Palm trees wrapped in CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. A cacophony of HONKING,
TAXI DRIVERS YELLING, and dueling Mariachi bands butchering
“FELIZ NAVIDAD.” TRAVELERS spill onto sidewalk.
NINA WALLIS (30s) drags a pink suitcase and a crammed carry-
on. Her smile says holiday spirit or die trying.
NINA (V.O.)
They say the holidays bring people
together. What they don't mention
is the stress - wrapped in emotional
baggage, tied with a bow and labeled,
"my sister's dream destination
wedding."
She scans the Crowd, GROANS when she sees RICHARD PLUMBO (30s),
meticulously groomed, looking tighter than a straight jacket.
RICHARD
(English accent)
Still punctual, I see.
NINA
Still a joy sponge.
RICHARD
I beg your pardon. I am not a joy
sponge. I'm joy-adjacent.
NINA
You brought a spreadsheet to a picnic,
Dick.
RICHARD
Don’t call me Dick.
NINA
Oh, wouldn’t dream of it... Dicky.
RICHARD
I deal with the dead for a living
and somehow this is the worst part
of my day.
The SHUTTLE DRIVER approaches with a clipboard.
SHUTTLE DRIVER
Nina Wallis?
NINA
Guilty.
SHUTTLE DRIVER
(taking her bags)
Bienvenida, señorita. Only twenty
minutes late - perfect timing. Señor
Ricardo has been here an hour like
he's waiting for the baby Jesus.
RICHARD
A terrific opportunity to get
acquainted with local customs.
A voluptuous WOMAN (20s), a tray of empenadas balanced on her
head, sashays by. Richard watches her go, quietly calculating.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Fourteen? Maybe twelve.
NINA
Oh my God, still ogling women. And
assigning scores like you're at a
wine auction.
RICHARD
That’s unfair. I never score.
SHUTTLE DRIVER
Hop aboard. I'll have you in San
Miguel before you know it, assuming
nobody gets strangled along the way.
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Stuck in Chaos
INT. SHUTTLE VAN – MOVING/STALLED IN TRAFFIC - LATE AFTERNOON
Nina and Richard are wedged between a FAMILY of seven. A
TODDLER kicks Nina’s back and GRANDPA SNORES next to Richard.
Up front, MIDWEST MOM leads an off-key rendition of "Feliz
Navidad." Her HUSBAND records video. The toddler SCREAMS the
chorus. The TEEN DAUGHTER is mortified.
RICHARD
Nobody mentioned this came with a
choir.
NINA
Consider it the deluxe package. No
extra charge for volume.
They exchange a withering look.
NINA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Let me back up. Eighteen months
ago, we broke up.
(MORE)
NINA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Now we're crammed into a shuttle
heading to my only sister's wedding
where, surprise... I'm the bridesmaid.
And he's the best man. Because life
is full of cosmic jokes.
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Dusk Delights and Awkward Encounters
EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY – DUSK
The shuttle winds towards San Miguel de Allende.
MIDWEST MOM (O.S.)
Okay, kids. From the top.
(singing)
"Frosty the snowman... "
INT. SHUTTLE VAN - MOVING - DUSK
The Grandpa DROOLS, his head resting on Richard's shoulder.
KID
Mom! The mean lady farted!
NINA
Don't tell lies, kid.
The Kid HOWLS. Everyone scowls at Nina.
NINA (CONT'D)
Tell me again why you agreed to come?
RICHARD
Because, despite the ocean that
separates us, the groom is still my
best friend. And who would say no
to a chance to skip frigid London.
NINA
Frigid? You chose that word
deliberately, didn't you?
RICHARD
Well, broke and frazzled didn't fit.
So... are you? Still broke?
NINA
I prefer reaching for the stars.
And you? Still as tight as a
marmalade lid in a Nutella world?
The Toddler KICKS Nina's seat. Nina elbows the seat.
NINA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
We hadn’t spoken since "The Breakup."
Now we're glued at the hip for the
holidays. What can possibly go wrong?
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Holiday Arrivals in San Miguel
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE – DUSK
The shuttle winds down narrow cobblestone streets. Balconies
draped in colorful lights. Doorways adorned with Christmas
ornaments. The town sparkles with magic.
EXT. FIVE-STAR HOTEL - DUSK
The shuttle pulls up. Nina and Richard step out and stretch
as the Family unloads chaotically. HOTEL STAFF rush to assist.
MIDWEST MOM
Merry Christmas, y’all! And Feliz...
everything!
NINA
Merry Christmas!
(sotto)
You human Pinterest board with your
Feliz Navidad flash mob.
TODDLER
Bye, fart lady!
The TEEN DAUGHTER glares. Richard locks eyes with her.
RICHARD
Chin up.
(sticks out his tongue)
Someday you’ll be bitter, too.
DAD smugly palms the Driver a tip.
SHUTTLE DRIVER
(looks at the measly
amount)
Feliz Navidad, indeed.
Grandpa opens his wallet, hands the Shuttle Driver a bill.
GRANDPA
Excuse my ignorant son.
The Driver grins. He, Nina and Richard hop back into the van.
NINA
Tell me you came prepared to spread
Christmas joy... and actual pesos.
RICHARD
I tip based on performance, not
pageantry.
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
A Splash of Awkwardness
EXT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE – DUSK
The shuttle rumbles to a stop in front of a colonial-style
house adorned with white lights, a wreath on a massive wooden
door. Nina and Richard step onto the sidewalk.
NINA
Wow. This is what two grand a night
gets you. I'm using every towel,
and drinking from the fancy glasses.
RICHARD
It's leaning slightly. That wreath.
Could be a structural issue.
NINA
You should write reviews. One star,
wreath slightly askew.
The SHUTTLE DRIVER drops their luggage on the stoop.
NINA (CONT'D)
You're not tipping from your trust
fund, Dicky. Relax your sphincter.
Richard flips through his wallet. Nothing but big bills. He
GROANS, hands the Shuttle Driver a 1,000 peso note (US$50).
NINA
Since a year ago when I knew I'd be
coming to Mexico for a wedding.
RICHARD
How disturbingly practical of you.
NINA
Growth. You should try it.
The front door bursts open. GABRIELLE WALLIS (30s), curvaceous,
vivacious, throws her arms around Nina, smothers her in kisses.
GABRIELLE
(over her shoulder)
They're here!
(to Richard)
Wait. How are you two together?
RICHARD
The Gods are conspiring-
GABRIELLE
Oh, never mind. Come in. Nina, I
need your opinion.
Gabrielle grabs Nina's hand and leads her into
VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE
DOMINIC VELASCO (30s), the tall, dashing groom, strides toward
them with open arms. He hugs Richard, noogies his head. Richard
pats his shoulder, politely pulls away.
DOMINIC
Ricardo, I was about to send out a
search party.
RICHARD
Well, I can explain-
GABRIELLE
Save your breath. We don't care.
As long as you're here.
Gabrielle leads Nina down a collonaded hallway open to a garden
with fountain and pool. The Men trail behind with the luggage.
NINA
Oh. My. God. This place is insane!
GABRIELLE
Even better than it looked online,
right? Everyone's in the living
room. A quick cocktail then we head
out for the tree lighting. I am so
excited!
NINA
I just need to freshen up. The ride
here was... dusty.
GABRIELLE
Your room's down here. Yours and
Richard's, that is.
NINA
Hell no.
GABRIELLE
Sorry sis, Dom's brother showed up.
Boyfriend in tow. Along with a stray
chihuahua. You try kicking them out.
NINA
I adore Andrés. He has a new beau?
GABRIELLE
Irish. Has the gift of the gab.
(glances over her
shoulder)
Unlike some people we know.
NINA
He's boring, but harmless. Anyway,
it's your wedding. I'll make sure
Dicky-boy behaves.
END OF THE HALL
Gabrielle opens a door to a deluxe room with a king size bed.
GABRIELLE
Ta-da!
NINA
You can't be serious.
Dominic and Richard catch up. Richard peers into the room.
RICHARD
Nope. Absolutely not.
GABRIELLE
For crying out loud, it’s short-term.
RICHARD
Short-term like a power outage, or
more like the Spanish flu?
GABRIELLE
Grow up. Need I remind you that you
used to share a bed... and bodily
fluids.
RICHARD
It's fine. I’ll sleep on the floor.
NINA
And I’ll be on the emotional high
ground.
GABRIELLE
Whatever you do, make it work. Oh
my god, I need that cocktail, pronto.
DOMINIC
Come on, darling.
(leading Gabrielle
away)
Living room is at the other end of
the hall. Don't get lost.
NINA
Whatever's being poured, make mine a
double!
NINA & RICHARD'S BEDROOM
Richard walks in with his bag. Nina drags her bags in, closes
the door with a BANG. She stands, hands on hips.
NINA (CONT'D)
Well?
RICHARD
I said I'll sleep on the floor. You
can hog the duvet all you want.
NINA
Didn't you hear? Andrés is here.
RICHARD
Lovely he came after all.
NINA
The brother is usually the best man,
which frees you up to... I don't
know. Tally ho?
RICHARD
Dom and I have been friends since
boarding school. Need I remind you
I came all the way from bloody London.
Nina storms into the bathroom. O.S. WATER SPLASHES. She marches
back in, drying her hands, tosses the damp towel on the bed.
Richard reaches to pick it up, stops himself.
NINA
Just one thing, this week needs to
go off without a hitch. No drama.
Capisce?
He picks up the towel, notes the damp spot on the bed, and
carries it to the bathroom, folding as he goes.
LIVING ROOM – EARLY EVENING
Double doors swing open onto a picture-perfect Christmas
wonderland. Colorful star lanterns abound. A bar cart sparkles
like a disco ball. O.S. The Pogues' “Fairytale of New York.”
Nina and Richard pause at the door, take in:
MONIQUE VELASCO (50s), Dominic's luminous, high-maintenance
mother, stretches her legs across her husband's lap. PEDRO
(60ish), a tan, silver fox, equally expensive, rubs her feet.
ISABEL VELASCO (80), the matriarch, dripping in gold jewelry
topped with a Santa hat, shakes the COCKTAIL SHAKER with gusto.
ANDRÉS VELASCO (30s) and his Irish boyfriend FINN (30s) set
out a row of frosted martini glasses.
LARK MEADOW (40) and her boyfriend JULES MER (20s) sit on
floor cushions, scanning their phones.
GABRIELLE flutters in, flushed with excitement.
GABRIELLE
Everyone! The last of the flock has
arrived. Nina, you all know, and
this is Richard, fresh from Picadilly
Circus.
ISABEL
Martinis with fancy vodka I found at
duty free coming right up.
Andrés and Finn step forward in fabulous gay style to greet
Nina and Richard, leaving Isabel to spritz the glasses-
ISABEL (CONT'D)
(to herself)
One spray or two?
(sniffing a glass)
Definitely two.
She spritzes each glass again and pours the martinis.
JULES
Is that like Cirque de Soleil?
NINA
Soleil? Total opposite. And I don’t
just mean sunless afternoons and
emotional constipation.
RICHARD
And there, in a nutshell, is why we
broke off our engagement.
MONIQUE
Such a pity. I hope you kept the
ring at least.
NINA
Sold it to subsidize my writing
career.
PEDRO
A noble investment. In art. Or
vengeance. Either way.
RICHARD
Do tell everyone how your novel is
coming along. It's only been in the
works, what? Eight years?
NINA
And, there is the real reason we
broke up. Need I say more?
ISABEL
Enough gossip. Everyone, time to
drink or dance.
Finn and Jules grab martinis and pass them out.
LARK
All breakups are just transformations
waiting for integration.
GABRIELLE
After all, it's taken us five years
of peeling away the layers to arrive
here and now as our fully integrated
selves. Isn't that right, Dom?
DOMINIC
(raising his glass)
Perfectly said, my love.
Isabel hits a button on the music console. Pink Martini's
"Dónde Estàs, Yolanda?" Plays.
ISABEL (CONT’D)
Vamos. No party poopers!
Pedro stands, pulls Monique up. She resists, then gives in,
correcting his rhythm mid-step.
GABRIELLE
Cinco minuto! Then shoes, coats on!
ISABEL
(passing by with
martini refills)
Oh, honey, this is Mexico. When
they say the tree will light at seven,
they really mean eight.
NINA
Cheers to elastic time.
She and Richard drift apart. Gabrielle moves toward Nina.
Dominic pulls Richard aside to the
KITCHEN ENTRANCE
They watch Gabrielle twirl Nina and pull Isabel in to join
them. Andrés and Finn dance like pros. Lark and Jules join
in, but the stars are Pedro and Monique.
DOMINIC
So, you and Nina? How's the one bed
going to work?
RICHARD
I imagine like a slow motion car
crash. With throw pillows.
DOMINIC
C'mon, you two were the perfect
couple... the inspo that kept Gabby
and I trying. Maybe the sparks will
fly again.
RICHARD
Hopefully not the kind that sets off
a smoke alarm and sends everyone
rushing from the building.
DOMINIC
You can always bunk with my gran,
but she snores like a ten ton truck.
Don't know how much sleep you'd get.
RICHARD
We're here to celebrate you and Gabby.
Nina and I will be fine... or die
trying.
DOMINIC
Maybe talk to Lark. She’s a legit
couples therapist.
RICHARD
I’d rather chew glass.
DOMINIC
Five years ago, I’d have said the
same. Now I breathe through my
triggers. I keep my vibration high.
RICHARD
You mean like a vibrator?
DOMINIC
My internal frequency. The thing
you beaming out into the world like
a satellite. People pick up on that.
RICHARD
We Brits don’t beam. We simmer
quietly until death.
DOMINIC
Well maybe try beaming for a week.
You might like the results.
RICHARD
So I just think happy thoughts and
Nina stops wanting to stab me?
DOMINIC
Maybe don’t lead with that vibe.
They glance over: Nina and Isabel twirl ecstatically. Pedro
dips Monique. Gabrielle, phone in hand, herds Finn and Andrés.
GABRIELLE
Dom! Ricardo! Vamanos. I don't
want to miss the magical moment!
DOMINIC
Aaah... the joys of married life.
RICHARD
How intoxicating. Must be the
vibrations.
They CLINK glasses, down what’s left and move toward the chaos.
COURTYARD
The Group spills into the open air. The pool and fountain
glisten. Coats are half-on, drinks still in hand.
GABRIELLE
Alright! Coats, tamales - JK -
holiday cheer! Vamanos!
JULES
Wait! Everyone by the fountain.
First group selfie of the week.
Candid chaos, emotional resonance,
you know the drill.
GABRIELLE
Jules—
JULES
Two minutes. You'll thank me when
Vogue requests the wedding album.
Everyone GROANS but assembles in front of the fountain.
MONIQUE
Pedro. Shoulders back. I refuse to
be immortalized next to a limp man.
PEDRO
We can go to our room and resolve
that, my love.
ISABEL
Everybody, just smile. We’ll all be
dead soon enough, and this will be
someone’s screensaver.
ANDRÉS
Where’s Richard?
RICHARD
Coming.
He jogs up, squeezes in the back. Jules sets the phone on a
pool chair, sets timer and runs into frame.
JULES
On three! One... two—
Richard takes a tiny step back. A slick stone. He falls into
the fountain, butt-first, YELPS. He SPLASHES Andrés, Finn,
and Nina. GASPS. LAUGHTER. Finn gives him a hand up.
FINN
You okay?
RICHARD
Dignity's overrated. Wet corduroy,
though... that's the real tragedy.
