A bottle of mezcal glints in the light of EXPLODING FIREWORKS.
Colors light up tiled domes and stone churches. The tip of a
cigarette glows.
KIT HENDRIX, 50s, a male silhouette, sips, smokes.
KIT (V.O.)
You can’t trust the light here. Not
in this town. It shows you what you
want - color, warmth, magic, then
blinds you to what's behind it. And
people... well, people are worse
than the light. They'll smile when
they lie. They'll hug you while
hiding the knife behind your back.
Hell, half the time they don't even
know they're doing it. In San Miguel
you can be whoever you want. It's a
town full of reinvention - scammers,
mystics, con men, healers, and ghosts.
Mexican, gringo - makes no difference.
They call it love. They call it
freedom. But it's all the same lie.
You come here looking for a new
beginning. Peace, maybe. But what
you'll find is a place where nothing
stays buried - not secrets, not the
dead, and sure as hell not your past.
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - OUTSKIRTS - HIGH NOON
Windblown dust. Bumper to bumper traffic. Neon OXXO signs.
This is not the romantic, postcard version of San Miguel.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Stalled Frustration
INT. JONAS FRY'S SUV - MOVING/STALLED IN TRAFFIC
JONAS FRY, 40s, limp linen suit soaked with sweat, fists the
wheel like he wants to throttle it. Behind him, boxes are
crammed tight. He stabs at A/C buttons.
JONAS
Choice. Fucking. Timing. For no
AC. Never trust a Mexican mechanic.
LIV
Maybe he gave you the asshole
discount.
JONAS
I should have sprung for the deluxe
gringo package? Why? I married
into the system.
His beautiful Mexican wife, LIV FRY CORDOBA, 20s, SPRITZES
her face with a fine mist. She SPRAYS Jonas. He SPUTTERS.
JONAS (CONT'D)
Goddamit, Olivia. Now I smell like
the foyer of a Tijuana rub-n-tug.
LIV
Don't be so dramatic. It's rose
water. Refreshing.
JONAS
Refreshing is a cold beer and air
conditioning that doesn't feel like
Satan crawled up my ass.
Liz tucks the spray away, looks out the window as the traffic
crawls, toying unconsciously with a gold locket on a long
chain around her neck. A YOUTH struts between cars, huge grin,
hawking bouquets of roses. Jonas swats him away like a fly.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Dreams and Disillusionment at El Milagro Perdido
EXT. HISTORIC SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE – LATER
The SUV winds through narrow cobblestone streets, nearly clips
a MOJIGANGA - a person inside a 12' papier mache puppet -
crossing the street. Jonas HONKS the HORN. LOCALS glare.
INT. JONAS FRY'S SUV
Jonas grips the wheel. Sweat stings his eyes.
JONAS
Jesus. Don't they have traffic laws?
LIV
Yeah, pedestrians get to live.
They pull up outside
EL MILAGRO PERDIDO
A cantina. Faded paint. Cowboy-style swing doors. A DRUNK,
20s, stumbles out, mounts a tethered horse like it's 1892.
Liv steps out of the car, shielding her eyes from the sun.
LIV (CONT'D)
This is what we sold our gallery
for?
JONAS
Don’t go gettin' sentimental over a
room we hung some canvases in.
Jonas follows, squints at the sign above the door: "EST.
1949."
JONAS (CONT'D)
You said you wanted your roots.
Here they are, darlin'.
LIV
Pray to God this is the only thing
stuck in 1949.
JONAS
We’ll hang a sign — under new
ownership.
LIV
Great idea. That will change
everything.
(Spanish, subtitled)
Gringo with delusions of grandeur.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Nostalgia and Tension at El Milagro Perdido
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – CONTINUOUS
Swing doors CREAK open. Dust motes dance in the sunlight. A
ceiling fan TICKS lazily above. Jonas and Liv step inside.
LIV
How very... atmospheric.
JONAS
(sniffing)
Like I'm back in the bayou. Swamp.
Sweat. Semen.
Jonas crosses to the bar. Runs a hand over the counter —
sticky. He wipes his fingers on his damp shirt.
Liv walks to the
REAR
- puts coins into a Wurlitzer, peruses the choices - nothing
newer than 1960. She presses buttons. "BONITA" by Luis Arcaraz
spins - scratched and sultry.
LIV
My grandma used to sing this for me.
Liv SINGS softly as she sways, admires the wall of photos:
autographed snapshots of cabaret dancers, mustached matinee
idols, and Marilyn Monroe, white skirt forever caught in time.
BEHIND THE BAR
Jonas pulls a beer from the fridge, pops it, chugs.
JONAS
Fuck this. Tepid as shit.
The fridge LED reads: 9°C. He pounds the door with his fist.
A sign reads: “NO CHARGE FOR BAD ATTITUDE. IT'S INCLUDED.”
From the back — a faint knock of GLASS, a FOOTSTEP.
JONAS (CONT'D)
Hello?
LIV
Who's meeting us?
JONAS
Fernando, the bar tender.
Jonas opens the register. Empty but for one lone matchbook,
"El Milagro Perdido" emblazoned in gold.
FOOTSTEPS O.S. A figure passes behind the open kitchen archway.
A DOOR CREAKS. A man emerges carrying a crate of beer.
FERN (O.S.)
It’s open. It’s always open.
FERN CASTAÑEDA, 30s, sun-worn, flip flops, beat-up jeans,
emerges with a crate of beer.
FERN (CONT'D)
Sorry. Didn’t know anyone was here.
He says it to Jonas, but his eyes rest on Liv.
LIV
Fern?
FERN
Olivia?
JONAS
You two know each other?
FERN
It’s a small town.
LIV
(too quickly, a coverup)
We went to school together. Eons
ago. When we were kids.
Jonas steps forward, hand extended. Fern props the crate on a
table, shakes his hand.
JONAS
Jonas Fry. New proprietor.
FERN
My uncle told me. I would have loved
to buy the place, but he needed the
cash pronto.
JONAS
Glad I could help him out in his
hour of need. Give him my regards.
FERN
You can do that yourself at the
cemetery.
JONAS
Shit. That was fast.
FERN
When death decides, you don't get a
say.
JONAS
Well, not to spoil the mood, but
we've got shit to do.
FERN
Rumor is you've plans for the place.
LIV
Just freshen things up a bit,
hopefully attract a less... equestrian
clientele.
JONAS
We don't want to lose the historic
vibe.
From the shadows in the corner, a HOARSE LAUGH bubbles up.
JOSE (70s), face like old leather, lifts his head.
JOSÉ
Historic. Is that what you call
cracked formica and dim lighting?
He slumps back asleep.
FERN
Sorry about that. My uncle let him
sleep it off. Every day.
JONAS
Well. That stops now.
Jonas walks over to the drunk. Liv watches Fern. Something
unsaid between them.
FERN
(sotto)
Nice to have you back.
Seeing him stirs emotions she's not ready to face. She turns
on her heels and heads to the door.
LIV
(to Jonas)
I'm going for cleaning supplies. Be
back soon with air freshener to start.
Jonas watches Fern watch Liv walk out into the sun.
JONAS
Hey. Help me with this dead beat.
Fern shakes off his daydream, helps Jonas gently lift Jose.
FERN
He's harmless.
JONAS
No such thing as harmless.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
A Chance Encounter
INT. SMALL SUPERMARKET - AFTERNOON
Liv fills a basket with detergent, rags, Fabuloso, reaches
for a mop at the same time as DOÑA MAGDALENA, 50s, a wizened
miniature of a woman. Liv retracts her hand.
LIV
(Spanish, subtitled)
Sorry. It's yours.
Liv looks up with a kind smile.
MAGDA
Maria Olivia? Is that you?
LIV
Magda? I go by Liv now.
MAGDA
Come here, child. Bless you. I
thought I'd never see you again.
LIV
I didn't think I'd be back here
either.
Magda looks at Liv's basket of supplies.
MAGDA
You're working as a maid?
LIV
Oh. No. My husband and I bought
the old cantina on Insurgentes.
It's in dire need of a deep clean.
MAGDA
Surely, not with those hands.
LIV
That's what rubber gloves are for.
MAGDA
Or you can hire me. My mistress
just moved back to the U.S.
Genres:
["Drama","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Beneath the Surface
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - NIGHT
Jonas wipes his finger across the bar. Takes a satisfied swig
from a bottle of beer. The fridge gauge now reads 4 degrees.
Magda stows a mop and bucket in the supply closet, walks over
to Jonas, smiling, proud.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
Okay, señor. That's my time for
today. I'll see you tomorrow. Thank
you so much for putting your trust
in me. I feel blessed. Truly.
JONAS
Uh. No hablo Spanish.
Magda keeps her smile, but her warmth just went out the window.
MAGDA
Ah. Muy bien. Hasta mañana.
Liv walks in from the kitchen, admires the gleaming tile,
spotless tables.
LIV
(Spanish, subtitled)
Magda, you're a marvel. I can't
believe how lucky I was to run into
you.
MAGDA
Ah, my child, that's the magic of
San Miguel.
(MORE)
MAGDA (CONT'D)
It might not give you what you want,
but it'll always bring you what you
need. Surely you can't have forgotten.
LIV
I expect it will come back to me.
(walking her to the
door)
Do you need me to call a taxi?
As Liv opens the swing door, Kit Hendrix, Guayabera, Panama
hat, steps aside, tips his hat.
MAGDA
Gracias, Señor Kit. Gracias, niña.
I like to feel the night air on my
face. Keep these old legs strong.
Liv watches Magda cross the cobblestone street, head high.
LIV
We're not really open.
KIT
Kit Hendrix. Heard you'd be landing
today. Thought I'd introduce myself.
Fill you in on the local scene, if
you get my drift.
LIV
That's neighborly. Come meet my
husband. He'll appreciate the
lowdown.
(calling out)
Jonas!
Jonas walks out of the Men's baño, washes his hands at the
sink. Kit walks in like he owns the place. Shakes Jonas’s
damp hand. Liv heads to the kitchen.
JONAS
Jonas Fry. That's my wife, Liv.
KIT
Kit Hendrix.
JONAS
Beer?
KIT
Sure. And mezcal.
Jonas surveys the shelves of dusty liquor bottles.
KIT (CONT'D)
The good stuff's under the counter.
Kit reaches over the bar, pulls up a bottle. Winks. He walks
to the jukebox.
Jonas opens beers, sets out glasses, pours mezcal. Kit presses
buttons, walks back to the bar.
KIT (CONT'D)
Salud! Already smells better.
"SABOR A MI" by Los Panchos & Eydie Gormé plays in b.g.
JONAS
So, this your local?
KIT
Some folks call it my office.
JONAS
So we'll be seeing you a lot then?
Fern exits the kitchen, a shopping list in hand.
FERN
(over his shoulder)
(Spanish, subtitled)
I'll pick these up first thing.
LIV (O.S.)
Thanks, Fern. Really appreciate
your input.
Kit eyes Jonas as he tracks Fern walking out the door.
KIT
You're keeping Pepe's nephew on?
