted to. You play me something.

Héctor looks surprised.

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

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

Héctor sighs, then reaches over Chicharrón and takes the instrument.

HÉCTOR
Only for you, amigo. Any requests?

Héctor begins tuning the guitar.

CHICHARRÓN
You know my favorite, Héctor.

Héctor begins a lovely, lilting tune. Chicharrón smiles. Miguel's and Belle's eyes go wide at Héctor's skill.

HÉCTOR
WELL EVERYONE KNOWS JUANITA, HER EYES EACH A DIFFERENT COLOR. HER TEETH STICK OUT, AND HER CHIN GOES IN, AND HER --

Héctor eyes Miguel and Belle.

HÉCTOR
-- KNUCKLES THEY DRAG ON THE FLOOR.

CHICHARRÓN
Those aren't the words!

HÉCTOR
There are children present.
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 with a soft flourish.
Chicharrón is tickled, joyful. For a moment he's present and bright.

CHICHARRÓN
Brings back memories. Gracias --

His eyes close. He looks at peace. Héctor looks sad. Suddenly, the edges of Chicharrón's bones begin to glow. A soft, beautiful light. Then he dissolves into dust. Miguel and Belle are 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.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
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 AND BELLE
Where did he go?

HÉCTOR
No one knows.

Miguel and Belle have 2 thoughts.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
But we've met him -- we could remember him, when we go back --

HÉCTOR
No, it doesn't work like that, chamacos. Our memories -- they have to be passed down by those who knew us in life -- in the stories they tell about us. But there's no one left alive to pass down Cheech's stories --

Miguel and Belle are deep in thought.
Héctor puts his hands on Miguel's and Belle's backs, suddenly cheerful.

HÉCTOR
Hey, it happens to everyone eventually.

He gives Miguel the guitar.

HÉCTOR
C'mon "de la Cruzcitos." You 2 have got a contest to win.

Héctor throws open the curtain and exits. Miguel and Belle look back at the glasses, then turns and follows.

Héctor, Belle, and Miguel hang off the back of a moving trolley. Miguel and Belle hold Héctor's photo in their hands, scanning it, while Héctor fiddles on the guitar idly.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You told us you hated musicians, you never said you were one.

HÉCTOR
How do you think I knew your guys great-great grandpa and your guys great-great grandma is my sister! We 3 used to play music together. Maddie and I him everything he knows.

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

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No manches! You played with Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz, the greatest musicians of all time?

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

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You don't know what you're talking about- -

The trolley arrives at the stop for the PLAZA DE LA CRUZ. There's a giant statue of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz in the center. Miguel and Belle pockets Héctor's photo.

HÉCTOR
Welcome to the Plaza de la Cruz!
Showtime, chamacos!

Héctor hands the guitar to Miguel.

Energetic plaza shots. Lights and colors, beautiful dresses, violins, pyrotechnic bullfight, dancing. A t-shirt vendor is selling "Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz" shirts.

VENDOR
Llévelo! T-shirts! Bobble-heads!

A stage is set up in the plaza. An EMCEE greets her audience.

EMCEE
Bienvenidos a todos! Who's ready for some música?

The audience whoops.

EMCEE
It's a battle of the bands, amigos! The winner gets to play for the maestros themselves, Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz, at their fiesta tonight!

The audience cheers. Héctor elbows Miguel and Belle as they head backstage.

HÉCTOR
That's our ticket, muchacho and muchacha.

EMCEE
Let the competition begin!

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. Miguel, Belle, and Héctor stand amongst other contestants.

HÉCTOR
So what's the plan? What are you 2 gonna play?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Definitely "Remember Me."

Miguel plucks out the beginnings of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's most famous song. Héctor clamps his hand over the fretboard.

HÉCTOR
No, not that one. No.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
C'mon, it's their most popular song!

HÉCTOR
Ehck, it's too popular.

Elsewhere backstage, they notice multiple other acts rehearsing their versions.

SKELETON MUSICIAN
REMEMBER ME, THOUGH I HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR, REMEMBER ME --

OPERA SINGERS
REMEMBER ME! DON'T LET IT MAKE YOU CRY!

One man plays water glasses to the famous tune. Héctor looks at Miguel and Belle as if to ask, "Need I say more?"

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Um -- what about "Poco Loco?"

HÉCTOR
Epa! Now that's a song!

STAGEHAND
De la Cruzcitos? You 2 are on standby!
Los Chachalacos, you're up next!

An impressive banda group steps onto stage.

CROWD
LOS CHACHALACOS!

They burst into a mighty introduction and the audience goes wild. They're very good. Miguel and Belle peek at the frenzied audience from backstage. They look sick and begins to pace, fidgety.

HÉCTOR
You 2 always this nervous before a performance?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We don't know -- we've never performed before.

HÉCTOR
What?! You 2 said you were musicians!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We are! We mean we will be. Once we win.

HÉCTOR
That's your guys plan?! No, no, no, no, no, you 2 have to win, Miguel and Belle. Your lives LITERALLY depends on you 2 winning! AND YOU 2 HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE?!

Héctor reaches for the guitar.

HÉCTOR
I'll go up there--

Miguel recoils, keeping hold of the instrument.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No! We need to do this.

HÉCTOR
Why?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
If we can't go out there and play and sing one song -- how can we callourselves musicians?

HÉCTOR
What does that matter?!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
'Cuz we don't just want to get Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's blessing. We need to prove that -- that we're worthy of it.

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

Héctor looks in Miguel's and Belle's eyes. The kids are sincere. Despite himself, Héctor softens.

HÉCTOR
Okay -- okay, okay, okay. Okay. Okay.
Okay. Okay you 2 wanna perform? Then you 2 are going to PERFORM!

Miguel and Belle perk up, surprised that Héctor wants to help.

HÉCTOR
First you 2 have to loosen up. Shake off those nerves! Sáquenlo sáquenlo, sáquenlo!

Héctor does a loose-bone skeletal shimmy and Miguel and Belle copy.

HÉCTOR
Now gimme your guys best grito!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Our best grito?

HÉCTOR
Come on, yell! Belt it out! OOOOOOH HE-HE-HEY! Ha! Ah, feels good! Okay -- now you 2.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ah -- ah -- ayyyyy yaaaaayyyyay --

Dante whimpers.

HÉCTOR
Oh, c'mon kids --

On stage, Los Chachalacos wrap up to raucous applause.

STAGEHAND
De la Cruzcitos, you 2 are on now!

HÉCTOR
Miguel and Belle, look at me.

STAGEHAND
Come on, let's go!

HÉCTOR
Hey! Hey, look at me.
You 2 can do this. Grab their attention and don't let it go!

EMCEE (O.S.)
We have one more act, amigos!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Héctor --

HÉCTOR
Make 'em listen, chamacos! You 2 got this!

EMCEE (O.S.)
Damas y caballeros! De la Cruzcitos!

The crowd applauds as Miguel and Belle are led on stage.

HÉCTOR
Arre papá! Hey!

Héctor's face contorts with a mix of encouragement and dread. Miguel and Belle slowly take the stage, guitar in hand. They're blinded by the lights and squints out at the audience. They're frozen stiff.

HÉCTOR
What are they doing? Why isn't Miguel playing?

Panic is painted across Miguel's and Belle's faces.

AUDIENCE MEMBER (O.S.)
Bring back the singing dogs!

The crowd begins to murmur impatiently. Miguel and Belle look to Héctor in the wing. Héctor makes eye contact with Miguel and Belle and does the "loosen up" bone shimmy. On stage Miguel and Belle shake off their nerves. Deep exhale and --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
HAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAI!

The sound is full-throated and resonant. People in the audience whistle and whoop. Some return the grito, some applaud lightly. Their brows go up and he begins his guitar intro.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
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 Miguel and Belle. Héctor perks up, they've got this!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
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.

Dante grabs Héctor by the leg and drags him onto the stage with Miguel and Belle.

HÉCTOR
No, no, no, no --

Once in the spotlight, Héctor warms up and busts out some percussive footwork to Miguel's guitar and Belle's dancing.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Not bad for a dead guy!

HÉCTOR
You're not so bad yourselves, gordito! Eso!

A ripple of glowing footprints leads Pepita and the Dead Riveras to the edge of the audience.

MAMÁ IMELDA
They're close. Find them.

The Dead Riveras fan out through the audience. Héctor gets more creative with his dancing, head coming off, limbs spinning around. The audience hoots!

HÉCTOR
THE LOCO THAT YOU MAKE ME IT IS JUST UN POCO CRAZY THE SENSE THAT YOU'RE NOT MAKING --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
THE LIBERTIES YOU'RE TAKING --

HECTOR
LEAVES MY CABEZA SHAKING YOU ARE JUST UN POCO LOCO

MIGUEL AND BELLE
LEAVES MY CABEZA SHAKING YOU ARE JUST UN POCO LOCO

The audience starts clapping in time with the song. Dante lets out a howl.
The Riveras continue their search in the audience.