ANDRÉS
Count it a blessing. Nobody should
be seen dead wearing corduroy.
GABRIELLE
(pointing)
Dom, darling, grab towels.
Dominic brings pool towels. Nina and the Boys dab themselves
dry. Richard wraps a towel around his waist.
ANDRÉS
Cute, but perhaps Roman spa isn't
the right look.
ISABEL
The air feels like bergamot and déjà
vu. Anyone else’s teeth vibrating
in B minor?
ANDRÉS
What was in the martinis, Nanna?
ISABEL
My usual recipe with an extra spritz
of love.
FINN
Did you say spritz?
Andrés and Finn share a look. Finn rushes off.
GABRIELLE
Richard, go change. We’re late.
RICHARD
I’ll stay. Dry off. Regain the
will to live.
NINA
You brought backup pants, I hope.
GABRIELLE
Don’t dawdle. We want to make the
lighting countdown.
NINA
You guys go. I'll stay with Dick
and we'll catch up.
RICHARD
I don't need babysitting. I'll find
my way.
NINA
The last time you said that, I ended
being propositioned by a man with no
shoes and, worse, no teeth.
RICHARD
Touché.
The group shuffles out. Nina watches Richard wander in a slow
circle, disoriented, towel trailing like a toga.
NINA
Hail Caesar. Follow me.
BEDROOM
Nina waves arms and legs as if making a snow angel on the
bed. Richard exits the bathroom, hair damp, clean clothes.
NINA (CONT'D)
So. Just us and your shame. Cozy.
RICHARD
You didn’t have to stay.
NINA
But I did. Because I’m thoughtful
like that. And nosy.
RICHARD
How gracious.
She eyes his dopp kit on the dresser, opens it, peeks inside.
He towels off his hair, watches her looking strangely giddy.
NINA
No condoms. Not exactly living la
vida loca, are we?
RICHARD
(snatching his kit)
That's private, but thank you.
NINA
For not letting you drown? That's a
low bar.
RICHARD
For not saying “I told you so.”
NINA
I’m saving it. For a moment when it
will truly hurt.
She peels back the covers on half the bed, feels the sheets.
NINA (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
High thread count... I'm going to
luxuriate like a queen.
RICHARD
Ready?
NINA
Just need to brush my teeth. Weird
taste in my mouth.
Nina stands up, wobbles to the bathroom.
NINA (CONT'D)
My kneecaps feel like they’re
floating.
RICHARD
Mine do feel... somewhat buoyant.
NINA (O.S.)
You can have the left side.
RICHARD
How generous. The floor does seem
rather unyielding.
NINA (O.S.)
It’ll be easier for me to poke you
if you snore.
RICHARD
And vice versa.
NINA
(walking back in)
Say something?
Richard opens the door with a sly, dry smile.
RICHARD
After you, my lady.
Genres:
["Romantic Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
A Night of Festive Confusion
EXT. JARDÍN PRINCIPAL – NIGHT
The iconic pink Parroquia looms above the CROWD. The man-made
Christmas tree stands thirty feet tall, draped in baubles the
size of cantaloupes. A CHILDREN'S CHOIR waits poised on stage.
At the edge of the Crowd, Nina checks her phone, grabs
Richard's hand and steers to their Group, all with eyes on
the tree. Gabrielle gives Nina a quizzical look. Nina drops
Richard's hand like it's a hot potato.
THE MAYOR (on loud speaker)
Diez, nueve, ocho...
EVERYONE
Siete, seis, cinco...
NINA
Cuatro, tres, dos.
EVERYONE
UNO!!!
The tree lights FLASH on. Everyone OOHS. The Choir breaks
into "NOCHE DE PAZ". Gabrielle's face lights up. Nina is about
to hug her when Dominic kisses her passionately. Nina looks
at Richard with a hint of sadness. Jules holds up his phone.
JULES
Squeeze in everyone. Big smiles.
SERIES OF PHOTOS - poses, laughter, stolen kisses. Isabel
tosses her Santa hat into the air as if it were Graduation.
RICHARD
I feel like I'm somewhere between a
nativity and surrealist art
installation.
NINA
It's Christmas. Everything's allowed
to be tingly and unhinged.
Music SWELLS. FIREWORKS POP. LAUGHTER and APPLAUSE. Nina wraps
her arm around Gabrielle. They watch the fireworks, entranced.
Gabrielle points as thousands of silver stars explode like a
waterfall. Finn appears, drapes his arms over their shoulders.
FINN
Well, my lovelies, are we feeling
the magic?
GABRIELLE
Couldn't have planned it better!
FINN
Any time, darlin', you have but to
ask for the special ingredient.
They look at him, eyes like saucers, realize they're stoned.
GABRIELLE
Special, like?
FINN
A tad THC that Nanna mistook for her
vermouth spritzer.
NINA
Bless her bohemian heart.
The Crowd thins. Nina spots the MidWest Family in Santa hats
and sweaters. Grandpa, freshly shaven, looks dashing as he
pours tequila into a cup for Isabel.
NINA (CONT'D)
She’s flirting. I can feel it in my
scalp.
GABRIELLE
We'd better rescue the poor man before
he becomes husband number five.
FINN
And what about that would so terrible?
Gabrielle grabs Nina's hand. Nina yanks Finn along.
NINA
As this is your first Velasco
Christmas, I advise you keep your
magic spray on standby.
FINN
(patting his pocket)
Duly noted.
GABRIELLE
Isabel, there you are.
NINA
Holiday greetings, everyone.
MIDWEST MOM & DAD
Merry Christmas!
GABRIELLE
I'm Gabby. I see you've met my
fiancé's grandmother, our perennial
belle of the ball.
MIDWEST MOM
Isabel was just telling us the best
place to get chocolate and churros.
ISABEL
Don't miss out on the ones stuffed
with tequila flavored cream.
GRANDPA
I like a woman who knows her pastry
liquor.
ISABEL
And I like a man who wears aftershave.
GABRIELLE
(sotto to Nina)
God help us, they’re a match.
NINA
Do we leave them? Or get them their
own reality show?
DOMINIC
There you are!
Dominic, Andrés and Richard, all with huge grins, approach.
DOMINIC (CONT'D)
Darling, we're starving. How about
you?
FINN
It's called the munchies.
DOMINIC
Exactamundo. We need to find
something to munch on. Ideas?
RICHARD
Perhaps get everyone back to the
house and order take-out?
Gabrielle peels Isabel away, hands her to Andrés.
GABRIELLE
Excellent idea. There's a folder in
the kitchen with restaurants that
deliver.
DOMINIC
And what are you doing?
GABRIELLE
There's something I need Nina's
opinion on. It won't take long, but
(sotto)
You need to get Isabel out of here.
A MARIACHI BAND strikes up. Dominic and Gabrielle turn to see
Isabel being serenaded as Grandpa presents her gardenias.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
Hurry before our wedding becomes a
double ceremony.
(to Nina)
Come on.
She grabs Nina’s arm, weaves a determined path through the
meandering Crowd.
Nina turns to wave 'bye, spots Richard wandering off, taking
pics with his phone.
NINA
(over her shoulder)
Dom!
(pointing to Richard)
Keep your eyes on Dick.
Even Mexican DADS cover their CHILDREN'S ears.
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Candles and Connections
EXT. CANDLE SHOP – NIGHT
A tiny storefront glows mysteriously in the dark.
INSIDE CANDLE SHOP
NINA
So this is what emergency retail
therapy looks like.
Shelves upon shelves of colorful candles in glass holders,
adorned with labels in Spanish that promise love, luck,
fertility, peace, abundance, revenge.
A “Do Not Touch the Saints” sign hangs above a creepy statue.
GABRIELLE
Isn’t this awesome? I found it this
morning and had a moment.
NINA
A hocus pocus moment?
GABRIELLE
Nope. This is the real deal.
NINA
How can one store cover so many...
human needs?
GABRIELLE
Frequencies. Everything’s energy.
I’m putting a candle in every room
to boost the blessings, calm the
nerves. I already bought “clarity”
so I don’t forget my vows.
Gabrielle pulls Nina to a display in the
BACK OF STORE
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
Ooh. “Amor Duradero.”
NINA
Eternal love.
GABRIELLE
Perfect for honeymoon night. Should
I get two?
NINA
You want eternity. Why stop at two?
They both crack up. Gabrielle hugs her.
GABRIELLE
I’m so glad you’re here. I know
it’s weird for you.
(tearing up)
I really miss mom and dad, but-
NINA
They're smiling down on us from heaven-
GABRIELLE
Even at the marijuana martinis-
NINA
You kidding? Dad would be-
NINA & GABRIELLE
(imitating male voice)
Hey, girls, it's medicinal.
They look into each others eyes, teary, smiling.
GABRIELLE
He was the best.
NINA
Such a fucking hard act to follow.
GABRIELLE
So. Yes to the candle?
Nina grabs five and stacks them in Gabrielle's arms. Gabrielle
beams and carries them to the register. Nina watches her go.
She glances at a “Truth” candle. She picks it up, sniffs it.
NINA
You smell like divine trouble.
O.S. the BELL on the door TINKLES.
UP FRONT
Richard walks in. The shopkeeping BRUJA (40s), a classic witch
in all black and lace, bends over to dig through a box of
tiny cellophane packets. Richard appraises her skinny ass.
The Bruja stands up, jubilant, holds a tiny packet aloft.
BRUJA
(Spanish, subtitled)
The last one. A miracle!
Her eyes narrow upon seeing Richard gawking at her. She dips
back into the box, pulls out a small silver foil packet.
Gabrielle, focused on reading, turns, a candle in hand.
GABRIELLE
Nina! Saint Roch, for the boy's
chihuahua. Oh, Richard! Are you
stalking us?
BRUJA
Please tell me this is not your
eternal love.
GABRIELLE
No hablo Español. Nina! Help!
Nina walks in with three candles she's selected.
NINA
Richard?
RICHARD
I lost the others and saw you walk
in this direction. Lucky to have
found you, really.
NINA
Lucky us.
GABRIELLE
Nina, ask this kind woman what it
was she said.
BRUJA
This is man she intends to marry?
NINA
Oh, no, no. Definitely not. He's
my reject. A blast from the past.
(puts her candles on
counter)
I'd like these, please. You take
credit cards?
The Bruja nods, proceeds to wrap and package the candles.
NINA (CONT'D)
(extending her palm
to Richard)
She said last sale of the night has
to be a credit card.
RICHARD
But that doesn't make sen-
NINA
Christmas cheer and pesos, remember?
RICHARD
(digging out his wallet)
Ah. Yes. Holiday extortion. Very
festive.
Nina hands Richard's card to the Bruja, with a wink.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
Since we're shopping, might you ask
if there's a nice masculine fragrance
for my side of the room, something
woody, por favor?
The Bruja gestures to Nina, "what's he saying?"
NINA
He's looking for something to reclaim
his manhood. Ideally in sandalwood.
The Bruja winks. She disappears into the back room.
GABRIELLE
Gosh, I feel drained all of a sudden.
Must be too much excitement.
NINA
You just need a martini top-up.
The Bruja returns with a blood red candle in a glass adorned
with muscular arms. The small foil packet CRINKLES in her
fingers. She sets them on the counter, eyes fixed on Richard.
BRUJA
For hearts that never forget. For
eyes that wander.
NINA
(to Richard)
She says it’s for... masculine
balance. And... a wandering gaze?
RICHARD
A bit pointed, isn’t it?
GABRIELLE
Did something happen while I was
googling Saint Roch?
RICHARD
Absolutely not. I was just...
admiring the craftsmanship.
BRUJA
The powder must be sprinkled into
the candle on the first burn. It
binds intent.
NINA
(uncertain)
El polvo es... esencial?
BRUJA
The powder is the spell. The candle
is the invitation.
NINA
(to Gabrielle and
Richard)
So apparently, the powder is like
a... scent booster. Aromatherapy
with a mission.
The Bruja puts the candle, distinctly tied with a black cord
and a milagro, in a box with the others. She shoves the box
toward Richard with a knowing smile.
RICHARD
(lifting the box)
Good grief. Who knew wax could be
so heavy.
The Women move to the door. Richard follows.
GABRIELLE
Dad would be losing his mind in here.
NINA
He’d call it “witchy nonsense” and
then ask if they had anything for
sciatica.
(imitating male voice)
I don't believe in this stuff...
GABRIELLE
But it wouldn't hurt to try one!
They LAUGH. The bell JINGLES as they exit. Behind them, the
Bruja pinches out a flickering votive. Silvery smoke curls
upward, swirls, then vanishes.
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Candlelight Chaos
INT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE – LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Everyone lounges around the coffee table strewn with take-out
cartons, plates, and chopsticks.
PEDRO
Can somebody tell me what I'm eating?
MONIQUE
It’s tofu, darling. Don’t think
about it too hard.
JULES
The food is all vegetarian. It’s
supposed to taste like restraint.
ISABEL
(half-asleep on the
couch)
If anyone touches my spring roll,
I’ll haunt you.
Nina and Gabrielle breeze in. Richard trails, juggling the
box of candles and pizzas.
GABRIELLE
We’re back. And we brought carbs.
RICHARD
The scent of victory - garlic and
despair.
Boxes are opened. Slices are claimed. MOANS of satisfaction.
FINN
Buddha's delight and pepperoni
supreme.... dinner curated by a stoned
philosopher.
A loud POP. Then darkness. Hands suspend mid-air, mouths agape.
ANDRÉS
Uh. Candles. Anyone seen candles?
GABRIELLE
As luck would have it. Richard,
would you mind doing the honors?
RICHARD
(fetching the box)
Here lies our salvation... or our
scented doom.
Gabrielle turns on her phone's FLASHLIGHT, opens the box,
takes a moment, hands Richard, the candle with black cord.
GABRIELLE
This one’s specially for Dicky. Not
to be confused with the others.
ISABEL
(eyes still closed)
Which one’s for banishing exes and
restless ghosts?
(pointing vaguely)
I’ll take that one.
GABRIELLE
This is all in the name of good vibes.
(reading as she hands
out candles)
Pedro and Monique, “Harmonía.” Please
don’t throw it at each other. Lark,
"Expansion." For Jules, "Vision."
For the boys, "Serendipity."
Finn leans over to kiss Andrés, rub his shoulders.
ANDRÉS
Give me serendipity any time.
GABRIELLE
Isabel gets “Restful Sleep.”
ISABEL
I’ve slept with worse. I accept.
Gabrielle picks up Nina's trio.
GABRIELLE
You picked “Truth,” “Boundaries,”
and “Revelation.”
(handing them over)
That’s not a personality. That’s a
thesis.
NINA
At least it’s not “Find Myself Through
a Man.”
GABRIELLE
Candles in every room. No swaps.
No re-gifting. Light ‘em up and
wish big.
She stands up and looks at the Group lovingly.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
And while I have your attention,
breakfast is at eight.
(MORE)
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
Not eight-ish. Not "I'll grab a
coffee and catch up." No hangry
dawdlers.
LARK
Let's do intention-setting. I have
oracle cards if needed.
DOMINIC
I respect the vibe, but I gave my
inner child the week off.
GABRIELLE
No cards, but take a moment with
your candle. Set a wish for the
week. A real one. Light it tonight.
Let the magic commence.
MONIQUE
Thirty-three years married. I’ll
wish for a silent night.
ISABEL
Four dead husbands. I’ll wish for a
night with no apparitions.
FINN
Shall we conga down the hall so no-
one gets left behind... or lost?
