GRADUAO

By
Adrian Manzano
WGAW Registered manzanony@gmail.com
718-877-8511
FADE IN:
INT. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS APT. GRADUATION PARTY
Family members mill around a small apt getting ready for a
party. Some paste balloons by the door. Someone yells.
DIANA
Ya vienen! Estan subiendo. Apaga la
musica!
Everyone quiets down. We hear two voices in the hallway.
People stand by the door, poised.
GRANDMA
(voice)
So you want to go to Applebees or
BBQs. (Que quieres comer, BBQ o
Applebees?)
MIOSOTIS
(voice)
Its OK ma, we can just cook. We
dont need to spend money. Lets
make sancocho.
GRANDMA
(voice)
Come on, we have to celebrate. Its
your graduation! (Pero es tu
graduacion! Tenemos que celebrar.)
MIOSOTIS
(voice)
No really, its OK. Its not a big
deal ...
They open the door.
EVERYONE
SURPRISE!
Door Opens. Enter MIOSOTIS (22) in her graduation gown.
Everyone cheers. People start dancing. Merengue tipico
plays. The Graduation Cap gets passed around. Its My Big
Fat Dominican Family.
2.
OPENING TITLES : GRADUAO
CUT TO:
INT. APT LIVING ROOM. CONTINUOUS.
Everyone is gathered around the living room with champagne
glasses, smiles and tears. Grandma is in the middle of a
passionate speech.
GRANDMA
I just want to say that were all
very proud of you for what youve
accomplished. Graduated with
honors. We wish you the best.
Cheers! (Solo queria decir que
estamos muy orgullosos de ti y todo
que has logrado. Te graduaste con
honores, y deseamos lo mejor para
ti.)
Everyone cheers. Diana (16) steps up shyly.
DIANA
Well I just wanna say that I love
my sister. Shes been a good sister
to me and Ive always looked up to
her, I love you. and Im really,
really happy youre home now...
Not! Im just playing. I love you
sis.
Mio and Diana hug tearfully, awwww...
Javier (29) steps up to the plate. Hes also holding a
little boy, OSCAR (5). He puts him down.
JAVIER
Um ... Im not one for speeches so
I wrote a poem instead:
"GRADUATION. LIKE A PROCLAMATION OF
EMANCIPATION FROM MENTAL SLAVERY. AND NOW YOU WILL LEAD US
TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE, BECAUSE YOU ARE THAT BEACON OF LIGHT
SHINING BRIGHT FOR EVERYONE TOO SEE. LIKE A BIRD IN THE
TREE. WE ARE FREE AT LAST FREE AT LAST."
Everyone cheers. Miosotis finally steps up.
MIO
Wow, Thank you. This is quite a
surprise. Im not really good at
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
MIO (contd)
speeches, but here goes. Thanks so
much for your love and support.
Yea, so lets drink up, before the
bubbles go flat. Que viva la
familia!
Wooo!! Everyone goes nuts. The party continues. Merengue
music fades into.
INT. MIOS ROOM
Mio enters her room and sees all her old things and photos.
Plays shes been in. Plaques, teddy bears, Jennifer Lopez
(JLo) poster. Its all the same. She sees a notebook with
some writing that isnt hers. Javier enters.
JAVIER
Oh hey, sorry to barge in. I almost
forgot that.
She hands him the notebook.
MIO
Its OK. I know youre staying in
my room for a few months.
JAVIER
Yea, just trying to save up some
cash so I can move on outta here.
MIO
Cute kid.
JAVIER
Yea, little Oscar. At first it was
weird you know her having a kid and
all. But you know I got used to
it. Hes a good kid and I guess
its practice for when I have my
own kids.
MIO
You gonna move in with her?
JAVIER
Thats the plan. Save up and get an
apartment in the Bronx.
MIO
Awesome. Well, its so good to have
you cuz.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
JAVIER
You, too. I missed my little
primita.
MIO
Aww thanks.
Suji enters.
SUJI
Aww ,let me get in on this shit.
Group Hug.
JAVIER
What happened to your boyfriend?
MIO
We broke up.
JAVIER
No.
MIO
Yea.
JAVIER
Im sorry.
MIO
It happens. Its OK. He went to
Europe to work with a theater
troupe. We needed space. Hes
traveling around Germany as we
speak. But you and Harmony seem
serious.
JAVIER
Yea, its our one-year anniversary.
MIO
Thats great, congrats. One year,
you guys are serious.
JAVIER
Really? How long were you with
Jonathan?
MIO
Three college years. Which in human
years is more like 18 months.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
JAVIER
Hey, you think you could maybe
watch Oscar sometime this week?
MIO
Babysit?
JAVIER
I guess thats what they call it.
MIO
I dont know, maybe. I have to see
how it goes with a new job and
stuff. You know I didnt graduate
to become a babysitter.
JAVIER
Yea, I understand.
MIO
Ask Diana.
JAVIER
Harmony doesnt want Oscar all over
youtube.
MIO
Yea, I can see that.
JAVIER
You going out tonight?
MIO
You better believe it. Can you?
JAVIER
I would. But I gotta work at the
garage. Someones gotta park these
rich white peoples cars.
MIO
Ok well good luck. Whats the best
car youve parked?
JAVIER
Ive parked Maserati, Aston Martin,
but I got to say my favorite so far
was the Lamborghini Murcielago.
MIO
Awesome does it go fast?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
JAVIER
Wouldnt know. I cant go more than
20 mph in the garage. But man its a
beauty. I bet if flies. One day
Ill buy me one of those babies.
MIO
You should.
JAVIER
Yea right.
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Miosotis and Suji are getting ready, applying makeup,
putting on perfume. Javier is seen the background getting
dressed for work.
JAVIER
Have fun tonight.
MIO
Thanks.
SUJI
We will.
Javier Exits. Suji waits a beat to ask.
SUJI
What would you do if your cousin
and I hooked up?
MIO
I wouldnt like it.
SUJI
Why?
MIO
Because were family.
SUJI
Im not.
MIO
Youre practically family.
SUJI
So what? It can happen. dont try
to stop it. Confucius said, let it
flow like water.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
MIO
Youre gonna start with your
confusion shit now?
SUJI
Yea, I can do that.
EXT. STREETS WASHINGTON HEIGHT NIGHT
Mio and Suji walk confidently towards El Morocco Night Club.
A few cars honk, and men holler. They just ignore them and
continue talking.
RANDOM DUDE
Hey mamacita tes ves buena!
INT. EL MOROCCO NIGHT CLUB
El Morocco is having its typical Dominican night. The
culifaldas are out. Women are smoking and the hookahs are
smoking. The girls (Suji & Miosotis) arrive. They dance
together happily. The song ends.
SUJI
Lets get a drink.
Before they can make way Mio gets asked to dance by TRAVIS
(24).
TRAVIS
Hola, quieres bailar?
MIO
Oh wait. I was gonna get a drink,
sorry. Next time.
The girls reach the bar. The bartender is busy, leaving them
open for MR.SUAVE, 45.
MR. SUAVE
Well hello hello ladies. Hows it
going this evening? Oh my god I
love Asian girls.
Suji knows the routine. She puts on her best Asian accent.
SUJI
Huh! Excuse me, no speaky English.
Sorry...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
MR. SUAVE
Oh OK. Oye, tu amiga no habla
ingles?
MIO
No, sorry. Shes an exchange
student.
MR.SUAVE
(bowing)
OK OK ..Sayonara. Mitsubishi Honda
Suziki.
SUJI
Konichiwa, sayonara. Toyota,
Nintendo.
He exits.
SUJI
(to bartender)
Can I get a corona. What you want,
a corona?
MIO
Yea, youre lucky you can do that.
SUJI
Affirmative action baby. I should
really learn some Japanese.
Mio notices TRAVIS dancing. He cant dance merengue for
shit, but he doesnt care.
MIO
Oh my god Becky look at this guy.
He is so white.
SUJI
Oh man this is good ... Real good.
Wheres Dave Chappelle when you
need him?
The song ends, and the other girl runs away. Travis is so
high on life, he doesnt notice. Because hes HIGH.
SUJI
We got to help this kid out. Hey
you, excuse me!
TRAVIS
Me?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
SUJI
Yea, you. White boy, come here
please.
Travis approaches.
TRAVIS
Oh Hey, Im Travis. How you girls
doing this evening?
SUJI
Were good. Im Suji.
MIO
Miosotis.
TRAVIS
Travis. This place is great. The
music is banging.
SUJI
What brings you here?
TRAVIS
I want to practice my Spanish
...and dancing.
SUJI
Hows that working out for you
buddy?
TRAVIS
Muy bien. The dancing part not so
good. But Spanish is OK. But I have
to adjust un chin, for Dominican
Spanish.
SUJI
What are you trying to say?
Dominicans dont speak Spanish?!
Huh?!
TRAVIS
No no! Not at all. Im just used to
a different Spanish. You know the
real Spanish from Spain.
SUJI
Dont go around disrespecting my
peoples language!
Mio lets him know shes obviously joking.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
MIO
Dont listen to her, shes on
crack.
TRAVIS
Haha, wow shes funny. Wow. Im
fucking high. You two are best
friends?
SUJI
Si.
MIO
Yea. Unfortunately.
TRAVIS
Well, where Im from we have what
we call the best friends test. Have
you heard of it?
SUJI
Whats that?
MIO
Where you from?
TRAVIS
Texas. OK the way you know if two
women are best-best friends is if
... they use... the same ...
shampoo...
Mio and Suji look at each other.
SUJI
This niggas bugging. How the fuck
are we using the same shampoo when
she got that African hair and I got
chinita hair?
MIO
Shut up. My hair is not African,
its Dominican.
SUJI
Same shit.
TRAVIS
I like your hair. Its so...
powerful.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
MIO
Thanks... (weirdo)
TRAVIS
Well, to be honest, the shampoo
doesnt matter. What matters is if
you guys look at each other when I
ask the question. Which you did,
therefore you are officially best
friends!