TÍO FELIPE/TÍO OSCAR
We're looking for 2 living kids -- about 12?

TÍA ROSITA
Have you seen a living boy and girl?

HECTOR
UN POQUI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TI-TO LOCO!!

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

The audience erupts into applause!
Miguel and Belle smile, soaking in the moment. They feel like 2 real musicians.

HÉCTOR
Hey, you 2 did good! I'm proud of you 2! Eso!

Miguel and Belle swell and look back out the crowd when they suddenly spot Oscar and Felipe talking to a stranger. They look over and there is Tía Rosita talking to someone else! Miguel and Belle look to stage right, where they see Papá Julio talking to the Emcee!

AUDIENCE
Otra! Otra! Otra!

Panicking, Miguel and Belle pull Héctor off stage. Héctor tries to pull back.

HÉCTOR
Hey, where are you 2 going?

MIGUEL
We gotta get outta here.

HÉCTOR
What, are you 2 crazy? We're about to win this thing!

The Emcee takes the microphone.

EMCEE
Damas y caballeros, I have an emergency announcement. Please be on the lookout for a living boy and girl, answers to the names of Miguel and Belle. Earlier tonight they ran away from their family. They just want to send them back to the Land of the Living --

Murmurs of concern rumble through the audience.

EMCEE (O.S.)
-- If anyone has information, please contact the authorities.

HÉCTOR
Wait, wait, wait! You 2 said Ernesto de la Cruz was your guys ONLY family. The ONLY person who could send you 2 home. So Maddie could have sent you home as well.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We do have other family, but--

HÉCTOR
You 2 could have taken my photo back this whole time?!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
--But they hate music! We need a musician's blessing!

HÉCTOR
You 2 lied to me!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Oh, you're one to talk!

HÉCTOR
Look at me. I'm being forgotten, Miguel and Belle. I don't even know if I'm gonna last the night! I'm not gonna miss my one chance to cross that bridge 'cause you 2 want to live out some stupid musical fantasy!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It's not stupid.

Héctor grabs Miguel's and Belle's arms and pulls them toward the stage.

HÉCTOR
I'm taking you 2 to your family.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Let go of us!

HÉCTOR
You 2 will thank me later --

Miguel and Belle yanks their arms away.

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

They pull Héctor's photo out of their pocket and throws it at him. Héctor tries to grab it but it catches a breeze and drifts into the crowd.

HÉCTOR
No -- no, no, no! No --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Stay away from us!

As Héctor scrambles to catch his photo, Miguel and Belle run away. Héctor looks up but Miguel and Belle are gone.

HÉCTOR
Hey, chamacos! Where did you 2 go?! Chamacos! I'm sorry! Come back!

Miguel and Belle hustle to get away from Héctor. Dante bounds after them, but looks back and whimpers. He barks to get Miguel's and Belle's attention.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante, cállate!

But Dante is insistent. He tugs at Miguel's and Belle's pants, pulling them back to Héctor.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, Dante! Stop it! He can't help us!

Dante grabs onto their hoodies sleeves. Miguel and Belle try to shake him off, but their hoodies slip off, revealing the arms of a living boy and girl. Dante redoubles his efforts.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante, stop! Stop it! Leave us alone! You're not a spirit guide, you're just a dumb dog! Now get out of here!

Miguel and Belle  yanks their hoodies away from Dante, who shrinks back, rebuffed. The scuffle has drawn the eyes of the crowd. Startled skeletons see Miguel's and Belle's arms. They hurry to get their hoodies back on.

CROWD MEMBERS
It's them! / It's that living boy and girl! / I heard about them. / Look! / They're alive! / The boy's and girl's alive.

Miguel and Belle run and jump down some scaffolding. In the distance, they see Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's tower. After only a few paces, Pepita lands in front of Miguel and Belle, cutting off their path! They skid to a stop.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
AAHH!

Then, peeking over the jaguar's head is an even more terrifying sight: Mamá Imelda riding atop.

MAMÁ IMELDA
This nonsense ends now, Miguel and Belle! I am giving you 2 my blessing and you 2 are going home!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We don't want your blessing!

Miguel and Belle scramble upright and bounds for a narrow alley staircase.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel! Belle! Stop!

Not able to get through on her spirit guide, Imelda is forced to pursue Miguel and Belle on foot.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Come back! Miguel! Belle!

They wriggle through an iron gate.

MAMÁ IMELDA
I am trying to save your guys life!

She is stopped by the gate.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You're ruining our life!

MAMÁ IMELDA
What?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Music's the only thing that makes us happy. And you, you wanna take that away! You'll never understand.

Miguel and Belle head away from her up the stairs.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Y AUNQUE LA VIDA ME CUESTE, LLORONA -- NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE --

Miguel and Belle stops in their tracks. When Imelda finishes, they turn back, confused.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We thought you hated music.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Oh, I loved it. I remember that feeling, when my husband and his sister's husband would play, and I and my husband's sister would sing and nothing else mattered. But when we had Coco and my husband's sister and her husband had Lafayette, suddenly -- there was something in my life that mattered more than music. I wanted to put down roots. They wanted to play for the world.

Mamá Imelda pauses for a moment, lost in a memory.

MAMÁ IMELDA
We each made a sacrifice to get what we wanted. Now you 2 must make a choice.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
But we don't wanna -- pick sides!
Why can't you be on OUR side? That's what family's supposed to do -- support you. But you never will.

Miguel and Belle wipe the corner of their eyes, frustrated. Imelda is shocked to see them so hurt, but Miguel and Belle turn away before she can answer and ascends the narrow staircase toward Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's tower. Miguel and Belle arrive at the foot of the hill to Ernesto and Maddie 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 show a fancy invitation to a SECURITY GUARD, who then lets them onto the funicular.

SECURITY GUARD
Have a good time.

GUEST
Oh, how exciting!

EL SANTO, the silver-masked luchador, produces a fancy invitation to the security guard.

SECURITY GUARD
Oh! El Santo! I'm a big fan.

The security guard sheepishly holds up a camera.

SECURITY GUARD
You mind if I--

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.

SECURITY GUARD
Gracias, señor!

The security guard puts his head back on and El Santo heads past the velvet rope. Miguel and Belle are revealed waiting in line behind him.

SECURITY GUARD
Invitation?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It's okay. We're Ernesto's and Maddie's great-great grandson and daughter!

Miguel and Belle strikes Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's signature pose with his guitar. Miguel and Belle are tossed out of the line. Just then they see Los Chachalacos unloading their instruments from their van. They run up to them.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Disculpen, señores...

BAND LEADER
Hey guys, it's Poco Loco!

BAND MEMBER #2
You 2 were on fire tonight!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You too! Hey, musicians to musician, we need a favor --

The Band Leader hands an invitation to the security guard.

SECURITY GUARD
Ooo, the competition winners! Congratulations chicos!

Los Chachalacos file onto the funicular, the sousaphone players angling their instruments away from the security guard. After they get onto the funicular, they turn to reveal a pair of legs hanging out of the bells of the sousaphones. With a deep "TOOT!" Miguel and Belle spill out onto the floor of the funicular.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Thanks guys!

The funicular ascends. The doors of the funicular open to reveal Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's lavish mansion. Los Chachalacos all file out.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Whoa --

BAND LEADER
Enjoy the party, little músicos!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Gracias!

Miguel and Belle head 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.

GUEST
Look, it's Ernesto and Maddie!

Miguel and Belle catch a glimpse of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz heading deeper into the party. Miguel and Belle pursue.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz --

Miguel and Belle head into the foyer but loses Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz in the crowd.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Señor and Senorita de la Cruz!

Miguel and Belle elbows their way through the room.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Pardon us, Señor and Senorita de la Cruz! Señor and Senorita de la --

They find themselves in a huge hall with hundreds of guests, the heart of the party. Film clips play all around the room from Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's movies.

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
When you see your moment, you mustn't let it pass you by. You must seize it.

Miguel and Belle takes it all in. Synchronized swimmers make formations in a sparkling indoor pool. A DJ lays a decades-spanning mash-up soundtrack. A clip of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz riding their noble steed plays behind Miguel and Belle.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
We're almost there, Dante.

Miguel and Belle jump to see above the crowd.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Señor and Senorita de la Cruz! Señor and Senorita de la --

Miguel and Belle are unable to get their great-great grandfather and mother's attentions. Meanwhile, a clip behind Miguel and Belle features de la Cruz as a good-natured priest:

MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
But what can we do? It is hopeless --

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
You must have faith, sister.

MADDIE (FILM CLIP)
Oh but Padre, he will never listen.

DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
He will listen -- to MUSIC!