JONAS
Bit of a know-it-all, but I'd rather
have cocky than sticky fingers. He
the type to skim? Or just screw my
wife?
Liv walks in from the kitchen, beaming happily.
LIV
What a great first day. Don't mind
if I call it quits, do you?
(pecks Jonas on cheek)
I hear a shower calling. You two
behave.
Liv leaves. Jonas locks the door, returns behind the bar,
pours shots of mezcal.
JONAS
You were saying?
KIT
He's a local, but also not. Lived
in Bangkok, Berlin, Barcelona..
JONAS
Where else? Brussels, Beijing,
Berlin?
KIT
Try more mercenary. Tel Aviv.
Damascus. He has business interests.
Came back when he heard his uncle
had cancer.
JONAS
May he rest in peace.
(downs a shot)
Doing what?
KIT
Depends who's asking. And who's
paying.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Echoes of AMOR
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
Fern slows as he approaches a colorful mural: "AMOR" under a
streetlight. In the corner, the artist's signature: an ornate
OM. He crouches to touch it.
FERN
(sotto)
Olivia Maria.
O.S. FOOTSTEPS. Fern rises, about to walk on.
LIV
Oh. I didn't expect you to be here.
He turns to face her.
LIV (CONT'D)
I thought this would be painted over.
FERN
They tried. I paid to fix it. Keep
it fresh. With your signature.
LIV
I don't deserve that.
FERN
How could you have just left?
LIV
It wasn’t like that.
FERN
No? I waited. I thought you were
going to miss the bus. Then I
realized you didn’t miss anything.
You'd already gone without me.
He looks at her, not angry. Just undone.
FERN (CONT'D)
Not even a goodbye?
She looks up at him. For a second, we see the younger versions
of both of them, in their eyes, hers pleading for forgiveness.
LIV
Fern, I’m sorry.
He's older, wiser, nods. O.S. footsteps RUNNING.
LIV (CONT'D)
I really have to go.
FERN
Yeah.
She starts to walk away, turns.
LIV
Tonight. You played our song.
FERN
I'm surprised you remember.
LIV
As if I could forget.
She hurries away. Fern watches her disappear, resigned.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Tensions Unpacked
INT. JONAS & LIV'S TEMP RESIDENCE – NIGHT
Boxes trail like breadcrumbs through the hall to the
BEDROOM
Suitcases spill clothes like guts. Liv, hair twisted in a
towel, barefoot in oversized T, HUMS as she hangs clothes.
O.S. front door opens, keys JANGLE, land in a bowl.
Jonas enters - rumpled, unbuttoned, buzzed. He flops onto the
bed. Liv tugs a dress from beneath him.
JONAS
What a fucking circus!
LIV
And we're only on day one. Lucky
us.
JONAS
Man. That Kit. Wow.
LIV
(deadpan)
Wow?
JONAS
He knows everything about everyone.
Creepy in a weird, comforting way.
LIV
And what do you know about him?
He watches her as she stretches on tiptoe to hang a dress.
JONAS
You just get home?
LIV
No. Of course not.
She crosses back to the bed, chooses another dress, hands
trembling under his watchful eye.
JONAS
How’s working with Fern?
LIV
Fern? Fine. Why?
JONAS
You two have history, huh?
LIV
We passed notes in math. We weren't
cheating, just making fun of the
teacher.
JONAS
I hired Kit.
LIV
Yeah. To do what?
JONAS
Keep an eye on things.
LIV
What kind of things?
JONAS
Everything. Can't be too careful.
LIV
Why not install a camera? You said
we're broke.
He stands slowly. Crosses to her. Looms over her. He caresses
her cheek, his attempt at intimacy.
JONAS
I prefer the personal touch.
She doesn’t flinch, but doesn’t melt either. She looks up, a
brittle smile, walks to the bathroom, shuts the door.
Jonas walks to the window. Stares out into the night. O.S. a
guitar strums mournfully.
JONAS (CONT'D)
Fuck.
He PUNCHES the wall. The wall wins.
IN BATHROOM
Liv pulls a prescription container from Jonas's soap bag.
JONAS (O.S.) (CONT'D)
You seen my Xanax?
The container clearly says "Xanax." She opens it, pops one in
her mouth, hesitates, then dumps the rest down the toilet.
LIV
You're all out. Need to get more.
The toilet FLUSHES. Liv dabs cream on her face, smiles.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Kitchen Whispers
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – KITCHEN – MORNING
Sun streams in from a window high in the wall. Magda, cheerful,
focused, mops the floor, HUMS "Sabor a Mi."
At the center island, Liv and Fern empty bags - veggies, bread,
olives, cheese.
FERN
And the pièce de résistance.
Fern holds a prawn up. It glistens fresh and pink in the light.
LIV
How much did that set us back?
FERN
My cousin trucks in seafood daily.
Gave us friends and family rate.
LIV
(flirtatious)
Us?
FERN
Until you guys get set up.
LIV
(disappointed)
You're not sticking around?
FERN
Depends on the opportunity.
LIV
Make sure you track every peso.
Jonas watches money like a dog guards
a bone.
Liv pulls out an old handwritten cookbook, flips it open to
one of several pages marked with a sticky tab.
LIV (CONT'D)
Magda, you're going to love this.
Abuela's camarón al mojo de ajo.
Magda turns the book over to read the cover.
MAGDA
Your grandmother will be dancing in
heaven to see her recipes come alive
again.
Liv kisses her locket, lets it slip back under her neckline.
FERN
And, for the late-nighters, quick
and easy snacks in the micro.
(opens a box)
Empanadas... rajas, pollo, setas...
LIV
Another friend?
FERN
Mai oui. San Miguel runs on IOUs
and good faith. Which reminds me-
The door bursts open. Jonas strides in, crumpled linen already
limp. His eyes dart between the three. Magda resumes mopping.
Fern walks past him out to the bar.
JONAS
What's this? Cooking class?
LIV
Morning, sleepy head.
JONAS
Why didn't you wake me?
LIV
Me poke the bear?
He catches Magda looking sideways at Liv, at him.
JONAS
I'm off to Queretaro. Catch that
sale on restaurant supplies. You
coming?
LIV
Gosh. Sounds fun, but I have these
ingredients with ticking clocks
(holding up a shrimp)
and recipes I need to test. Can't
it wait til the AC's fixed?
JONAS
The sooner we open, the sooner the
money rolls in... so, no.
He walks out. The door BANGS.
LIV
If you need a consult, send a pic or
video call... you know, technology!
Liv sags with relief. Magda reassures her with a pat on the
arm. Fern walks in, sets down mugs of coffee. O.S. "Sabor de
Mi" plays.
FERN
(pleading innocence)
I swear. There's a ghost in the
machine.
Liv stomps out to the
BAR
Kit steps away from the jukebox.
KIT
That song. Never gets old.
LIV
We don't open til noon.
KIT
I can walk around the block for three
minutes. Or...
LIV
(checks her watch)
Fuck, it's that time already?
Kit plops down at a table around the end of the bar, tucked
away with a view of the entire space.
KIT
Just black coffee and mezcal for me
and my colleague.
Liv peers over to see the leather-faced old man.
KIT (CONT'D)
José.
LIV
When did he sneak in?
KIT
He's a fixture. Get used to it.
José hands Kit a handful of paper slips. Kit flips through
them, tears them into tiny peaces, burns them in an ashtray.
Liv serves them coffee, watches the papers turn to ash.
LIV
Next time, give just them to me.
I'll put them in the trash.
KIT
People dig through trash. Be warned.
She takes the ashtray, walks off.
SECONDS LATER
Liv sets down a plate of orange slices and Tajin with two
glasses. She pours shots of mezcal.
LIV
I guess you're our security now.
You want me to run a tab? Or bring
a bigger ashtray?
KIT
Is that your way of saying you trust
me?
José lets out a little SNORT. Liv eyes Kit, unsure.
JOSÉ
Trust is cheap in this town. It's
the payback that bleeds.
As José reaches for his mug, Liv notices he's missing a pinky.
KITCHEN
Liv enters. Fern slices avocado with finesse. He passes her a
spoon of something creamy and green.
FERN
Try this. Lime, chile, pepita.
Creamy. Kicks like a mule.
LIV
(tasting)
A tad more lime?
Fern grabs a lime. Their shoulders brush. Neither pulls away.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
A Cut Above: Urgency in the Kitchen
EXT. HIGHWAY ON OUTSKIRTS OF QUERETARO – AFTERNOON
Hot. Dry. Wall to wall traffic. Jonas’s SUV crawls along.
Cars switch lanes. HORNS HONK. Dust and tempers fly.
INT. JONAS'S SUV
JONAS
Should’ve bought the damn stuff in
Mexico City.
The car hits a pothole, lurches. He THUMPS the steering wheel.
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – KITCHEN – AFTERNOON
Fern chops onions. Liv, beside him, fast and focused, slices
peppers. Magda pops in and out from the bar, dusting, mopping.
Liv slices a poblano, flinches. She drops the knife. Blood
pools. Without thinking, Fern sucks the blood from her finger.
LIV
Fern!
Though startled, she doesn't pull away. Magda hurries to the
sink, soaks a towel in water, wrings it tight.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
You need stitches, mija.
LIV
I'm fine. Just tape it.
MAGDA
You don't look fine, more like a Dia
de Muertos Catrina.
FERN
(grabbing car keys)
We’re going. My friend's a doc.
No point arguing. Liv wraps the towel around her finger.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Plate Frustrations and Stitched Smiles
INT. SUPPLY STORE – QUERETARO – AFTERNOON
Jonas stares at plates — white, black, red, round, square.
He lifts up a square matte-black plate, flips it over.
JONAS
“Made in China.” Where else?
A CLERK, 20, hurries by. Jonas lifts a hand, like a school
kid trying to get attention.
JONAS (CONT'D)
(really gringo accent)
Perdon. Esto viene in redondo?
CLERK
Yes. Over there. Round ones, too.
JONAS
Thanks for nothing.
The Clerk walks on. Jonas drops the plate. It SMASHES. He
kicks the pieces out of sight.
He texts Liv: “White or black? Round or square?” Waits.
Nothing. Taps the screen. Shakes the phone. Still nothing.
INT. HOSPITAL - EXAM ROOM – AFTERNOON
Liv sits on the edge of the table, her finger stitched. A
DOCTOR, 30s, wraps a gauze bandage.
DOCTOR
(Spanish, subtitled)
The good news is, you'll live to
kill another shrimp.
LIV
Actually, it was a poblano.
FERN
Be honest. You did it for attention.
LIV
Obviously. Who doesn’t want stitches
on a first date?
A silence. She realizes what she's said. Fern smiles. She
smiles back. The Doctor winks at Liv.
LIV (CONT'D)
Thanks, Doc. Your first night's on
the house. Bring a date.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Frustration at La Casa de las Golondrinas
EXT. PARKING LOT – SUPPLY STORE – AFTERNOON
Jonas stomps across the hot pavement pushing a cart of boxes.
He loads them into the SUV. Pulls out his phone, irritated.
He dials. Straight to voicemail.