The girls turn to each other and giggle.
MIO
Aww I love you chinita!
SUJI
I love you too, boo! You my best
bestie.
TRAVIS
Oh let me feel the love, group hug,
group hug!
They all group hug and laugh.
TRAVIS
(wiping fake tears)
Wow, that was beautiful. You know,
now that weve had this moment, I
need to dance this merenguito.
Miosotis is it?
MIOSOTIS
Yes.
TRAVIS
May I have this dance?
MIOSOTIS
Well ... OK.
They get lost in a sea of dancers. Mr.Suave sees his chance
and returns to Suji.
MR. SUAVE
Hey hey! Conichiwawamamacita...
SUJI
Vete pal carajo, mamaguebo coazo!
Diablo!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
MR. SUAVE
OK OK, dont shoot!
CUT TO
INT. DANCE FLOOR
Mio and Travis are on the dance floor tearing it up to a
super fast merengue. They are awkwardly in sync. Mio Laughs.
TRAVIS
Porque te ries?
MIO
Im sorry you just... your dancing
its just way too funny.
TRAVIS
Thats my style. Dont make fun of
my style.
MIO
Thats cool, everyone needs their
own style.
TRAVIS
What makes you an expert? Are you a
professional dancer?
MIO
No, I dance, but not
professionally. I just act.
TRAVIS
Oh, youre an actress?
MIO
Kinda, yea.
TRAVIS
No, no kinda. Yes or no. There is
no try.
MIO
OK, yoda. Im an actress.
TRAVIS
Cool, Im a filmmaker.
MIO
Oh cool, what kind of films do you
make?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
TRAVIS
I make ... cool ones.
MIO
OK. Mr. Cool.
TRAVIS
Im kidding. I do some experimental
and gallery installations. What
kind of actress are you?
MIO
Me? Im an amazing actress.
TRAVIS
Oh, I like your confidence kid...
let me see you be dramatic.
Mio puts on a dramatic face.
TRAVIS
Wow, that was pretty good. I can
put you in something.
MIO
Really like what? I can do
anything.
TRAVIS
I dont know. I suppose we can
shoot something.
MIO
That sounds cool.
TRAVIS
Yea, very ... cool. Let me see you
be cute and coy.
Mio acts.
TRAVIS
Not bad. Now let me see you act
like you just found out your sister
is cheating with your husband?
Mio acts.
TRAVIS
See there you look like you have
diarrhea.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
MIO
Shut up. This isnt the best place
to be auditioning.
They continue to dance. Bachata turns on. Pegame Tu Vicio by
Eddie Herrera.
MIO
You know how to dance this? Its
slower.
TRAVIS
Is this the Reggaeton?
MIO
No, its bachata.
TRAVIS
Oh right bachata! No, I have no
clue.
MIO
OK just follow my lead.
She tries to teach him... Its challenging.
TRAVIS
Isnt it like back forth, back
forth?
MIO
No, thats Salsa.
TRAVIS
Jesu Cristo! You people have so
many dances, its no wonder you
party so much. You need to
practice.
MIO
Its easy four steps. 1 2 3 4. On
the fourth you kinda lift your leg
a little off the floor.
TRAVIS
Like this? Oh I get it. Like that?
MIO
Yea.
TRAVIS
Its like a little lift. Like a dog
peeing.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
MIO
Haha, sure, whatever works for you.
They both laugh and quietly dance close. Its on.
EXT. TACO STAND.
Mio and Travis stand outside a taco stand. Its a lively
night.
TRAVIS
Quesadilla de lengua. You want
something?
MIO
Chicken taco.
TRAVIS
Taco de Pollo. Hey, how come you
dont speak Spanish?
MIO
I prefer English.
TRAVIS
Yea, thats understandable. You did
grow up here. America is so
imperialistic with the English
language.
MIO
Where did you learn Spanish so
well?
TRAVIS
I did a semester in Barcelona,
Espaa.
MIO
Oh nice. You got the lisp and
everything.
TRAVIS
Yea, I love Spain. Have you been to
la madre patria?
MIO
No, not yet.
TRAVIS
You have to go, the people are so
awesome.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
Taco truck hands them their food.
TRAVIS
Muchas gracias, guey.
TACO MAN
Pasalo bien, gringo!
EXT. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS QUIET STREET.
Miosotis and Travis walk down a quiet street.
MIOSOTIS
So then my grandma raised me from
then on. Thats why I call her Ma,
or mama. My sister too.
TRAVIS
Wow, I must meet your Abuelita
Ines.
MIOSOTIS
No, shes kind of a pain in the
ass.
TRAVIS
Im sure shes nice. Grandmas
usually love me.
MIOSOTIS
Im sure they do.
TRAVIS
If I could date the grandmas and
sleep with the granddaughters Id
be set.
MIOSOTIS
Oh is that your strategy? You just
using me to get into my abuelitas
pants?
TRAVIS
You got me. Im into Grannies. I
like it loosey goosey.
MIO
You so nasty.
TRAVIS
Yea but you like my nastiness..
yea.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
MIO
Yea.. I like it.
TRAVIS
Oh yea.. come here baby.
They kiss softly on the street. He leads her up some stairs.
TRAVIS
Come in for a minute.
MIOSOTIS
Whats this?
TRAVIS
My penthouse.
MIOSOTIS
Wow, you are so slick. You kiss me
right under your doorstep. Pretty
smooth.
TRAVIS
I didnt plan this honest.
MIOSOTIS
Bullshit.
TRAVIS
OK maybe a little.
MIO
A little.
TRAVIS
I did, its all planned. Can we go
inside now?
MIOSOTIS
No.
TRAVIS
Youre gonna miss out. Because
... I have ... Frosted Lucky
Charms.
MIOSOTIS
What?! Sold!
TRAVIS
They are magically delicious, for
sure.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
MIOSOTIS
Thats all dandy, but you see my
abuelita is waiting up for me,
wondering where I am at. So If I
dont...
TRAVIS
Just for a minute. We can practice
bachata.
MIOSOTIS
OK, one minute. Im gonna start
counting. one. two. three. four.
five.
TRAVIS
Wait, its a minute inside. Wait
til we get in!
MIOSOTIS
Six, seven, eight. Hey its your
minute.
TRAVIS
Alright geez, this is so much
pressure, I cant even take out my
keys.
He fumbles their way through the door quickly and clumsily.
She laughs.
INT. TRAVIS APT.
Its the smallest studio you can imagine. Quite cold, bare,
with a mattress on the floor.
MIOSOTIS
Nice penthouse.
TRAVIS
Yea, it works. You want some
coffee?
MIOSOTIS
Coffee? No are you crazy? Its 4 in
the morning.
TRAVIS
Well I dont sleep much. And its
Brazilian Roast. Tastes good with
your lucky charms.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
MIOSOTIS
Im good. How do you not sleep?
Thats bad.
TRAVIS
Humans can run on less sleep than
we think.
MIOSOTIS
I get cranky if I dont get my 8
hours.
Travis returns with wine.
TRAVIS
Here have some malbec instead.
MIO
Wine, even better. Im drinking
wine in some strange guys
apartment. Lovely.
TRAVIS
Am I strange...
MIO
Yea...
TRAVIS
Really?
MIO
Yea...
TRAVIS
Yea? You like strange.
MIO
Na...
TRAVIS
(singing)
People are strange, when youre a
stranger, faces look out....
They start to kiss. It gets heavy. He moves her it onto the
mattress.
MIO
So what are we doing?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
TRAVIS
I assume youve done this before
right?
MIO
No I mean, you just wanna fuck?
Make a film?
TRAVIS
Can we do both?
MIO
No, not at the same time. Is there
a camera running?
TRAVIS
No, but we could if you ...
MIO
Uh no.
TRAVIS
OK so we could just make love. Or
fuck. Do the nasty. Get jiggy with
it. Hechar un polvo.
MIO
Hold on, let me go to the bathroom.
BRB.
Mio steps up. To the bathroom. She looks in the mirror. A
ghost of her grandma appears next to her.
MIO
(voice over)
What are you doing Mio? You hardly
know this guy.
GRANDMA
This is not right. Its not how I
raised you. (Esto no esta bien. Yo
no te crie asi.)
MIO
I know grandma I know... but hes
really nice and cute.
GRANDMA
I agree, es un papasote pero no...
no...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
MIO
I most likely will see him again.
Its not a one night thing... And
so what? Im young.
GRANDMA
Ok, just a hand job. (Bueno una
manuelita, pero de alli nama)
MIO
Ok just a hand job. I can do this.
I can do this.
She washes herself up and steps out. Travis is in a
tiger-print speedo and bathrobe. He roars. Mio cant stop
her laughing fit.
MIO
Hahaha....Oh my god, I cant
breath.
Travis approaches her, biting her neck. Shes getting turned
on.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAVIS APT LATER
They are in bed. Post sex.
TRAVIS
That was good.
MIO
Yea.
TRAVIS
No that was really good. Youre
good.
MIO
Thanks. You too.
TRAVIS
But we should do that again.
MIO
Yea. But I gotta get going.
TRAVIS
OK.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
MIO
So... Whats your number?
He hands her his cell phone.
TRAVIS
Here, just type it in. Ill text
you.
MIO
OK.
TRAVIS
And about the movie.
MIO
Yea.
TRAVIS
We can. Lets meet up this weekend.
I have some ideas. I think I know.
MIO
Well would it be a short. Web
series?
TRAVIS
No. no no. I dont want to make it.
I want it to be organic you know.
Real.
MIO
OK.
TRAVIS
Its hard to explain. The best hing
is to just meet up and see what
happens. You know?
MIO
Umm, sure. But I want to know what
I have to prepare.
TRAVIS
Dont prepare. I want you to be
you. Yea. I want Miosotis.
MIO
You want Miosotis.