GABRIELLE
Single file, candles in hand. Keep
your hips loose and your intentions
clear.
ANDRÉS
This is how cults start.
PEDRO
I knew the tofu was a gateway.
ISABEL
(bolting upright)
Get in line or get left behind.
They form a loose, GIGGLING conga line. Isabel and Gabrielle
lead the way. Finn plays IRISH FIDDLE MUSIC on his phone.
MONTAGE - HALLWAY CONGA AS ALL GO TO THEIR ROOMS
— Isabel and Gabrielle lead the charge, hips in sync.
- Isabel twirls into her room, blowing everyone kisses.
— Pedro dips Monique, who fakes exasperation then kisses him.
— Lark drifts off with Jules, murmuring about "REM vortexes."
— Finn whispers to Andrés; they slip into their room grinning.
— Dominic spins Gabrielle as they vanish.
— Only Nina and Richard remain.
END MONTAGE
NINA & RICHARD’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The door THUDS closed. The moon glows through gauzy curtains
bathing the room in pale light. Nina kicks off her shoes.
NINA
Congrats. You managed not to be a
total killjoy.
RICHARD
And you refrained from being a
complete bi-
Her looks cuts him off. He raises both hands, retreats into
the bathroom. She carries her bag to a table by the window,
lines up her three candles. Studies them.
NINA
Given the situation... boundaries.
She CLICKS a lighter. FWOOMPH. A flame dances in the dark.
NINA (CONT'D)
Mmm... not exactly a lighthouse.
Truth, you're up.
She lights it. The glow spreads. Flickers off the white walls.
She pulls back the duvet, lines a pillow barricade down the
center of the bed. She pulls a cotton nightie from her bag
and perches on the edge of the bed.
O.S., WATER SPLASHES. Richard HUMS faintly. Possibly Adele.
The door opens. Richard emerges in striped pajamas.
RICHARD
Nice effect. Think I'll light mine.
Nina heads into the bathroom.
NINA
Lighter's on the table.
Richard sets his candle between Nina's, lights it. He watches
the flame flicker. As the wax melts, he inhales the aroma.
RICHARD
Takes me back to happier times.
Maybe cecak in Bali.
Nina reappears in her nightie.
NINA
Did you add the powder? That's the
important part.
RICHARD
Saving it for when I'm with someone.
I guess you count.
Richard empties the foil packet onto the flame. It CRACKLES
and flares up, like a New Year's sparkler.
NINA
Along with setting an intention.
He turns to her. A beat of mock sincerity.
RICHARD
I intend to be a gentleman and not
murder you in your sleep.
NINA
And I intend not to smother you if
you manspread across the border.
He bows. She cracks the window. They crawl into bed, back-to-
back. Candles FLICKER. Moonlight halos everything silver.
LATER
The candles burn brightly. A GUST blows in through the window.
One by one, the flames flutter... and blow out. The smoke
coils silently upwards. It drifts, intertwines.
A long beat of stillness. A SIGH. BREATHING.
MORNING
Nina's body (Richard inside) sits up groggily. She/he gets
out of bed, scratches her/his butt, walks bleary-eyed into
BATHROOM
She stumbles to the toilet, FARTS, flips up seat, scratches
her head, simultaneously reaches other hand under her nightie.
Her eyes fly open.
NINA
Mmmm. That's... disconcerting.
She gropes again. Slower, then frantically. Nothing.
BEDROOM
NINA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
AARGH!
Richard's body bolts upright. He leaps out of bed, legs
clenched, prancing like a girl urgently needing to pee. His
hand slaps between his thighs, hits a protrusion.
He looks down, YELPS, flaps his arms like a Vaudevillian on
speed. His spastic legs join the dance. He SCREAMS.
O.S. Nina SCREAMS.
Richard’s body (Nina inside) prances across the room, just as
Nina’s body (Richard inside) bursts in from the bathroom.
They COLLIDE mid-prance. FREEZE. Realization hits them. They
resume the funky chicken, Nina into the bedroom, Richard into
BATHROOM
NOTE: From this point forward, character names in dialogue
refer to the person inside the body — NOT their physical
appearance. So when NINA speaks, it’s Nina’s consciousness,
even if she’s in Richard’s body.
Action lines will describe the physical body we’re seeing.
Richard faces the mirror. His eyes bug out, jaw drops. Silence.
NINA (CONT'D)
Richard, is that you out there?
RICHARD (O.S.)
I think so but I don't feel right.
NINA
That's comforting to know.
RICHARD (O.S.)
Should I come in?
NINA
Umm...
Nina walks in. They stand face to face, turn like Charlie
Chaplin twins to face the mirror.
NINA (CONT'D)
What. The. Hell?
RICHARD
I'm blaming this on jet lag. Going
back to sleep.
NINA
Good idea. When I wake up I fully
expect this to be a dream. Make
that nightmare.
RICHARD
Synchronized? Like on Elm Street?
Richard pinches Nina's ass. She SQUEALS.
NINA
Your turn. Give it all you've got.
Nina pinches Richard's butt.
NINA (CONT'D)
Ouch! That hurt!
RICHARD
Definitely not a dream.
BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Both slump back to back on the bed, too shocked to notice
they’re sitting on each other's side.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
I knew Mexico was going to be strange.
NINA
You think I've woken up in a strange
man's body before? Maybe his bed...
RICHARD
I didn't know you were that kind of
girl.
NINA
Post traumatic stress disorder.
A KNOCK on the door.
GABRIELLE (O.S.)
Coffee's ready. Huevos Rancheros
coming right up.
O.S. Gabrielle KNOCKS, HOLLERS the same message at each door.
DINING ROOM – MORNING
A long rustic table with jugs of juice, fruit platters, coffee
and tortillas. JUAN (20s), in chef's whites, serves huevos
rancheros from a steaming platter.
DOMINIC
Gracias, Juan. Just leave the platter
for the sleepy heads.
CHEF JUAN
I'll be back with more tortillas.
AROUND THE TABLE
Pedro HUMS, reads a newspaper. Monique smiles over the rim of
her coffee cup. Finn and Andrés GIGGLE over a meme on Finn’s
phone. Lark and Jules MURMUR prayers of gratitude.
Gabrielle stands, clipboard in hand, brimming with enthusiasm.
GABRIELLE
We have a full day. And later
everyone gets a massage, so check
your WhatsApp for the schedule.
DOMINIC
Breathe, baby.
GABRIELLE
I’m breathing! Just not deeply.
That’s for after the mimosas. Where
is everybody?
RICHARD
Sorry we're a tad late. We had a
little mishap that set us back.
Nina in a sundress, teeters on wedge sandals, walks like she’s
avoiding landmines. Richard in linen pants and a button-down,
tugs at his collar, adjusts his crotch. Realizes. Stops.
EVERYONE
(without looking up)
Good morning.
Richard reaches to hug Gabrielle, checks himself.
DOMINIC
Rich, you sleep okay?
RICHARD
Like a charm. Freakily sound.
NINA
Like a log. Sturdy. Still
recovering.
MONIQUE
(lifting sunglasses)
Did something... rekindle in the
night?
RICHARD
That's one way of putting it.
FINN
(feeding the chihuahua
on his lap)
Cheers to that, darling.
ANDRÉS
Congratulations!
GABRIELLE
What are we celebrating?
FINN
Richard and Nina are back together.
NINA
Uh. No. No-no. Absolutely not.
JULES
(eyes still closed)
I sense misalignment in their root
chakras. We can do a session later.
Cool the heat. Clarify the chaos.
RICHARD
Thanks for the offer, but, we'll
just, um... muddle through.
GABRIELLE
Andrés, darling, will you check on
Nanna? It's not like her to miss
out.
DOMINIC
I’ll go. If she’s tangled in the
sheets or talking to ghosts, I’ve
got the rapport.
ISABEL (O.S.)
No ghosts. No kinks. And I'm still
breathing.
Isabel sweeps in, her gold trimmed Santa hat askew.
ISABEL (CONT'D)
Best sleep of my life. No hauntings,
no hot flashes, not even a creaky
joint. Do I smell mimosas?
GABRIELLE
You will later. How many Santa hats
did you pack?
ISABEL
They multiply in the suitcase. Like
old regrets.
She sits, plucks a tortilla from the platter and tears off a
chunk like a queen claiming her kingdom.
ISABEL (CONT'D)
What’d I miss? Other than these two
looking suspicious.
LARK
Not much. Just some energetic cross-
contamination.
ISABEL
Studies have shown that women have
sperm of past lovers in their brains.
JULES
That's a fallacy, but did you know-
GABRIELLE
(clapping her hands)
Alright, my darlings. Finish your
coffee, powder your bits, and meet
by the shuttle in ten.
MONIQUE
Dress code?
GABRIELLE
Stylish but playful. You're perfect
as you are.
ISABEL
Let’s pray this outing has shade and
seating. Preferably near snacks.
GABRIELLE
Juan packed a cooler. I’m not a
monster.
ISABEL
Vamos, mis amores! Hats await!
Everyone rises, buzzing with anticipation. Richard and Nina
exchange a wary glance as they follow the herd.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Hats, Mimosas, and Unresolved Tensions
INT./EXT. HAT ATELIER - MORNING
Isabel lounges on the porch in a red cowboy-style hat adorned
with gold stars and hat band. She downs a mimosa. Andrés and
Finn wear tastefully coordinated designer hats.
Andrés tops off mimosas. Finn adds a discreet spritz to his
own drink, tosses a tiny ball. The chihuahua bolts after it.
Nina steps out of the workshop in a high-crowned black hat.
She raises her glass to Andrés, who obliges with a top-up.
RICHARD
Save the juice. Gracias.
(gesturing to the
chihuahua)
Do you intend to keep that thing?
FINN
(lifting the chihuahua)
By thing, you mean this precious
angel?
Richard appears - pink hat, crystal band. He pulls Nina aside.
NINA
You're in my skin. Stop harshing
everybody's mellow.
RICHARD
I was only inquiring as to the future
of the little... whatdyamacallit.
NINA
Do you think I'd say something that
tone deaf?
RICHARD
Do you think I'd swan around in a
sparkly pink hat? We need to go
back to that candle conjurer. Before
this gets totally out of hand.
NINA
Newsflash. Not everything revolves
around you.
RICHARD
Except the cursed candle is literally
about me.
NINA
You are not blowing up Gabby's wedding
week because you can't handle a satin
bow.
RICHARD
You forget. I dress old ladies for
a living. In their coffins, true,
but nonetheless.
GABRIELLE
Nina! Come tell me what you think
of this one.
NINA
Coming!
RICHARD
Duty calls.
Richard looks crestfallen, wipes a tear from his eye.
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
A Joyful Afternoon at Los Remedios Winery
EXT. LOS REMEDIOS WINERY - AFTERNOON
Green lawn. Colorful blankets. Throw pillows. Picnic baskets
now empty. All that remains are chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Finn and Andrés lie on their backs, fingers interlaced. Pedro
reclines in a sling chair, Monique's head on his chest.
PEDRO
(pointing)
There! That's definitely a heart.
MONIQUE
Poof! And now it's a squirrel.
FINN
Who can see the dancing chihuahua?
ANDRÉS
In a tutu, to boot.
Nina spins like a dervish barefoot on the grass, her dress
swirling high. Isabel watches, bemused.
ISABEL
(to no one in
particular)
I knew the air here felt different.
NINA
Must be the altitude. Or the rosé.
What on earth is he doing? I mean,
she.
Isabel stands, takes Nina's hands, spins with surprising vigor.
ISABEL
This brings back memories of a ceilidh
in a castle. Smokey Scotch and a
stranger's tongue in my ear.
RICHARD
Which castle? I might know it.
(remembering he's in
Nina's body)
I mean, seen it online. You know,
research for my novel.
ISABEL
Are you commando under that dress?
You know, it's true what they say
about a man in a kilt.
RICHARD
Commando?
ISABEL
Are you wearing knickers?
RICHARD
Sort of more of a string situation.
ISABEL
By the end of the night, everywhere
I looked it was kilts hiked balls to
the breeze.
RICHARD
You know those Scots. No decorum.
ISABEL
And no manscaping. The stranger was
Hamish. Lucky number three. Big
hands, if you know what I mean.
RICHARD
I feel so euphoric. I finally
understand the appeal of a good bra...
and a stiff breeze between the thighs.
Richard watches enviously, steps between Isabel and Nina.
NINA
You're enjoying yourself way too
much. Candle shop. You and me.
Tonight.
DOMINIC
(rejoining, sliding
phone into his pocket)
Twelve cases ordered. Mostly rosé.
An extra brut, for the toast. And
another just for Nana.
ISABEL
Because what is life without bubbles?
GABRIELLE
Right! People! Finish your drinks,
fluff your feathers. Hat's on.
It’s time for our close-up.
JULES
On your feet, legends! Think sun-
kissed aristocracy meets Mexican
mystery.
Everyone rises, gathers with slightly chaotic elegance.
SERIES OF PHOTOS - poses, laughter, windswept hats, stolen
kisses, Isabel flashing a wink.
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
A Night of Frustration and Comfort
EXT. CANDLE SHOP – NIGHT
Richard and Nina walk up to the dark storefront. Nina RAPS on
the door, peers through the glass. Richard spots a hand-written
sign, barely visible in the dim light.
NINA
Closed for the holidays 'til January
seventh. That's-
RICHARD
A whole bloody month from now. Oh,
no. Bloody hell. No.
NINA
Guess we're extending our trip.
RICHARD
But people drop like flies during
the holidays! It's my busiest time.
NINA
Dicky Boy! It's not all about you.
Richard crumbles. A tear. He bursts into SOBS.
NINA (CONT'D)
You're here. With my sister. And
don't even know how lucky you are.
Nina pats Richard’s back. Awkward. He spots a poster.
NINA (CONT'D)
(reading)
"Find your authentic self with our
expert-guided psilocybin ceremony."
RICHARD
Silly trash bin, what?
NINA
Sacred mushrooms.
EXT. SAN MIGUEL STREET – NIGHT
Cobblestones glisten under Christmas lights strung across the
street. Nina and Richard walk slowly, mood subdued. They reach
a cozy bar. It's empty.
NINA
One drink? Dry our tears, nurse our
egos?
Genres:
["Romantic Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
A Truce in the Blues
INT. BLUES BAR – NIGHT
A tiny dive bar with heart. High stools. Dim lights. A BAND
sets up in the window bay. Nina pulls out a stool for Richard.
NINA
So gallant.
RICHARD
Secret weapon. Deadly charm.
NINA
That how you boost business?
They LAUGH. BARTENDER (50s) appears.
BARTENDER
Welcome. What can I get you?
RICHARD
Two Coronas. Two Banderas.
NINA
Whatever the lady wants.
The Bartender looks confused, sets up beers and tequila, lime
and sangrita. Richard raises his shot of tequila.
RICHARD
I owe you an apology.
NINA
Specifics, por favor.
RICHARD
I was selfish. Dismissive. Treated
this like a curse, when... maybe
it's a cosmic course correction.
NINA
Who are you, and what have you done
with my- I mean, Richard?
RICHARD
He’s in here. Trying not to stare
at his own cleavage. And surprisingly
introspective.
NINA
I’m sorry, too. For snapping. For
not giving you space to freak out.
RICHARD
Truce?
NINA
Truce.
They CLINK glasses, down the shots, lime and sangrita.
NINA (CONT'D)
With... conditions.
RICHARD
Of course. You're nothing if not
contractual.