JONAS
Goddam it, Olivia. You never answer
when I need you.
He SLAMS the trunk closed.
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – KITCHEN - LATE AFTERNOON
Liv sits propped on a tall stool, glass of wine in hand.
Magda pours mezcal into shot glasses for her and Fern.
MAGDA
Suerte!
TIME DISSOLVE - Fern and Magda share her grandma's cookbook,
flip between pages as they each follow different recipes.
Liv tastes, redirects. Platters of food multiply.
INT. JONAS'S SUV - HIGHWAY TO QUERETARO - LATE AFTERNOON
The freeway is a parking lot. Up ahead a cerveza sign
FLICKERS. Jonas drums the wheel, eyes his phone on the seat.
JONAS
Fuck it.
He veers onto the shoulder, a trail of dust in his stead.
WHEELS to a stop in front of
ROADSIDE BAR - LA CASA DE LAS GOLONDRINAS
Hot pink walls. Christmas lights. A half dozen QUEENS in heels,
glitter and falsies, fan themselves. Jonas steps in. Silence.
An old QUEEN CACKLES. The CHATTER resumes. Jonas sits at the
bar, eyes the mirror behind the bottles, watches his back.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
A Night of Warmth and Tension
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – EVENING
Magda LIGHTS candles with Virgin of Guadalupe decals. The bar
GLOWS warm. The jukebox hums “Sabor a Mí."
Liv dances as she sets out food and paper plates on the bar.
Fern walks in, sets a box on the counter.
FERN
Look what clever Magda found.
(pulling out a wine
glass)
A whole box, unbroken... and not to
be outdone.
(holds up 2 bottles
of red wine)
Liv pecks him on the cheek. It's spontaneous, innocent, but
catches Kit's attention as he walks out of the Men's room.
KIT
Ghost in the machine’s got taste.
Kit takes Magda's hand, twirls her in a slow dance.
AT THE DOOR
Two heads poke in - CARLOS, 19, designer shades and expensive
tattoos; LUIS, 18, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Liv steps forward.
LIV
(Spanish, subtitled)
We're not officially open but, come...
Tell me what you think of the food.
They exchange looks, step in. José watches them with shrewd
eyes. Liv steers them to the food, hands them plates.
LIV (CONT'D)
Beer or wine? On the house.
Kit collapses into a seat, winded.
KIT
I'm outta gas. Someone else take
the wheel.
Fern walks over to Magda, hands extended. She GIGGLES, waves
him off. He turns to Liv. The jukebox switches gears, plays
"Hay un Hombre Aparecido" by Tony Camargo - upbeat, tropical.
FERN
You wouldn't deny your hero of the
day... surely?
Kit watches:
- Liv hesitate, then LAUGH.
- Fern light up as he wraps an arm around her waist, before
twirling her into the center of the room.
- Magda CLAP along.
- Jose HUM along, TAP his feet.
- Carlos and Luis carry plates and beers to a table.
- Carlos flip his jacket as he sits, reveal a gun.
Kit raises his glass, nods to Carlos and Luis. They raise
their bottles, return the nod.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
After the Soft Launch
EXT. ROADSIDE BAR – NIGHT
Jonas stumbles out to his SUV, punches his phone. It RINGS
O.S. No answer. He gets behind the wheel, peels off.
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – NIGHT
The jukebox winds down. Kit swirls his mezcal, watches: Fern
bag trash, carry dishes to the kitchen; Liv pour the last
sips of wine into her glass as she wipes the counter.
Carlos and Luis bring their empty bottles to the bar.
LIV
(Spanish, subtitled)
Well? What’d you think? Be honest.
LUIS
We'll be back.
LIV
Repeat customers. Gotta love that.
Luis crosses to José at Kit's table, hoists him up.
LUIS
Come on, uncle. Let's get you home.
José MUMBLES. Carlos shoulders the other side. They both give
Kit a nod. He nods back, an unspoken understanding. \As they
walk out, Kit pushes back his chair. Pulls on his Panama hat.
KIT
That was a hell of a soft launch.
LIV
Yeah. Make sure you give my husband
a full and honest report.
Kit tips his hat, walks out.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Shadows of Jealousy
EXT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – ACROSS THE STREET - NIGHT
The cantina lights blink out. Fern shuts and locks the door.
Kit lingers in a doorway, watches as Liv and Fern walk the
narrow sidewalk, shoulders brushing. They turn toward the
town center. Distant FIREWORKS bloom overhead. They glance
up. Liv turns to Fern, smiling. He grins back.
EXT. JARDÍN PRINCIPAL – NIGHT
Fern and Liv stroll through the central square past MARIACHIS
playing for COUPLES on benches as OTHER COUPLES dance.
As they walk, their arms swing, hands almost touching. They
talk softly — voices drowned out by the MUSIC.
Kit doesn't need to hear. He can see their body language, how
they lean in, the way they LAUGH, tired and giddy from
adrenaline and wine.
Kit trails them at a distance. Just another shadow in a town
full of them.
EXT. EL MILAGOR PERDIDO – NIGHT
Jonas’s SUV crawls past. He peers through the windshield at
the bar, dark, locked for the night. He drives on.
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Streetlight cuts across Jonas sitting in the dark. He swigs
from a bottle. He scrolls Liv’s name on his phone. Doesn’t
call. Just stares at the screen. Then slowly lowers it. He
sits in silence. His expression murderous.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Bittersweet Goodbyes
EXT. LIV’S STREET – NIGHT
Liv stops under a streetlight at the corner, faces Fern.
LIV
I've got it from here.
Half a block back, Kit steps into the shadow of a tree.
For a second, it looks as if Liv and Fern will kiss. They
don’t. Fern smiles, starts to turn. She touches his arm.
LIV (CONT'D)
Thanks for... Everything.
FERN
For you? Whatever it takes.
She leans into him, cheek against his chest. He's about to
wrap his arms around her when she pulls away. She turns, walks
away with a backward wave.
Kit watches Fern walk away, forlorn.
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE - NIGHT
Liv walks in. Doesn't turn on lights. Goes straight to the
BEDROOM
Liv sits on the bed, pulls phone from her bag. She connects a
charger to a socket but the cable doesn't reach the bedside
table. She plugs in her phone, leaves it on the floor, knocks
the tip of her bandaged finger.
LIV
Ouch.
She collapses onto the bed, hugs a pillow over her head.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Morning Tensions
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – MORNING
Magda’s already cleaning, HUMMING softly. Liv walks in, hair
still damp, dark shades covering her restless night. She sets
down her bags, rolls up her sleeves, gets to work.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
Madrugadora. You look like you
wrestled a ghost.
LIV
More like a whole haunted house.
Magda says nothing more, continues to polish and shine. Fern
enters, hands Liv a coffee.
FERN
Morning, jefa.
LIV
Cheers. This'll be my third today.
FERN
Good. Because we need this engine
to hum. Booze delivery will be here
in an hour.
INT. JONAS & LIV'S TEMP RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM
Jonas, in the armchair, blinks awake, mouth parched, lumbers
to the
BEDROOM
Sees Liv's phone on the floor, still charging. He picks it
up, scrolls through the missed messages all from him. He taps
open the photo of the black plate he sent the day before.
JONAS
Technology. What a joke.
He slams the phone down, flops down on the bed.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Morning Tensions at El Milagro Perdido
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – MORNING
Fern pulls liquor bottles from shelves. Magda wipes them clean.
Fern restocks the shelves, augments the old bottles with new.
Liv washes and dries glasses, arranges them on shelves.
Kit in his usual old-world elegance, strolls in, plops his
Panama on his regular table, ambles to the jukebox.
KIT
Tell me you’ve got coffee. Or a
reason to believe in humanity again.
Liv sets down a mug, pours him coffee. "Sabor di Mi" plays.
LIV
Surprised that vinyl hasn't worn
thin by now. I know my nerves are
heading that way.
KIT
A good time was had by all. You
can't have any regrets about that.
LIV
You heard from my husband?
KIT
Haven't you?
LIV
My phone was dead. And this
morning... I forgot to look.
KIT
He went to Queretaro yesterday?
LIV
That shouldn't be complicated, right,
even for him?
KIT
Maybe he decided to spend the night.
LIV
Wouldn't be the first time he ran
into a
(signing quotations)
Friend.
Fern quietly takes it all in.
INT. JONAS & LIV'S TEMP RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Jonas paces. He pours himself a drink. TV plays a muted tele-
novela. He checks the tremble in his hands, gulps the booze.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Afternoon Tension at El Milagro Perdido
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - AFTERNOON
Liquor bottles and glasses sparkle in the late afternoon sun.
Kit and Jose play cribbage, focused, quiet. Behind the bar,
Liv writes lists on a notepad.
Fern walks in, plastic-wrapped linens piled in his arms. The
door swings behind him. Carlos catches it. Luis walks in ahead
of JESUS, 40s, a heavy gold Saint Death pendant on his chest.
Carlos follows.
They sit at a table in the corner. Silent. No small talk.
Kit watches them. Pretends not to. Clocks everything.
Liv starts to walk from around the bar. Fern stops her.
FERN
(Spanish, subtitled)
What can I get you, gentlemen?
JESUS
Beers, please. We like this place.
Quiet. Private. Keep it that way.
Fern goes behind the bar, pulls beers from the fridge.
FERN
(sotto to Liv)
Why don't you call it a day? I've
got this.
LIV
Maybe I'll just go take a nap.
FERN
It's called a siesta.
She pecks him on the cheek, grabs her purse, waves to Kit and
José as she walks out.
Jesus gives a SIGN OF SATISFACTION as the cold beer hits his
throat. Gives a nod of approval toward Fern.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Tensions Unleashed
INT. JONAS & LIV'S TEMP RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Jonas watches TV. Shirt off. Red-eyed. A drink in hand. Liv
opens the door, walks in, stops cold when she sees him.
LIV
Christ, Jonas. You scared me half
to death. Where the hell have you
been?
JONAS
Ever think to pick up you phone?
LIV
My phone? Oh. I cut my finger.
Had to get stitches.
JONAS
And it takes what — all day? With
Mr. Groovy Two Shoes?
LIV
Mr. Groo- You mean Fern?
(MORE)
LIV (CONT'D)
He knew the doctor. I got immediate
attention.
JONAS
(drawing it out as
though dirty)
Immediate attention.
He SLAMS the glass on the counter, leaps up.
JONAS (CONT'D)
You think I don’t see what’s going
on?
LIV
Jesus, we've been here a day. What
are you hallucinating now?
He steps toward her, hand twitching at his side.
JONAS
You think I'm stupid?
LIV
I think you've had too much too drink
and should take a cold shower.
His fist tightens. Then loosens. It appears he's going to hit
her. He throws a dining chair instead. It SLAMS into the wall,
KNOCKS over a lamp, SMASHES an ornament, TUMBLES to the floor.
He throws a VASE - sends more items CRASHING to the floor.
She doesn't flinch. Just picks up her purse, walks out. O.S.
front door SLAMS.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Echoes of San Miguel
MONTAGE - EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - DAY TURNS TO NIGHT
- Liv wanders the cobblestone streets at golden hour.