TRAVIS
Yea I want Mio.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
MIO
You want all this.
TRAVIS
Yea.
MIO
Yea.
TRAVIS
Yea, baby.
FADE OUT.
EXT. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS DAWN. WALK OF SHAME
Sun is rising, a few taxis pass by. Mio walks down a quiet
street. Not much activity going on.
INT.APT EARLY MORNING
Mio carrying her shoes walks in very quietly as not to wake
grandma who is sleeping on the couch, snoring. She gets to
her room. Diana is already up and in her McDonalds uniform.
DIANA
And where were you?! Que son estas
horas de llegar?
MIO
Ssh.. quiet. Grandma is sleeping on
the couch.
DIANA
Oh my god. Did you have a one night
stand?
MIO
No.
DIANA
Yea you did. The walk of shame!
MIO
OK maybe.
DIANA
I am flabbergasted!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
MIO
But Ill probably see him again.
DIANA
Uyuyuy! I want details.
MIO
Why are you awake at this time?
DIANA
I gotta go to work. Someones gotta
support your slutty ass.
MIO
Uh, Im so exhausted.
DIANA
OK I want a full report from name,
age, nationality and penis size. I
hope it wasnt a tiguere.
Mio flops on her bed and is out. She snores quickly.
EXT. MIDTOWN MANHATTAN DAY BUSY
The hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. A parade of
humans rushing to their work stalls. Among the humans, we
see Miosotis, suited up, confident, with folder in hand, on
her way to an interview.
INT. OFFICE INTERNSHIP
Miosotis sits in a business suit in an office by herself.
Shes looking around and at her phone. BEN ALI (40) in a
tie and cutoff sleeve shirt walks in and plops into his
chair. Smiles at Mio. Picks up her resume.
BEN
Sooo... who do we got here?
Mio..Myo so... youre gonna have to
help me with this one.
MIOSOTIS
Its Miosotis.
BEN
Meeeooosotis... Got it...Oh I see,
its some kinda African pride name.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
MIOSOTIS
Its Greek.
BEN
Greek? Oh really. You dont look
Greek to me... Oh, I thought you
were Afro American.
MIOSOTIS
No, Im Dominican, my parents are.
BEN
(Concerned)
Oh really... Mm... thats a shame.
MIO.
Why?
BEN.
(seriously)
Well a while back we had two
Dominicans at the desk and the
smell from the arroz con pollo and
mangu, would stink up the office...
they be all loud and one day they
just started fighting each other.
Pulling hair, nails crazy... no no
no. Only one Dominican at a time.
MIO
Um. Ok.. Thats kinda... Thats
kinda... you know Racis--
BEN
(Busts out laughing)
Hahaha... I got you... I got you...
you should have seen the look on
your face... Oh man. Youre gonna
get used to that. We like to have
fun around here. But work too...
Its fun and work.
MIO
OK cool. I like to have fun. And
work of course.
BEN
(awkward)
Yea, I bet you do like to have fun.
Mio laughs nervously...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
BEN
(Abruptly)
Alright! Let me show you to your
desk. Youre gonna be sharing with
Gracie and Tito.
They walk around to the desks of a shabby looking office.
GRACIE (30) Nerdy Asian girl with a chip on her shoulder.
BEN
Anyung Haseo! (Hello in Korean)
Gracies eyes never leave the screen. She responds to Ben
automatically.
GRACIE
Anyung haseo.
BEN
We have a new associate with
us...just graduated. Cum Laude...
GRACIE & BEN
Ooohh...
GRACIE
Well look at that. Fresh from the
oven.
BEN
Youre going to be working with
Gracie. Shes gonna show you the
ropes around and what youll be
doing.
MIOSOTIS
OK great.
BEN
Alright peace out my niggas.
Ben exits. Not before passing an office worker with braided
hair and yelling (What up bumbaclut, rude boy, Booyacacha!)
GRACIE
So what you graduate in?
MIOSOTIS
Theater and Communications.
GRACIE
So you want to be an actress?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
MIOSOTIS
Kinda yea.
GRACIE
Broadway?
MIOSOTIS
Broadway would be so cool.
GRACIE
Yea I can see you up there.
MIOSOTIS
Really?
GRACIE
Oh yes. Opening the stage. The
crowd cheering. You crying because
your grandma died or some other
musical.
MIO
I dont sing though. I just act.
GRACIE
I sing... well more like I rap.
"Every day Im shuffling..."
MIO
Thats pretty good.
GRACIE
Yea its fun. So what brings you
here?
MIOSOTIS
Just want to get experience in the
field.
GRACIE
Thats good. Experience is
important. Can you type?
MIOSOTIS
Yea.
GRACIE
How fast?
MIOSOTIS
Pretty fast?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
GRACIE
Pretty fast? Alright well lets see
how you do. I got these taped
interviews, from last years
conference. Really good stuff.
President of Mexico. Need to be
transcribed.
MIOSOTIS
What does that mean?
GRACIE
Wow you are green. Basically stick
them into the player and write down
what they say, like these.
MIOSOTIS
Right, got it.
GRACIE
OK, just call me if you have any
questions.
Miosotis sticks in the tape and begins to listen to the
interview. She types as fast as she can, obviously not fast
enough.
GRACIE
Oh and could please use headphones.
Theyre on your desk.
MIOSOTIS
Oh right. Sorry.
INT. KITCHEN.INTERNSHIP
Grandma is watching her soaps in the kitchen. Miosotis
enters.
MIOSOTIS
Hey Grandma.
GRANDMA
Como esta mi amor.
MIOSOTIS
I have great news! Youre not gonna
believe this.
GRANDMA
Espera! espera...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
The melodrama on the Novela "Passion de Vaqueros" hits a
fever pitch. Mio knows not to interrupt the novela.
We hear only the dialogue of the Novela with dramatic organ
music.
ROBERTO
Yo te quiero.
SUZANA
No dejame.
ROBERTO
Quien es el?
ADRIANO
Yo soy Adriano.
SUZANA
Mi amor, vete.
ROBERTO
Te voy a matar!
Grandma Gasps when it ends.
GRANDMA
Ay mi madre! ... OK tell me.
(digame)
MIOSOTIS
I got an internship!
GRANDMA
What, wow thats great. Whats an
internship? (Que bien! Que eso?)
MIOSOTIS
Its like a job where I can get
experience.
GRANDMA
Uh huh. And what does that mean? (Y
que significa eso?)
MIOSOTIS
Its where you work for experience.
GRANDMA
OK. Does the experience pay? (Y ese
experiencia paga?)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
MIOSOTIS
Not right now. But eventually.
Maybe I could get hired. And if not
I can just add it to my resume.
GRANDMA
That sounds stupid.
MIOSOTIS
Its not stupid. Its how you start
grandma.
GRANDMA
Mija, I just want whats best for
you. Thats all. (Mija yo solo
quiere lo mejor para ti.)
MIOSOTIS
I know ma.
GRANDMA
And I dont think you should sell
yourself too cheaply. (Y no quiero
que te vendes tan barato.)
MIOSOTIS
Its not cheap!
GRANDMA
No its not cheap, its free. I
mean come on its like slavery. In
this country slavery is over. We
have Obama now. (No, no es barato,
es gratis eso es como la
esclavitud. En este pais la
esclavitud se acabo. Tenemos a
Obama.)
MIOSOTIS
Its just for a little while. Til I
find something else.
GRANDMA
Find something soon. You eat too
much. (Encuentra algo rapido que tu
come demasiado)
She grabs the cookie out of her hand.
MIOSOTIS
Thanks ma.
Javier enters.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
GRANDMA
Look at Javier, hes working hard
every day. (Mira Javier, el trabaja
duro todo los dias.)
JAVIER
Im not in this conversation.
GRANDMA
Yea hes like the manager. (El es
ya el gerente)
JAVIER
Abuela go easy on her, she just got
back. Shes figuring things out.
GRANDMA
I know I know, I just love you guys
so much. You are my world. Maybe
Javier you can get her a job where
you work? (Yo se yo se. Es les
quiero un monton! Ustedes son mi
mundo. Javier tu no le puede
conseguir trabajo.
MIOSOTIS
Parking cars? I didnt go to
college to park cars. No offense.
JAVIER
None taken. Yea I think we could
use another Parker. Can you drive
stick?
MIOSOSTIS
No.
JAVIER
Automatic?
MIOSOSTIS
No...
JAVIER
Thats tough. Maybe you should
stick with the internship. Or
Acting. What happened to all those
school plays you did? Romeo &
Juliet?
MIOSOSTIS
Yea It was fun. Im gonna go on
some auditions.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
GRANDMA
Acting is only for rich people.
Its a waste of time. (Eso de
teatro es basura. Eso es solo para
gente rica.)
JAVIER
I gotta jet. See you later... Bye
Abuelita.
GRANDMA
Bye mi amor.
Javier exits. Miosotis steals another cookie and watches the
novela.
INT. MIOS ROOM ON THE PHONE
Mio is in her room on the phone. Suji is in her nurse
scrubs at the hospital.
MIOSOSTIS
Yea, its just for a little while.
SUJI
If you need something I can put in
a word for you here at the
hospital.
MIOSOSTIS
Thanks, Im good for now.
SUJI
Whats up with the white boy?
MIOSOSTIS
Oh Travis, its good. But its
weird.
SUJI
Tiny penis?
MIOSOSTIS
No, sex was good. But Im not sure
what he wants.
SUJI
He wants your titties in his face.
MIOSOSTIS
Thats what I thought, but he keeps
wanting to meet my family.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
SUJI
Really? Thats weird.
MIOSOSTIS
Well, hes really nice and smart.
So I guess why not? I warned him,
but he insists.
SUJI
I never let niggas meet my dad.
Its just too weird.
beep beep.
MIOSOTIS
Oh shit, hes calling me right now.
He also wants me to be in his new
art video. Its exciting.
SUJI
Break a leg.
Mio clicks over.