The passionate words embolden Miguel and Belle. They climb a pillar to the landing of a grand staircase, he stands above the crowd. Miguel and Belle take a breath and throws out a grito as loud as they can. It echoes through the space, and party guests turn. The DJ fades the music.
Garnering some attention, Miguel plays his guitar and Belle sings. More guests turn. As a hush falls on the crowd, the sound of Miguel's guitar and Belle's voice becomes singular.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
SEÑORAS Y SEÑORES. BUENAS TARDES, BUENAS NOCHES, BUENAS TARDES, BUENAS NOCHES. SENORITAS 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

Miguel and Belle continue to play and sing as they nervously walk forward; the crowd parting, he moves closer to Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz

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

They pass a movie screen where a clip features Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz singing the same song in one of their films, the songs overlapping for a brief moment.

MIGUEL AND BELLE & ERNESTO AND MADDIE DE LA CRUZ
FOR THIS MUSIC IS MY LANGUAGE AND THE WORLD ES MI FAMILIA

Miguel's and Belle's souls pours into the strings as they approach their heros --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
FOR THIS MUSIC IS MY LANG --

SPLASH! Miguel and Belle tumble into the indoor pool. The party-goers and Maddie gasp, but it's Ernesto who rolls up his sleeves, and, in true movie hero fashion, jumps into the pool and lifts a coughing Miguel and Belle to the edge.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Are you 2 all right, niño and nina?

Miguel and Belle look up, mortified. Their painted face begins to run, revealing them to be a living boy and girl. Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz's eyes go wide. The crowd gasps and murmurs.

ERNESTO
It's you 2 -- you, you 2 are that boy and girl, the ones who came from the Land of the Living.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You -- know about us?

ERNESTO
You are all anyone plus my darling wife has been talking about!

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Why have you 2 come here?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We're Miguel and Belle. Your great-great grandson and daughter.

More murmuring from the crowd. Ernesto De la Cruz is shocked.

ERNESTO
I -- have a great-great grandson and daughter?

MADDIE
Yes, you do.

ERNESTO
Wait just a moment, por vavore.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ok.

Ernesto pulls his wife to somewhere private.

ERNESTO
When were you ever pregnant? Did you cheat on me?

MADDIE
No, I didn't. The baby is yours, Ernesto. I would never in a million years cheat on you. I love you too much to do that to you Ernesto.

ERNESTO
Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why did I just find out now? Did you think that I would ruin the baby's life?

MADDIE
Remember that night with the bell, Ernesto. The night we both died. I was planning on telling you about him then. I was planning on taking you to Imelda and there you would see him. But then we died and I knew that Imelda would hate us for leaving her alone to raise our child. So I thought what's the point if he's not going to remember us anyway. I'm so sorry, Ernesto. I'm so sorry.

Maddie starts to cry. Ernesto comforts her.

ERNESTO
Shh. Shh. It's ok, mi amour. I still love you. I'm upset that you just told me now. But at least we got to have a family. Tell me, mi amour. What is our son's name?

MADDIE
His name is Lafayette.

ERNESTO
What a fitting name. Tell me, mi amour. Are you ready to talk to Miguel and Belle.

MADDIE
Yes, I am. Let's go.

Ernesto and Maddie approach Miguel and Belle again.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Sorry about that, you 2 were saying.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We need your blessings. So we can go back home and be musicians, just like you 2. The rest of our family, they wouldn't listen. But we -- we hoped you 2 would?

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Our boy and girl, with a talent like yours, how could we not listen?

Miguel and Belle hugs Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz who sweeps Miguel up onto his shoulders and Maddie puts Belle on her shoulders, showing them off to the room.

ERNESTO
MY WIFE AND I HAVE A GREAT-GREAT GRANDSON AND DAUGHTER!

The crowd roars.

CROWD
Look, it's Frida!

The silhouette of Frida Kahlo steps up to the security guard.

HÉCTOR
Yes, it is I. Frida Kahlo.

The security guard lets her in immediately. No need to check the list.

SECURITY GUARD
It is an honor, señora!

HÉCTOR
Gracias --

Hector steps onto the funicular, readjusting his unibrow to maintain his diguise.

Quick cuts over instrumental version of "Remember Me:"  Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz barges into several conversations, proudly introducing Miguel and Belle. They seem almost giddy. They wedge themselves into a group laughing in the garden (which includes Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, and Hans de la Cruz.):

ERNESTO
Hey Negrete! Infante! Hans! Have you met my great-great-grandson and daughter?

Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz, Belle, and Miguel ride up on horseback while guests play polo:

MADDIE
My great-great grandson and daughter!

In the parlor:

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
They're alive! And musicians to boot!

Miguel and Belle chats away with Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz and guests.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dimple. No dimple. Dimple. No dimple.

Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz laughs, delighted.

DE LA CRUZ
No dimple!

A film clip is projected in the main hall.

Don Hidalgo and Maxon Hidalgo turn raising 4 glasses. Miguel and Belle acts along with the clip.

DON HIDALGO (FILM CLIP)
To our friendship!

MAXSON HIDALGO (FILM CLIP)
I would move Heaven and Earth for you, mi amigos. Salud!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
I would move Heaven and Earth for you, mi amigos. Salud!

In the clip Don Hidalgo and Maxon Hidalgo and Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz drink. Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz spits.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Poison!

ERNESTO AND MADDIE(FILM CLIP)
Poison!

Miguel and Belle and Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz gleefully act out the ensuing fist fight.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
You know, we did all our own stunts.

A small crowd sways, arms around shoulders, as Miguel, Belle, Maddie and Ernesto lead them in a chorus of "Remember Me." Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz gestures to the massive piles of gifts from their fans: bread, fruits, flowers, instruments, etc. All piled up to the ceiling.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
All of this came from our amazing fans in the Land of the Living! They leave me more offerings than we know what to do with!

Miguel and Belle takes in the room, it's almost too much to absorb. Something seems to be on the boy's and girl's minds.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Hey, what's wrong? Is it too much? You 2 look overwhelmed --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No -- it's all great.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
But--?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
It's just -- we've been looking up to you 2 our whole lives. You 2 are the guy and girl who actually did it! But -- Did you 2 ever regret it? Choosing music over -- everything else.

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

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
It was hard. Saying goodbye to our hometown. Heading off on our own --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Leaving your families?

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Sí. But we could not have done it differently. One cannot deny who one is meant to be. And you 2, our great-great grandson and daughter, are meant to be musicians!

Miguel and Belle smiles, chests swelling. They feel validated for the first time in their lives.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
We are artists, Miguel and Belle! We cannot belong to one family. The world is our family!

Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz gestures to the sparkling city beyond their hilltop estate. Fireworks go off on the veranda.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Ooo, the fireworks have begun!

The party guests move outside to watch the light show. 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 Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's film clips that continue to play on the walls. Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz and Belle and Miguel descend the staircase into the empty hall.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Soon, the party will move across town for our "Sunrise Spectacular!"
Miguel and Belle, you 2 must come to the show! You 2 will be our guests of honor!

Miguel's and Belle's eyes light up.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You 2 mean it?!

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Of course, our boy and girl!

Miguel's and Belle's chests swell. Then deflates. They lifts their shirts, revealing the skeletal transition partway up their torsos.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We can't -- we have to get home before sunrise.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Oh, we really do need to get you home.

Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz plucks a marigold petal from a vase.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
It has been an honor. We are sorry to see you 2 go, Miguel and Belle. We hope you die very soon. You know what we mean. Miguel and Belle. We give you our bles--

HÉCTOR (O.S.)
We had a deal, chamacos!

They are startled.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Who are you? What is the meaning of this?

From the shadows, Héctor, dressed as Frida, steps into the light and Hans steps up too.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Oh, Frida and Hans! We thought you couldn't make it and Hans we thought you were busy in the garden.

Héctor takes off the wig and throws his outfit off.

HÉCTOR
You 2 said you'd take back my photo. You 2 promised, Miguel and Belle.

Miguel and Belle turn, backing into Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's arms. Ernesto and Maddie De la Cruz rise to their feet, hands defensively on Miguel's and Belle's shoulders.

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
You 2 know this, uh -- man?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We just met him tonight. He told us he knew you 2--

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

ERNESTO AND MADDIE
Hé-- Héctor?

MADDIE
What are you doing here? I thought I left you in the rehearsal area.

HÉCTOR
Please Miguel and Belle, put my photo up.

Héctor pushes the photo into Miguel's and Belle's hands. Hans De la Cruz intercepts it. He looks from the picture to the gray, faded skeleton who kneels before him. Héctor looks weak.

HANS
My friend -- you're being forgotten --

HÉCTOR
And whose fault is that?

HANS, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
Héctor, please--

HÉCTOR
Those were MY songs you 3 took. MY songs that made YOU 2 famous.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
W-What?