- She passes a wishing fountain, kisses a coin, tosses it in,
watches it sink to the bottom.
- She stops across from El Milagro Perdido, watches Magda
leave, a smile on her face, a skip in her ancient legs.
- She turns away, buys cigarettes from a street vendor.
- She walks to the jardin, sits on a bench, smokes a cigarette.
- She pays Mariachis to sing, "Sabor di Mi."
- When the song is over, she smiles, thanks them, walks on,
silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
END MONTAGE
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – EARLY EVENING
Jonas walks in. Hair wet, ragged, hungover. Fern, behind the
bar, clocks his ineptitude.
FERN
Jonas. We were wondering where you've
been.
Kit and José play cribbage, watch him without looking up.
Carlos and Luis from their spot in the corner are more bold,
clock his every move. He grabs a beer from the fridge.
JONAS
I was taking care of business. Get
the boxes from my trunk. Put them
in the kitchen.
FERN
Sure. Then why don't we close up?
JONAS
Don't tell me how to run my business.
Fern heads out the door. Luis and Carlos rise slowly. They
walk toward the door, nod to Kit as they leave. José folds
his cards.
JOSÉ
Time to call it a night. Nothing
here but ghosts anyway.
Genres:
["Drama","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Moments of Connection
EXT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO
Fern loads boxes from the SUV onto a dolly. José exits.
JOSÉ
(Spanish, subtitled)
You need anything. You call me.
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - KITCHEN
Fern opens one of the boxes, pulls out a round white plate.
FERN
Predicatable.
He turns off the kitchen lights, walks into
BAR
- past Jonas and Kit, a bottle of mezcal between them.
FERN (CONT'D)
I did the inventory today.
(walking out the door)
Just thought I'd mention it.
Jonas walks to the door, looks out, locks it, returns to sit.
JONAS
I don't like his fucking attitude.
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
Liv sits on a stoop, smokes a cigarette, mascara smudged,
half SOBBING, half LAUGhING.
FERN
You okay?
Liv looks up, wipes the tears from her face.
LIV
How'd you know where I'd be?
FERN
Educated guess.
He sits beside her, takes the pack of smokes from her hand,
the cigarette from her mouth. He touches it to the one in his
mouth, watches their TIPS touch, GLOW.
He EXHALES, hands her the fresh cigarette, smokes hers, stained
with red lipstick.
FERN (CONT'D)
Besides, I walk past here every day.
She leans into him. He wraps an arm around her shoulder, pulls
her to him. They smoke in silence, eyes on the mural: AMOR, 8-
feet tall, technicolor.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Fleeting Connections
INT. FERN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The door swings open. Fern and Liv back in, gripped by passion -
kissing, clawing, unable to get naked fast enough.
He pulls her dress over her head, snaps the chain of her
locket. It hits the floor with a small CLINK. Liv notices,
but continues to rip off Fern's shirt.
He lifts her into his arms. She wraps her legs around him.
Their lips glued, he walks into the bedroom, closes the door.
EXT. FERN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The curtains are flimsy, cracked open. Fern sits on the edge
of the bed, Liv astride him. They pause, breathless, stare
into each other's eyes.
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - ROOFTOP - NIGHT
Kit lights a cigarette, exhales smoke.
KIT (V.O.)
You know the funny thing about truth?
It never walks in through the front
door. It sneaks in the back, seeps
through the cracks. Between the
lies. People think the worst part
is getting caught. It's not. It's
thinking you won't. That you're
safe in your little story. But this
town? This town was made for
watching. And me? I'm in the front
row.
CU: Kit scrolls through photos on his phone: Fern's hand around
Liv's waist, their faces close together, the almost kiss.
His phone DINGS.
Photos download: Fern's arm around her, on the stoop in the
alleyway; Fern and Liv kissing in his doorway; Fern and Liv
tearing each other's clothes off; Fern and Liv in bed.
INT. FERN’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAWN
Golden light across Liv’s bare back, her arm across Fern's
chest. He watches her sleep. She stirs. He kisses her shoulder.
She rises, gathers her clothes.
LIV
I have to go.
He lets her. No drama. But it cuts him.
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE – MORNING
Jonas GROANS awake. He stretches his arm across the bed.
It's empty. He opens his eyes. He rises, ambles to the
BATHROOM
O.S. URINE SPLASHES. He turns on the SHOWER, casually flicks
a pink toothbrush. It's still damp. He limps back to the
BEDROOM
Opens his phone, texts Kit: "Anything?" Hits send.
Genres:
["Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Chalkboard Confessions
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - DAY
Liv draws on a sandwich chalkboard. Steps back to check her
illustration: "NEW MANAGEMENT - FRESH TAPAS DAILY - HAPPY
HOUR 5-7PM EVERY DAY - LIVE MUSIC."
Magda stops to admire her work. Nods her approval. Jonas
sweeps in. Magda scurries off. He kisses Liv on the forehead.
JONAS
You're up and at 'em early.
LIV
I texted the elves, but doesn't appear
they didn't got the memo.
JONAS
Yeah, sorry I've been slacking, but
I'm back in the saddle.
LIV
Great, because Fern's not here and I
have errands to run.
JONAS
(reading)
Happy hour? Live music?
LIV
Margaritas, beer and short pours on
the wine.
JONAS
I'm all for it.
LIV
The music I still have to confirm.
She dusts chalk off her hands, readies to walk out. He grabs
her hand, pulls her back to him.
JONAS
What time did you get in last night...
or was it morning?
LIV
La madrugada...
(off his blank look)
Guilty as charged. I ran into Nita.
You know how she is... we went back
to her hotel, did bumps.
(MORE)
LIV (CONT'D)
(wipes her nose)
Don't start.
JONAS
Nita, huh. She coming by?
LIV
She left on the early bus.
(pecks him on cheek)
Just glad I didn't wake you. You
were sleeping so peacefully.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
The Cost of Truth
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – LATE MORNING
Kit lounges in his usual spot, feet on a second chair, reading
slips of paper. Jonas emerges from the Men's baño, puts his
wedding ring on the basin, washes his hands. He walks toward
Kit drying his hands in a towel.
KIT
So, she was with Nita, huh?
JONAS
You tell me.
Jonas sets two shots of mezcal on the table. Kit grudgingly
moves his feet so Jonas can sit.
KIT
Well, if that was Nita... she's
developed a helluva jaw line.
JONAS
You have something to say, say it.
KIT
I just did. What you hear is on
you.
JONAS
You watching for me, Kit? Or for
yourself?
KIT
I watch. That's what I do. But if
you want specifics. That's premium
tier. Cash only. Dollars, not pesos.
Jonas scoffs. Kit leans in, voice low.
KIT (CONT'D)
You want names, times, places? You
want to stop wondering what happens
after dark? Then pay up.
JONAS
How much?
Kit gets up, walks toward the Men's room. Sees Jonas's ring.
KIT
(calling out)
Depends what you want to know. Or...
what you want done. Truth costs one
thing. Silence costs more.
BATHROOM CUBICLE
Kit pockets the ring. Pulls down his ZIPPER. URINATES.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Tangled Desires
EXT. FERN’S APARTMENT – DAY
Liv hesitates before knocking. She doesn't have to. Fern
opens the door. They stare at each other. Charged. Complicated.
LIV
You okay? I covered for you... said
you were running errands.
FERN
You shouldn’t come here. Someone
might see you.
Fern looks up and down the street, pulls her inside.
INT. FERN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
There's no resisting. They kiss passionately. Liv starts to
undress Fern. He grips her hands, stops her.
FERN (CONT'D)
We have to think.
LIV
I already did that. I'm not making
the same mistake again.
Fern pulls her to the couch to sit down.
FERN
Jonas'll sense something's up.
LIV
He's oblivious but... maybe you're
right. I'll file for divorce.
FERN
He's not going to give you up without
a fight. Or the bar.
LIV
It won't be long before he's back in
rehab. The last time was six months.
FERN
I couldn't buy my uncle out, but in
six months I can buy Jonas's half.
LIV
And we can have the life we were
meant for all along.
Her PHONE BUZZES. A text from Jonas: "Where are you?" She
silences it. Puts it face down.
LIV (CONT'D)
I told him I'm locking down musicians.
That gives us time.
She moves to sit astride him, her dress pulled up.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Secrets in the Shadows
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – AFTERNOON
The bar is dim and quiet. Jonas, shirt clinging with sweat,
stocks the fridge with beer. Magda wipes already spotless
tables clean. José snoozes in his usual corner.
The swing doors CREAK open. Fern steps in.
JONAS
You're late.
FERN
Didn't know we were keeping time.
MANUEL CASTAÑEDA, 30s, built like a brick shithouse, struts
in, a grin ear to ear, claps Fern on the shoulder. Jonas's
bravado goes down the toilet.
MANUEL
(Spanish, subtitled)
Smells like bleach and doomed hope.
FERN
English. The boss doesn't speak
Spanish.
(to Jonas)
Ain't that right, amigo. Jonas Fry.
My cousin. Manuel Castañeda.
Jonas extends a hand. Manuel engulfs it. Holds on a tad too
long, his smile ever so slightly taunting.
JONAS
Nice to meet you.
MANUEL
So. Same deal as before?
Jonas looks between Manuel and Fern, confused as hell.
FERN
I believe you get a bump in pay.
JONAS
Sorry. Did I miss something?
FERN
Bartender. Bouncer. Whatever's
called for.
Across the room, Carlos and Luis sit in their usual corner.
Watching. Pretending not to. Luis prods Carlos under the table.
KIT (O.S.)
Loyalty’s like mezcal. Smooth until
it burns.
They all glance toward Kit, staring into, swirling, his drink.
FERN
(eyes on Jonas)
Maybe you ought to call it a day.
JONAS
You forget who owns this place?
FERN
Not even a little. Just a tip. In
this town, silence carries a gun.
JONAS
The fuck is that supposed to mean?
MANUEL
(to Fern)
Come on. I'll give you the lay of
the land.
They head into the kitchen. Jonas pours himself a shot.
Kit watches, unreadable. Behind him, José’s eyes open, sharp
and alert. Magda puts on her coat, walks out.
KITCHEN
Manuel grips a sideboard, yanks it away from the wall with
casual strength. Behind it a wall safe.
MANUEL
(Spanish, subtitled)
This is where Tío Pepe kept the stash.
Cocaine, mostly. Sometimes pills.
FERN
Who else knows?
MANUEL
You and me make two.
FERN
So he brought you all the way in.
MANUEL
I helped him bury a guy once. After
that, no secrets.
Jonas walks in.
JONAS
What the fuck is this?
He sees the sideboard. The safe. Manuel straightens, wipes
his hands on his jeans. Fern turns, calm.
FERN
Now there are three.
JONAS
Three what?
Fern claps Jonas on the shoulder as he walks out, Manuel
following.
FERN
If you're smart, you won't ask
questions.
O.S. Manuel and Fern LAUGH.
IN THE BAR
MANUEL
(Spanish, subtitled)
See you later.