NINA
When I'm with Gabrielle, you bring
me along. Say I'm your... stylist.
RICHARD
Mortuary cosmetology. I contour a
cheekbone like nobody's business.
NINA
And boundaries. No boob commentary.
RICHARD
Scouts honor.
(clinking beers)
No unsolicited jiggling.
NINA
Now. The psilocybin.
RICHARD
You're serious?
NINA
Something's gotta flip the switch.
If this is permanent, we need options.
RICHARD
I finish your novel. You learn the
art of embalming.
NINA
Sick.
(standing)
Be right back.
Richard disappears into the baño. Nina orders another round.
MOMENTS LATER
Richard returns to a packed bar. He weaves his way to Nina.
The Band launches into Sam Cooke's "A CHANGE IS GONNA COME."
NINA (CONT'D)
(passing him a shot)
Still want to dry those tears?
RICHARD
Weirdly... I want to dance.
NINA
You haven't even taken the mushrooms.
They down shots. Nina hops off the stool, takes his hand.
RICHARD
Come on, Dicky boy.
TIME DISSOLVE
They dance, awkward at first. Down shots of tequila. They
dance silly, then sincere. Finally, they sway to a SLOW SONG.
Genres:
["Romantic Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Morning Revelations and Surreal Connections
Sunlight filters through drapes. Pillow barricade intact.
Richard's arm is flopped over Nina. She startles awake, gently
slides free of his arm, onto the floor, still half drunk.
GABRIELLE (O.S.)
(knocking on doors
along the hall)
Good morning, my angels! Breakfast
in thirty! Poolside playlist locked
and loaded!
Richard bolts wide awake, looks around.
NINA
Where am I? Richard?
Nina's face appears above the bed.
NINA (CONT'D)
What are you doing down there?
RICHARD
Trying to remember how knees work.
NINA
How did we get home? Wait.
RICHARD
Don't ask!
KITCHEN / DINING TERRACE
Chef Juan lays out pastries, fruit, eggs, coffee. The Group
trickles in. Towels. Swimsuits. Sunglasses. Robes.
GABRIELLE
Pool day, people! Hats optional,
sunscreen not!
Nina and Richard appear in dark sunglasses, walking stiffly.
ISABEL
Well, don’t you two look like you
found religion.
RICHARD
Just muscles I didn't know I had.
NINA
We’ve arranged something... for the
group.
RICHARD
A spiritual enhancement.
GABRIELLE
Please don't say fire walking.
NINA
More... magical. Mushrooms.
LARK
Psilocybin? Yes.
ANDRÉS
Is that like ayahuasca?
ISABEL
No vomiting, fewer demons. I haven’t
done plant medicine since Huachuma
in Peru. Such fond memories. Husband
quatro. Enrique. What a purge.
GABRIELLE
I swear to God, if anyone ruins my
wedding photos with mushroom eyes.
DOMINIC
Let’s be honest, we’ve been micro-
dosing drama since we got here.
GABRIELLE
Fine. But if anyone starts speaking
light language, I'm throwing them
into the pool.
FINN
I'm in. Spiritually, emotionally,
and recreationally.
LARK
Just get the goods. I’ll lead the
ceremony.
GABRIELLE
(raising her mimosa)
To expanding horizons. And not
peaking before the rehearsal dinner.
Everyone raises a glass. Cheers.
POOLSIDE – AFTERNOON
HARMONIC MUSIC hums O.S. Towels and loungers scattered.
Everyone's relaxing in surreal bliss. Pedro and Monique on
float beds in the pool, eyes closed, fingers touching.
ISABEL
(arms out, eyes shut)
My skin is a psalm. I forgive
everyone I’ve slept with.
ANDRÉS
I just met my inner child. He asked
for gummies and an apology.
GABRIELLE
(staring into the
pool)
Time’s not linear. It’s... spaghetti.
Saucily connected..
RICHARD
(eyes wide, gazing at
Nina)
I see you.
NINA
I think I see me too... from you.
Something shifts. Nina’s fingers twitch. Her breath syncs
with Richard’s.
LARK
This is it. Ego’s dissolving. You’re
becoming liquid honesty.
NINA
I’m not angry anymore. I was scared.
And I blamed you for the fear.
RICHARD
I was ashamed. Of being small. Of
hurting people, even when I didn’t
mean to.
A strange glow passes between them. Something’s recalibrating.
FINN
What if the whole point is to love
the parts we reject?
JULES
Yes! Shed the husk of identity.
Return to source.
Nina slowly reaches out and touches Richard’s chest.
RICHARD
Is this... me?
NINA
I think we’re... crossing back.
A VIBRATION. A nearly imperceptible shimmer across their skin.
Their eyes widen. They’re going back into their own bodies —
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Unresolved Stars
FLASH BACK – INT. BARCELONA HOTEL – NIGHT
Nina exits the bathroom, a huge grin on her face. She sees
Richard on the balcony, ogling a curvaceous woman bending
over at a café across the street.
NINA (CONT'D)
Are you serious?
RICHARD
What?!
NINA
I feel disposable.
RICHARD
That’s not fair. You don’t see how
hard I try—
NINA
For you. Always for you. Never us.
BACK TO PRESENT – POOLSIDE
Both jerk back, GASPING. The SHIMMER STOPS. A psychic recoil.
They’re back in the wrong bodies.
RICHARD
I saw it. That fateful night.
NINA
I wasn’t ready to forgive then. And
I'm still not.
ISABEL
I just made peace with my mother.
And she's been dead twenty years.
LARK
Let it come and go. This is the
work. Pushing past resistance.
DOMINIC
I’m a peach in a world of hard
avocados. And it’s okay.
Richard wipes his face, stunned. Nina sits up, hugs her knees.
NINA
We almost made it.
RICHARD
Yeah, until you wouldn't let go.
NINA
Of course. Blame me.
RICHARD
That night. I was an idiot, sure.
But you never gave me a chance. And
you've let that moment define
everything.
NINA
I was hurt.
RICHARD
Completely unforgiving. And I
continue to pay for it every damn
day.
Around them, GIGGLES, MURMURS, KISSES.
FINN
I hope someone wrote all this down.
JULES
It’s written in the stars, darling.
And also in my Notes app.
O.S. The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love."
POOLSIDE - NIGHT
The Beatles' "Lucy In the Sky with Diamond" plays O.S. Isabel
hums along, floating on a pool raft. Monique and Pedro slow
dance barefoot on the grass. Gabrielle leans her head on
Dominic's shoulder.
Richard and Nina sit side by side on a lounger.
RICHARD
You know what Dom told me?
NINA
Hold on.
(presses palm to her
head)
Nope. Still not a mind reader.
RICHARD
I suppose in the old days I would
have found that amusing.
They look out at the others. The music fades into soft
instrumental.
NINA
He told you you've lost your humor?
RICHARD
Forget it.
(rising)
I'm going to bed. Enjoy the rest of
your night. Alone.
Richard watches Nina walk away, the Others wrapped in love.
He leans back, looks up in time to see a shooting star.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Morning Banter on the Terrace
EXT. TERRACE – MORNING
Empty mugs, fruit rinds and pastry crumbs scatter the table.
The Group lounges in mismatched pajamas and sunglasses.
FINN
If anyone sees my third eye, tell it
to come home. Everything's out of
focus.
ANDRÉS
I cried because I was a tree. Then
cried harder when I realized I was a
bar stool.
ISABEL
I wrote a letter to death. She wrote
back. Lovely penmanship.
GABRIELLE
Okay, mystics and mushrooms, we're
off for a dress fitting.
(grabbing Nina’s hand)
That means you.
RICHARD
Of course, and Dicky too.
NINA
Would love to, except-
FINN
We're headed for a mezcal tasting.
Some local leather. Manly things.
ANDRÉS
Male bonding, right, Dom?
DOMINIC
Absolutely. Rich?
RICHARD
Richard has a unique eye for...
tailoring. It's his Saville Row je
ne sais quoi. We need him.
FINN
You’re not really gonna bail on the
bros, are you?
JULES
Don’t listen to them, sweetheart.
Give in to your feminine side.
ISABEL
A man's opinion won't hurt. I’ll
pack mimosas, lie about your career,
and make sure you’re worshipped as
the secret fashionista you are.
NINA
Well. If there’s alcohol and lies...
ISABEL
That's the spirit.
They rise. The boys watch Richard walk off with the women.
FINN
We’ve lost him to the pink side.
DOMINIC
Poor bastard never stood a chance.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Dreams and Dresses
INT. BRIDAL ATELIER – DAY
Velvet sofas. Champagne on ice. Crystal glasses. Lavish gowns
on racks. Gabrielle stands in a stunning but ill-fitting gown.
Nina eyes her critically. Isabel tops off champagne.
GABRIELLE
It's like two sizes too big. How
did that happen?
ISABEL
Wedding planning equals emotional
Ozempic. At least you're glowing.
RICHARD
It's nothing a seamstress or a new
dress can't fix.
GABRIELLE
A new dress? This was my dress. My
dream dress.
NINA
Maybe the dream changed.
ISABEL
Darling, you and Dom have done all
the shadow work, silent retreats,
what have you... You could wear a
potato sack and we'll still celebrate
your love.
RICHARD
So that's the trick. Retreat into a
cave instead of strangling the other.
ISABEL
Takes two do do the work. But only
one to walk away.
NINA
Sometimes people leave because they're
not given a reason to stay.
ISABEL
Or they don't have the stomach for
real connection.
NINA
Should we talk less about trauma and
more about tulle?
(pulling a dress off
the rack)
Gabrielle, this looks perfect.
GABRIELLE
I like the off-the-shoulder. Maybe
a new silhouette will help.
She disappears behind a curtain. Silence stretches. Isabel
tops off Richard's glass, staring him in the eye.
ISABEL
To strong women. And the fools who
underestimate them.
Richard looks to Nina for help.
RICHARD
(silently mouthing)
She's not wrong.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Mezcal Moments
INT. MEZCALERIA – DAY
Small but chic. Artisanal bottles line the shelves. Finn,
Andrés, Pedro and Dominic sit at a high-top table. A female
MEZCALIERA (30s) presents a selection.
MEZCALIERA
This first one is a joven from Oaxaca,
distilled with wild agave.
FINN
Ooh...
(playing footsie with
Andrés)
Very fruity.
ANDRÉS
Herbacious... and maybe just a hint
of bad-daddy leather?
DOMINIC
Don't get too carried away you two.
We have a dozen more to taste before
we decide on the wedding favors.
PEDRO
You're giving away mezcal at the
wedding?
DOMINIC
In bespoke bottles. This lovely
woman is arranging everything.
FINN
(pecks the Mezcaliera's
cheek)
You can drop the faux accent.
Fellows, this is my good friend
Colleen from Dublin.
ANDRÉS
What else are you keeping from us?
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Dresses and Self-Discovery
INT. BRIDAL ATELIER – DAY
Gabrielle emerges in the off-the-shoulder gown. It hangs
awkwardly, stiff where it should drape, clinging where it
should float. Everyone tries not to wince.
GABRIELLE
Well?
RICHARD
It’s... a statement.
ISABEL
It’s saying, “don’t look at me, I’m
emotionally constrained.”
GABRIELLE
Maybe I’m delusional. Like, bridal
body dysmorphia. I don’t even know
what I want anymore.
RICHARD
(holding up a gown
from the rack)
Try this one.
Everyone turns. The gown is modern yet romantic.
ISABEL
Well. Would you look at that.
NINA
Of course he’d pick the perfect one.
Even in my body, he’s still better
at dressing other women.
GABRIELLE
What did you just say?
RICHARD
Yes, what did you say, Dicky?
NINA
Oh, just my silly male observation
on how women always wish they had a
different body. You ladies never
appreciate your goddess within.
ISABEL
(to Gabrielle)
Darling, try the dress. Let’s not
pander to confused male egos.
GABRIELLE
Agreed. Less ego, more style.
She disappears again.
ISABEL
You know what Finn said this morning?
That everything we wear is a
falsehood. Maybe that’s why I love
fashion. It lets you choose your
lies.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Mezcal Moments: A Toast to Truth
INT. MEZCALERÍA – DAY
The Boys are several tastings in. A LEATHER CRAFTSMAN (20s)
tattooed, manscaped, opens a steamer trunk full of exquisite
wares. The Mezcaliera pours another round.
MEZCALIERA
This next one is infused with cacao
and chile ancho. A little heat... a
little heartache.
PEDRO
(taking out his phone)
Sounds like someone I need to text.
ANDRÉS
Put that away. I'm sure mom's having
a grand time getting her tarot read
by the pool. Whatever the prediction,
her ego will make it fabulous.
The Chihuahua YIPS excitedly under the table, chasing the
fringe on a tooled leather bag.
DOMINIC
(grinning at the trunk)
Finally. Man things.
The Craftsman lays out belts, vests, boots, all polished to a
sinful gleam. Finn slips on a tooled leather vest.
FINN
I feel like a ranch-daddy caught
between lovers.
ANDRÉS
Only difference is, they talk to
each other.
FINN
Bejeesus. You looking for a fight?
ANDRÉS
Just commenting, while we pretend
we're fine because we’re drinking
top-shelf and cosplaying machismo.
FINN
I showed up. I’m here. With you.
ANDRÉS
Yeah. But it’s always you. Not us.
Awkward silence. Even the Chihuahua stops tugging the fringe.
DOMINIC
Anyone want to try on some healthy
communication?
MEZCALIERA
This next one’s called “La Verdad.”
Don’t sip if you’re scared of the
truth.
PEDRO
(to Andrés, gently)
He came back. That counts for
something.
ANDRÉS
But I don’t know if it’s enough.
FINN
Then tell me what is. Because I
can’t keep guessing.
The Chihuahua jumps into Andrés’ lap. He holds her, conflicted.
ANDRÉS
I don’t want to fix you. I just
need to feel like I count... for
something.
FINN
Of course you do. Stop harping about
past mistakes.
They sit quietly, eyes locked, messy and human.
DOMINIC
(trying on a belt)
So... is “matching groomsmen
accessories” still on the table?
PEDRO
Only if we all promise not to cry in
our boots.
MEZCALIERA
Tears are good for the leather.
Softens the edges.
DOMINIC
Then perhaps I'll settle on these.
(holding up boots)
Tell me, do they scream “desperate
groom” or “well-heeled stallion”?
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
A Moment of Radiance
INT. BRIDAL ATELIER – DAY
Gabrielle steps out in the gown Richard picked. She looks
radiant. The dream, revised.
GABRIELLE
I think this is it.
ISABEL
Sheer perfection.
RICHARD
Told you. Sculptural lines. Clean
neckline. I knew you'd feel it.
NINA
You look pretty, darn divine.
GABRIELLE
(tearing up)
This feels... like me. Not who I
thought I had to be. Just... me.
They all enjoy the glow of the moment, finally united. Until—
ISABEL
(holds up a purple
dress)
So about the wedding party dresses—
NINA & GABRIELLE
Nope. Not today.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Unraveled Tensions
INT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE - RICHARD & NINA’S BEDROOM – EVENING
Richard on the bed, eyes closed, face pack on. Nina paces.
RICHARD
That’s it. I don't care if I have
titties. I'm buying a ticket and
taking this nightmare to London.
NINA
The hell you are. You don't get to
bail, especially not using my ass to
do it.
RICHARD
As I recall, your ass loved our life
in Notting Hill.