HÉCTOR
If I'm being forgotten, it's because you 3 never told anyone that I wrote them --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
That's crazy, Hans de la Cruz wrote all the songs for Maddie and Ernesto to sing.

HÉCTOR
You 3 wanna tell them, or should I?

HANS, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
Héctor, we never meant to take credit.

ERNESTO
We all made a great team but -- you died and Maddie and I -- we only sang your songs because I wanted to keep a part of you alive for Maddie.

HECTOR
Oh, how generous.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You 4 really did play together --

HÉCTOR
Look, I don't want to fight about it. I just want you 3 to make it right. Miguel and Belle can put my photo up --

HANS
Héctor --

HÉCTOR
--And I can cross over the bridge. I can see my girl.

Hans De la Cruz looks at the photo, deliberating.

HÉCTOR
Ernesto, Maddie, and Hans —Remember the night I left?

HANS, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
That was a long time ago.

HÉCTOR
We drank together and you 3 told me you would move heaven and earth for your amigos. Well, I'm asking you 3 to now.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Heaven and earth? Like in the movie?

HÉCTOR
What?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
That's Don Hidalgo's and Maxon Hidalgo's toast... in the Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz movie, "El Camino A Casa."

HÉCTOR
I'm talking about my real life, Miguel and Belle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, it's in there. Look.

Miguel and Belle look around and points to the movie clip projected across the room.

DON AND MAXON HIDALGO AND ELIZA HIDALGO AND ALEXANDER HAMILTON (FILM CLIP)
Never were truer words spoken. This calls for A TOAST! To our friendship! We would move Heaven and Earth for you, mi amigo.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
But in the movie, Maxon Hidalgo poisons the drink without his brother and sister-in-law knowing it--

DON, MAXON, AND ELIZA HIDALGO AND ALEXANDER HAMILTON (FILM CLIP)
Salud!

In the clip Don Hidalgo and Hans de la Cruz drink. Hans De la Cruz spits his drink.
HANS DE LA CRUZ (FILM CLIP)
Poison!

Héctor's gears are turning too.

HÉCTOR
That night, Ernesto, Maddie, and Hans. The night I left --

FLASHBACK:
Héctor throws a songbook in a suitcase, shuts it. He grabs his guitar case like he means to leave.

HÉCTOR (V.O.)
We'd been performing on the road for months. I got homesick -- and I packed up my songs --

YOUNG ERNESTO AND HANS DE LA CRUZ AND MADDIE RIVERA
You wanna give up now? When we're this close to reaching our dream?

YOUNG HÉCTOR
This was your 3 dreams. You'll manage. You 2 have my sister.

YOUNG HANS DE LA CRUZ
I can't do this without your songs, Héctor --

Hans De la Cruz grabs young Héctor's suitcase, but Héctor pulls away.

YOUNG HÉCTOR
I'm going home, Ernesto, Maddie, and Hans. Hate me if you 3 want, but my mind is made up.

Hans De la Cruz looks angry. For a moment his face darkens. But he composes himself so as not to worry his brother and sister in law.

YOUNG HANS AND ERNESTO DE LA CRUZ AND MADDIE RIVERA
Oh, we could never hate you. If you must go, then we're-- we're sending you off with a toast!
Hans De la Cruz pours 4 drinks. He gives one to Héctor.

YOUNG HANS AND ERNESTO DE LA CRUZ AND MADDIE RIVERA
To our friendship. We would move Heaven and Earth for you, mi amigos. Salud!

They all drink.

HÉCTOR (V.O.)
You 3 walked me to the train station.

They walk down an empty street at night, Héctor with suitcase and guitar case in tow. Héctor stumbles, Ernesto and Hans de la Cruz and Maddie Rivera steadies him, Hans takes his guitar case.

HÉCTOR (V.O.)
But I felt a pain in my stomach. I thought it must have been something I ate --

YOUNG HANS DE LA CRUZ
Perhaps it was that chorizo my friend --

HÉCTOR (V.O.)
Or something I -- drank.

A few more steps and Héctor collapses in the street. Maddie screams.

YOUNG MADDIE RIVERA
HECTOR!!!! Ernesto help please!

YOUNG HANS DE LA CRUZ
There is nothing we can do. He's dead.

Maddie cries on Ernesto's shoulder. He comforts her while also crying.

HÉCTOR (V.O.)
I woke up dead.

BACK TO:

HÉCTOR
Hans -- POISONED me.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
You're confusing movies with reality, Héctor.

HÉCTOR
All this time I thought it was just bad luck.

FLASHBACK:
Héctor's suitcase is opened. A hand reaches in to take the songbook.

HÉCTOR
I never thought that Hans might have -- that Hans --

BACK TO:
Héctor clenches his jaw. Then he bounds at Hans de la Cruz, tackling him to the ground. Ernesto holds Maddie back while also being done with his brother.

HÉCTOR
How could you?!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Héctor!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Security! Security!

Miguel and Belle watch as Héctor and Hans scuffle on the floor.

HÉCTOR
You took everything away from me!

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

HÉCTOR
You rat!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Have him taken care of. He's not well.

The guards drag Héctor through a wide doorway.

HÉCTOR
I just wanted to go back home! No, no, NO!

The doors slam shut and cut off his shouts. Miguel and Belle are left alone with Hans and Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
I apologize. Where were you 4?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
They were going to give us their blessings --

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Yes. Uh -- sí.

Hans De la Cruz pulls up a marigold petal, but hesitates giving it to Ernesto and Maddie.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Miguel, Belle, Ernesto, and Maddie my reputation, it is very important to me. I would hate to have you 4 think --

MIGUEL, BELLE, AND ERNESTO
That you murdered Héctor -- for his songs?

MADDIE
That you killed my brother, to make us 3 famous?

HANS DE LA CRUZ
You 4 don't think that. Do you guys?

MIGUEL, BELLE, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
We -- no! Everyone knows you're the -- the good guy.

Doubt enters Miguel's, Belle's, Ernesto's, and Maddie's minds. Hans De la Cruz darkens, he places the photo of Héctor in his coat pocket, gears turning in his mind.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Uncle Hans? Can you give the petal to Papa Ernesto and Mama Maddie so we can get our blessings?

Hans De la Cruz crumples the marigold petal.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Security!

Ernesto De la Cruz's guards appear in the doorway.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Take care of Miguel, Maddie, Belle, and Ernesto. Miguel and Belle will be extending their stay.

The guards grab Miguel, Maddie, Belle, and Ernesto by the shoulders.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
What?! But we're your family!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Maddie And Héctor were my best friends and Ernesto is my brother.

Miguel and Belle go pale.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Success doesn't come for free, Miguel and Belle. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to -- seize your moment. I know you 2 understand.

Miguel, Maddie, Belle, and Ernesto are dragged away.

MIGUEL
No, NO!

The guards drag Miguel, Maddie, Belle, and Ernesto out the back of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz's mansion.

MIGUEL
Let go!

They throw them into a cenote, an inescapable sinkhole behind the estate.

MIGUEL, BELLE, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
NO! AHHHHHH!

They fall four stories and splashes into the pool at the bottom of the hole. They break the surface and swims to a stone island in the center.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Help! Can anyone hear us? We wanna go home!

Miguel and Belle collapses on the stone island. Their soaked hoodies sags off their shoulders. The skeletal transition is almost complete. A moment of silence. The group of 4 are alone.
Suddenly, Miguel hears a noise. Footsteps. Héctor emerges from the darkness, looking beat up. Héctor stumbles.

MIGUEL, BELLE, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
Héctor?

HÉCTOR
Kids? Sis? Ernesto?

MIGUEL, BELLE, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
Oh, Héctor!

They run to each other. Héctor embraces Miguel, Belle, Maddie, and Ernesto. But Miguel and Belle are overcome with shame.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You were right. We should have gone back to our family --

Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto tries to calm them but Miguel and Belle are shaking.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
Hey -- hey, hey --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
They told us not to be like Hans de la Cruz, but we didn't listen --

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
Hey, it's okay --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We told them we didn't care if they remembered us. We didn't care if we were on their stupid ofrenda.

Héctor holds Miguel to his chest and Maddie and Ernesto hold Belle to their chests. Miguel and Belle are tense.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
Hey, chamacos, it's okay. It's okay.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We told them we didn't care.

Suddenly, a golden flicker flutters through Héctor's and Maddie's bones, and they fall to their knees.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Hhuuh!

MIGUEL, BELLE, AND ERNESTO
Héctor! Héctor -- Maddie! Maddie —

HÉCTOR
She's -- forgetting me.

MADDIE
He's —forgetting me.

Miguel, Belle, and Ernesto look at Héctor and Maddie with concern.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Who?