Manuel leaves. Fern goes behind the bar, efficiently cuts
limes. Luis and Carlos slap a bill on the counter. Jonas walks
in from the kitchen. They smirk, swagger out.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
A Change of Plans
EXT. COBBLESTONE STREET – EVENING
The sky is orange. The setting sun lights buildings on fire.
Liv walks with purpose, the bar just up ahead.
Across the street, Magda steps out of a tienda. She hurries
to intercept Liv.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
Slow down, mija.
LIV
I'm really late. Everything took
longer than I thought.
MAGDA
You don't need to go there tonight.
LIV
What are you talking about?
MAGDA
Come. Stay with me. Until the boys
finish marking their territory.
LIV
Fern?
MAGDA
He's San Miguelense. He knows how
to walk the edge without falling
off.
LIV
Then Jonas?
MAGDA
Kit will make sure whatever needs
handling gets handled with no-one
dying.
LIV
I could use a night off.
MAGDA
We’ll put on a movie. You pick.
I’ll make popcorn with trufas!
Liv exhales, tension melting just a little. The orange light
softens around them as they turn and walk away.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Desperation and Departure
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE – EVENING
Liv throws clothes into a tote. Toothbrush. Face cream. A
sweatshirt. Her phone buzzes — she silences it.
She scribbles a note: “Staying with Magda. Be kind to yourself.
Take one of these to help you sleep. O”
She opens an unmarked container, checks its contents - 6 herbal
capsules. Leaves it by the note.
She takes a look around, closes the door behind her.
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – BAR – NIGHT
Lights low. Jonas, behind the bar, shirt stuck to his chest.
A near-empty bottle. Glass knocks as he pours a shaky shot.
Kit watches from his usual corner. His mezcal untouched.
JONAS
You ever want something so bad you
crush it just trying to hold on?
Jonas staggers around the bar props himself on a bar stool.
JONAS (CONT'D)
You can't stop it. It slips away.
No matter what you do.
KIT
What are you saying, Jonas?
JONAS
I want them gone. No. I need them
gone.
KIT
As I told you. Cash. Dollars.
Twenty thousand.
JONAS
I don’t have—
KIT
You will.
Kit pulls a USB from his pocket. Drops it on the bar along
with a business card "Kit Hendrix, Fixer."
KIT (CONT'D)
Watch at your own peril.
Kit doffs his hat, walks out, José along with him.
KIT (CONT'D)
Hasta mañana, amigo. Surely you
know that much Spanish.
José SNIGGERS.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Descent into Chaos
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE – NIGHT
Jonas fumbles the USB into a laptop. He scrolls through photos
of Liv and Fern, jaw tightening as they become more damning,
from a smile to a kiss, until - a video.
He hesitates, CLICKS. The video is grainy, but the sound is
clear. Liv MOANING, PANTING, ECSTATIC, "Mi Amor."
He SLAMS the laptop closed. His face contorts — rage,
heartbreak, nausea. He GAGS, grabs a trashcan, VOMITS.
He stumbles into the
HALLWAY
Reads labels on cardboard boxes, tosses them aside. GRUNTS in
frustration. He kicks a box. It flips on its side. In Black
Sharpie: "JONAS'S FILES - PRIVATE."
He gets down on his knees, rips the box open. Inside thick
yellow envelopes. He tears them open. Stacks of $100 bills.
He rolls on his back, clutching them to his chest. He LAUGHS.
He CRIES. Delirious.
He sits up, digs in the box. Beneath papers, a cigar box. He
opens it. Pulls out a gun. He rises, stumbles back into the
LIVING ROOM
Dials his phone.
JONAS
I have your asking.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
A Favor Among Friends
EXT. FERN’S APARTMENT – MORNING
José waits across from Fern’s, sips a smoothie, weathered hat
low on his brow. He’s shaved. Sober. His normal self.
The door opens. FERN steps out. José crosses to join him.
FERN
(Spanish, subtitled)
What's up, brother?
JOSÉ
Just wanting your take on the gringo.
A liability?
FERN
To himself mostly. A drunk on the
skids.
JOSÉ
We can't have him asking questions.
FERN
I told him to zip his lip. If he's
too stupid not to listen, then...
JOSÉ
What if he goes to the cops?
They look at each other, considering as if that was a serious
question. Both burst out LAUGHING.
Fern pulls Liv’s broken gold chain and locket from his pocket.
FERN
Can you do me a favor? I'm running
late. Drop this at the jeweler’s on
Codo? Tell them it’s for Olivia.
José takes it, tucks it in his pocket. Fern gives him an
appreciative pat on the shoulder, heads off down the street.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Festive Preparations at El Milagro Perdido
EXT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - LATE MORNING
Liv stands the sandwich chalkboard announcing Fresh Tapas,
Happy Hours, Live Music, etc. on the sidewalk. She considers
securing it to a horse tie-ring in the wall. Decides not to.
Carlos and Luis amble up.
LUIS
(Spanish, subtitled)
You seriously not going to chain
that?
LIV
(shrugs)
If kids steal it, they're welcome.
The sound of NORTEÑA POLKA MUSIC grows closer. They turn to
see 30 or so Locos - people in costume with massive masks of
CLOWN HEADS, FRANKENSTEIN, BART SIMPSON, THE MAD HATTER, SATAN
WITH HORNS, WHITE-FACED MONSTERS, dance toward them. A truck
blasting the music from a speaker brings up the rear.
LIV (CONT'D)
(calls in through the
door)
Magda. Come out.
Liv joins in the dance. Magda joins her. Just then, Kit turns
the corner. Liv hooks her arm through his, whirls him around.
Carlos and Luis snap photos. LAUGH.
KIT
Just another day in paradise.
As the truck disappears down the street, they all walk into
EL MILAGRO PERDIDO
Tablecloths flutter in the breeze from the propped-open door.
Fresh flowers in little mismatched vases add color to each
table. Magda HUMS as she returns to place candles on tables.
Carlos and Luis pause at the entrance, surprised at the
feminine do-over.
KIT
Don't be hasty to judge.
They shrug, go sit at their usual table.
LIV
Beers, boys?
Liv plonks down two ice-cold beers before them.
Fern enters from the kitchen, grinning, carries a foam cooler
like it’s treasure chest over to Liv.
FERN
Guess what landed fresh this morning?
He pulls out a glistening bag of blue crab meat.
FERN (CONT'D)
My guy said this batch never even
hit the market.
LIV
Smells like the ocean.
MAGDA
Crab cakes?
FERN
And a remoulade that’ll make a bishop
beg.
LIV
Let’s prep a big batch. Freeze half.
That way we’re not scrambling this
weekend.
FERN
You're the boss.
She LAUGHS. Madga smiles to see her happy.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Contrasting Struggles
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Jonas rolls off the sofa onto the floor, crawls into the
HALLWAY
Hauls himself up, clutching his stomach, runs through the
BEDROOM
And into the bathroom. O.S. VOMITING. TOILET FLUSHES.
He staggers in, collapses on the bed, rolls over. On the
bedside table, Liv's note.
He picks it up, bleary-eyed, GROANS. He opens the container,
tips the capsules into his mouth, swallows them dry.
INT. BAR – LATER
A YOUNG MUSICIAN, 20s, long hair, hand-rolled cigarette behind
his ear, strums the first notes of "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás."
Slow. Soulful.
Liv listens from behind the bar. Fern leans against the
doorframe to the kitchen, drying his hands on a towel. Carlos
and Luis jump to attention.
AT THE DOOR, Jesus enters, pauses to survey the scene.
JESÚS
(soft, almost amused)
What is this?
LIV
A bar. Same as before. But with
food and no bullshit service.
FERN
Jesús. Welcome. Can I get you a
drink?
JESÚS
Gracias, amigo. I just came to check
out the new and improved atmosphere.
Some people liked it as it was.
LIV
My food alone will change your mind.
JESÚS
We shall see.
He turns. Walks out, Carlos and Luis in tow.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Moonlit Madness
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE - BEDROOM - EVENING
Jonas lies bug-eyed on the bed. The capsules he took were
psilocybin and they're kicking in big time.
O.S. the NORTEÑA MUSIC is faint, but drawing near.
Jonas stands, a goofy grin on his face. He swagger into the
HALLWAY
And out the front door to see the last of the sunset, moon
rising above. He HOWLS like a COYOTE.
Three LOCOS dressed as the SIMPSONS join in and HOWL, grab
his arms and pull him into a conga line. Now, he's in the
thick it. LOCOS loom all around, faces contorting, pressing
in, receding. The MUSIC LOUD. OOMPAH. OOMPAH. OOMPAH.
Frankenstein’s head grins too wide. Bart Simpson looks blood-
spattered. The Mad Hatter LAUGHS hysterically. The Red Satan
stabs his trident victoriously to the sky, points it at Jonas.
Jonas SCREAMS. The Locos LAUGH, think he's play acting.
Satan dances on and and a giant of a MAN in DRAG whirls Jonas
around. Jonas's sweaty hands slip and the momentum flings him
toward his door. A WHIMPERING MESS, he retreats inside.
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE - CONTINUOUS
His phone DINGS. He picks it up, downloads photos: Liv's gold
locket, a severed pinky.
His gun GLINTS. He clutches it to his chest, shrivels into
the corner, a SIMPERING blob.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Tensions at El Milagro Perdido
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - NIGHT
The mood is warm. Guitar MUSIC plays softly. Liv clears plates
from a COUPLE who hold hands across the table. Magda swoops
in, takes the plates. Liv turns to two elegant WOMEN, 60s.
LIV
Can I get you anything else, ladies?
ELEGANT WOMAN ONE
Just the bill, please. Your crab
cakes are divine.
ELEGANT WOMAN TWO
We'll tell all our friends.
ELEGANT WOMAN ONE
Guaranteed. She has a big mouth.
LIV
We have loyalty cards. Every tenth
tapa is free and their fresh every
day. We like to experiment. And
always eye candy at the mic, ladies.
Liv walks over to the bar. Fern is on it, hands her a check
on a Talavera dish with a loyalty card and two chocolates.
LIV (CONT'D)
Aren't we the well-oiled machine?
FERN
I suggest you head out. Magda's
ready. Manuel can walk you.
LIV
That's dramatic. As if he's going
to burst through the door like he's
in a Western.
FERN
Maybe. But let's not take the chance.
LIV
I just... feel sorry for him. He's
unraveling. We should take him to
rehab. Before he does something he
can't undo.
FERN
You think that's all he needs... a
ride and a pat on the back?
LIV
It’s better than watching him crash
and burn.
FERN
I guess you've been there, done that.
LIV
Excuse me?
FERN
Nothing. Seems it's easy for you to
pick up the pieces.
LIV
You think I planned this?
FERN
I think you’re smart. That’s all.
IN THE CORNER
Kit holds his phone, awaiting an answer. There is none. He
texts: "That's a heads-up. COD in the next hour."
He stands, nods politely to CUSTOMERS. José presses a bandaged
hand into the table to stand.