Nina grabs bras, undies from the pink suitcase. She yanks
open a zipped pouch. A manuscript falls out.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
What's this? A breakup manifesto?
NINA
Put. That. Down.
Nina doesn’t. Richard moves toward her. She bolts into the
bathroom and locks the door.
NINA (CONT'D)
Have it your way, but I'm leaving.
(shouting)
And I'm locking the door.
HALLWAY
Richard exits, fuming. He SLAMS the door. The murmur of
LAUGHTER and MUSIC floats across the garden.
LIVING ROOM
O.S. The Waterboys' "Fisherman's Blues." The Group has settled
into post-dinner slouch on the sofa, floor cushions. Glasses
half-full. Finn sways to the music, eyes closed.
JULES
(to Lark)
Okay. Your turn. Say something
beautiful or brutally honest.
LARK
I don’t believe in soulmates. But I
do believe in showing up, especially
when the going gets rough.
ISABEL
Not very sexy. But true.
Richard slips in, like he's late for a funeral.
GABRIELLE
Darling, glad you could join us.
DOMINIC
Where’s Nina?
NINA
The bubbly caught up. Headache.
FINN
Are you feeling okay?
NINA
Just the usual... optimistically
sunny with a chance of rainy outburst.
MONIQUE
Do we... need to pause this game?
ISABEL
Oh, no. Games are good. They keep
your hands busy while your heart
does all the damage.
LARK
We could scream into pillows.
ANDRÉS
Already done that.
NINA
Everyone acts like truth fixes things.
Sometimes it just hurts. And wrecks
what's left.
GABRIELLE
This was supposed to be a week of
joy, champagne and silly matching
pajamas - surprise ruined! Not
warfare with a mimosa twist.
ISABEL
Welcome to love. It shows up in
disguise, fakes you out with flowers,
then skips out before the cake.
NINA
I’m done with faking. I’ve already
lost too much.
Everyone watches Richard. No one knows what to say. O.S.
Footsteps. Nina enters, manuscript clutched to her chest.
NINA (CONT'D)
Give it back.
RICHARD
You finished it. Why didn’t you
tell me?
NINA
You didn't ask.
RICHARD
What I've read- it's sharp, raw and
full of life. A best-seller.
NINA
Yeah, an agent told me that. Said I
was the voice they’d been waiting
for.
(voice catching)
But I didn’t feel like a voice. I
felt diminished. By you. So, I
stopped writing and she dropped me.
RICHARD
I didn’t know. Tell me how I can
make it right. Anything.
Richard snatches the manuscript from Nina, marches out.
NINA
The damage has been done and you
can’t fix it. Certainly not by
complimenting my raw effing writing.
ISABEL
I'm confused.
GABRIELLE
You're not alone, Nanna.
FINN
Nothing like a little literary trauma
to enliven the mood.
ANDRÉS
You always find the punchline. Just
never the point.
FINN
Pardon? Do I need a permission slip
to cope?
ANDRÉS
You don’t cope. You curate. You
ice the pain and spritz it away.
FINN
Oh, forgive me for not being as
“evolved” as your chakra-balanced,
ice-bath-optimized inner child.
ANDRÉS
No, you're just the life of the party
until someone wants more than whisky
and text messages.
DOMINIC
Do you two wanna take a walk? Punch
a tree, maybe?
FINN
We'll just duke it out here. Seems
to be tonight's theme.
ANDRÉS
Fine. Let’s talk about how you show
up for everyone — except the person
you're supposedly with.
FINN
I showed up! I came here, didn't I?
ANDRÉS
Last minute whim. Like you're on a
layover, except I'm the layover.
LARK
Maybe a group exhale before we burn
the whole hacienda down?
ANDRÉS
Or maybe some of us should stop
pretending everything’s fine. Because
it’s not.
JULES
Look at us — romantically imploding
adults in a luxury AirBnB.
PEDRO
You think you're the only ones
cracking under the pressure?
GABRIELLE
Wait. Who’s cracking?
FINN
What are we saying? That love is
just one long exhausting exercise in
delusion?
NINA (O.S.)
No. Sometimes it’s the only reason
you wake up in the morning.
Richard is back. Standing in the doorway, manuscript in hand.
He looks directly at Nina.
RICHARD
And sometimes it’s the only thing
that reminds you who you are.
Everyone slowly turns, looks between Richard and Nina.
DOMINIC
What is going on with you two?
LARK
You're like two halves of a broken
mirror.
The question hangs. Nina and Richard look at each other.
NINA
We’re just trying to survive the
week.
RICHARD
Together.
FINN
You've both been off-sync since day
one. What gives?
ANDRÉS
Go ahead. Shift the focus. Public
service announcement! Finn doesn't
know how to be loved. He's all
sparkles in public, but in private?
He's a blank slate.
FINN
That’s not fair. I said I was sorry!
ANDRÉS
You think showing up late and
pretending everything's okay erases
what it took to forgive you in the
first place?
GABRIELLE
Guys, stop. Not here. Not now.
FINN
Do you even love me any more?
ANDRÉS
I want someone who sees me when the
lights are off and the music stops.
FINN
Then you should stop making me feel
like I’m never enough!
GABRIELLE
STOP!
Everyone turns. Gabrielle trembles. Eyes wet.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
Can everyone just... stop fighting?
Please? I can't take this any more.
DOMINIC
Gabby—
GABRIELLE
We're getting married and the people
we love most are tearing each other
apart. I wanted happy memories.
Not a meltdown with cake.
ISABEL
Darling...
She runs out. Dominic hesitates. She's already gone. He runs
after her. All eyes shift to Nina. Richard makes a move to
follow, then stops, realizing what body he’s in.
NINA
I-I should-
Andrés storms out. Finn looks around. No help here. He leaves.
RICHARD
We need to talk. Now.
ISABEL
I love a macho man!
Nina and Richard exit, leaving Isabel, Pedro, Monique, Lark
and Jules looking at each other clueless.
LARK
We'll get through this. Handling
wedding party jitters is on my resume.
RICHARD & NINA'S BEDROOM
Richard paces, pulling at his hair.
RICHARD
Please don't yank my follicles into
your existential crisis.
NINA
I am so sick of your ego parade.
RICHARD
That's rich. From the reigning
monarch of self-righteousness.
NINA
We have to fix this dumpster fire.
RICHARD
Then try talking to me minus the
melodramatic prose.
Richard slumps onto the bed.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
Question is - do we tell them?
NINA
Then it becomes all about Richard
and Nina. Gabby didn't pay VIP
pricing for that shit show.
RICHARD
So, we keep tap dancing through the
farce.
NINA
Maybe, we hire Lark as our therapist.
We'd have patient confidentiality.
RICHARD
And what can she do?
NINA
Give us spiritual bumpers. Stop us
from swerving into madness.
RICHARD
One thing's clear. You're coming to
London.
NINA
I have a life, remember?
RICHARD
Look in the mirror and say that with
a straight face.
NINA
Those candles should come with a
hazard warning. Oh! There's one I
didn't light.
RICHARD
Pray it's a spell reversal. Or memory
eraser.
Richard walks to the table, retrieves the unlit candle.
NINA
(reading)
"Truth." Of course it is.
RICHARD
Let's light it. Maybe it'll conjure
basic communication.
NINA
You mean truth or dare?
RICHARD
Hard pass on dare. Just the brutal
truth.
Richard lights the candle, places it on a tray on the bed.
Nina flips a coin.
NINA
Heads.
RICHARD
Tails. You first.
NINA
You ruined my life.
RICHARD
That's an accusation, not a
revelation.
NINA
It's a revelation to me.
RICHARD
I apologize, but I'm still trying to
understand our last night in
Barcelona.
NINA
What's not to understand?
RICHARD
We'd had a lovely dinner, both full
of joy. We got back to our room.
You went into the bathroom. I was
waiting for you, and then... all
hell broke loose.
NINA
My phone dinged so I checked email
because I was waiting to hear from
that agent. When I read her email,
I was over the moon. Then I saw you
waving to that woman, giggling like
a schoolboy.
RICHARD
I was neither waving or giggling.
Not then. Not ever.
NINA
You have your version. I have mine.
RICHARD
Stick to the truth, Nina.
NINA
Tell me why you always eye up other
women. I feel like I'm in a never-
ending contest. It's exhausting.
RICHARD
I'm sorry. I should have told you.
It was never about attraction. Just
habit. Detached, clinical, and to
those not in the biz... yes, bizarre.
NINA
Jeez, Rich.
RICHARD
Part of my job is dressing bodies.
Many people die alone, no family to
provide clothing, so I maintain a
wardrobe. And it turned into a bit
of a game. Macabre? Perhaps, but,
I literally size people up.
NINA
What size are my shoes?
RICHARD
Seven and a half.
NINA
My dresses?
RICHARD
Depends. Your designer dresses are
a smaller size than, say your H&M-
NINA
I get it. What about Gabrielle?
You picked the perfect wedding dress
for her.
RICHARD
She's more zaftig. An American 12,
but in the UK she'd be a sixteen.
NINA
Why the hell did you not tell me
this years ago?
RICHARD
It sounds disrespectful to the dead.
Richard jumps up, paces the room.
NINA
You're more concerned about
disrespecting the dead than the
living?
RICHARD
You see. I knew you wouldn't
understand.
NINA
Goddammit. I'm going to check on
the boys.
(grabbing the candle)
Maybe this will help.
Richard leaves. Nina picks up her manuscript, reads the title
"IN THE NAME OF MERCY", flips the pages, resumes reading.
ANDRÉS & FINN'S ROOM
Both Men pack suitcases open on the bed. A KNOCK on the door.
ANDRÉS & FINN
Who is it?
Richard opens the door, pokes his head in.
ANDRÉS
Oh. Come on in. I was afraid it
was Lark with a cosmic affirmation.
NINA
Nope. Just little old me.
Richard enters, sets the burning candle on a side table. The
boys resume sorting their combined clothes, angrily tossing
shirts, shorts, etc. into the other's suitcase.
NINA (CONT'D)
This candle is called "Truth." You
two are going to stop sulking, look
each other in the eye, and purge
whatever's eating you. Think of it
as a truth exorcism.
ANDRÉS
Geez, Richard, that's the last thing
I expected from your mouth.
NINA
'Cos I'm not Richard.
FINN
Then, who are you?
NINA
Promise you won't tell the others.
Pinky swear.
Andrés and Finn stop what they're doing, examine Richard.
ANDRÉS
It's been a few years, but... you
look like the Richard I remember.
FINN
Mmmh... I may not know you, but I've
picked up on oddities, a proclivity
for pink being numero uno.
NINA
My favorite color. I'm Nina.
ANDRÉS
Where is Richard? Trapped in an
ancient oil lamp?
FINN
Holy shit... I wondered about your
ability to strut in heels.
NINA
Now you know. And, I'm sorry to
burden you, but it's killing me to
watch my sister spiral and I can't
even hug her. I need you both to
rally.
ANDRÉS
Oh, darling. We'll bury our shit
and-
FINN
Rise to the occasion.
NINA
Then light this baby up. Spill your
guts. Cry if necessary. I'm off to
check on the bride before she books
a solo honeymoon.
Richard pecks them both on the cheek, saunters out.
ANDRÉS
Wait! I have questions.
GABRIELLE & DOMINIC'S BEDROOM
Gabrielle SOBS. Dominic comforts her. A KNOCK on the door.
GABRIELLE
Go away.
DOMINIC
Come in.
Richard pokes his head around the door.
RICHARD
Just wondering if there's anything
you need... like hot chocolate? I
can run out for churros.
Gabrielle brightens up.
GABRIELLE
Did you say carbs and sugar? Oh, I
know! We can go to the place Isabel
recommends.
DOMINIC
Or we can stay and Richard can fetch
them for us.
Gabrielle jumps up, wipes away her tears.
GABRIELLE
They're a holiday tradition. I can
check it off my list.
Dominic looks at Richard with gratitude.
DOMINIC
And, so, the show goes on.
GABRIELLE
Richard, be a dear, and round up the
others. We'll meet at the rally
point in ten minutes.
LATER
Everyone gathers at the front door, bundled up and wearing
Santa hats.
MONTAGE - STREETS OF SAN MIGUEL, CHOCOLATE & CHURROS
Pedestrian cobblestone streets twinkle under string lights.
Star lanterns sparkle. The town is full of holiday spirit.
Isabel, arm-in-arm between Nina and Richard, leads the way.
The Others walk as couples. Jules snaps pics of everybody and
everything. Lark manages to look smug even in a Santa hat.
Cute, modern cafe - LAUGHTER and HUGS as Everybody enjoys
steaming hot chocolate and plates piled high with churros.
At the house, in their separate rooms, each couple snuggles
down for the night. Monique blows out her candle "Harmony."
Isabel snuffs out her candle, falls instantly asleep.
END MONTAGE
RICHARD & NINA'S ROOM
Richard emerges from the bathroom in pajamas, gets into his
side of the bed. Nina adjusts her boobs beneath her nightie.
NINA
Stop wriggling.
RICHARD
Sweet dreams.
NINA
Tomorrow we find the mushroom guy.
I'm ready to surrender.
Nina SNORES, dead asleep.
BREAKFAST TERRACE - MORNING
Chef Juan dishes up Chilaquiles and tortillas. The Group is
LIVELY, Everyone passing dishes, pouring each other juice and
coffee. Nina and Richard enter last, gulp coffee, chew
tortillas, while standing.
GABRIELLE
Sit down you two. I'm about to go
over today's schedule.
NINA
Sorry. Can't. We have an errand.
GABRIELLE
Today's spa day. You and I are booked
at 2 PM. You have no idea who I had
to bribe for these appointments.
NINA
Text the address. I'll be there.
Richard grabs Nina's hand. They hurry out. Finn WHISPERS in
Andrés ear.
LARK
No whispering!
ANDRÉS
If my fiancé wants to whisper sweet
nothings in my ear, it's none of
your business.
PEDRO
Fiancé? Was it the tequila churros
that persuaded him?
ANDRÉS
We don't want to steal anyone's
thunder.
FINN
And we promise not to outshine this
magical week.
ANDRÉS
(taking Finn's hand)
We just want-
ANDRÉS & FINN
Something simple to express our
commitment and
(kissing each other)
seal our bond.
ISABEL
Well, this calls for champagne.
Juan, por favor! I'll get glasses.
JULES
(holding camera aloft)
You know the drill, People.
SERIES OF PHOTOS - poses, laughter, kisses, Monique flashes a
wink.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
The Search for the Mushroom Ceremony
EXT. BRUJA CANDLE SHOP - MORNING
Nina and Richard approach the store.
NINA
I can't believe you deleted the
mushroom guy's number.
RICHARD
Didn't think I'd need his services.
NINA
Yet, here we are.
They stare at a poster where the mushroom ceremony poster
used to be.
RICHARD
Alright, plan B. We poster hunt.
Where there was one, there must be
others.
NINA
Cafes and community boards, it is!
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
A Leap of Faith
EXT. CAFÉ TRANQUILO – MOMENTS LATER
A charming café with hip locals in crocheted shawls.
RICHARD
God is here. And he smells like
vanilla bean.
NINA
Five minutes. Grab and go. No
lingering, no second pastries.
RICHARD
And you had the gall to call me a
joy sponge.
MOMENTS LATER
They exit, coffee and pastries in hand. They walk in silence,
alert to signs on lampposts and store windows.
RICHARD
Ask and ye shall find... a sign from
the universe.
They turn a corner. Richard stops in his tracks. Taped to a
lamppost, a hand-written sign: "Necesito Alivio? Perdón?