HÉCTOR
My daughter --

MADDIE
Ernesto and I's son —

MIGUEL AND BELLE
She's the reason you wanted to cross the bridge --

HÉCTOR
I just wanted to see her again --

HECTOR, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
We never should have left Santa Cecilia. We wish we could apologize. We wish we could tell her/him that her papá/mama and papa were trying to come home. That he loved her so much/that they loved him so very much.

HECTOR
My Coco --

MADDIE AND ERNESTO
Our Lafayette

A chill runs through Miguel and Belle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Coco? Lafayette?

Miguel and Belle reaches into their hoodies and pulls out the photo of Imelda, Coco, Lafayette, and the 3 faceless musicians. Miguel and Belle shows the photo to Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto. Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto are confused; it's like they've seen a ghost.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
Where -- where did you 2 get this?

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

BELLE
That's my Papá Lafayette. Are those two people behind him — you two?

Gears turn in all of their heads.

HÉCTOR
We're --
MADDIE AND ERNESTO
We're —

HÉCTOR
-- family?

MIGUEL
-- family?

BELLE
—family? I'm not a Rivera. My last name is de la Cruz!

Héctor is as shocked as Miguel. He looks at his great-great grandson. Ernesto and Maddie are as shocked as Belle. They look at their great-great granddaughter. They look to the photo, touches the image of baby Coco and Lafayette, and they become saddened.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
We always hoped we'd see her/him again. That she'd/he'd miss us -- maybe put up my photo. But it never happened. You know the worst part?
Even if we never got to see Coco/Lafayette in the living world -- we thought at least one day we'd see her/him here. Give her/him the biggest hug.

HECTOR AND MADDIE
But she's/he's the last person who remembers us. The moment she's/he's gone from the living world --

MIGUEL, BELLE, AND ERNESTO
You 2 disappear -- from this one. You'll never get to see her/him --

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
-- Ever again.

Everybody is quiet for a moment.

HÉCTOR, ERNESTO, AND MADDIE
You know, we wrote her/him a song once. We used to sing it every night at the same time, no matter how far apart we were. What we wouldn't give to sing it to her/him-- one last time.

Héctor, Ernesto, and Maddie sings softly, plaintively.

FLASHBACK:
HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
REMEMBER ME, THOUGH I HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE. REMEMBER ME DON'T LET IT MAKE YOU CRY. 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.

YOUNG COCO
Papá!

YOUNG LAFAYETTE
Mama! Papá!

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
THOUGH I HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR. REMEMBER ME EACH TIME YOU HEAR A SAD GUITAR.

Father and daughter sing the song together. Father, Mother, and son sing together.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE. UNTIL YOU'RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN. REMEMBER ME

YOUNG COCO AND LAFAYETTE
KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE. UNTIL YOU'RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN. REMEMBER ME.

FADE TO:

The echo of Héctor's, Maddie's, and Ernesto's song fades to silence.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hans stole your guitar -- Hans stole your songs --You 3 should be the ones the world remembers, not Hans de la Cruz!

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
We didn't write "Remember Me" for the world -- we wrote it for Coco and Lafayette.

HÉCTOR
I'm a pretty sorry excuse for a great-great grandpa.

MADDIE AND ERNESTO
We're pretty sorry excuses for great-great grandparents.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Are you 3 kidding? A minute ago we thought we were closely related to a murderer. You 3 are a total upgrade!

Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto don't smile. Miguel and Belle kneel close.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Our whole lives, there's been something that made us different -- and we never knew where it came from.
But now we know. It comes from you 3.
I'm proud we're family!

Miguel and Belle look up defiantly at the hole in the cenote.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
I'm proud to be their family! TRRRRRAI-HAY-HAY-HAY-HAAAY!

Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto perk up.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
TRRRRRRAAAAAI-HAAAI-HAAAAAY!
I'm proud to be THEIR family!

They trade off their gritos until the cenote echoes with the sound. Soon though, the echoes fade. They're still stuck. Suddenly they hear a distant howling.

DANTE (O.S)
Rooo-rooo-roooooooo!

Miguel, Belle, Maddie, Ernesto, and Héctor look up.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante?

DANTE (O.S.)
Roooooo-roo-roo-rooo!

Up at the top of the cenote, Dante pokes his head in the opening.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante! It's Dante!

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. Miguel, Belle, and Mamá Imelda laugh with joy. Until her gaze falls upon Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
Imelda!

MAMÁ IMELDA
Héctor. Maddie. Ernesto.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
You look good --

Pepita flies out of the cenote; Imelda, Héctor, Miguel, Belle, Ernesto, Maddie, and Dante ride on her back. She ascends above the clouds. Miguel and Belle, wind in their hairs, hugs Dante fiercely.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante, you knew he was my Papá Héctor the whole time! You knew they were my Papá Ernesto and Mama Maddie the whole time! You ARE a real spirit guide! Who's a good spirit guide? You are!

Dante smiles at Miguel and Belle dumbly. Suddenly, before Miguel's and Belle's eyes, neon patterns spread outward from the dog's paws. Dante begins to freak out.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Whoa- -

A pair of little wings sprout on the dog's back. He spreads them. He jumps up to fly and plummets beneath the clouds!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante!

But then he's back up, flapping goofily and barking his head off, a full-blown spirit guide! Pepita flies in, landing in a small plaza where the other Riveras wait.

PAPÁ JULIO
Look, there they are!

The Dead Riveras come rushing up.

FAMILY
Miguel! Belle!/ Miguelito! Belle!/ Ay, gracias a Dios! / It's Miguel! It's Belle!/ They're all right! / Oh thank goodness! / Gracias, Dios mío!

They dismount from Pepita. Héctor falls off first but gets up and raises his arm to help Imelda. Ernesto helps Maddie down. She gives him a withering stare and dismounts without his help. Miguel and Belle pets Dante and Pepita gives Miguel and Belle a big lick. Imelda rounds Pepita's shoulder and folds Miguel and Belle into a tight hug.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Mijo and hija, I was so worried! Thank goodness we found you 2 in time!

Imelda's eyes fall on Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto, who holds his hat in his hands sheepishly and who holds hands together sheepishly.

MAMÁ IMELDA
And you 3! How many times must I turn you 3 away?

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
Imelda --

MAMÁ IMELDA
I want nothing to do with you 3. Not in life, not in death! I spent decades protecting my family and your son's family from your guys mistakes. They spends five minutes with you 3 and I have to fish them out of a sinkhole!

Miguel and Belle steps between Imelda and Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We weren't in there 'cause of Héctor, Maddie, or Ernesto. They were in there 'cause of us. They were just trying to get us home -- we didn't wanna listen, but they were right -- nothing is more important than family.

Mamá Imelda looks at Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto, shocked to hear the sentiment.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We're ready to accept your blessing -- and your conditions. But first, we need to find Hans de la Cruz. To get Héctor's photo and to fix Maddie and Ernesto's photo.

MAMÁ IMELDA
What?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
So they can see Coco and Lafayette again. Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto should be on our ofrenda. They're part of our family --

MAMÁ IMELDA
They left this family!

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

BELLE
They also tried to get home to see Lafayette after their last performance. But Hans de la Cruz is also the one who gave the stagehand sleeping pills and caused the bell to fall!

Startled, she looks to Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto for confirmation.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
It's true, Imelda.

Imelda wrestles with her emotions.

MAMÁ IMELDA
And so what if it's true? You 3 leave me alone with 2 children to raise and I'm just supposed to forgive you 3?!

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Imelda, we --

Héctor's and Maddie's body suddenly shimmers, leaving them winded. Imelda and Ernesto gasps.

MIGUEL, BELLE, AND ERNESTO
Héctor? Maddie?

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
We're running out of time. It's Coco and Lafayette --

MAMÁ IMELDA
They're forgetting you 2--

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You don't have to forgive them -- But we shouldn't forget them.

MAMÁ IMELDA
I wanted to forget you 3. I wanted Coco and Lafayette to forget you 3 too, but --

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
This is our faults, not yours. We're sorry, Imelda.

Mamá Imelda, holding in her emotions, turns to Miguel and Belle.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel and Belle, if we help you 2 get their photos -- you will return home? No more music?

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Family comes first.

Mamá Imelda considers. She turns to Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto.

MAMÁ IMELDA
I -- I can't forgive you 3. But I will help you 3.

Miguel and Belle smiles.

MAMÁ IMELDA
So how do we get to Hans de la Cruz?

Miguel and Belle furrows their brows.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We might know a way.

Crowds are congregated at Ernesto and Maddie 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.
Frida's performance piece begins. Dramatic symphonic music plays as a 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. In the midst of this, 11 familiar looking dancers (the Dead Riveras, Maddie, Ernesto, Belle, and Miguel) inch their way out of the spotlights and to the wings of the stage.

FRIDA
Good luck, muchacho and muchacha.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Gracias Frida!