KIT
(Spanish, subtitled)
Get some sleep, my friend. You've
earned it.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Betrayal in the Shadows
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE – NIGHT
Jonas lies on the floor, clutching his gun like a child grips
a teddy bear in a nightmare. A KNOCK at the door. Then another.
Jonas flinches, pulls himself to standing.
HALLWAY
Jonas opens the door a crack. Kit stands there, patient, civil.
KIT
Evening.
Jonas opens the door just wide enough for Kit to squeeze
through. He throws the DEADBOLT behind them.
KIT (CONT'D)
You alone?
JONAS
Other than the circus in my head,
yep.
Kat walks on into the
LIVING ROOM
Jonas follows. Kit drops a small canvas bag on the table.
Pulls open the drawstring. Reaches in and pulls out Liv’s
gold locket. Next, a pinky finger wrapped in plastic.
Jonas stares at the finger, breath jagged.
JONAS (CONT'D)
Her grandma's locket... she never
takes it off. She wouldn't if her
life depended on it.
KIT
You got the money?
JONAS
I got it. I just... You sure move
fast.
KIT
Fast problems. Fast solutions. My
money.
Jonas exits. Kit sinks into an armchair, relaxed, legs crossed
as if he's waiting for tea to be served.
Jonas returns. Slaps an envelope on the table. Kit opens it.
Flips through $100 bills, tucks the envelope into a bag. Jonas
stares at the locket.
JONAS
She wouldn't have gone easy. Not
Liv. She’s tough. She’s...
KIT
You asked for a solution. You got
it.
JONAS
Where’s the body?
KIT
Not part of the deal. I also said
you have to leave town. That’s the
part that still matters. Pack a
bag. Tonight. Get lost.
JONAS
I need proof. Real proof. That
body’s worth a million to me.
Kit just watches, the slow death-stare of a man who knows how
this ends.
JONAS (CONT'D)
That's dollars, baby. One million
United States minted dollars. For a
goddamn corpse.
Kit’s expression shifts. No pity. No rage. Just inevitability.
KIT
Careful, Jonas. Words got a way of
digging their own graves.
Jonas’s bravado rises. He lunges to grab Kit’s bag. Kit steps
back, easy.
JONAS
You give me that body, or you give
me my money back.
KIT
You never paid for a body. You paid
to be rid of a problem.
Jonas — humiliated, furious — pulls a gun from behind his
back. Levels it, shaky. Wild-eyed.
KIT (CONT'D)
Jesus, Jonas.
JONAS
You stole from me. You owe me! I'm
not leaving without what's mine.
KIT
You’re right. You ain’t leaving.
Jonas fires — BANG — a panic shot. Wall splinters.
Kit moves fast to pull the gun from Jonas's limp hand, but
Jonas holds tight. They tusstle. The gun fires. CRACK.
Jonas GASPS, drops to the floor, clutching his gut. Blood
pools around him.
KIT (CONT'D)
Goddamn it. You were supposed to
vanish. Not die on your floor like
a stray dog.
Kit puts the necklace and pinky, laptop, and USB, into his
bag, steps over Jonas, walks out.
KIT (CONT'D)
Good think you tussled. Prints on
the gun are all yours.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
A Grim Discovery
INT. EL MILAGOR PERDIDO - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Fern wraps a plate of crab cakes in plastic. Flips off lights,
walks through
BAR
Lights are out. He walks out. Locks the door.
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE - HALLWAY - NIGHT
The front door is ajar. O.S KNOCK on door.
FERN (O.S.)
Jonas. Jonas. It's me. Fern.
The door pushes open. Fern walks in, tentatively.
FERN (CONT'D)
Jonas, I thought we could talk. Man
to man. And I brought you food.
Fern looks into the living room. Jonas lies in a pool of blood.
LIVING ROOM
FERN (CONT'D)
Jonas!
No response. Fern kneels, checks his pulse. He stands, looks
at the broken chair and lamp, smashed ornaments, broken glass.
He spots the open box "JONAS'S FILES - PRIVATE."
On top there's a folder: "LIFE INSURANCE POLICY." Fern picks
it up, reads: "Insured: Maria Olivia Fry Cordoba; Beneficiary:
Jonas Fry; Coverage amount USD $1,000,000."
Fern stares.Breathes out slow. Looks at Jonas’s body. Looks
at the broken room. Looks back at the policy.
FERN (CONT'D)
Goddamn, Liv.
(pulls out his phone)
Can't be a trial without a body.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
Desert Reckoning
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - COBBLESTONE STREET
Manual walks the street, eyes alert. His phone RINGS.
MANUEL (into phone)
Yo.
(beat, Spanish,
subtitled)
On my way.
EXT. REMOTE DESERT ROAD OUTSIDE SAN MIGUEL - NIGHT
The moon casts a pale glow over a dirt road. Nothing around
but ancient Nopales, a lone house far in the distance.
Jonas's SUV is parked, trunk facing a shallow grave freshly
dug in the sand. Fern leans a spade against the car, wipes
hands on his pants. Manuel lights a joint, puffs, offers it
to Fern. Fern takes a toke, passes it back.
MANUEL
You sure about this?
FERN
You have a better idea?
MANUEL
Nah. I think this is a good spot.
People out here keep to themselves.
Manuel ditches the joint, walks to the back of the SUV.
The trunk opens with a CREAK. Jonas lies inside, still, eyes
closed, soaked in blood. Fern hesitates, then reaches in,
grabs Jonas under the arms. Manuel takes the legs.
FERN
(Spanish, subtitled)
On three. One... two...
As they heave Jonas up, his eyes snap open. In a flash, he
pulls out his gun, aims it at Manuel. Manuel freezes, raises
his hands. Fern steps back.
MANUEL
Easy now. You're hurt bad.
FERN
Let's talk.
JONAS
Shut up! Both of you. Just... shut
the hell up!
He COCKS the hammer, finger trembling on the trigger. He pulls
it. CLICK. Nothing.
FERN
Jesus... Jonas!
Jonas aims the gun at Fern. He pulls the trigger again. CLICK.
MANUEL
Bullets help.
Jonas's eyes dart between them. Desperation. He pulls the
trigger a third time. CLICK.
Fern stares at Jonas — this broken, bloody, desperate shell
of a man. And makes his choice. Fern steps forward.
Jonas, gasping, bleeding, still tries to level the empty gun.
FERN
All she ever was to you... was a
payout. I love her.
Fern grabs the gun. Points it at Jonas.
JONAS
You're wrong. Listen, please. You're
wrong.
Fern pulls the trigger. A SHOT echoes across the desert. Jonas
collapses. Silence. Only the wind sighing across the desert.
Fern stares down at the body. The weight of it sinking into
him. Manuel takes the gun from his hand, tosses it into the
grave. He pulls out a pack of Galouises, lights one, hands
the pack and lighter to Fern.
Fern opens the pack. There's one cigarette left. He lights it
up, crushes the pack, tosses it into the trunk.
They smoke in silence, enjoy the cigarettes down to the butts.
FERN
Let's finish this.
They lift Jonas's body, drop it unceremoniously into the grave.
Fern shovels sand over him, each scoop erasing his existence.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Confrontation at Dawn
EXT. DESERT ROAD – DAWN
First light paints the sky orange and pink.
The SUV rolls away, leaving nothing but wind and dust.
The grave, unmarked, vanishes beneath the rising sun.
INT. MAGDA'S APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING
Cute. Cozy. Colorful. A religious altar glows in a corner.
Faint HUM of CITY LIFE creeps through the window.
Liv lies curled on the sofa, wrapped in a quilt. She shifts,
GROANS, slowly sits up, hand pressed to the small of her back.
Magda appears with two mugs of coffee. She sets one on the
low table in front of Liv, sits in a nearby chair.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
It’s not a feather bed, but it holds
the weight of dreams.
LIV
Gracias. You don't have to wait on
me.
MAGDA
You're not the first woman I’ve housed
while her husband cooled off...
You’re welcome to stay. But how
long can you go on like this?
LIV
Jonas is all bluster. It blows over.
MAGDA
So do hurricanes. Doesn’t mean they
leave the house standing.
LIV
I just need to know what's in his
head... other than mezcal-infused
paranoia about San Miguel.
MAGDA
Tread lightly, mija. Male egos are
fragile things. And the most fragile
things are often the most dangerous.
LIV
I know. I just... left in a rush.
Didn’t even bring a charger.
MAGDA
Use mine.
She rises, retrieves her battered cell phone from the kitchen
counter, hands it over. Liv dials. Waits.
JONAS'S VOICEMAIL (O.S.)
Leave a message after the tone.
LIV (into phone)
Hi. Just checking on you. We should
talk. I’m coming by.
MAGDA
Best you catch him before he’s
drunk... again.
Liv nods, gathers her things, touches Magda’s hand as she
passes.
LIV
I'll grab my charger and change.
Talk to him face-to-face. See you
at the bar.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Unearthed Secrets
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE - MORNING
The door swings open. The house is quiet. Liv steps in, closes
the door. She makes her way down the hall to the
BEDROOM
LIV
Jonas?
The bed is made. Badly. The way Jonas does it when he’s
pretending to function.
Liv kneels by the bed. Plugs her phone into the charger. The
screen lights up — 1%.
She rises, opens the dresser, pulls out underwear and a top,
tosses them on the bed.
She walks into the bathroom, turns on the shower O.S.
She walks back in, through to the
HALLWAY
And into the
GARAGE
The SUV is covered in dust. She opens the driver's door. The
keys are gone. She moves to the back, opens the trunk.
There’s a dark stain on the mat. She runs her fingers over
it. Smells them. Not wine. Not oil.
She lifts the mat. In the tire well — a shovel caked in desert
dirt and a crushed empty pack of cigarettes - Manuel's brand.
She pockets the empty pack, closes the trunk.
LIVING ROOM
No smashed furniture. No broken glass. No blood. A cardboard
box catches her eye. "JONAS'S FILES - PRIVATE." She stares at
it. Inside: papers, scribbled notes, files. She flips through:
house rental, car, gallery, and lastly, "Olivia." She opens
it, sees "LIFE INSURANCE POLICY."
LIV (CONT'D)
(reading)
Jesus, Jonas... are you planning to
off me?
She tucks it back in, shoves the box back in place.
LIV (CONT'D)
Shit. The water!
She runs out.
BATHROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Liv stands in front of the mirror, fresh top, clean face. She
stares at herself.
LIV
One million dollars?
Her phone BUZZES O.S. She rushes to the
BEDROOM
It's just the charging notification: 12%. She picks up her
phone, hesitates. Brings up Jonas's contact, almost dials —
but doesn’t. She puts the phone and charger in her purse.
HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Liv pauses at the open door. Looks back. Something's off, but
she can't pinpoint what. She steps out. Door CLICKS shut.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Ghosts of the Past
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - KITCHEN - MORNING
Liv stands at the counter, chops cilantro one-handed. Her
bandaged finger makes the task clumsy. Fern stands opposite
wrapping cutlery in napkins. They work in comfortable silence.
FERN
You know, you could supervise. Let
me do the slicing.
LIV
It’s the only thing keeping me from
crawling out of my skin.
FERN
That, or my irresistible charm.