Reorientación? Curandera Calla." Arrows point down an alley.
NINA
This is it.
RICHARD
In English?
NINA
It mentions forgiveness and
realignment. She's our girl.
RICHARD
I am not walking down that alley
until you say it’s your idea.
NINA
It’s my idea. And I’m going first.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
The Turquoise Door
EXT. ALLEYWAY – MOMENTS LATER
They weave down crooked cobblestones. Vines lace ancient walls.
The town noise fades. Ahead, a turquoise door and a hanging
steer's skull.
A wind chime TINKLES. The door CREAKS open before they knock.
A TEENAGE GIRL, piercing gaze, steps aside.
TEENAGE GIRL
You’re not on the schedule. But she
saw you coming.
RICHARD
Totally not terrifying at all.
NINA
We can wait. We’re pro's at awkward
silence.
TEENAGE GIRL
Just come back at 6PM. Or not.
She shuts the door. They stare at the closed door.
NINA
That leaves enough time for you to
get waxed and polished with Gabby.
RICHARD
The spa better serve tequila.
NINA
Only if you behave. And don’t look
at any boobs in the mirror.
RICHARD
I’d say I’m above that but we both
know I’m not.
NINA
(elbowing him)
Eyes up, Plumbo. You’ve got sins to
scrub.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Spa Day Shenanigans
INT. LUXURY SPA – DAY
Soft music. Luxurious robes, flip flops and towels. Gabrielle,
naked, hangs up her robe, opens sauna door. Nina tightens her
grip on the towel around her.
GABRIELLE
Come on, you’ve seen me naked. I’ve
seen you naked.
NINA
I'm not as comfortable in my skin as
I used to be.
GABRIELLE
God knows why. You're the sister
gifted with the killer body.
NINA
Yeah, well... the gift receipt got
lost years ago.
Nina averts her eyes as Gabrielle steps into the sauna. Isabel,
in a sleek black wrap, strolls in sipping cucumber water.
ISABEL
Three women walk into a sauna. Only
one walks out with her dignity.
NINA
Ba-da-boom!
Monique walks toward them in all her naked god-given glory.
MONIQUE
Come on, ladies. It's not like you'll
melt.
Monique enters the sauna. Isabel drops her robe and follows.
Nina follows, head high, eyes averted.
MEN’S STEAM ROOM
Thick steam. Dominic, Pedro, Finn, Richard and Andrés sit in
contemplative silence, towels hung low, faces red from heat.
FINN
This is the closest I’ve come to
confession in years.
DOMINIC
This is the closest I’ve come to
boiling alive.
ANDRÉS
We paid to suffer. That’s growth,
right?
PEDRO
Or masochism. Tomato, tomahto.
WOMEN’S SAUNA
Nina perches awkwardly on the cedar bench. Gabrielle stretches
like a cat. Isabel lounges like a villainess in a Bond film.
GABRIELLE
You okay, sis? You’re twitchier
than usual.
NINA
(eyes glued to the
ceiling)
Just detoxing my root chakra.
ISABEL
Darling, the key is to sweat out the
shame before they wax it off.
MEN'S MASSAGE ROOM
Andrés and Finn lie side-by-side under crisp sheets. Two
MASSAGE THERAPISTS knead their backs.
FINN
If I cry, blame the knots. Not the
commitment issues.
ANDRÉS
If you moan, I'm telling everyone it
was ecstasy... prompted by engagement
bliss.
WOMEN'S WAX ROOM
Nina appraises a list of spa service.
RICHARD
I don't need this. I can shave.
GABRIELLE
You're so funny. This is not about
your legs. And don't worry, I already
told them how we like our yonis.
ISABEL
Enjoy your youth, girls. My pubes
disappeared on their own volition...
then migrated to my chin.
THREE ATTENDANTS lead the Women into separate cubicles.
GABRIELLE (O.S.)
If it makes you more comfortable,
tell her in Spanish to make sure she
understood landing strip.
RICHARD (O.S.)
You overestimate my Spanish.
GABRIELLE (O.S.)
Ouch! Ooh... my husband's going to
love licking that.
RICHARD (O.S.)
(screaming)
Holy mother of pearl and all her
little oysters!
GABRIELLE (O.S.)
Yikes, you've gone soft. I barely
recognize you these days.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Spa Day Shenanigans
EXT. SPA ENTRANCE – AFTERNOON
The Group lingers, glowing and giddy. Gabrielle checks her
phone. Nina shifts in her seat, uncomfortably.
ISABEL
Wasn't that invigorating? And only
mildly traumatic.
GABRIELLE
(clapping her hands)
Blowouts in an hour, cocktails after
that, then the evening thing. No
detours.
RICHARD
Richard and I have to run an errand.
GABRIELLE
No errands. No more mysterious
disappearances. We're on a schedule,
not a scavenger hunt.
NINA
Sorry. It's non-negotiable.
ISABEL
Then pick up gifts while you're at
it.
RICHARD
What kind of gifts?
ISABEL
Little things... sacred, sweet,
sparkly. Like me.
FINN
Jules will kill us if there’s no
commemoration of this time.
GABRIELLE
If it doesn’t go on his story, it
never happened.
FINN
I call middle. My cheekbones demand
optimal lighting.
Everyone shuffles in, Isabel dead-center. CLICK. LAUGHTER.
ISABEL
There. Now we’re immortal.
FINN
(aside to Richard)
Is it me or are you always sneaking
off?
ANDRÉS
Heading to some secret tantric
bonding?
NINA
You two are welcome to come.
FINN
Well, now it's practically foreplay.
Richard loops his arms through the Boys', leads them away.
RICHARD
(to Gabrielle)
Text me the address.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
The Healing Alley
EXT. ALLEYWAY – DUSK
Richard walks ahead of Nina, Andrés and Finn down a dark,
shadowy lane. "María la Curandera" by Natalie LaFourcade
filters from a dimly-lit window.
FINN
If we die down here, I want my
obituary to read “hot but deeply
misunderstood.”
ANDRÉS
Mine can just say “right. About
everything.”
NINA
Relax. It’s not a murder alley.
It’s a healing alley.
The turquoise door CREAKS open before they knock. The Teenage
Girl from earlier appears.
TEENAGE GIRL
You brought friends. Of course you
did.
She steps aside. They enter.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Ritual of Forgiveness
INT. CURANDERA’S HOUSE – EVENING
A long dark hallway opens into an incense-heavy room. Hundreds
of candles FLICKER. Dried herbs, feathers, bones, and
talismans hang like chandeliers from the wooden rafters.
CURANDERA CALLA (70s), fierce, radiant, swathed in indigo and
beads, sits cross-legged. She does not look up.
CURANDERA CALLA
Sit.
Everyone complies immediately.
CURANDERA CALLA (CONT'D)
You seek to undo what was done.
RICHARD
It was a mystical accident.
CURANDERA CALLA
Magic is never accidental. It is
summoned, consciously or not.
FINN
Not just an edible that lasted too
long?
CURANDERA CALLA
Silence. And humility.
Finn clamps his mouth shut.
CURANDERA CALLA (CONT'D)
The body is not the problem. The
heart is.
She looks at Richard. Then at Nina.
CURANDERA CALLA (cont’d) (CONT'D)
She clings to rage. You, to shame.
Until both are surrendered, you stay
as you are.
NINA
What if I can't forgive?
CURANDERA CALLA
Then love the body you're in.
She motions to a bowl of water and bundles of herbs.
CURANDERA CALLA (cont’d) (CONT'D)
One of you must wash the other. Not
with soap. With truth. No irony.
ANDRÉS
What, no chant? No three-day cleanse?
CURANDERA CALLA
Forgiveness is the ritual.
RICHARD
I’ll do it. I owe her that much.
Calla nods. Richard kneels, removes his shirt. Nina dips the
herbs and gently wipes his back.
NINA
I was scared. That it was too good
to be true. That you’d change your
mind. So I left first.
RICHARD
You didn’t even give me a chance.
NINA
I’ve hated myself for it ever since.
I don't know who I'm most angry at.
RICHARD
My parents were downstairs with
champagne and flowers expecting the
future Mrs. Plumbo to walk in elated.
Instead, I had to tell them the would-
be bride ran out the door. I'd never
seen my father cry before.
Nina’s hand pauses on his shoulder.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
And I still forgave you. Eventually.
CURANDERA CALLA
Enough.
A sudden breeze cuts through the windowless room. Candles
FLUTTER. The water SHIMMERS. Calla opens her eyes, smiles.
CURANDERA CALLA (CONT'D)
If your hearts remain open, the body
will follow.
FINN
Not to steal anyone’s thunder, but
we’ve got emotional luggage too.
CURANDERA CALLA
(gesturing them forward)
Speak.
ANDRÉS
Wait, really?
FINN
I keep thinking I’m gonna screw this
up. I’m gonna be too much... or not
enough. It puts me in a right state.
ANDRÉS
And I pretend I’m above needing
anyone. But the truth is, I don’t
want to need someone who might leave.
They look at each other, awkward, vulnerable.
CURANDERA CALLA
Love is not a guarantee. It is a
choice.
(touching their
foreheads)
Choose it.
Finn and Andrés look at each other tears in their eyes.
NINA
So... we’re all good?
CURANDERA CALLA
Unless you revert to your old ways.
Then we start again. And my price
doubles.
Genres:
["Fantasy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Embracing the Night
EXT. COLONIA SAN RAPHAEL - SAN MIGUEL – NIGHT
The Group walks slowly, each in their own thoughts.
ANDRÉS
That woman was terrifying. In a
sacred, abuelita-will-banish-your-
demons way.
FINN
I feel scrubbed clean. Also famished.
NINA
The address is straight ahead. You
guys go. We’ll catch up.
Andrés and Finn disappear into the night.
NINA (CONT'D)
That... wasn’t nothing.
RICHARD
No. It wasn’t.
NINA
You okay?
RICHARD
I wanted Barcelona to be epic. A
night you'd cherish forever.
Diamonds, champagne, my mum crying.
NINA
And instead you had to tell them—
RICHARD
You were gone. No explanation. No
note.
NINA
Richard...
RICHARD
My aunt called it “the bidet breakup.”
My father still refers to you as
“the disappearing act.”
NINA
Oh my god. Does Dom know?
RICHARD
Every embarrassing tidbit. Even the
date I went on with a yoga instructor
who fed me spirulina and pity. All
I did was talk about you.
NINA
You still loved me?
RICHARD
I've never really stopped.
They stand in the silence of that truth. The sound of a GUITAR
and the joyful call of VOICES O.S.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
Let's have fun. Tomorrow is another
day!
Nina grabs Richards's hand. They hurry towards the MUSIC.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
A Night of Generosity in Colonia San Rafael
EXT. COLONIA SAN RAFAEL - NIGHT
An alleyway, aglow with lanterns. A GUITARIST leads a group
of LOCAL FAMILIES carrying gifts of food, warm clothes, toys.
Isabel resplendent in a red shawl, walks arm in arm with
Shuttle Grandpa, surprisingly spry, flirting like he’s 40.
ISABEL
Well, aren't you a kick in the pants?
GRANDPA
Stick with me, Kid.
(flickiing his tongue)
You ain't seen nothing yet.
Isabel pecks him on the cheek. Gabrielle and Dominic walk
behind them.
GABRIELLE
We planned a wedding and got a
spiritual pilgrimage instead.
DOMINIC
And churros. Don't forget the
churros.
GABRIELLE
Have I said I love you recently?
DOMINIC
Always nice to hear, but I know you
do, my beautiful, mujere loca.
Finn and Andrés trail behind, holding pink donation bags. A
KID runs past and throws confetti on them.
FINN
Either we’re being blessed or cursed.
ANDRÉS
As long as we're together, I don't
care.
Jules documents everything, snaps as Monique poses.
JULES
You should be a model.
MONIQUE
I traded the runway for bedtime
stories. Never looked back.
Pedro hands out tamales with a smile and a blessing. Lark
walks beside him, arms full of knitted scarfs and beanies.
PEDRO
I’m just saying, if enlightenment
requires letting go of attachment,
why do I feel more human when I’m
handing someone a warm meal?
LARK
Because humans are wired to be
generous.
(MORE)
LARK (CONT'D)
It lights up your brain's reward
system - dopamine, oxytocin, the
whole feel-good cocktail.
Pedro looks surprised, impressed. A CHILD peers up at them
from the Crowd. Pedro kneels.
PEDRO
Tamales are magic. One bite and you
remember somebody loves you.
The Child smiles, wide-eyed, shivering. Lark pulls off her
scarf, wraps it around the Child’s shoulders.
PEDRO (CONT'D)
That's your favorite scarf.
LARK
I can love it and still let it go.
That’s the trick, right?
Pedro offers his arm. They catch up to the head of the
procession.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
A Moment of Reflection
EXT. LOCAL FAMILY’S HOUSE – LATER
An ABUELA stands at her her door.
ABUELA
(singing)
"Eres tu José? Tu esposa es Maria?
Entren, peregrino, no los conocía."
Children SING in the background. Richard translates for Nina.
NINA
May God repay, kind people, your
charity, and thus heaven heap
happiness upon you.
Nina squeezes Richard's hand. The crowd CHEERS. FIRECRACKERS
POP. Everyone filters into the Abuela's
COURTYARD
Piñatas hang. A table is spread with tamales, atole, buñuelos,
and steaming pots of pozole. LAUGHTER. MUSIC. Hugs.
Nina and Richard stand back, watching, more in sync than ever.
NINA (CONT'D)
Do you think we’re different now?
Or just more honest?
RICHARD
Both. But mostly, we stopped running.
NINA
Tomorrow, when we've switched back,
let's not forget this version of us.
A CHILD hands Richard a candle. He lights it. Nina watches,
grateful, maybe still heartbroken.
JULES (O.S.)
Velasco family! Get in the frame.
If I don't document this, future me
will never forgive us.
(phone held high)
Say “emotional breakthroughs and
mild indigestion!”
SERIES OF PHOTOS - poses, laughter, Isabel kisses Grandpa.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Jacuzzi Jitters
INT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE – NIGHT
The Group files in. LAUGHER, YAWNS, MURMURS of "best night."
DOMINIC
(to Gabrielle)
Bed? With a nightcap?
GABRIELLE
Only if it’s mezcal and foot rubs...
in that order.
ISABEL
(To Grandpa)
We can break into the good tequila
and watch shooting stars.
GRANDPA
Or skip the stars and shoot for glory
between the sheets.
ISABEL
If you die on top of me, I'm claiming
your hat collection.
GRANDPA
If I die mid-thrust, make sure they
name a bridge after me.
MONIQUE
Night, children. Don't do anything
I wouldn't do.
PEDRO
Come, my darling. I've a magic trick
you're going to love.
Couples disappear into their bedrooms. Nina and Richard linger,
look at each other, the "sex" question hovers, unspoken.
RICHARD
Nobody's been in the jacuzzi yet.
NINA
Let's christen it. I'll grab wine.
You grab our suits.
JACUZZI - MOMENTS LATER
Steam curls up into the chilly air. Richard sinks in first.
Nina arrives with two glasses of white wine.
NINA (CONT'D)
(toasting the stars)
Divinely soporific. Cheers. To one
last night as other people.
RICHARD
If this works, I'm going to miss
having boobs.
NINA
They'll miss you too. They've grown
attached to being fondled.
They sit close. Something feels like it’s about to shift.
RICHARD
(bolting upright)
Oh. My. God.