MIO
Hello
TRAVIS
Where are you?
MIO
Im home?
TRAVIS
What are you wearing?
MIO
Ummm... Jeans...shirt..
Travis is out of breath.
TRAVIS
Meet me at Tryon Park in 30 minutes
MIO
Why? Wait. Hello... hello...
He hung up.
34.
EXT. TRYON PARK.
Travis sits on a rock, smoking a joint.
TRAVIS
Hey.
MIO
Hey.
TRAVIS
Thanks for coming.
MIO
No problem. That was a weird
message.
TRAVIS
Well, I want to do some tests.
MIO
OK.
Travis takes out the camera.
TRAVIS
I need to know about who you are.
MIO
OK?
TRAVIS
Who are you?!
MIO
Um. Im Miosotis. Im 22 years old.
Uh from new york. Im Dominican. I
like RnB...
TRAVIS
I dont care.
MIO
OK. Thanks.
They awkwardly sit in silence. Travis looks into the
distance. Puffs his joint.
TRAVIS
What about your grandma? Shes
important to your life, right?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.
MIO
Yea I guess so.
TRAVIS
I mean she raised you.
MIO
Yea.
TRAVIS
I should meet her.
MIO
I dont know about this.
TRAVIS
Why?
MIO
Its too soon.
TRAVIS
But it feels so right!
MIO
Man, how much have you smoked?
TRAVIS
I been smoking all day. Here.
He hands her the joint and they both take a moment to smoke
and be young in that New York summer breeze.
INT.APT. DINNER
Mio walks in with Travis.
GRANDMA
Well, hello.
MIO
Grandma this is Travis.
TRAVIS
Hola mucho gusto. Soy Travis
GRANDMA
Y habla Espaol!. Que bien, que
bien. Entre.
They enter.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.
GRANDMA
I hope youre hungry, I made
sancocho y frijoles, arroz,
chuleta. (Espero que tenga hambre,
te hice sancocho, frijoles, arroz,
chuleta)
TRAVIS
That all sounds great, Im very
hungry.
GRANDMA
Whatever you want, my dear.
Anything. (Lo que usted quiere mi
amor)
Grandma exits to kitchen.
TRAVIS
Wow, shes really nice. Not the
crazy psycho bitch you made her out
to be.
Diana enters.
DIANA
Oh dont worry it comes out
eventually. The thing is she likes
boys. Javier here doesnt have to
do anything. But if Mio or I leave
our panties in the bathroom its
muchacha del diabo! Que tu cree que
soy tu sirvienta!
TRAVIS
You must be Diana. Ive heard so
much about you. You have the vlog
right.
DIANA
Yea Im a vlogger. Why? Are you a
vlogger?
TRAVIS
No, Im a filmmaker. I make art
films.
DIANA
Oh excuse me Mr. Filmmaker. What
kind of films do you make?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 37.
TRAVIS
I makes film about ... people.
DIANA
Thats good. People are
interesting... sometimes...
TRAVIS
And you vlog about... what? Your
barbies?
DIANA
Ahahahahah!!! No... I vlog about
life. About theories and
anthropology.
TRAVIS
Sounds good Ill make sure to
subscribe.
DIANA
Yes, subscribe!
She points to the ceiling where there would be a subscribe
button super imposed.
MIO
My sister has quite a large
following.
TRAVIS
Wheres Javier?
GRANDMA
Javier is working late tonight. so
he should be coming soon. But its
OK we can eat. We start with the
soup. (Javier esta trabajando tarde
esta noche asi que debe estar por
llegar. Pero podemos comer.
Empezamos con la sopa.)
TRAVIS
This is sancocho?
GRANDMA
Yes, sancocho de cola de la Abuela
Ines.
TRAVIS
Y como se hace el sancocho de la
abuela Ines?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
GRANDMA
Le hechas un poco de todo pero lo
mas importante es amor.
TRAVIS
She says that...
MIOSOTIS
Yea I understand. I just dont
speak it well enough.
DIANA
Mio thinks shes white. Hence why
youre here. She wants to feel more
comfortable.
MIOSOTIS
Thank you so much Diana for being
so nice to our guest.
DIANA
I like to make the foreigners feel
welcome.(accent) Welcome to my
family.
TRAVIS
Thank you for having me.
GRANDMA
Where are you from you that speak
Spanish? (De donde eres, que hablas
tan bien el espanol)
TRAVIS
Im from Texas.
DIANA
Yeeehaawww!
TRAVIS
But I studied abroad in Barcelona
Spain.
DIANA
Joder! Es que tenemos un tio aqui.
Hostia Tio!
GRANDMA
Pues me alegra que ustedes se han
conocido. Como se conocieron?
(Where did you meet?)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 39.
DIANA
Bowchica wowow
TRAVIS
Umm...por amigos en comun. Como...
MIO
Suji!
TRAVIS
Si Suji.
GRANDMA
A la Chinita!
TRAVIS
Si ella.
DIANA
Abuela, es koreana tu sabe. Hay una
gran differencia.
GRANDMA
Es la misma mierda, yo se.
DIANA
Di que tu sepa? Es como decir que
Santo Domingo es como Mexico.
GRANDMA
Y cuentame, que haces aca? Estudia?
Trabaja?
TRAVIS
Bueno, hago muchas cosas.
GRANDMA
Si, como que?
TRAVIS
Cine.
GRANDMA
Cine?
MIO
El escribe peliculas.
GRANDMA
Ah OK, OK. Que interestante.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
DIANA
Pero no hace novelas.
GRANDMA
Te gustan las novelas?
TRAVIS
No. no tanto.
GRANDMA
Hay una Colombiana que esta muy
interesante, Pasion de Vaqueros.
TRAVIS
Que interesante. De que se trata?
GRANDMA
Si se trata de un vaquero que llega
a un pueblo a buscar trabajo y se
enamora de la hija del dueno.
TRAVIS
Clasico.
GRANDMA
Pero ella esta comprometida con
otro, Adriano.
DIANA
(dramatic piano)
Da, da, da!!! El Drama! Que va
pasar?!
GRANDMA
Y en el ultimo capitulo, Roberto
encuentra a Adriano con Mercedez
hablando. Solo Hablando. Pero ya se
esta sospechando.
MIO
These novelas are like crack yo.
TRAVIS
Ill have to netflix it.
INT.MIOS BEDROOM
Travis is looking at different pictures of Mios life, from
childhood to adulthood. Her ex-boyfriend, JONATHAN.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
TRAVIS
I see you look more like your dad.
MIO
Yea, a little.
TRAVIS
What happened to him?
MIO
He lives with his wife, in Miami. I
got a little brother, Matthew.
TRAVIS
Thats cool. I dont have any
siblings. Im an only child.
MIO
Yea I can see that.
TRAVIS
Why because Im used to getting
what I want?
MIO
Because you think you can get what
you want.
TRAVIS
Oh yea?
MIO
Yea.
TRAVIS
I know I can.
He goes to grab her ass. Just then the door opens. Its
Javier. Novela music plays.
JAVIER
Hey you get your damn hands off
her, shes mine!
TRAVIS
Mio who is this guy.
JAVIER
This guy... Yo soy su primo!
Dramatic piano.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.
MIO
OK you two, this is my cousin
Javier.
JAVIER
Hey whats up?
TRAVIS
Travis.
JAVIER
Nice to meet you.
MIO
Javier is staying in my room for a
few more weeks.
TRAVIS
Thats too bad, I could have really
liked staying in this room. Its so
homey.
JAVIER
Any sancocho left?
TRAVIS
Yo that sancocho was the bomb.
MIO
You know shes gonna leave an extra
bowl for you.
TRAVIS
Dude I had like two bowls. And I
can have another.
Grandma passes by. Enters the room.
GRANDMA
Oh you like my sancocho? (Ay, te
gusta mi sancocho?)
TRAVIS
Oh yea I like it. I like it a lot.
GRANDMA
Yea, you want some more, baby?
(Quieres mas mi amor?)
TRAVIS
Oh yea... I could use some more of
your sancocho...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 43.
GRANDMA
Oh yea. I wanna give it to you.
Its so hot! Its fucking hot baby.
(Ay si papito esta bien caliente,
calientico pa ti.)
MIO
Grandma stop! Thats my boyfriend.
GRANDMA
I dont care. He likes my sancocho.
What?! (A mi que me importa...le
gusta mi sancocho!)
JAVIER
It is pretty good.
TRAVIS
Yea thanks but no thanks, Im full.
GRANDMA
OK anytime. (Cuando quieras.)
Grandma exits.
JAVIER
Well, that was interesting.
TRAVIS
I think she likes me.
JAVIER
Hey, I have an open mic performance
next week. You two should come.
TRAVIS
Oh are you a hip hopper?
JAVIER
No, its a spoken word poetry night
at the Nuyorican Cafe.
MIO
Javiers really good, we should
definitely go.
TRAVIS
Yea Ill check my calendar, make
sure Im not busy.
JAVIER
Cool, Ill see you guys later.
Javier exits.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 44.
TRAVIS
Come on lets get a quickie in.
He starts to unbuckle his belt.
MIO
What? No, youre fucking nuts.
Mio exits.
TRAVIS
Oh come on! Just give me two
minutes! 90 seconds, I promise.
int. Dianas Vlog
Diana vlogging about gentrification and white people.
DIANA
Alright yall... Its about time we
talk about it. Our home is having
an immigrant problem. We got the
invasion of white people yall...
Its worse than zombies. My sister
is dating one now... Yuck... que
feo es este typo con su bigotico.
que bonito. Seriously people we
need to do something. I dont know
if a wall on 125 st might help.
Some kinda security clearance. But
for reals.
INT. TRAVISS APT -
Travis has Mio on the bed naked covering herself with a
white sheet on a white bed. She sits off the side.
MIO
I feel so naked.
TRAVIS
Well thats because you are.
MIO
Why are you taking so long?