She LAUGHS, tosses chopped cilantro at him, like green
confetti. Her phone BUZZES. It’s charging on the counter.
Screen lights up: UNKNOWN NUMBER. She hesitates, picks it up.
LIV (into phone)
Hello?
(beat, sharper)
Jonas? Hurry up. We're working
here.
(MORE)
LIV (into phone) (CONT'D)
(listening to static)
Jesus, are you that drunk? Just
tell me where you are and I'll come
get you.
(listening)
Damnit Jonas, all I hear is wind and
a creaky gate.
She SIGHS, hangs up. The silence in the room shifts. Thickens.
FERN
You okay?
She forces a LAUGH. Picks up the knife again.
LIV
He's mad I walked out. Green eyed
monster's got him shitfaced, probably
in some roadside whorehouse.
FERN
You want me to talk to him?
LIV
He doesn’t talk. He accuses, drinks,
breaks things. This? This is vintage
Jonas.
She slides the chopped cilantro into a bowl. Wipes her hands
on a towel.
FERN
Still. That call—
LIV
Don't read into it. Could have been
a butt call. Anyway, short of hitting
every bar in the state, there's no
way of knowing where he is.
He nods like he’s letting it go, but the air is tense.
KITCHEN - LATER
Liv stirs a pot of shrimp simmering in mojo. Magda slices
mangoes and avocados. Fern walks in from the bar.
FERN
Gonna make a quick mezcal run.
LIV
My God, we're out already?
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
If you’re not back in thirty, I’m
sending Kit to look for you.
FERN
Can't promise I'll be that fast.
LIV
You okay?
FERN
A lot riding on tonight. You only
get one first impression.
He leans in, kisses her cheek, more goodbye than see-you-soon.
Liv watches him go, checks her watch.
MAGDA
Kit may be a devil, but sometimes
you need the devil who knows your
name.
EXT. DESERT ROAD OUTSIDE SAN MIGUEL - AFTERNOON
Fern’s truck kicks up dust as it bumps along the dirt road.
He reaches the massive Nopal, cuts the engine, steps out.
DOGS BARK. The WIND WHIPS. Somewhere METAL CREAKS.
He kneels by the grave, runs his hand over the dry dirt. Still
covered. But the perimeter’s different - cigarette butts, a
crushed water bottle, an empty hip-sized bottle of tequila.
He stiffens. Stands up. Looks around. No one in sight.
FERN
Goddam ghosts.
A piece of rusted metal SWINGS against a fence post in the
breeze. That’s all. That and WIND WHIPPING UP THE DIRT.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Tensions at El Milagro Perdido
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – NIGHT
The grand opening. The bar glows. FLAMENCO GUITAR hums. Tapas
plates clink. The CROWD’s mostly Mexican, a handful of gringos.
Manuel mans the bar. Liv works the room. Fern backs her up,
but his eyes keep drifting toward the door.
The door opens. Jesus walks in, flanked by Carlos and Luis.
Jesus nods to customers as he passes.
JESÚS
Provecho. Provecho.
Customers smile and nod back. The Men sit at their usual
"RESERVED" table. Fern hurries to serve them.
Luis sits, grips a heavy bag on his lap, his other hand poised
to reach for his gun. Fern reaches for the bag. Luis holds
tight, forces Fern to look at him.
Fern is aware that Liv is watching, as is Kit.
FERN
(Spanish, subtitled)
This isn't the night, amigo.
Luis holds his stare, relinquished the bag. Fern disappears
into the kitchen.
KITCHEN
Fern shoves the sideboard against the wall. Liv walks in.
LIV
What was that?
FERN
Nothing to concern yourself about.
Fern goes back into the
BAR
Hands Luis his bag, empty.
FERN (CONT'D)
(Spanish, subtitled)
I highly recommend the shrimp tonight.
JESUS
I hear the food is good. We'll try
it all. And a Mezcalito for me.
Kit, with his inscrutable gaze, raises a glass to Jesús. He
nods back, his smile cold. Carlos and Luis sit stoic, backs
against the wall.
LATER
The place is packed. Laughter, music, drinks flowing.
AT THE END OF THE BAR, Fern finishes a mezcal pour, his eyes
on Jesús who eats with elegance. Carlos and Luis sip beers,
eyes scanning the Crowd.
AT THE KITCHEN ARCHWAY, Liv loads plates onto a tray, passes
it to Magda, who maneuvers through the Crowd.
BEHIND THE BAR, Manuel SHAKES cocktails like a pro. He leans
in close to Fern as he passes him the drinks.
MANUEL
(Spanish, subtitled)
That went smoothly. Maybe having a
crowded bar isn't such a bad idea.
FERN
Hiding in plain sight?
MANUEL
They trust us now. Next time will
be a bigger ask.
FERN
First we move this. Without Liv
catching on.
MANUEL
Let her catch what she wants. Long
as the money flows.
Liv sets plates of empanadas on the counter, sits at the bar.
LIV
(to Fern and Manuel)
Sorry, guys, I was planning to feed
you a late supper, but it's empanadas
only.
Kit stands, stretches. Walks toward the bar. Sits beside Liv.
KIT
Well-oiled machine. Pretty bar.
Good crowd. But you know this town,
Liv. It smiles while it sizes you
up, daggers at the ready.
LIV
What are you saying?
KIT
Nothing. Just a reality check.
Didn't my husband hire me to be our
security?
LIV
He paid me to keep an eye on things.
KIT
Still am. Where is he by the way?
LIV
Good question. Drowning his sorrows
would be my guess.
KIT
What does he have to be sorry about?
LIV
You tell me.
A SHOUT from the corner. Everyone turns. Luis on his feet,
teeth bared, confrontS a drunk GRINGO TOURIST, 50s, red-faced.
GRINGO TOURIST
I just said he cut the line!
LUIS
(Spanish, subtitled)
You don’t talk to me like that,
cabrón!
Fern steps in fast.
FERN
Gentlemen. Let me buy you both a
drink. House comp.
Jesus raises a hand. Luis backs off, reluctantly. The tourist
slinks to a stool. Everyone resumes — but the mood has shifted.
KIT
A gringo in San Miguel?
(turning to Liv)
With you on his arm, he came here
thinking the sun shone out his ass.
Didn't see this town for what it is -
fool's gold with a dark underbelly.
You were born here, Olivia. Don't
let anyone mistake you for a fool.
KITCHEN – MOMENTS LATER
Liv bursts in. Fern is washing dishes, trying to act normal.
LIV
You need to tell me what’s going on.
Right now.
FERN
It’s nothing. It’s under control.
LIV
That wasn’t nothing. That was
violence looking for an excuse.
FERN
I’m handling it.
LIV
Handling what, Fern? Drugs? The
bag Luis handed you in front of a
room full of customers? Or the blood
in Jonas's trunk?
(off his look)
I saw it. The shovel. The desert
dust. Manuel's fancy French smokes.
FERN
Shit- Liv, I was just trying to help.
Take care of your mess.
LIV
My mess?
FERN
Your little house party. The smashed
furniture. Bullets in the wall.
Bloody husband on the floor.
LIV
Holy shit, Fern.
FERN
You should be thanking me. You can
go home to your own bed now. You
have your dream. All this is yours.
Like it or not.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
Unraveling Shadows
INT. KIT’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Dim. Cluttered. A battered fan WHIRS. José scans a wall of
photos marked with sticky notes: Liv, Fern, Magda, Manuel,
Jesús. His eyes move slowly, deliberately.
Kits sets down a mug of coffee. Sits, opposite.
KIT
The grand opening played like theater.
Jesús made his drop. Fern took it.
No hesitation.
José points to Jonas on the wall — the only photo with a black
X over the face.
JOSÉ
Maid says their place was wrecked —
bottles, blood, smashed everything.
She was so freaked, she ran. Told
her cousin, who told me.
KIT
Hospitals?
JOSÉ
Nada. No John Doe's. No Jonas Fry's.
KIT
Magda?
JOSÉ
She's sticking close to Liv, but you
know all too well - Magda only tells
you what she wants you to hear.
KIT
Jonas vanishes two nights before the
big night. Liv smiles through it.
Fern doesn’t blink. Like they
rehearsed it.
JOSÉ
Or like they're waiting to see who
asks first. If anyone asks.
Kit picks an envelope from a drawer. Hands it to José.
KIT
For the widow and orphan's fund.
Wherever Jonas is he can rest easy
knowing his money is being well spent.
José nods. Tucks the envelope into his jacket. His eyes drift
to the wall’s edge — a photo marked, "CLAY."
JOSÉ
Who’s this?
KIT
Jonas’s brother. Found him while
poking through his email. Rehab
step nine - make amends. Poor bastard
thinks he's coming to collect his
due.
JOSÉ
Liv know?
KIT
Doesn't know he even exists.
JOSÉ
So what now?
KIT
Did you ever hear the one about a
stranger walks into a bar looking
for his long-lost brother?
(chuckles)
Funny how it always ends in silence.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
Cleansing Shadows
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMPORARY RESIDENCE – HALLWAY - NIGHT
Liv rips open a box. Magda hovers, watching. Inside - paint
tubes and used brushes.
LIV
Put this in the bedroom closet.
Magda takes the box and leaves. Liv opens another. Inside -
books. She dumps them out, carries the empty box into the
BEDROOM
Tosses it on the bed. She hauls Jonas's shirts from the
wardrobe, pulls them off the hangers. Magda folds them neatly.
LIV (CONT'D)
(Spanish, subtitled)
They're going to cowboys in the campo.
They don't care about neat.
DOORBELL BUZZES O.S.
MAGDA
That’ll be her.
LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
DOÑA REYES, 60s, thin as a broomstick, in black lace, stands
at the door holding a velvet satchel.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
Thank you for coming so late.
DOÑA REYES
The veil’s thinner at night. Easier
to sweep.
She steps in, immediately clocking the vibe.
DOÑA REYES (CONT'D)
Is it blood or shadow you want gone?
LIV
Both.
BEDROOM – LATER
Smoke curls from a copal burner. Salt traces the doorway.
Doña Reyes shakes a RATTLE, MURMURS under her breath. Magda
CHIMES brass bells in each corner of the room.
Liv follows, barefoot, holding an unlit candle. Slow. Serious.
DOÑA REYES
Speak his name and let it burn.
LIV
(lighting the candle)
Jonas Fry.
The candle FLARES brightly, settles to a flicker.
GARAGE – LATER
Liv scrubs the mat in the SUV trunk with soapy water. She
lifts if for inspection, reveals the shovel, caked in dirt.
She stares at it. Then yanks it out, opens the garage door.
OUTSIDE
She crosses the road, props the shovel in the neighbor's trash.
She returns to the SUV.
GARAGE
Closes the door. Lays the mat back down, wet and still stained.
Magda appears behind her.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
Some stains don’t come out.
LIV
Then we cover them.
Magda touches her shoulder, firm and kind. They head inside.
The door closes behind them.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
Reflections Over Hot Chocolate
INT. MAGDA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
The windows are cracked open. O.S. RAIN PATTERS. A fan HUMS.