NINA
What?! What is it?
RICHARD
My crotch is on fire, like actually
burning. Can vaginas blister?
NINA
Why is that your first question?!
RICHARD
Because I'm living inside a sous-
vide situation. What the fuck?!
NINA
Oh my god. Did you get waxed? Get
out of the water. Now.
They both scramble up, dripping, YELPING. Nina clutches a
towel like it's armor.
RICHARD
I was this close to inner peace.
Now your lady bits are scorched earth.
Nina grabs another towel, marches off.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
I'm going to find my aloe vera.
Then to bed. Don't even think of
disturbing me.
NINA
Hasta mañana.
(slugs wine)
Goddamn you cursed spa cauldron! My
yoni's on fire and here I sit with a
useless dick. What a cosmic joke!
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Wedding Eve Chaos
INT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE - MORNING
A rooster CROWS. Birds CHIRP.
GRANDPA (O.S.)
Can’t find my shoes, but I did find
my dignity. Nope. Wait. That’s a
bra.
Grandpa shuffles out of Isabel’s room, shirt inside-out,
lipstick on his ear. He HUMS a triumphant bolero.
KITCHEN
Nina drinks coffee, stares blankly into the distance.
ISABEL
Morning, sunshine. Sleep okay, or
did your chakras short-circuit?
RICHARD
My soul's hungover. Also my vagina.
ISABEL
If you're night was half as thrilling
as mine-
RICHARD
I can guarantee it wasn't.
Gabrielle and Dominic appear. Nina forces a smile.
GABRIELLE
Chop chop, Everyone. Busy day ahead.
MONTAGE – WEDDING EVE ACTIVITIES
- A whirlwind of Hotels - Gabrielle and Nina greet arriving
guests. Nina pats backs. No hugs. Gabrielle stares.
- At Mezcaleria, Dominic and Richard pick up boxes of mezcal.
- At Reception Venue, CATERERS set up tables. Monique approves
flowers. Pedro writes a check to CATERER.
- At Bridal Atelier, the ATELIER hands wedding dress and purple
silk dresses to Lark, who accepts them doubtfully.
- At home, Finn and André hang up tuxedos in their room.
END MONTAGE
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
A Night of Joyful Revelry
EXT. ALDAMA STREET – NIGHT
A traditional wedding parade - mojigangas (giant puppets of
bride and groom), a burro adorned in flowers, carrying barrels
of tequila, and serenading MARIACHIS - leads the dancing
Wedding Party and Guests along the cobblestone street.
DOMINIC
(twirling Gabrielle)
You’re trouble.
GABRIELLE
And you're marrying it!
She lets out a joyful WHOOP, throws her arms around him.
Behind, Isabel cha-cha's with Grandpa like they’ve been dancing
together for decades.
Finn and Andrés hang back, intently watching Nina and Richard.
FINN
Do we ask or keep stalking like
weirdos?
ANDRÉS
Just watch his hands. If it looks
like he's conducting an orchestra,
still Nina.
FINN
Yup. Still banjaxed.
ANDRÉS
And somehow I understand you.
RICHARD
Are you disappointed?
NINA
Not as long as you dance with me.
He offers his arm, a little mock bow. She takes it, grinning.
The parade weaves through the twilight, a BIRD'S-EYE VIEW
REVEALING ITS JOYFUL TRAIL THROUGH CENTRO.
Genres:
["Romance","Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
A Night of Revelations
INT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE – GARDEN – NIGHT
Fairy lights TWINKLE. A TRIO plays soft boleros. Empty plates
and drained glasses mark the end of dinner. LAUGHER drifts in
and out. Fifty-or-so GUESTS mingle.
Isabel lounges in a low chair. Grandpa eases into the one
beside her, catching his breath.
ISABEL
You look like you just stormed a
castle.
GRANDPA
All for the hand of the fair queen.
ISABEL
Flatter me again and I might let you
spend another night in my bed.
They CLINK glasses.
Gabrielle dances barefoot on the grass. Dominic approaches
with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
DOMINIC
You’re glowing. That’s not metaphor.
GABRIELLE
That’s not glow. That’s a week of
zero gluten and wedding hysteria
about to end.
He pulls her close, whispers something. They slip away, passing
Monique and Pedro heading to their room.
Andrés watches them go, grabs Finn's hand.
ANDRÉS
Come on, fiancé. While the night is
yet young.
LARK
(to Jules)
I have to be functional tomorrow.
You get to be cinematic. Document
this malarky.
JULES
It's what I live for.
Lark slips away, grabs a bottle of water on the way.
RICHARD
Everyone’s slipping away like there's
a curfew.
NINA
Guess it's our turn to vanish.
They rise together.
JULES
Not so fast, Velasco inner circle!
(phone held high)
Smile before you ghost into eye masks
and ear plugs.
Richard wraps his arm around Nina. She looks at him adoringly.
JULES (CONT'D)
Say, "one more day!"
CLICK.
KITCHEN / TERRACE - MORNING
Chef Juan lays out a lavish breakfast spread. Nina HUMS
happily, pours two mugs of coffee.
CHEF JUAN
Buenos dias. I prepared this to
give you all strength for the big
day.
RICHARD
Appreciate it, Juan, but I'm guessing
nerves are the main course.
She eyes the chocolate croissants, wraps a couple in napkins.
Dominic enters, eyes the coffees and packaged pastries.
DOMINIC
Smart. Carb loading for chaos.
Gabby wants the girls in our room
for hair and make-up.
(MORE)
DOMINIC (CONT'D)
Tell Rich, the boys are suiting up
in Andrés' room.
RICHARD & NINA'S ROOM
Nina enters, cheery, with coffee and croissants.
RICHARD
Fresh coffee for my lady.
She freezes. Richard sits on the bed, knees up, SOBBING.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
Oh, no. What happened now?
NINA
(trying to laugh)
Just... mourning the day I don't get
to have. I was supposed to help
Gabby dress, sip champagne, panic
about runny mascara. Instead I’m
in a rental tux.
RICHARD
We can tell her.
NINA
And ruin her day, too?
RICHARD
She’s your sister. She’ll understand.
NINA
I can't be that selfish.
(accepting coffee and
croissant)
Thanks. It smells emotionally
fortifying.
RICHARD
Um, well. You'll be dressing with
the boys in Andrés room.
NINA
(bursts into tears)
Promise you'll take hundreds of
photographs. I want every dumb detail
recorded.
GABRIELLE & DOMINIC'S ROOM - LATER
Women in robes. Isabel and Monique sip mimosas, hair mid-curl.
Gabrielle and Nina recline, each with an ATTENDANT.
NINA (CONT'D)
What's about to happen?
GABRIELLE
These ladies have five stars. Just
close your eyes and prepare to open
them instantly glam. Someone pump
up the frequencies, please!
O.S. soothing sound of 432Hz volume increases. Lark and Jules
deliver Gabrielle's gown and the purple dresses.
LARK
Dress fairy reporting for duty.
JULES
With bells and photographic
documentation.
Lark drags Jules away as he SNAPS pics of everything in sight.
LARK
Text me if anything gets weird.
RICHARD
Gabby, I’ve been thinking—
GABRIELLE
No talking or you’ll end up with
lashes in your nostrils.
LATER
Lengthy lashes almost complete.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
You remember when I used to force
you to practice walking in heels?
And you'd cry on the inside but never
broke your poker face?
Nina winces. Her lip trembles.
RICHARD
(bolting upright)
Maybe you can’t be selfish today,
but I can.
GABRIELLE
Wait. What?
But Nina is already out the door.
ANDRÉS’ & FINN'S ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Dominic fusses with tuxedos. Andrés and Finn bicker over
cummerbunds. Pedro and Richard debate socks. Nina bursts in.
RICHARD
Nina! We have to tell them. This
day is too important.
Everyone freezes.
FINN
Told you he'd crack.
DOMINIC
What exactly are we cracking?
Gabrielle runs in the door.
GABRIELLE
Nina!
Richard looks at Gabrielle with pleading eyes.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
What is going on?
NINA
Gabby... it’s me. I’m Nina. She’s
Richard. Somehow... we... switched.
We think it was the candles.
RICHARD
You're going to think I'm nuts, but
I swear it's the truth. He's your
sister.
GABRIELLE
You're telling me the body that's
about to hold up my wedding gown
while I pee is Richard Plumbo?
NINA
Looks like a man, walks like a man,
but I promise, it's me, your womb
mate. And if anyone’s going to fix
your veil and dab your mascara, it
should be me.
DOMINIC
Weirdest thing I have ever heard.
(to Richard)
But you cried at the posada. So I
believe you.
ANDRÉS
We cracked it days ago. Finn bet
he’d fess up before brunch.
DOMINIC
Who else knows?
NINA
Just the curandera.
RICHARD
Another failed experiment.
GABRIELLE
We love who we love no matter what
form they take so...
(to Dominic)
We keep it quiet? Nina walks me
down the aisle. Richard stands by
you. Let guests think whatever the
hell they like?
DOMINIC
And, this is why I love you. We
embrace the chaos.
PEDRO
(pulling them into a
hug)
Velasco style! Group squeeze!
Genres:
["Comedy","Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
A Wedding Celebration Turned Crisis
EXT. INSTITUTO ALLENDE - LATE AFTERNOON
Bright winter sun. A runway leads to a floral wedding arbor,
the Parroquia as a backdrop. Lark beams at Dominic, handsome
in his tux, Nina in her purple dress next to him.
Soft MANDOLIN MUSIC floats through the air. Fifty or so Guests
stand and turn to watch Richard walk arm in arm with Gabrielle,
who beams, bouquet in hand.
ISABEL
(whispering)
Sweet of Richard to walk Gabby down
the aisle.
MONIQUE
Pedro offered, but I guess these two
have history. Why Nina is with the
boys is beyond me, but we're nothing
if not flexible.
Richard kisses Gabrielle’s cheek as she steps forward to face
Dominic. Richard sits next to Finn.
NINA
(sotto to Finn)
How'd I do?
FINN
Just dandy, darlin'. You walk better
in brogues than he does in heels.
MOMENTS LATER
Gabrielle and Dominic hold hands, facing each other.
LARK
By the power vested in me by the
Mexican internet and the divine chaos
that brought you together, I now
pronounce you partners in marriage,
fellow travelers, co-conspirators in
love. You may kiss your bride.
Dominic dips Gabrielle in a kiss. Parroquia BELLS RING in the
distance. WHOOPS. CHAMPAGNE POPS.
COURTYARD - SAN MIGUEL – NIGHT
A pink sky overhead. Linen-draped tables spread across the
terrace. A LIVE BAND plays classic rock. Guests drift between
food stations filling their plates. WAIT STAFF pour endless
wine and mezcal.
Gabrielle and Dominic sit at the top table, on a terrace
overseeing the action. One by one, the Others take their seats.
Nina nudges Richard.
RICHARD
You’re quiet. For you.
NINA
Just taking it in. Endings.
Beginnings.
(crumbling)
What on earth are we going to do?
RICHARD
Stop making me looking like such a
ninny! Dry your bloody tears. First
we get through the speeches.
MOMENTS LATER
The CLINK of glasses calls for speeches. The BAND winds down.
DOMINIC
(rising)
Thank you all for being here,
especially those who endured red-eye
flights and last night's tour of the
town in high heels. To my wife.
Gabby, thank you for saying yes.
Again. It took us five years to
stop being idiots. And one moment
of clarity to know we never want to
do this life apart.
APPLAUSE. Gabrielle kisses him. Richard GULPS bubbly. Nina
takes his hand under the table.
FINN
(grabbing the mic)
We’re not married yet, but thanks to
the example of these brave souls, we
will be. We've learned that-
ANDRÉS
True love is putting your partner
before yourself.
FINN
To Gabby and Dom, may your troubles
be less and your blessings be more.
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward.
A few WHOOPS. Some AWWWs. Richard stands.
NINA
Gabby... we’ve spent our lives
circling each other like chaotic
planets. You, the sun. Me... a
meteor with commitment issues. But
today, watching you walk toward
someone who sees all of you and
doesn’t flinch, I thought, this is
what it means to love. To show up,
even if you’re afraid.
(choking a tear)
To forgive, even when you're still
angry. To let go, even if you’re
still holding on.
Nina looks up sharply. That last line wasn’t for Gabby.
NINA (CONT'D)
So here’s to you both. May your
marriage be full of adventure, grace,
and... ever-lasting joy.
The Band strikes up Justin Bieber's "LOVE YOURSELF."
UPPER TERRACE
Richard doubles over. Silent tears. Nina approaches.
RICHARD
Well, that was dramatic.
NINA
Couldn’t help it. Saying those words
out loud... about letting go. They
weren’t for Gabby.
RICHARD
I gathered as much.
NINA
What do we do now? The wedding’s
over. Mission accomplished, except
we’re still trapped.
RICHARD
We’ll figure it out.
NINA
I live in California. I want to
write in cafés and be near my sister.
You embalm corpses in London.
RICHARD
Don’t make that sound like a
punchline.
NINA
So, what? I give up my sunny life
to live in perpetual rain, trying to
make tea correctly while your mother
pretends we're a normal couple?
RICHARD
Or I uproot my life, close my business
and follow you? Why when you’re the
one who left? You ended us.
NINA
Because I couldn’t keep shrinking
myself to fit your idiosyncracies.
RICHARD
And now?
NINA
Now I know I was angry. And scared.
And maybe I still am. But that
doesn’t mean I stopped—
RICHARD
Stopped what?
NINA
I never sold the ring.
RICHARD
My grandmother's ring?
NINA
I lied. It’s in my freezer. Wrapped
in one of your socks.
Richard LAUGHS, a little bitter, a little stunned.
RICHARD
Maybe you do still love me. Beneath
the stoic California Zen routine.
They just stand there. O.S. FOOTSTEPS.
FINN
Well this feels tender and unresolved.
Sláinté.
He hands them each a mini bottle of mezcal, the bespoke wedding
favors. Richard and Nina share a look, and CLINK bottles.
RICHARD
To... whatever the hell this is.
NINA
And to making it through the night.
FIREWORKS EXPLODE overhead. O.S. OOHS and AAHS.
FINN
Ceilidh’s kicking off. Let’s go
misbehave while we still can.
They head toward the MUSIC. On the dance floor, Grandpa twirls
Isabel, suddenly staggers, grabs his chest. GUESTS GASP.
ISABEL
Arturo?
GRANDPA
(grinning)
Just heartburn. God, I’m sexy.
Isabel leads Grandpa to sit down. LAUGHER. Relief.
The MUSIC FADES. Everyone turns to see a stunning WEDDING
CAKE being carried in by WAIT STAFF and set on a side table.
Dominic and Gabrielle take their positions. Guests gather
round snapping photographs.
AT TOP TABLE
Andrés, Finn, Richard and Nina remain seated, sipping mezcal.
Finn reaches under the table, sets up four new bottles.
AT CAKE TABLE
Gabrielle raises a crystal knife like it's a weapon.
GABRIELLE
This cake cost more than my first
car. Let’s destroy it.
LAUGHER. They slice ceremoniously. She smears a generous
swipe of frosting across Dominic’s face.
DOMINIC
You monster.
He retaliates. Gasps and laughter. A frosting war erupts as
the guests cheer. Monique ducks. Jules takes a frosting hit
to the tie.
PEDRO
Cake casualties! We need napkins,
stat!
AT TOP TABLE
Finn, Andrés, Nina and Richard raise their glasses.