TRAVIS
Im a filmmaker. This is what we
do. We take our time. The lighting
is almost there. We need it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 45.
MIO
How do I look?
TRAVIS
Beautiful.
MIO
Who am I again?
TRAVIS
You represent Venus.
MIO
Uh huh, and which one is venus?
TRAVIS
She is the god of love and passion.
So you are very passionate. Just
think of me in bed.
MIO
Youre crazy.
TRAVIS
Am I, Am I?
MIO
Yes, you are. And so am I.
TRAVIS
I want you to scream Im crazy!
MIO
Im crazy!
TRAVIS
Louder!
MIO
Im crazy!!
TRAVIS
Growl! Come to the camera.
Mio growls
TRAVIS
Yes, come to me. On the floor.
Mio obliges clumsily falls on the floor
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 46.
TRAVIS
OK now just lie there. Like youre
dead.
Mio obliges. Travis is transfixed.
TRAVIS
Yes, sweet death.
MIO
How long am I dead for?
TRAVIS
Wait.
Travis gets on the floor with her. And begins to cry.
MIO
What are you doing?
TRAVIS
Stay in character.
He weeps over her dead body.
MIO
This is weird.
A noise is heard from the wall.
TRAVIS
OK. Get up.
MIO
I dont get what youre doing.
TRAVIS
Its art.
MIO
OK, but still dont get it. Theres
no story.
TRAVIS
Would you stop with the story
business! Why do we need a fucking
story? Why does everyone want a
fucking story? Goddammit.
MIO
OK never mind geez.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.
TRAVIS
Im sorry, come here. Im making a
film about the duality of man. Man
is both god and beast. Apollo and
Dionysus.
MIO
Thats nice, but how long do I have
to be naked? And why do we always
shoot at exactly 5pm?
Knocking comes from the wall.
VOICE
Conazo deja la bulla que tengo que
dormir cono!
MIOSOTIS
Sorry.
TRAVIS
Perdon.
VOICE
Gente loca, diablo.
TRAVIS
Dont worry he complains for
everything.
VOICE
I heard that, asshole.
INT. GIRLS ROOM. DIANAS WEBCAM
Diana talks to her webcam doing her vlog.
DIANA
Let me tell you about my sister.
She is working fo free. Im like
what?! Osea...are you cray?
Mio enters
MIOSOTIS
Can you please stop vlogging about
m? I need some reading time.
DIANA
And here she is, ladies and
gentlemen .... La Graduada. La
Patrona. La Jefa. She thinks she
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.
DIANA (contd)
can just come in here and just
order me around. Hell. No.
MIOSOTIS
And you gotta stop talking so
ghetto.
DIANA
Oh excuse me mama, watch me kick
this bitchs ass. Ese culazo que
tiene.
Diana, jumps on Mios back. The fight escalates and Grandma
enters.
GRANDMA
Deja la mojiganga cono!
DIANA
She started. Look I have evidence.
GRANDMA
I dont care who started it. Youre
grounded.
DIANA.
What! Come on!
MIOSOTIS
Haha, thats what you get.
GRANDMA
You too.
MIOSOTIS
You cant ground me. Im too old
for that.
GRANDMA
Youre never too old. As long as
you live here.
Grandma exits.
DIANA
Its ok she forgets things easily.
49.
INT. NUYORICAN POETS CAFE
After a very angry protest rant by RAHEEM (40) the host
Clara (30) comes up.
CLARA
Well, that was interesting. Thanks
Raheem. Up next we got another
brother coming from Uptown. He
traveled far to get here so lets
give him a big Nuyorican cafe
welcome to Javier.
Javier steps up the stage. Mio, Travis and Harmony are
sitting in the crowd watching.
JAVIER
So there were two souls lost in
space, lighting up the night with
our love. True love creates energy,
protons and electrons charge up as
we match our forces together
creating life. The universe was in
us, speaking to itself, letting us
know you found the one.
Congratulations. And now I sit here
dumbfounded that we matched. And
Im glad for the time weve had, I
look forward to many more nights,
and fights and cries. The miracle
of life.
When it ends, the crowd claps. Travis and Miosotis hold
hands. Could this be looooove...?
INT. NUYORICAN POETS CAFE. LATER
Some of the poets are milling around the bar, congratulating
each other.
JAVIER
I got to jet. Im working a late
shift tonight.
MIOSOTIS
That was beautiful, I really liked
it. Yours was the best.
JAVIER
Aww thanks.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.
TRAVIS
Yea it was very interesting.
JAVIER
Thanks.Hey I know someone here I
want to introduce you to. His name
is Andre, hes a producer.
Javier leads Mio over to ANDRE (35)
JAVIER
Andre, this is my cousin I was
telling you about.
ANDRE
Hey whats up? I hear youre an
actress.
MIO
Yea. Just graduated.
ANDRE
Awesome. Yea let me take a look at
you. Ok, do you dance?
MIO
Yea I can dance.
ANDRE
Alright. Yea. I have a short that
Im working on. Were going to be
having auditions soon. Let me get
your number and Ill call you. Yea.
MIO
That sounds good.
She takes his phone and types her number.
ANDRE
It was good meeting you.
MIO
Good meeting you, too.
They exit.
MIO
Thanks for that hook up.
JAVIER
Hey no problem. Let me know how it
goes. Best of luck to you. Ill see
you later.
51.
INT. MOVIE THEATER SCREEN.
The family is watching a movie in a movie theater. Onscreen
we see:
Miosotis is smoking naked looking out the window. Travis
approaches from behind, also smoking a cigarette. He
proceeds to grab her breasts and cry. Mio is unfazed. A
series of black and white shots of Travis with Mio and two
other unnamed women in bed, smoking, having sex. All the
while a pretentious artistic voiceover.
TRAVIS
(voiceover)
I love women. I love breasts. I
love vaginas. I love sex with
women. I love when my penis is
inside a vagina. I love my penis.
It is beautiful. I love my balls.
Grandma is appalled by what she is seeing. Miosotis is
cringing in her seat. Grandma has had enough. She gets up
and walks out. Mio is unsure what to do. Finally she gets up
and follows after her.
MIO
What happened are you ok?
GRANDMA
Why did you bring me to this? Is
this how you spend your time? I
dont want to see that man ever
again. He is a sick person. (Porque
me trajiste a esto? Yo no quiero
ver ese tipo mas. Es un enfermo.)
MIO
But mama, thats art! You have to
understand that.
GRANDMA
Arte!? Eso es basura. Yo esperaba
mas de ti. No te quiero ver mas en
esa vaina. You have to think better
of yourself Miosotis.
MIO
Yes, ma.
GRANDMA
Were going home. (Vamos pa la
casa.)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.
MIO
I have to wait for my friends. Ill
see you at home.
Grandma storms out. Mio returns to theater.
SUJI
What did she say?
MIO
She didnt like it.
SUJI
Yea Im not really feeling it
either.
We see Travis in the black/white film dancing tango naked
with a blond.
INT. THEATER LOBBY.
People are milling around after the film. Travis has his
arms around the blond actress, Mio & Suji.
BLOND
Im going to take off.
TRAVIS
OK babe, stop by later. I got
something for you.
BLOND
OK text me.
They kiss and shes off.
TRAVIS
Your grandma kinda took off there.
MIO
Yea she wasnt too happy with the
film. Neither am I.
TRAVIS
What? Im sorry to hear that. Why?
MIO
I dunno, just felt cheap.
TRAVIS
Well we were going for a low budget
aesthetic.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 53.
SUJI
That shit was wack son.
MIO
Yea but it was too much nudity.
TRAVIS
Well you were there.
MIO
But I thought it would be
different.
TRAVIS
Sorry you felt that way. I didnt
really expect you to understand
it. (Girl approaches) Hey, whats
up?
ASIAN ACTRESS
OMG that was amazing.
SUJI
Wow...
Travis doesnt notice Miosotis leave his side. Its over.
INT. APT. KITCHEN ROOM
Mio helps Grandma cut up vegetables for the sancocho. Shes
kind of on autopilot. So is Grandma.
GRANDMA
You have to figure out what you
want to do with your life. (Tienes
que decidir lo que quieres hacer
con tu vida.)
MIO
I know, Im figuring it out.
GRANDMA
Because acting, teatro...thats a
hobby. Only rich people make it in
that. Or people who have
connections. You, mija, all you
know are the clowns by the bodega.
(Porque eso de teatro es puro
hobby. Solo pa gente rica que
tienen conecciones. Tu solo conoces
los de la bodega.)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 54.
MIO
But mama, thats not true! There
are a lot of actors who came from
humble beginnings.
GRANDMA
(Tienes que pensar que tipo de
trabajo tu puedes tener para
sobrevivir. Tienes que comer, no?
Algun dia te casas, tienes babies.
Y de que va vivir? De Shakespeare.
Ilusiones.)
You need to figure out what kind of
job you can get so you can support
yourself, right? You have to eat.
One day you will get married, have
babies. Y de Que se va sobrevivir?
de Shakespeare? de illusiones.
MIO
Youre right. Youre right. Im
going to find a job.
GRANDMA
And one that pays please... no more
with these slaveryships, where you
work for experience. You want
experience? You have to pay.
Imagine all those bathrooms I
cleaned. You think I did it for the
experience? Its a job. It gives me
the money I need so I can feed you,
put you through school. Javier
doesnt have the intelligence you
have. And now hes moving out with
his girl. (Y uno que pague,
por favor. No mas con esos
slaveryship. Donde uno trabaja para
experiencia. Si quiere experiencia
tiene que pagar. Imaginate todo
esos banos que limpie. Tu cree que
lo hice por la experiencia? Es un
trabajo. Me da los cualtos que
necesito para comer y pagar tus
estudios. Mira Javier, sin
educacion tu tiene, trabajando, y
ahora se va mudar con su novia. Le
deseo lo mejor.)
MIO
I still think I should try to go on
some auditions.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 55.