The Dead Riveras congregate in a hidden backstage corridor, shedding their Frida outfits. Miguel and Belle rips off their unibrows.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ow!

Dante has snuck in under Tío Oscar's skirt. Héctor sees that Imelda is tangled up in her outfit. Ernesto helps Maddie out of hers just fine after taking his off.

HÉCTOR
Here, let me help you with --

MAMÁ IMELDA
Don't touch me.

The family joins together in a huddle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Everyone clear on the plan?

TÍA VICTORIA
Find Héctor's and Maddie and Ernesto's photos.

PAPÁ JULIO
Give them to Miguel and Belle.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Send Miguel and Belle home.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
Got your petals?

Each family member raises a marigold petal. Imelda leads the way out of the corridor.

MAMÁ IMELDA
Now, we just have to find Hans de la Cruz --

Right around the corner is Hans de la Cruz who turns with a smile.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Yes?

MAMÁ IMELDA
Ah!

The family stops in their tracks, still hidden from Hans de la Cruz's view. It's just him and Imelda. His smile drops.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Don't I know you?

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

MAMÁ IMELDA
That's for murdering the love of my life and my best friend and her husband!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Who the?

Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto leap out from around the corner.

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
She's talking about us!

HÉCTOR
I'm the love of your life?

MADDIE AND ERNESTO
And we're your best friends?

MAMÁ IMELDA
I don't know! I'm still angry at you 3.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto?! How did you 3--

Imelda slaps Hans de la Cruz again.

MAMÁ IMELDA
And that's for trying to murder my grandson! And my grand-niece!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Grandson? Grand-Niece?

Now Miguel and Belle leap out of the corridor.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
She's talking about us!

Hans De la Cruz sees the 6 of them and puts the pieces together.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
You 2! Wait, you're related to Héctor and my brother?

Miguel and Belle see the photos in Hans de la Cruz's pocket.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
The photo!

The rest of the Riveras emerge from the corridor. Outnumbered, Hans de la Cruz turns and runs.

MAMÁ IMELDA
After him!

Hans 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.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Security! Ayúdenme!
The Riveras, Maddie, Belle, and Ernesto flood out after him. Héctor jogs next to Imelda.

HÉCTOR
You said "love of your life--"

MAMÁ IMELDA
I don't know WHAT I said!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
That's what we heard --

A brawl ensues between the family and the guards. Hans De la Cruz runs to a stage door.

STAGEHAND
Places, señor, you're on in 30 seconds!

Hans De la Cruz shoves the stagehand out of the way. As security guards try to wrangle the Riveras, Ernesto,and Belle, Imelda and Maddie reach Hans de la Cruz and gets their hands on Héctor's and her and Ernesto's photos. Hans De la Cruz scuffles with them to get it back, when Miguel and Belle tackle Hans de la Cruz to the ground. Hans De la Cruz loses his grip; Imelda and Maddie tumble backward, photos in their hands.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
Miguel! Belle! We have them!

Miguel and Belle turn toward Imelda and Maddie but is chased by guards. Suddenly, Imelda and Maddie rise into the air. They are on Hans de la Cruz's rising platform! They are lifted through the ceiling and up to the stage. Hans De la Cruz hurries up the stairs after them.
Miguel and Belle are detained by a security guard when Dante flies in and knocks the guard's head clean off. Miguel, Héctor, Tía Victoria, Ernesto, Belle, and Tía Rosita hurry up the stairs after Hans de la Cruz.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Hurry, come on!

Papá Julio, Tío Oscar, and Tío Felipe block the guards from following the others.

ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen -- the ones, the only -- ERNESTO AND MADDIE DE LA CRUZ!

The platform rises onto the stage and the spotlight falls on Imelda and Maddie. Neon letters blast brightly behind them, spelling "ERNESTO!" and "MADDIE!" The audience bursts into applause!

CROWD MEMBER
Nesto! Adds!

Imelda and Maddie appear onscreen for all to see.

Hans De la Cruz rushes up a staircase and arrives in the wings. He gets the attention of his guards and points to Imelda and Maddie.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Get them off the stage!

His guards hustle onto the stage, scaling the set to get to them. Miguel, Belle, Ernesto, Héctor, Victoria, and Rosita emerge to see Imelda and Maddie spotlit above them.Hans De la Cruz's guards begin to approach Imelda and Maddie. They are frozen, unable to move.

MIGUEL AND BELLE (O.S.)
Sing!

Mamá Imelda and Maddie look down and sees Miguel and Belle in the wing.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
SING!

Imelda and Maddie, seeing that the guards are approaching, closes their eyes, grasps the mic, and follows Miguel's and Belle's instructions.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
AY DE MÍ, LLORONA LLORONA DE AZUL CELESTE --

Héctor's and Ernesto's mouth drops  open. Tía Victoria and Tía Rosita go wide-eyed. Miguel and Belle sets Héctor and Ernesto up with 2 guitars, then adjusts a mic stand in front of them. Héctor and Ernesto plays the guitars, their sounds amplified through the stage speakers.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
AY DE MÍ, LLORONA LLORONA DE AZUL CELESTE --

The guards reach the edge of their spotlight but stop short, not wanting to interrupt the performance. Imelda and Maddie takes the spotlight with them as they descend the on stage staircase. As they come down, she makes eye contact with her husband and Maddie makes eye contact with Ernesto in the wing. They smiles as they accompany them. Imelda's and Maddie's eyes glint, touched to see them supporting them.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
Y AUNQUE LA VIDA ME CUESTE, LLORONA, NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE. NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE!

As Héctor and Ernesto accompany Imelda and Maddie, they become more confident. The audience begins to clap.
Hans De la Cruz grunts in frustration.
Soon, the stage conductor joins with more instrumentation, which kicks into high gear.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
ME SUBÍ AL PINO MÁS ALTO, LLORONA, A VER SI TE DIVISABA.

They double down on their performance, taking the spotlight with them as they move to put distance between them and the guards.
Imelda and Maddie continue to vamp, trying to navigate away from the guards and toward their family. One guard blocks their way, but they grab him and forces him to dance. Scared of the spotlight, he runs away.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
COMO EL PINO ERA TIERNO, LLORONA AL VERME LLORAR, LLORABA.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
AY DE MÍ, LLORONA, LLORONA, LLORONA DE AZUL CELESTE --

They head to leave the stage when they are stopped by a hand on their wrists. A voice joins theirs in harmony, the spotlight widens to reveal Hans de la Cruz singing too. The crowd goes wild.

HANS DE LA CRUZ/MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
AY DE MÍ, LLORONA, LLORONA LLORONA DE AZUL CELESTE --

He dances Imelda and Maddie around the stage, all the while trying to get to Héctor's, Maddie's, and Ernesto's photos.

HANS DE LA CRUZ/MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
Y AUNQUE LA VIDA ME CUESTE, LLORONA, NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Y AUNQUE LA VIDA ME CUESTE, LLORONA, NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE. NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE!

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
Let go of us!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
NO DEJARÉ DE QUERERTE! AY, AY, AY!

At the finale of the song, Imelda and Maddie stomps their heels into Hans de la Cruz's foot on his high note, causing him to let them go. They run off stage with the photos. Imelda arrives off stage and, somewhat high on adrenaline, she embraces Héctor. Maddie also runs off stage and kisses Ernesto. He kisses back. After breaking apart.

MAMÁ IMELDA
I forgot what that felt like.

Héctor is taken by surprise. Imelda, realizing the impropriety, pulls away from him awkwardly.

HÉCTOR
You -- still got it.

They smile at each other, softening.
Miguel and Belle, off to the side, clears their throats.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ahem.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
Oh!

Imelda and Maddie, now reminded, gives Miguel and Belle the photo. They pull out their petals.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
Miguel and Belle, we give you our blessings.

The petal glows.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
To go home -- to put up all our photos -- And to never --

Miguel and Belle look slightly saddened, anticipating the condition.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Never play music again --

Imelda and Maddie smiles.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND MADDIE
To never -- forget how much your family loves you 2.

The petal surges. Miguel and Belle brighten, touched.

HÉCTOR AND ERNESTO
You're going home.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
You 2 are not going anywhere!

Suddenly Miguel and Belle are yanked away from their great-great grandparents by Hans de la Cruz. Hans De la Cruz has grabbed Miguel and Belle by the scruff of their hoodies.
Imelda and Maddie lunges at Hans de la Cruz, but he pushes them to the floor.

HÉCTOR AND ERNESTO
Imelda-- Maddie —

Hans De la Cruz drags Miguel and Belle away as their family encroaches.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Stay back! Stay back. All of you!

Hans De la Cruz drags Miguel and Belle further and further back on the stage.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Stay back! Not one more step.

Dante growls and tries to grab Miguel and Belle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Dante!