FINN
Let's make this interesting. Let's
truth toast.
They CLINK. Sip.
ANDRÉS
(coughing)
To not pretending it’s fine when
it’s actually burning my throat.
Another sip.
FINN
To not playing hard to get when really
all you want is to be together.
Another sip.
RICHARD
Good one.
(toasting)
To guilty secrets. I read your
journals once. I shouldn't have,
but I couldn't stop. Even your rough
drafts were luminous. Truth? I use
AI to write eulogies.
Nina doesn’t speak. Downs her entire mezcal in one go.
NINA
Hit me up.
Finn passes them a bottle each. Nina opens hers.
NINA (CONT'D)
(toasting)
I never stopped writing. That was a
lie. I just stopped believing my
words meant anything.
ISABEL (O.S.)
God, what a bunch of downers.
Isabel drops into a spare chair, flushed, glowing, breathless.
ISABEL (CONT'D)
Pour me one.
Richard hands her his bottle. She swigs.
ISABEL (CONT'D)
You want a real truth?
They look at her, half-dreading, half-hoping.
ISABEL (CONT'D)
I almost didn’t come. Thought if I
saw all this love and lace, I’d
combust. But then I remembered... I
still have this fabulous body. And
some fools never get old enough to
hate their regrets. So here I am -
restful sleep be damned - living the
time of my life!
She raises the bottle. Drinks again.
ISABEL (CONT'D)
Now if you’ll excuse me, my future
husband is beckoning me to the dance
floor.
She stands. Winks. Heads to the dance floor. The Others swig
their mezcal.
ANDRÉS
We should plan a double wedding. It
may be double the drama, but we'll
cut the costs.
FINN
What an icon. Better than Madonna.
The Band plays the first beats of Madonna's "Vogue." The dance
floor FLASHES with DISCO LIGHTS. Finn grabs Andrés hand.
FINN (CONT'D)
I'm prescient. Come on Dicky, you're
not getting out of this.
Andrés grabs Richard's hand, who grabs Nina's hand.
The Crowd parts instinctively as Finn, Andrés, Nina, and
Richard strut into the center like a choreographed invasion.
FINN (CONT'D)
All right, darlings! Let's give
them drama and bone structure!
ANDRÉS
Please don’t make this a TikTok
moment.
FINN
Everything’s a TikTok moment if you
do it right.
They strike poses. Arms sharp, movements exaggerated. Finn
vogues like he’s in a Paris ballroom circa 1987. Nina tries
to follow, clunky but committed. Richard spins, laughing so
hard she can barely stand.
RICHARD
I feel like a camp chandelier.
NINA
Just commit. That's the key to
everything.
EDGE OF DANCE FLOOR
Gabrielle, frosting in her hair, drags Dominic into the fray.
They form a circle with the Others. Monique takes center stage
like she's back on the catwalk. Jules films everything.
Isabel and Grandpa reappear at the edge of the circle. She’s
radiant. He’s red-faced but gallant.
ISABEL
Y’all are adorable. But let us show
you how it’s done.
They salsa into the middle of the floor. CHEERS erupt. Grandpa
spins her. She throws her head back, cackling with delight.
NINA
(to Finn)
I never thought I’d be vogueing in a
rental tux with my ex’s ex.
FINN
Life’s funny like that.
The beat changes into Lizzo’s “About Damn Time.”
The floor explodes. FIREWORKS light the sky. Everyone is drunk
on champagne, mezcal, cake and love. It's euphoric chaos.
Amid the Crowd, Isabel suddenly stumbles mid-twirl. She raises
her arms to the sky, beaming.
GRANDPA
Isabel?
She collapses into his arms. SCREAMS.
Richard and Nina push through the dancers.
NINA
Move! Move! Give her space!
RICHARD
Call emergency. Now!
FINN
Is there a doctor in the house!
PEDRO
Mamma... mamma!
GABRIELLE
Someone get her purse. Her meds
might be inside!
ANDRÉS
I'm on it!
The MUSIC STOPS. The courtyard is dead silent.
ISABEL
(eyes fluttering)
Did I... win?
GRANDPA
Don't you dare leave us.
She sags in Grandpa's arms. Pedro clutches her hands.
DOMINIC
Ambulance is coming! Two minutes!
Guests cry. Some film. Others pray. Richard and Nina bend
over her.
NINA
Stay with us, Nanna. You said you
were having the time of your life.
RICHARD
You’re not allowed to make that your
mic drop.
O.S. SIRENS.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
A Flicker of Hope
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – MORNING
A monitor BEEPS. Isabel unconscious in bed. Grandpa cradles
one hand, Pedro the other. Dominic sits nearby, half dozing.
Gabrielle walks in with a bag. She unpacks lipstick, hairbrush,
peignoir set, Santa hat, and her candle, "love endures."
PEDRO
I don't think she'll be needing those.
GABRIELLE
She will when she wakes up.
Gabrielle lights the candle. Dominic stirs.
DOMINIC
Gabby, you can't have open flames in
a hospital.
GABRIELLE
We're paying for this room. I'll do
what I bloody like.
Dominic cracks open the window. Gabrielle sets the candle on
the sill and watches the flame catch.
DOMINIC
I'm going to cancel our honeymoon,
see if we can stay on at the house.
PEDRO
I'll come with you.
(to Gabrielle)
You two okay?
GABRIELLE
We're fine. You need a break, Arturo?
Grandpa opens his hand, still cupping Isabel’s. Nestled in
his palm: a rose quartz heart.
GRANDPA
Love is all we need. And we have it
in spades... I mean hearts!
Pedro and Dominic exit. The candle flickers. Machines HUM.
The door eases open. Nina and Richard step inside, hesitant.
GABRIELLE
She’s stable. No change.
Richard nods, squeezes Gabrielle’s arm. Nina lingers.
GRANDPA
Come in, but worries stay outside.
Only positive energy allowed.
He gestures for them to sit. Richard drops into a chair beside
Isabel. Nina stands at the foot of the bed.
Grandpa hovers his hands, palms down, over Isabel’s body.
GRANDPA (CONT'D)
It’s called toning. Ancient practice.
Old as dirt. We use sound to shift
the body’s field. The cells remember.
The soul hears.
He closes his eyes. A low tone emerges from his chest. Not
quite a hum. More primal.
GRANDPA (CONT'D)
MMMMMMmmmmm... Join in if you like.
Doesn’t have to be pretty.
Richard closes his eyes and begins to match the sound, softly.
NINA
MMMMMmmmmmm.
GABRIELLE
MMMMMMMmmmm.
They repeat. A vibration builds. A frequency that wraps around
the beeping machines. All eyes drift to Nina.
RICHARD
I don’t exactly have the toning chops.
And if the staff walk in—
GABRIELLE
It’s a hospital, not the X Factor.
NINA
Don't overthink it, Richard. Please,
for Nanna.
Nina looks at Isabel. At Grandpa, HUMMING like a grounded
tuning fork. He inhales.
RICHARD
MMMMMMmmmmm.
It comes out flat and, somehow, British. She keeps going.
With each exhale, it steadies, strengthens.
ALL TOGETHER
MMMMMhmmmmm.
Isabel’s hand, still, under Grandpa’s. The faintest twitch of
a finger. But no one notices. The TONING fades to silence
Richard opens his eyes to see Nina watching him. They share a
rueful smile.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Healing"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
A Festive Gathering for Isabel
INT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Pedro walks in. Monique leaps up to hug him.
ANDRÉS
Hi, dad. You look exhausted.
PEDRO
I'm fine.
MONIQUE
How's Isabel?
PEDRO
She's resting in her usual dramatic
style. Altitude, dehydration, over-
exertion... We need to watch over
her more.
FINN (O.S.)
Ach, she's gonna' outlive us all.
They turn to see Finn with an 8-foot Christmas tree and Chef
Juan arms full of boxes.
MONIQUE
What on earth?
FINN
A few things to cheer up the place
for Isabel's return.
CHEF JUAN
(setting down boxes)
I'll be right back.
FINN
(lifting a mini-mezcal
from a box)
Guests were so anxious to go hug
their loved ones, they forgot their
wedding favors.
Finn opens the bottle, takes a swig, offers it to Pedro.
PEDRO
(slugging a shot)
I don't know if we can stay here.
ANDRÉS
All handled. As luck would have it,
there was a cancellation so we can
stay through the New Year.
FINN
That's not luck. That's serendipity.
ANDRÉS
And a fat deposit for next year.
PEDRO
Why would you do that, son?
ANDRÉS
Cat's out of the bag in Ireland, and
there's no way we're getting off
with a small, intimate ceremony.
FINN
Bejeesus. With my family? It'll be
my big fat Irish wedding.
Chef Juan walks in laden with Christmas lights and ornaments.
FINN (CONT'D)
(swigging mezcal)
Let's get this party started!
LATER
A FIRE CRACKLES. Christmas tree TWINKLES. Socks with names
embroidered hang from the mantle.
Everyone's in matching pajamas: Gabrielle curls up with
Dominic. Pedro sits between Andrés, Finn and the chihuahua.
Monique sits with Grandpa. Nina and Richard sit on floor
cushions. Gabrielle enters, glass of champagne in hand.
GABRIELLE
So... I know this wasn’t the ending
we expected. But maybe it's the one
we need. Us all here, together.
(toasting)
To Isabel. The fiercest, most
fabulous woman we know. May she
live forever. And may she forgive
us for drinking all the champagne.
LAUGHER. Glasses lift.
NINA
To Isabel. Thanks for reminding me
how to show up. Life is too short
to be angry.
ALL
To Isabel.
MONIQUE
And to Arturo, a real life shaman
and miracle worker. Welcome to our
weird and wonderful family!
Everyone turns to Grandpa, who shrugs modestly.
GRANDPA
I just listen. The body knows how
to heal. Sometimes it only needs a
reminder.
NINA
And a heartfelt hummmmmmm.
GABRIELLE
Well... thanks for reminding us.
RICHARD
I'd like to add something. I came
here mostly out of dread... of my
past, of the Oxford Street Christmas
madness. And despite the - um -
chaos... this loud, loving family -
I felt seen. And somehow... accepted.
Even when I was at my worst. Maybe
especially then. I’m grateful.
NINA
We've got the gist.
(toasting)
Ditto!
GABRIELLE
To not knowing the answers, but
showing up anyway.
They toast. Sip. Settle contentedly. Pedro lights a candle,
“Enduring Love.” He sets it on the coffee table. Mesmerized,
they watch the flame dance. The power goes out. Darkness.
GASPS. LAUGHTER.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
Ah ha! I knew there was a reason I
bought five of these. Clarity!
NINA & RICHARD'S BEDROOM – LATER
Richard and Nina lie in bed, eyes closed, holding hands across
the pillow divide. The “Enduring Love” candle flickers on the
bedside table. A church bell CHIMES in the distance.
RICHARD
Still not us.
NINA
But, not not us, either.
RICHARD
Sweet dreams.
NINA
Tomorrow is another day.
RICHARD
And I'm okay with that.
NINA
Yeah, me too.
MORNING
Sun shines through the gauzy drapes. O.S. festive CLATTER and
Michael Buble's "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."
KNOCK on the door.
GABRIELLE (O.S.)
Rise and shine, my angels. Christmas
shopping awaits! But first, coffee
and mimosas on the terraza.
Richard opens his eyes, GROANS, sits up, groggy.
NINA
I thought we'd finished the champagne.
RICHARD
I don't feel so good.
NINA
Hangover? Jetlag? Weird spiritual
hangover? Or all of the above?
RICHARD
Go ahead. I'll catch up.
BREAKFAST TERRACE
The Gang is assembled, still in pajamas. Coffee steams. Chef
Juan pours glasses of fizzy lemonade sprinkled salt. Richard
walks in rubbing his temples.
DOMINIC
You don't look so good.
NINA
Don't feel it either. A keg of coffee
and I'll perk right up.
Finn splashes mezcal into Richard's coffee.
FINN
Hair of the dog, Sassenach.
NINA
You forget who I am.
Lark and Jules hurry in, packs on backs, luggage on wheels.
Nina follows behind them.
LARK
We overslept So sorry, but we have
to dash or we'll miss our flight.
JULES
Love and kisses to Isabel.
PEDRO
Good news. She's coming home today.
JULES
Well, if that's not cause to
celebrate.
(holding up phone)
In the frame Velasco warriors!
SERIES OF PHOTOS - poses, broad smiles, toasts.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
A Velasco Christmas Celebration
INT. VELASCO WEDDING HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
A pile of beautifully wrapped presents surround the tree.
Everyone dressed to impress - velvet, sequins, silk bowties,
and holiday flair. Gabrielle stands like a general before
her troops, glass of bubbly in hand.
PEDRO
(lifting a magnum)
Locked, loaded and chilling.
GABRIELLE
We are officially ready for a very
Velasco Christmas.
LAUGHTER. APPLAUSE. Richard and Nina smile, toast and sip in
perfect sync. Everyone notices.
FINN
Okay, that’s creepy.
ANDRÉS
You look like you're training for an
Olympic's synchronized life finals.
Nina and Richard shrug, turn to look at each other. Again,
weirdly in sync.
The doors swing open. Arturo, dapper in velvet jacket, wheels
in Isabel. She's radiant, coiffed, red lipstick, sequins and
a faux-fur wrap.
ISABEL
Who thought I was down for the count?
ALL
Not us!
ISABEL
Arturo, darling, do the honors.
Arturo pulls a bottle of Cassis and boxes of Christmas crackers
from under the wheelchair.
ISABEL (CONT'D)
Mimosas are passé. From now until
Three Kings day, we're all about Kir
Royales.
Pedro POPS the magnum, pours everyone bubbly. Finn follows
him, tops up glassed with the vibrant red Cassis.
FINN
We have an announcement. In the
spirt of enduring love... and camp
accessories...
(picking up the
chihuahua)
Say hello to Frida Velasco.
WHOOPS. Monique bursts into LAUGHER. Isabel CLAPS. Grandpa
tears up a little.
GRANDPA
If I may interrupt this noble
occasion...
(turns to Isabel,
kneeling)
My darling Isabel, you make me feel
twenty again... and also ageless.
Will you do the honor of marrying me
before either of us forgets what
we're doing?
Gasps. Baited breath all around. Isabel grins.
ISABEL
Only if it’s a New Year’s Eve wedding
we both wear coronas.
GRANDPA
Your wish is my command, my queen.
CHEERS. Hugs. Glasses CLINK. At the center of the happy chaos,
Nina and Richard stand side by side, relaxed, joyous. A
shimmer, nearly imperceptible, passes between them.
NINA
Wait... did you feel that?
RICHARD
I can't feel my boobs.
They both close their eyes. A long breath. They open their
eyes slowly.
RICHARD (CONT'D)
Bloody hell.
They LAUGH. Nina throws her arms around Richard's neck, covers
his face in kisses.
ISABEL
Do you two have something you'd like
to share?
NINA & RICHARD
We're back!
GARDEN – LATER
The family holds hands and dances in a circle, the FIREWORKS
above casting spells of light across their joyful faces.
NINA (V.O.)
They say the holidays bring people
together. What they don't mention
is the mess. The things you have to
lose to get found. But here's the
truth. I finally understand. Home
isn't a place. It's a feeling. And
sometimes - if you're really lucky -
you get a second chance... to belong
in your own skin.
SERIES OF PHOTOS - Christmas celebration, everyone in Santa
hats, carollers, Isabel and Arturo showing off wedding bands.