GRANDMA
Auditions? What is that? Is that
Slaveryship? (Audition? Que es eso?
Slaveryship.)
MIO
Would you stop saying slaveryship?
GRANDMA
Hey, I say it like I see it, baby.
(Yo digo las cosas como son, mi
amor.)
MIO
Its internship. In-Tern-Ship!
GRANDMA
Internshit! Because what they give
you is shit! (Internshit! porque
eso es lo que les paga - mierda!)
MIO
OK I gotta go. Youre driving me
bananas.
GRANDMA
The one who is bananas is you! Wake
up and smell the coffee. (La que
esta loca eres tu. Despiertate
mija!)
MIO
Yes, thank you. Good talk.
GRANDMA
Actually we are out of platanos. On
your way back pickup some platano
maduro. (Pero de verdad se me
acaboron los platanos. Vaya compra
algunos.
INT. RIPLEY GRIER STUDIOS
Miosotis walks in off the elevators and greets the
secretary.
MIOSOTIS
Hello, Im here for the audition.
SECRETARY
Which one?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 56.
MIOSOTIS
I think its called the Grand
Illusion.
SECRETARY
Thats room 102. Fill out this
form.
Miosotis sits next a voluptuous Latina.
MIOSOTIS
So which role are you here for?
LATINA
Thick Latina just like you.
MIOSOTIS
Oh right. Whats it about?
LATINA
No clue.
NEXT!
LATINA
Bout to find out. Hi! Im JESSICA!
Jessica leaves. Miosotis looks around for a good minute and
fills our her form. Loud music is heard from the room.
TURREL 25 starts spitting game to her.
TURREL
What up, ma?
MIO
Oh hey.
TURREL
How you doin? Im Turrel.
MIO
Hey Turrel.
TURREL
You here for an audition?
MIO
Yea.
TURREL
Me too ... which one?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 57.
MIO
Excuse me?
TURREL
Which, which one?
MIO
Oh, its called the Grand Illusion.
TURRELL
Oh right right.
MIO
Are you?
TURREL
Me? Na na. I mean, Im auditioning
but Im more of a music producer.
You know, I make beats. Do you
sing?
MIO
No.
Voice: Youre up!
Miosotis gets up and leaves.
INT. STUDIO AUDITION ROOM
A windowless room with two producers behind a desk and large
hip hopper sitting to the side texting.
MIO
Hello, Im Miosotis. Good to see
you.
She shakes everyones hand.
ANDRE
Hello. Welcome, welcome. You know
my name is Andre and this is my
partner SUSAN.
SUSAN
Hello...
ANDRE
And this is Grand Estefan.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 58.
GRAND ESTEFAN
Hey yo what up.
SUSAN
He will be your costar. This is a
short film slash music video. Grand
Estefan is going to be the next Big
Pun.
GRAND ESTEFAN
No doubt..
SUSAN
So the short film thing is big now.
So were doing a story.
MIO
OK great. That sounds cool.
SUSAN
Yea, its gonna be the bomb.
ANDRE
So youll be playing one of Grand
Estefans many girlfriends.
GRAND ESTEFAN
Its G.E! Yo how many times I gotta
tell you? Its G.E!
MIO
G.E?
SUSAN
How many times I have to remind you
that G.E. stands for General
Electric. You want to brand
yourself after an electric company?
Be my guest.
GRAND ESTEFAN
Yo, fuck that shit!
MIO
Hey, its all good.
GRAND ESTEFAN
Yea you see she says its all good.
SUSAN
Grand Estefan, chill out.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 59.
GRAND ESTEFAN
Just call me G.E.
ANDRE
So in this scene you have a baby.
OK. And youre wanting Grand
Estefan...
GRAND ESTEFAN
G.E!
ANDRE
Grand Estefan. To recognize his
son. OK.
GRAND ESTEFAN
But its not my son.
SUSAN
Right thats the story.
MIO
Oh I see. Its like a twist.
SUSAN
Kinda yea.
ANDRE
So heres the baby. Lets improvise
and see where it hits.
SUSAN
OK camera rolling. Action!
Mio gets into character.
MIO
Estefan its your baby!
GRAND ESTEFAN
That baby aint mine. Shit dont
even look like me.
MIO
But it is. Look. He has your hair.
and and... feet..
GRAND ESTEFAN
Man you bugging.
SUSAN
Mio?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 60.
MIO
Yea?
SUSAN
We need more ... desperation. You
know, more street.
MIO
Oh OK... PLEASE ESTEFAN! Please! I
beg you! Hes your son!
GRAND ESTEFAN
(RAPPING)
Bitches be trippin, what a nigga
gonna do. Too many hoes like the
sky is blue. What!
MIO
Should I rap back?
ANDRE
No, you dont. Just continue and
really let the ghetto out. Have fun
with it. Snap your fingers.
MIO
Please! I have no money! I need
help! I cant feed us!
GRAND ESTEFAN
Bitches be trippin what a nigga
gonna do. Hangin with these hoes
makes my life untrue.
ANDRE
Keep going!
MIO
I love you! Ill do anything.
Please!
GRAND ESTEFAN
Bitches be trippin what a nigga
gonna do...
SUSAN
OK, now drop the baby.
MIO
Just drop it?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 61.
SUSAN
Yea, yea. New Scene! New scene!
ANDRE
Just dance with him.
MIO?
Dance... OK...
Mio grinds on him.
MIO
Whats happening in this scene?
ANDRE
This is where Estefan dances with
his hoes.
MIO
His hoes?
SUSAN
Dance!
GRAND ESTEFAN
Bitches be trippin what a nigga
gonna do. Gonna play the game till
I make that loot. What!
SUSAN
Stick your ass out more. Yes... You
love him... Hes so sexy. Hes
irresistible. Tell him.
MIO
Oh Grand Estefan, you so sexy.
ANDRE
Yes! Yes! Rub his belly. Nice.
MIO
Oh Grand Estefan, I wanna have your
babies!
ANDRE
I need more orgasm!
MIO
Oh. Oh my god Grand Estefan! I want
your babies!
Music cuts
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 62.
SUSAN
OK thank you..
MIO
Thats it?
SUSAN
Yes, well contact you shortly.
MIO
Is there any pay for this?
SUSAN
We will contact you shortly. Bye
now.
MIO.
OK Bye.. Bye Grand Estefan.
GRAND ESTEFAN
G.E!
MIO
G... E...
INT. SUBWAY
Mio tries to get on the subway and her metrocard has
expired. She calls Suji.
MIO
Shit Suji, I need your help
SUJI
Whats up?
MIO
I need you to come to 34th Street
and swipe.
SUJI
I cant ... Im already home.
MIO
Shit.
SUJI
Just ask someone for a swipe.
MIO
I cant do that, its illegal.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 63.
SUJI
Well then you gotta walk 120
blocks. Pick your poison.
CUT TO
INT. SUBWAY
Mio is seen trying to get swipes from people.
MIO
Hi could you swipe? Hello....
Excuse me do you have an unlimited?
BUSINESSMAN
What?
MIO
Unlimited metrocard. Cuz if you do,
could you swipe for me?
BUSINESSMAN
No sorry. I dont.
An elderly homeless Asian man sees her predicament.
ASIAN MAN
Youre new to swiping.
MIO
Yea kinda.
ASIAN MAN
First off, this is my corner. You
cant take someone elses base.
MIO
Oh right, that makes sense.
ASIAN MAN
Its just swiping etiquette. You
should go down there.
MIO
Oh right. Im sorry
ASIAN MAN
Wait wait, dont go. I can see
youre new. But youre a girl, so
its easier for you. All you need
to do is smile and do the wrist.
Mio imitates an awkward smile.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 64.
ASIAN MAN
At that point people know what you
want. So just wait. It can take a
few minutes. Wait a train just
arrived. Fresh Batch!
Mio smiles at people coming out of the subway. Finally a
banker notices her.
MIO
Swipe?
BANKER
Sure.
MIO
Thank you so much.
As soon as she passes a plain clothes cop stops her.
MIO
Oh, I was just... oh damn.
POLICE
Can you come with me please?
MIO
Officer I wasnt really trying to
jump the turnstyle.
POLICE
Its ok come with me.
MIO
Honest. I just wanted to get home
and I ran out of money.
POLICE
Yes, just come here for a minute.
MIO
Im not really working right now.
Well, I am. But its just ...
POLICE
Can you turn this way please?
MIO
But Im looking. I just got out of
an audition.
The crank of the handcuffs are heard.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 65.
MIO
Are you serious. Do you have to
cuff me? Really. I cant believe.
POLICE
(into his walki-talki)
Station we have 104, whats your
status?
INT. POLICE STATION
Mio is led by the officer into a cell.
POLICE
Just sit in this cell for a moment.
Mio sits depressed. She obviously has been crying. Mascara
is ruined. Shes in the cell with BUGGINOUT.
BUGGINOUT
Hey its gonna be ok.
MIO
Thanks.
BUGGINOUT
This your first time?
MIO
Yea.
BUGGINOUT
Yea me too. I mean first time
alone. Usually Im with other
people. Im a protester. Last time
I was with 40 other folks from the
occupy march last June. That was
fun. But you see they can arrest
the human body but they cant
arrest the mind. Our minds, our
thoughts. They are what keep us
going. The NYPD is the most fucked
up organization on earth. They have
nothing to do! Niggas aint
commiting crimes no more like in
the 80s so they get on this stupid
shit. Sleeping in the park. Come
on, man. This is some bullshit. You
see Im an anarchist socialist. We
all got to help each other. But
first need to bring down ...
His speech continues for an hour. Mio is mostly silent.
66.
INT. POLICE STATION
Mio is sitting in the police station depressed.
POLICE
Miosotis Rodriguez, your mother is
here.
Grandma walks in very angry.
INT. SUBWAY
Mio and Grandma sit next to each other.