Hans De la Cruz pulls Miguel and Belle away, closer to the ledge of the building. Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto struggle but continues pursuing Hans de la Cruz.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Hans, stop! Leave the boy and girl alone!

Héctor and Maddie stumble, shimmering like before. They fall to the ground.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
I've worked too hard, Héctor, Ernesto, and Maddie-- Too hard to let them destroy everything...

In the stage wings, Tía Rosita commandeers one of the cameras and points it toward Hans de la Cruz. Tía Victoria sidles up to a control board and pushes a volume dial up.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
They are living children, Hans!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
He's a threat!

The image of Hans de la Cruz holding Miguel and Belle hostage is projected on the stadium screens, the audience falls to a hush as they watch. Miguel and Belle struggle against Hans de la Cruz.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
You 2 think I'd let them go back to the land of the living with your 3 photos? To keep your guys memory alive? No.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
You're a coward!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
I am Hans de la Cruz, the greatest musician of all time!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Héctor's, Maddie's, and Ernesto's are the real musicians, you're just the guy who murdered them and stole their songs! And who tried to murder his brother so he could get his brother's wife!

The crowd is gobsmacked by what they are hearing.

CROWD
Murder?

HANS DE LA CRUZ
I am the one who is willing to do what it takes to seize my moment -Whatever it takes.

Suddenly, Hans de la Cruz throws Miguel and Belle off of the structure.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
AHHH!

HÉCTOR, MADDIE, AND ERNESTO
NO!

The family runs to the ledge, horrified.

TÍO OSCAR/TÍO FELIPE
Miguel! Belle!

MAMÁ IMELDA
Miguel! Belle!

The audience gasps. Some shrieks. Hans De la Cruz crosses from the ledge, past Héctor and Maddie, who remain collapsed on the floor, breathless.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Apologies old friends, but the show must go on --

Miguel and Belle are in a free fall, the photos still in their hands. As the wind whips against their faces, they hear a faint howling. Dante slices downward through the air, catches Miguel's and Belle's shirts in his teeth, and opens his wings. He,Belle, and Miguel jerk upward, but the photos fall from Miguel's and Belle's hands and are gone from sight. Miguel,Belle, and Dante twist in the air, Dante trying to slow their decent but the 3 of them are too heavy. Miguel's and Belle's shirts rips and Dante loses them. Miguel and Belle plummet toward the base of the tower. Suddenly Pepita flies in and scoops up Miguel and Belle. Dante follows close behind. Miguel and Belle looks over the side of Pepita down towards the water. The photos are lost.
Hans De la Cruz steps up to the curtain, slicks back his hair, and emerges to his audience. Hans De la Cruz is found by a spotlight.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Ha ha!

He is met with boos. He looks confused.

CROWD
Boo! Murderer!

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Please, please, mi familia --

AUDIENCE MEMBER
Get off the stage!

More booing. Hans De la Cruz tries to kick up the orchestra.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Orchestra! A-one-A-two-A-one--

The conductor snaps his baton. More booing.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
REMEMBER ME, THOUGH I HAVE TO--Hey!--

The crowd pelts Hans de la Cruz with fruit and offerings.

CROWD MEMBER
Look!

Crowd members point up to the screen. Pepita rises above the ledge with Miguel and Belle on her back. Miguel and Belle slide off her wing and runs to their family.

CROWD MEMBER
They're alright!

The crowd cheers. There are sighs of relief. Hans 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 Pepita grows larger and larger on the screen as she prowls past the camera. Hans De la Cruz begins to back up just as Pepita emerges through the curtain, eyes locked on him.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
Nice kitty --

Suddenly Pepita head-butts Hans de la Cruz and lifts him into the sky, flinging the singer in the air like a kitten playing with a ball of yarn.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
AAAHHHH! Put me down! No, please! I beg of you, stop! Stop! NO!

She swings him around to gain momentum, then throws him over the audience.

HANS DE LA CRUZ
NO! AAAHHH!

He flies out of the stadium, hitting a giant church bell in the distance. The stadium erupts in cheers. In the midst of the cheering, an unsuspecting crowd member returns from concessions.

THOMAS JEFFERSON
What did I miss?

Miguel and Belle are surrounded by family, safe. They hug Dante.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Good boy, Dante.

Imelda and Ernesto run to Miguel and Belle and embraces them.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND ERNESTO
Miguel! Belle!

Behind them, Héctor and Maddie struggle to get to their feet but stumble with a flicker. Miguel and Belle run to support them.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Héctor and Maddie! The photos, we lost them --

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
It's okay, mijo and hija. It's --

Suddenly Héctor and Maddie suffer their most violent flickering yet. They collapse. Miguel and Belle kneel by them.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Héctor! Héctor?! Maddie! Maddie?!

Héctor and Maddie can barely move their limbs.

HÉCTOR
Coco --

MADDIE
Lafayette—

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No! We can still find the photos --

Mamá Imelda and Ernesto look to the horizon, the first rays of sunlight peeking over.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND ERNESTO
Miguel and Belle, it's almost sunrise!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, no, no, we can't leave you 2. We'd promised we'd put your photos up. We promised you'd see Coco and Lafayette!

Héctor and Maddie look at Miguel and Belle. The skeletal transformation is creeping in on the edges of Miguel's and Belle's faces. They're almost full skeletons now.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
All four of us are out of time, mijo and hija.

The shimmering of Héctor's and Maddie's bones advances.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No, no -- she/he can't forget you 2!

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
I just wanted her/him to know that we'd loved her/him.

Héctor and Maddie muster the strength to grab the marigold petal.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Héctor -- Maddie —

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
You have our blessings, Miguel and Belle.

MAMÁ IMELDA AND ERNESTO
No conditions.

The petal glows. Héctor and Maddie struggle to lift the petal to Miguel and Belle. Mamá Imelda takes his hand in hers. Ernesto takes Maddie's hand in his.

MIGUEL
No, Papá Héctor, please!

BELLE
No, Mama Maddie, please!

Imelda and Héctor move their joined hands toward Miguel's chest. While Ernesto and Maddie do the same with Belle.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
No --

Héctor's and Maddie's eyelids begin to close.

HÉCTOR AND MADDIE
Go home --

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We promise we won't let Coco or Lafayette forget you 3! Aaahh!--

WHOOOOSH! A whirlwind of marigold petals, and everything goes white. Miguel and Belle finds themselves back in Hans de la Cruz's tomb. Dazed, they look through the windows; day has broken. On the floor is the skull guitar. Miguel grabs it. They exit the tomb and takes off out of the cemetery. Miguel and Belle race through the plaza, past the statue of Ernesto and Maddie de la Cruz. Miguel and Belle race through the streets towards home. They blow right past his Tío Berto snoring and Primo Abel sleeping on a bench.

TÍO BERTO
There they are!

Abel falls off the bench. The Papás comes from around a corner as Miguel and Belle are running.

PAPÁS
Miguel!? Stop! Belle!? Stop!

Miguel and Belle round the corner and follows the trail of marigolds through the front gate. They run for Mamá Coco's and Papa Lafayette's bedroom. Just as they make it to the doorway, Abuelita and Abuleo step up and blocks them.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Where have you 2 been?!

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Ah! We need to see Mamá Coco and Papá Lafayette, please --

Abuelita and Abuleo spies the guitar in Miguel's hand.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
What are you doing with that? Give it to us!

Miguel and Belle push past Abuelita and Abuleo, and slams the door shut.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Miguel! Stop! Miguel! Miguel! Miguel! Belle! Stop! MIGUEL! BELLE!

Miguel and Belle lock the door and goes up to Mamá Coco and Papá Lafayette. That stare into space, eyes completely vacant.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Mamá Coco and Papá Lafayette? Can you hear us? It's Miguel and Belle.

Miguel and Belle looks into their eyes.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We saw your papá and your mama and papa. Remember? Papá? Mama? Please -- if you 2 forget them, they'll be gone -- forever!

They don't respond. Miguel's and Belle's fathers bangs on the door.

PAPÁs (O.S.)
Miguel and Belle, open this door!

Miguel shows them the guitar.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Here -- this was their guitar, right? They used to play it to you 2? See, there they are.

Still nothing. Their eyes are glazed.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Papá, remember? Papá? Mama and Papa? Remember?

Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette stare forward, as if Miguel and Belle aren't even there.

PAPÁS (O.S.)
Miguel! Belle!

MIGUEL
Mamá Coco, please, don't forget him.

BELLE
Papa Lafayette, please, don't forget them.

With a rattle of keys, the door flies open. The family pours in.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
What are you doing to that poor woman and man?

Abuelita and Abuleo brush Miguel and Belle aside to comfort her mother and his father.

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

ABUELO
It's okay, Papa, it's okay.

PAPÁS
What's gotten into you 2?