GRANDMA
Yo no se lo que te pasa. Yo no te
ensene asi.
MIO
Well, I was out of money. I didnt
know what else to do.
GRANDMA
Well thats what happens when you
work for free. Suprise! You dont
have any money . (Eso lo que pasa
cuando trabaja gratis. Sorpresa, no
hay dinero.)
MIO
Mama, Im trying really hard OK.
Its not easy.
GRANDMA
Look at your cousin. Sin
educacion Hes making it. Why
cant you? I dont understand you.
Im very sad. Im so sad right now
I can cry. But I dont cry because
Im not a little girl... (Mira tu
primo, tu hermana. Yo no te
entiendo. Estoy bien triste. Tan
triste que puedo llorar. Pero yo no
lloro porque no soy una nina...)
Mio gets up and moves to another seat in the back of the
train.
GRANDMA
Pa donde va?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 67.
MIO
I need to be alone.
GRANDMA
Pendeja...
INT.BEDROOM
Mio is getting ready for bed. Diana is finishing up another
Vlog about Mio.
DIANA
That nigga dont care about her. He
just wants his hot blooded latina.
He thinks this is like a safari.
Oh, let me see how the Latinos
live. Wow Dominicans eat a lot of
platano. Let me write this down.
Like hes fucking Jane Gooddall...
MIOSOTIS
But you do act like a fucking
monkey sometimes.
DIANA
Yea and you act like bitch
sometimes.. bitch.
MIOSOTIS
Dont start with me alright. I had
a really bad day at work.
DIANA
Work... di que work... Eso es
Slaveryship! (whip)
MIOSOTIS
You been talking to grandma I see.
DIANA
I dont think Django is coming to
save your ass, you better recognize
y buscate un trabajo. Deja El
Relajo.
MIOSOTIS
Im serious, shut the fuck up and
go to sleep ya. You talking way too
much.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 68.
DIANA
OK sis, yes I will stop talking for
you. So you can have your time.
MIOSOTIS
Look I love you.
DIANA
I love you too. Its just, I want
the best for you.
MIOSOTIS
You, too. I want the best for you
too.
DIANA
No matter how many blanquitos you
date its all good.
INT. APT NEXT MORNING
Mio wakes up to see Javier packing and moving boxes.
MIO
Youre leaving? So soon?
GRANDMA
Your cousin is moving on.
MIO
Please take me away from these
people! Save me!
JAVIER
I wish I could. Its only a 1
bedroom. Living room is going to be
for the kids.
MIO
Kids?
JAVIER
Yea. Harmony is pregnant.
MIO
Shut up! Oh my god, thats so cool.
Congrats!
JAVIER
Thanks, Im gonna be a papi.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 69.
MIO
Youre gonna be a great dad.
JAVIER
Thanks. So howd it go with that
audition?
MIO
Yea, I dont think Im right for
it.
JAVIER
Really? I think they liked
you. Did they call you back?
MIO
Yea, they texted me to come back...
another test. But its not for me.
JAVIER
Really I think they are paying too.
Dont you got school loans?
MIO
No, I got scholarships from the
hispanic scholarship fund, so its
not that imperative.
JAVIER
Hey, money is money.
MIO
Yea, I doubt it would have been
much anyway.
DIANA
Hey, its something. Unlike that
slaveryship.
JAVIER
You work on a slave ship?
MIO
Dont ask.
JAVIER
Well, hey at least you got your
room back. Thats what you wanted,
right?
MIO
Yea. I guess...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 70.
DIANA
Yea now I dont have to hear you
snore. And I know you dont like
working but for some reason Im
doing all the lifting here. Hello
mi gente, tenemos que ponernos las
pilas!
EXT. CAR
Javier putting the last of his boxes into the car Harmony is
driving. They all wave him good bye.
INT. CUBICLE OFFICE
Miosotis site by her cubicle quietly eating a tuna sandwich.
a few phones in the background. Shes checking her facebook.
She clicks a video that her ex-boyfriend put up, of him
traveling through Germany. She gets a message from him:
JONATHAN
Hey, what up? Hows New York?
MIOSOTIS
Its good.
JONATHAN
What you up to?
MIOSOTIS
Just bored at work, transcribing
bullshit.
JONATHAN
Cool. Hey, look, Im coming back to
NY for a little bit.
MIOSOTIS
For a bit?
JONATHAN
Yea, I got a PA gig for NBC.
MIOSOSTIS
Oh, thats cool.
JONATHAN
Yea. Maybe I can get you in.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 71.
MIOSOSTIS
Really? Can you? That would really
help. I need to get out of this
shitty office.
JONATHAN
Yea, no problem.
MIO
Thanks.
JONATHAN
Yea, well, Im gonna get an
apartment in Jersey. But the thing
is cant move in til the first and
i arrive on the 25th...
MIOSOTIS
So you want to stay at my place?
JONATHAN
It would only be for less than a
week.
MIOSOTIS
And my grandma would be OK with
this because...
JONATHAN
well, thats the beautiful
part...she dont need to know.
MIOSOTIS
Please explain. Since we live
together. And shes not blind yet.
JONATHAN
Easy you sneak me in and out. In
the morning I leave early and at
night Ill text you and I make sure
I come in at 6.45 exactly.
MIOSOTIS
And what is at 6.45?
JONATHAN
6.45 is when Passion de mis amores
is almost gone.
MIOSOTIS
I see youve thought this
through...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 72.
JONATHAN
So, as its ending. Exactly, shell
be so glued to the novella that she
wont see me come in.
INT. BENS OFFICE
Mio knocks on Bens office. Hes watching youtube.
BEN
Hey Miosotis, come in.
MIO
Thanks, I hope Im not
interrupting.
BEN
No checking out one them dem bow
videos. Very interesting stuff. Que
lo que, keloke, ke lo ke,...
MIO
Cool... Well, I been thinking. And
I love being an intern--
BEN
(interrupting)
Associate.
MIO
Right. Associate. I have a good
time and all but I need money..
BEN
Oh no did you get robbed? I tell
you Brooklyn aint gentrified
enough.
MIO
No... my financial situation
requires that I have a job.
BEN
I see.
MIO
No. Its just if I cant make
money, I cant make a living. You
understand.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 73.
BEN
I know times are tough. Were
struggling too. This city is very
expensive. Prices always going up.
We understand everyones situation
is different. Like Grace, she
started as an associate and then we
hired her. She gets paid.
MIO
So what youre saying is eventually
I can get paid?
BEN
Well Im not saying that. Im just
saying that I understand and we
never promised that you would be
hired.
MIO
But if I stay long enough. Like how
long are we talking here?
BEN
Its hard to say. You know with the
economy. But If you have to go, I
totally understand and I wish you
luck. Youre a bright young girl,
youll figure it out.
MIO
Thanks.
INT. MIOS APT.
Mio arrives home
GRANDMA
Hola Mija, tienes hambre?
MIOSOTIS
Hey Grandma, I already ate. Is it
OK if I watch a show at 6.30.
GRANDMA
No, you cant ... you know I watch
my novella at that time. (No, tu
sabe esa es hora de la novella.)
MIO
Exacto.
74.
INT. GRANDMAS ROOM.
Mio walks around nervously and checks her phone. A light
knock on the window, its Jonathan. She double checks that
grandma is still there watching the soap. She opens the
door.
JONATHAN
Hey, all clear?
MIO
Yea hurry.
He climbs through the window and drops a large bible. The
thud gets grandmas attention.
GRANDMA
Mio, que fue eso?
MIO
Oh nothing. I dropped a book.
GRANDMA
Be careful! (Ten cuidado)
She quietly leads Jonathan to her room which is still in
boxes.
JONATHAN
What did I tell you? Piece of cake.
Diana Enters.
DIANA
Diablo!
Mio quickly covers her mouth and leads her out of the room.
INT. HALL WAY
Mio has Dianas mouth covered. They whisper.
MIO
Be quiet, I cant have grandma
finding out about this.
DIANA
Is that Jonathan?
MIO
Yea.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 75.
DIANA
Oh my goodness! Are you guys
getting back together?
MIO
No. Stop it, thats none of your
business.
DIANA
(praying to the saints)
Yes, shes come back to us! Mi
Gente!
MIO
Quiet! Hes just staying a few
days. Its not serious.
DIANA
Oh OK. But you guys are gonna have
sex, right?
MIO
Shut up, go to your room.
DIANA
Ex-sex, ex-sex!
Mio leaves Diana smiling in the hallway.
INT. MIOS ROOM.
MIO
And how long do you need to be
doing this?
JONATHAN
Just a few more days.
MIO
Whats a few more days?
JONATHAN
A week.
MIO
A week? Oh man I dont know about
this.
JONATHAN
Look dont sweat it. Just lock the
door, she never comes in here
anyway.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 76.
MIO
Its still risky. If she sees you
here in my room forget about it.
JONATHAN
Its OK Ill protect you from your
evil grandma.
MIO
Shes not evil. Shes just a pain
in the ass.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Mio and Jonathan lie in bed hugging.
JONATHAN
Why did we break up?
MIO
Because thats what you wanted.
JONATHAN
Thats what we discussed.
MIO
Look you need to go abroad and
were young.
JONATHAN
I know but maybe I made a mistake.
MIO
Jon, we cant do this.
JONATHAN
But I still love you.
MIO
Look, this is for the best. Its
better if we just stay single for a
while.
JONATHAN
Are you dating someone now?
MIO
Yea...
JONATHAN
Oh...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 77.
MIO
Look I dont wanna talk about my
private life. Im sure you banged a
whole lot of German girls over
there.
JONATHAN
German girls, ewww... Na they were
all very butch with no butts. You
know I like my latinas.
MIO
What was it like?
JONATHAN
Bunch of crazy Germans and Brits. I
was the only American in the crew.
Wed do weekend trips to different
festivals throughout
Europe. Performing in the streets,
sketches and the like. It was
great. Live theater. Sometimes wed
get an audience, but a lot of
times, people would just walk right
by.
MIO
So people would just stop and watch
you guys perform?
JONATHAN
That was the idea. The guy Jorgen
who ran it, was really into
acrobatics. It was half scripted
and half improvised.
MIO
Must have been an experience.
JONATHAN
Yea, definitely.
They kiss.
MIO
We cant be doing this.
JONATHAN
I know. Its just too comfortable.
MIO
Just for this week.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 78.
JONATHAN
One week.
They kiss again.
FADE OUT
INT. APT.
Mio is pacing watching as the soap opera finishes. Her phone
vibrates. Its Jonathan.
MIO
Where the heck are you?
JONATHAN
Dude, the fucking train was late.
Some issue on 125th street.
MIO
Well, youre missing your window of
opportunity...the novela is over.
JONATHAN
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck... What are
we gonna do?
MIO
I dont know. Youre going to be
homeless tonight.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NOVELLA
The novella is at fever pitch. Guns are firing. Women are
crying. The music is action packed. Grandma is at the edge
of her seat. "Ay mi Madre"
EXT. FIRE ESCAPE
Jonathan has just arrived at the window.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NOVELLA
We hear a dramatic crash and the voice over "En el proximo
capitulo"
MIO
Is the novela finished?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 79.
GRANDMA
Yea its so good. Adriano is in love
with Teresa, but she doesnt love
him, she loves Sebastian. So hes
trying to get him killed. But
Sebastian is his brother. But now
instead of killing him hes in a
coma. And he knows that his own
brother tried to kill him. And then
in this capitulo he wakes up. Oh I
cant wait for
tomorrow. (Esta
buenisima. Adriano esta enamorado
de Teresa, pero ella no lo quiere -
ella quiere Sebastian. Entonces el
lo esta tratando de matar, pero
Sebastian es su hermano. Entonces
el se quedo en coma. Y el sabe que
su propio hermano trato de matarlo.
Y en este capitulo se despierta.
Hay no puedo esperar hasta manana.)
MIO
Wait tell me more. This is so
interesting.
GRANDMA
Wait I have to go to my room.
(Espera tengo que ir a mi piesa.)
MIO
No wait, I want to talk to you.
EXT. FIRE ESCAPE
Jonathan is outside grandmas window. He texts.
JOHNATHAN
(text)
You gotta keep her in the living
room talking.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NOVELLA
Mio sees shes about to go to her room.
MIOSOTIS
Im pregnant.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 80.
GRANDMA
Youre what?! (Que que?!)
Doesnt answer and goes to the kitchen.
GRANDMA
Pero ven aca.
INT. GRANDMAS ROOM.
Jonathan slides open the window, but he has a mine field of
saints and candles.
JONATHAN
What the fuck? What is this
abuelita home alone?
INT. LIVING ROOM
Mio pretends to cry to cover her face.
GRANDMA
Tell me. What did you say? Youre
pregnant? Are you sure? Deja el
relajo ya. Whos the father? (Dime,
dime que dijiste. Embarazada? Estas
segura? Deja el relajo. Quien es el
padre?)
MIOSOTIS
I cant... I cant... tell you.
GRANDMA
Come on, is it Travis? I like
Travis. Entre mas blanquito
mejor. (Dime... es Travis? A mi me
gusta el. Entre mas blanquito
mejor.)
MIOSOTIS
Ma!
GRANDMA
Hay que mejorar la raza, mi amor.
A crash is heard.
GRANDMA
What was that? (Que fue eso?)
She gets up. Miosotis, seeing that shes losing her, blurts
out.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 81.
MIOSOTIS
Hes black!
GRANDMA
WHAT?!
INT. GRANDMAS ROOM.
Jonathan shakes himself off, he knocked a candle behind the
table and doesnt see it. He exits the room quietly and in
the hallway, he gives a very light WHISTLE. A small fire
starts.
INT. LIVING ROOM
Grandma is violently shaking Miosotis, who is fake crying.
Miosotis hears the WHISTLE and perks her head up. And begins
to laugh.
MIOSOTIS
Hay, mama, Im just playing. Youre
so gullible.
GRANDMA
What?! Why you do this? You almost
gave me a heart attack.(Que? Casi
me da un infarto, porque hiciste
eso?!)
Miosotis walks to her room and sees the smoke. She runs
towards the door. Grandma follows.
MIOSOTIS
Oh my god.
GRANDMA
Dios mio!
Grandma tries stepping on it and as soon she does she
catches on fire and screams as her dress flames up and
reaches her head. Her face burns. Her eyeballs dangle from
her melting skull. Mio just watches in horror. Her carcass
collapses on the floor like a grey cigarette butt. Jonathan
gives Mio a hug as they look down. (LA ABUELA SE QUEMA)
MIO
We did it. We finally got rid of
her.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 82.
JONATHAN
Youre free now. Free..
MIO
Free...
Mio mesmerized by the flames has been daydreaming. Jonathan
suddenly rushes in grabs the bowl of holy water.
He pours it all over the fire.
MIOSOTIS
So thats why the waters there...
GRANDMA
Who are you? What are you doing
here? (Quien es usted? Que haces
aqui?)
JONATHAN
Im a friend.
GRANDMA
Friend? What friend? (Que amigo?)
MIO
Abuela, hes my friend.
GRANDMA
Why is he here? Why are you coming
through the window like thief? What
kind of friends do you have?
(Porque el esta aqui? Porque estas
entrando por la ventana como un
ladron?! Que tipo de amigos tienes
tu?!)
MIO
Mama, chill out please. Im sorry,
he was staying here.
JONATHAN
I was just going to stay a few
nights.
GRANDMA
Is this what you do now? You bring
strange men into my apt. Without
asking me? Esto se a vuelto una
casa de prostitucion! (Esto es lo
que haces ahora? Traer hombres
raros a mi apartamento? Sin
preguntarme? Esto se a vuelto una
casa de prostitucion.)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 83.
JONATHAN
Abuela calmness calmas.
GRANDMA
Yo no me calmo nada! I want you out
of my house. Get out! (Salga de mi
apartamento!)
MIO
Pero, mama, he has nowhere to go!
Please, its late.
GRANDMA
I dont care. You dont bring
strange men into my apt through the
window. You got 5 minutes. 5
Minutes. (A mi no me importa. Tu no
traes hombres raros a mi apt por la
ventana. Tienes 5 minutos. 5
minutos.)
MIO
Pero mama just let him stay.
GRANDMA
NO! no, no , no, no , no. Que se
vaya! You got 5 min. 4 now. Or Im
calling the police. (Llamo la
policia)
JONATHAN
Come on, lets go. Lets just go.
MIO
Abuela please...
JONATHAN
Mio, its OK. I have a friend. dont
worry.
EXT. APT HALLWAY.
They walk out of the apartment.
MIO
Im so sorry. This really sucks.
JONATHAN
Hey, its cool. I know we were kind
of pushing it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 84.
MIO
You sure youre gonna be OK?
JONATHAN
Yea, I got a friend in Jamaica,
Queens. Its a little far but I
think I can still make the LIRR. I
gotta jet though. See ya.
MIO
Wait..hold up. You remember you
mentioned that job at NBC.
JONATHAN
Oh right, right. Yea just send me
your resume. Ill give it to Janet.
No prob.
MIO
Thank you so much, this means a lot
to me.
JONATHAN
Hey, no problem. Bye.
He kisses her on the cheek and quickly runs off. She goes
back into the room. She stops to see her grandma drying the
water from the carpet. It was quiet and awkward.
GRANDMA
Im very sad right now. I thought I
did everything I could to raise you
right. I did my best. (Estoy tan
triste. Hice todo lo que pude hacer
por ti. Trate de criarte bien...)
MIO
Im sorry Grandma.
Grandma doesnt say anything. She gets up quietly and leaves
the room. Mio is saddened.
CUT TO:
INT. NBC OFFICE
Mio sits across her leg shaking nervously. A stern looking
woman JANET 38, reads her resume. Mio bites her nails
nervously, but smiles when spoken too.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 85.
JANET
Cum Laude ... hmmm..
MIO
Yes.
JANET
What do you know about insurance?
MIO
Well, we all need it.
JANET
You got that right. We have a
position in the insurance dept.
Youll be overseeing our various
productions making sure they have
the right insurance and we cover
our assets.
MIO
Sounds great.
JANET
When can you start?
MIO
Um, right now.
JANET
I like your eagerness. Well start
you off Monday morning.
MIO
Thanks, I cant wait to get
started.
JANET
Good. Were starting you off at 30k
a year, full benefits, 401k. Hows
that sound?
MIO
That sounds good.
JANET
Every year your salary goes up 5%
after a satisfactory review. I
think youre gonna find it quite
nice here.
86.
INT. OFFICE CUBICLE.
Mio sits at a cubicle. She shuffles some papers. Janet
enters talking on a cell phone.
JANET
(cellphone)
Yes, we have your paper work right
here. Youre covered. (to Mio) Send
those orders to production before
noon.
MIO
I was just about to do that OK.
JANET
Im taking off for a lunch meeting.
So be ready for any orders.
MIO
OK you got it.
JANET
Feel free to take lunch in an hour
MIO
You got it.
JANET
OK, see ya.
MIO
Bye.
JANET
You need something from the deli?
MIO
No, I brought my own tuna sandwich
from home.
JANET
Smart.
Janet exits.
DONNA 33 head rises above the cubicle wall.
DONNA
Annoying bitch.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 87.
MIO
What?
DONNA
Janet, I cant stand her.
MIO
Oh.
DONNA
Im Donna by the way.
MIO
Miosotis.
DONNA
Welcome to the insurance
department.
MIO
Thanks.
DONNA
Bye.
Donnas head lowers.
Miosotis looks at her computer bored. She opens her tuna
sandwich which is all flat. She eats quietly in her cubicle,
checks facebook.
FADE TO BLACK