Miguel and Belle look down, defeated. Tears drip off their noses. Papá's anger gives way to relief. He embraces his son. He embraces his daughter.

PAPÁS
We thought we'd lost you, Migue and Bell--

MIGUEL AND BELLE
We're sorry, Papá.

The Mamás steps forward.

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

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Not all of us --

Abuelita and Abuleo return from consoling Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette.

ABUELITA
It's okay, mamita.

ABUELO
It's okay, Papa.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Miguel and Belle, you apologize to your Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette.

Miguel and Belle look at Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette and approach them.

MIGUEL
Mamá Coco --

BELLE
Papa Lafayette —

His toe accidentally taps against Héctor's and Maddie's skull guitar, a soft hollow ringing resonates.

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Well? Apologize.

They come to a realization.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette? Your papá and your mama and papa-- they wanted you 2 to have this.

He picks up the guitar. Abuelita and Abuleo step forward to intervene but the Papás places a hand on their shoulders.

PAPÁ
Mamá, wait --

PAPA
Dad, wait —

Miguel and Belle start to sing "Remember Me" the way Héctor, Maddie, and Ernesto sang it, softly, from the heart.

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

MAMÁS
Look --

The glimmer in the Mamá Coco's and Papa Lafayette's eyes grows brighter with every note. Memories flood in, filling the vacancy of their expressions with life. Their cheeks soften and plump. Their lips arc into a smile.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
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

Miguel and Belle sing gently, with love.
Mamá Coco's and Papa Lafayette's brows slope up, delighted. The song seems to bring them back to life.
Abuelita and Abuleo can't speak. None of them can. Brimming, Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette joins Miguel and Belle in song, their voices scratchy with age, theirs clear with youth.

MAMA COCO AND PAPA LAFAYETTE
REMEMBER ME EACH TIME YOU HEAR A SAD GUITAR KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE UNTIL YOU'RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN. REMEMBER ME.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
REMEMBER ME EACH TIME YOU HEAR A SAD GUITAR KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU KNOW THAT I'M WITH YOU THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN BE. UNTIL YOU'RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN REMEMBER ME.

Tears stream down Abuelita's and Abuleo's faces; they're witnessing a miracle. Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette look to their son and daughter, and is troubled by their tears.

MAMÁ COCO AND PAPA LAFAYETTE
Elena and Serverus? What's wrong, hija and mijo?

ABUELITA AND ABULEO
Nothing Mamá and Papa. Nothing at all.

Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette turn to Miguel and Belle.

MAMÁ COCO AND PAPA LAFAYETTE
My papá and my mama and papa used to sing us that song.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
They loved you, Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette. Your papá and your mama and papa loved you 2 so much.

A smile spreads across Mamá Coco's and Papa Lafayette's faces. They've waited a long time to hear those words.
They turn to their nightstand, hands shaking. They open a drawer and pulls out a notebook.

MAMÁ COCO AND PAPA LAFAYETTE
We kept -- their letters -- poems they wrote us -- and --

Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette leafs through the book to reveal 3 torn scraps of paper. They hand it to Miguel and Belle. They're the missing faces from the photo, Héctor's, Maddie's, and Ernesto's faces. Miguel and Belle pieces the picture back together, finally seeing Héctor as he was in life, a young, handsome man. Also seeing Maddie and Ernesto as a very cute couple. Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette smiles. They find the words slowly, but they speak with fondness and love.

MAMÁ COCO AND PAPA LAFAYETTE
Papá and Mama and Papa were musicians. When we were a little girl and boy, he and Mamá and my parents would sing such beautiful songs --

The family gathers close to listen. ONE YEAR LATER. The cemetery is once again filled with families cleaning off head stones and laying flowers. Not as many offerings this year, not as many fans. No mariachi band. Someone has hung a sign "FORGET YOU" on the bust of Hans de la Cruz.

TOUR GUIDE (O.S.)
And right over here, one of Santa Cecilia's greatest treasures --

The tour guide stands in front of the Rivera and de la Cruz shoe shop.
Tourists crowd in, taking pictures of the skull guitar and framed letters Héctor wrote to Coco and Maddie and Ernesto wrote to Lafayette.

TOUR GUIDE
The home of the esteemed songwriters Héctor Rivera and Maddie and Ernesto de la Cruz! The letters Héctor wrote home for his daughter Coco and Maddie and Ernesto wrote to their son Lafayette contain the lyrics for all of your favorite songs, not just "Remember Me".

We travel through the courtyard catching glimpses of holiday preparation. Prima Rosa and primo Abel hang papel picado. The Papás and the Mamás work on tamales. Tío Berto sweeps the cobblestones as the little cousins play.

MIGUEL AND BELLE (O.S.)
And that man is your guys Papá Julio --

Miguel holds his baby sister SOCORRO in his arms and points out all of the family members. While Belle holds her baby brother Loki and does the same.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
-- And there's Tía Rosita -- and your guys Tía Victoria -- and those two are Oscar and Felipe. These aren't just old pictures -- they're our family -- and they're counting on us to remember them.

Abuelita and Abuleo approach and smiles to see their grandson and granddaughter passing on the tradition. Then they place a picture frame on the ofrenda, a photo of Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette. They look to Miguel and Belle who puts their arms around them. Next to Mamá Coco's and Papa Lafayette's picture sits the photo of Mamá Imelda and Héctor and Mama Maddie and Ernesto, taped back together. Restored. Héctor and Maddie wait in the departures line nervously.

MIGUEL AND BELLE (O.S.)
SAY THAT I'M CRAZY OR CALL ME A FOOL

DEPARTURES AGENT
Next!
Héctor and Maddie step up to the monitor. The agent recognizes them. Héctor and Maddie chuckle nervously. The monitor scans them. DING!

DEPARTURES AGENT
Enjoy your visit, Héctor and Maddie!

MIGUEL AND BELLE (O.S.)
BUT LAST NIGHT IT SEEMED THAT I DREAMED ABOUT YOU

Héctor's and Maddie's chests swell.
Héctor and Maddie exit from the Marigold Grand Central Station. Mamá Imelda and Papa Ernesto wait on the cobblestones to greet them. Imelda and Hector kiss as well as Maddie and Ernesto. Then they hear 2 familiar voices.

MAMÁ COCO
Papá!
LAFAYETTE
Mama! Papa!

Héctor turns to see his daughter approaching. He opens his arms to give Coco the biggest hug. Maddie and Ernesto give their son the biggest hug.

HÉCTOR
Coco!

MADDIE AND ERNESTO
Lafayette!

MIGUEL AND BELLE (O.S.)
WHEN I OPENED MY MOUTH WHAT CAME OUT WAS A SONG AND YOU KNEW EVERY WORD AND WE ALL SANG ALONG

Every moment together is a miracle and they hold Coco and Lafayette like they know it. Soon Coco, Héctor, Maddie, Ernesto, Lafayette, and Imelda join hands. The petals of the bridge glow as they step forward. The family crosses together.

MIGUEL AND BELLE (O.S.)
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

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.
Dante's shadow is cast against a wall. When he rounds the corner, he is just a normal xolo dog, 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. They enter the Rivera and de la Cruz compound. Abuelita and Abuleo greet Dante and tosses him a sweet treat. In the courtyard, the family is gathered as Miguel and Belle plays their guitars and sings. Dante hops up to give them a lick on the cheek.

MIGUEL AND BELLE
OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER WILL LIVE ON FOREVER IN EVERY BEAT OF MY PROUD CORAZÓN

Amongst the living Riveras and De la Cruz's are the spirits of their loved ones, Tía Rosita, Tía Victoria, Papá Julio, Tío Oscar, Tío Felipe, and Tia Vahl all present and enjoying the reunion.

BELLE AND MIGUEL: AY MI FAMILIA! OIGA MI GENTE! CANTEN A CORO! LET IT BE KNOWN OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER WILL LIVE ON FOREVER IN EVERY BEAT OF MY PROUD CORAZÓN

Abel and Rosa accompany Miguel and Belle with instruments of their own. The Papás cradles Miguel's and Belle's new baby sister and brother as the Mamás leans on their shoulders. Abuelita and Abuleo listen proudly to their grandchildren while the spirits of Mamá Coco and Papa Lafayette stands beside, arms around their shoulders.

MIGUEL AND BELLE: AY MI FAMILIA! OIGA ME GENTE! CANTEN A CORO! LET IT BE KNOWN OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER WILL LIVE ON FOREVER IN EVERY BEAT OF MY PROUD CORAZÓN

The courtyard is full of Riveras and De la Cruz's, living and dead. Héctor and Imelda stand arm in arm as well as Maddie and Ernesto, listening to Miguel and Belle play. As Miguel and Belle both sing, the whole family, living and dead, all sing, play and enjoy the music. The whole family, brought together by a song.