INCENSE SMOKE curls from the altar. Magda pours chocolate
into mugs, stirs with cinnamon sticks.
Liv sits on the couch, hair damp, a blanket around her. Magda
hands her a mug, settles into the chair opposite.
A quiet pause. The chocolate steams between them.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
You loved Jonas?
LIV
I loved his good intentions.
MAGDA
We know where those roads lead. My
husband died slow. Cancer. An ending
he didn't deserve.
LIV
Jonas wouldn’t have done well with
slow. He only knew fast. Money,
cars, women. Even fast art.
MAGDA
And still... you married him.
LIV
I didn't want Jonas. I wanted the
dream. Hotshot artist. Rich gringo
husband. Gallery openings. Happily
ever after. Except it was all a
lie.
MAGDA
We all get invented by someone.
LIV
You ever get tired of being alone?
MAGDA
No. But I get tired of pretending
it’s easy.
LIV
Fern makes it seem easy. That’s the
problem.
MAGDA
You call that a problem?
LIV
Wanting... and doing...
MAGDA
Separate rivers. And some rivers
drown people.
LIV
He buried Jonas. I don’t know if it
was cleanup... or cover up.
MAGDA
Does it matter?
LIV
I guess it doesn't.
MAGDA (CONT’D)
One man’s gone. Another man’s
watching from the shadows. And the
one you want is standing too still.
Men get dangerous when they stop
moving.
LIV
So what do I do?
MAGDA
You keep the bar running. You keep
your head down. And you don’t let
anyone — not Kit, not Jesús, not
Fern — write your ending for you.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
Stormy Confrontations
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – LATE MORNING
O.S. heavy RAIN. Magda mops the floor. Manuel stocks the bar.
Liv tallies receipts with cash and credit card slips.
LIV
Sorry I didn't pay your tips last
night. It won't happen again.
Fern strides in with a cooler, shakes his wet hair like a
happy puppy. He plunks it on the bar, flips it open.
FERN
Morning, Team Perdido. Fresh from
La Paz - snapper and langoustines.
Tonight we go fancy.
He displays the seafood with pride. Liv glances up, offers a
tired smile, returns to her count.
Fern heads into the kitchen. Magda follows, frowning as she
mops his footprints.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
If this rain keeps up, there may not
be a tonight.
MANUEL
Just a shower. It'll pass.
Liv walks around the counter. Magda joins her -
AT THE DOOR
The street is a river two-feet deep. Cars plow through, splash
waves onto soggy PEDESTRIANS. One of them is CLAY FRY, 40s,
Texan cowboy head to toe, as he dodges gushing roof drains.
Liv and Magda share a bemused look, turn back inside. A taxi
SPLASHES to the curb. Kit hops out, unfazed by the rain. Two
long strides and he’s through the swing doors, shaking water
from his Panama hat.
KIT
How's Team Success this fine day?
They stare at him blankly, return to their tasks.
KIT (CONT'D)
That good, huh?
He claims his usual table. Liv serves him coffee and mezcal
with orange slices.
KIT (CONT'D)
My vitamin quota for the day.
Gracias, amiga.
The doors SWING open. Clay enters, small suitcase in hand.
He looks around, a puddle forming at his feet. He removes his
hat, nods to no-one in particular. Magda hustles over, gestures
him to lift one foot, then the other, slips a mat under him.
KIT (CONT'D)
Looks like Dorothy took a wrong turn
at Albuquerque.
LIV
Welcome to San Miguel. You're just
in time for the start of rainy season.
CLAY
Driver dropped me off two blocks
down the road. Said the current
this corner would wash him away.
I'm almost inclined to believe him,
but that attitude sure as hell
wouldn't survive in Texas.
KIT
Come in. Dry off. Tell me what
brings you to our magical little
town.
CLAY
That's mighty civil of you.
(MORE)
CLAY (CONT'D)
(to Liv)
I'll have what he's having, ma'am.
Clay sets his suitcase in a corner, joins Kit. Liv pours
coffee, sets down a glass of mezcal.
CLAY (CONT'D)
Why, you're even prettier than your
picture.
LIV
I beg your pardon.
Clay pulls a worn B&W wedding photo from his jacket — Jonas
and Liv, young and smiling. He extends his hand.
CLAY
Clayton Fry. Folks call me Clay.
Liv raises her hands, pot of coffee in one, bottle of mezcal
in the other. No way she's shaking his hand.
LIV
Funny. Jonas never mentioned you.
CLAY
We've been out of sorts, but he got
in touch recently and invited me to
come on down.
LIV
Sorry to disappoint, but Jonas isn't
here.
CLAY
He never was much of an early riser.
KIT
What the lady means is your brother
skipped town.
CLAY
No, sir. That can't be. Confirmed
I was coming just the other day.
(downs the mezcal)
Whooeee! If that don't kick a man
straight to Jesus... pour me another,
darlin'. Might need divine protection
after all.
Liv looks like fire's about to shoot out her eyes. As she
walks toward the kitchen.
LIV
(Spanish, subtitled)
Manuel, take care of the cowboy.
Pour him our most expensive mezcal.
KITCHEN
Liv storms in, opens her mouth in a silent scream. Fern glances
up from the prep table, knife in hand.
LIV (CONT'D)
Fu-u-u-u-u-ck!
FERN
What happened?
LIV
The universe isn't done shitting on
me. Son of a bitch has a brother.
FERN
Please tell me you're messing with
my head.
LIV
Clay. From Texas. Cowboy hat and
all. Walked in like he was expecting
a parade.
Kit enters, drops Jonas’s laptop onto the counter.
KIT
Jonas left this at my pad.
LIV
Why was he at your place?
KIT
Reviewing security camera options.
FERN
And which did he choose?
KIT
He didn't. That's why I'm returning
this. Maybe your brother-in-law
would like to pick up where your
husband left off.
LIV
Not in your fucking life. In ten
years, Jonas never once mentioned a
brother.
KIT
He has your wedding photo.
LIV
What does that prove?
FERN
Nothing. So, now we figure out if
he’s another gringo working a scam —
or he's looking for a real fight.
KIT
Either way, give Jesús a heads up.
LIV
Then, we weave a sleepy-time story
that'll send his ass back to Texas.
O.S. "TENNESSEE WALTZ" by Patti Page plays on the jukebox.
BAR – AFTERNOON
Thunder RUMBLES O.S. A few CUSTOMERS nurse cervezas. Clay
sits with Kit, observing the bar's coming and goings.
A wet SKINNY GRINGO, 30s, slinks in, nods to Manuel, slips
him a $1000 peso bill. Manuel serves up a beer, palms a tiny
package under a napkin, pockets the money.
CLAY
Lot of parched mouths in this town.
KIT
Rain does that. Conjures up lost
souls. Revives what folks thought
they’d buried — sorrows, grudges,
old cravings.
CLAY
My brother had plenty of those.
Some dirtier than others. Hell of a
thing — him just vanishin’. Not
like him to break a pattern. Still
trying to figure where that pretty
little wife of his fits in the story.
KIT
She fits just fine. You’ll see.
CLAY
That’s what’s got me curious. As
sorry as his ass may be, Jonas don’t
spook easy. And he sure as hell
didn’t just forget to say goodbye.
The swing doors CREAK. Jesús enters, flanked by Carlos and
Luis. They shake off rain from their oilskin coats. Jesús
makes eye contact with Kit. Kit tips his glass.
CLAY (CONT'D)
Goddamn I need me one of them
slickers. Who’s that fella'? Looks
like he just stepped out of one of
those old timey westerns.
KIT
Local patron of the arts.
Clay narrows his eyes as Jesús makes his way to the "RESERVED"
table. Luis stands at the end of the bar. With a nod and show
of fingers, orders drinks.
Manuel serves three beers and shots of mezcal. Luis serves
Jesús at the table, returns to the bar as Manuel pulls a
package from under the register, slips it to Luis.
MANUEL
(sotto, Spanish,
subtitled)
Rain's good for business.
LUIS
Y Madre Tierra. Gracias a dios.
Luis kisses the package, slips it inside his coat. Swivels to
scan the bar as he retreats to sit with Jesús.
Clay ambles over to the jukebox, flipping coins in his hand
like a pro poker player toying with chips.
CLAY
(to Jesús)
Howdy.
(studying song list)
Sure don't make 'em like this no
more.
Clay inserts coins, punches buttons, returns to sit with Kit.
"SILVER DOLLAR" by Eve Young plays. Clay smirks, gesticulates
as if he's directing the music.
JUKEBOX (O.S.)
"Rolls a silver dollar because it's
round.../A woman never knows what a
good man she's got until she turns
him down..."
CLAY
(singing bass with
the chorus)
"Down. Down. Down. Down."
JUKEBOX (O.S.)
"Listen my honey, listen to me.../I
want you to understand.../That that
silver dollar goes from hand to
hand.../"
CLAY
(with the song)
"So a woman goes from man to man/
(whistles with the
chorus)
"A woman goes from man to man..."
KITCHEN
Liv chops veggies to smithereens. Fern fillets snapper.
JUKEBOX (O.S.)
"A man without a woman is like a
ship without a sail..."
LIV
Turn that shit off.
FERN
But-
LIV
Don't fucking but me. We only ever
hear Spanish from that box, so who
the hell do you think chose that
American crap? Just pull the goddamn
plug.
BAR
Fern unplugs the jukebox. Eve SCRATCHES to a droning stop.
Clay bolts upright, slams his glass down. The room FLINCHES.
CLAY
What the hell, man?!
(strides to Fern)
I paid for that tune. You don’t
just piss on a man's parade.
FERN
You’ll get your ten pesos back.
CLAY
Don’t get cute with me, son.
Clay gets in Fern’s face. Fern doesn’t back down. Luis and
Carlos rise in sync, jackets parting to reveal pistols in
waistbands. Clay’s eyes flick to the guns.
CLAY (CONT'D)
Just like my brother to buy a place
full of strangers and think it makes
him king. You’re his dog, huh?
FERN
I'm nobody's dog, pinche gringo.
Liv bursts in from the kitchen, wielding her chef's knife
like she's ready to kill. The entire bar freezes.
LIV
That's enough.
CLAY
Oh, I don’t believe we're done.
(to Fern)
Not until I find out who’s got their
hands where they don’t belong.
LIV
You want a refund, I’ll get you coins
and a fucking receipt.
CLAY
You got grit, I’ll give you that.
JESÚS
(Spanish, subtitled)
A man who lacks respect soon meets
the ground.
KIT
Time to sit down, cowboy. Or go
drink somewhere with cable.
CLAY
Y'all take your songs mighty serious
around here.
LIV
Just the ones that stink of shit.
Clay returns to his seat, raises his glass mockingly.
CLAY
To the stink, then.
Behind the bar, Magda dries a glass, holds it up, looks through
it like it's a magnifying glass on Clay.
As Clay sips, Magda sets down a plate of sliced orange and
sal de gusano before him.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
For protection. From what’s already
inside you.
CLAY
(to Kit)
Wha'd she say?
KIT
The early bird catches the worm.
CLAY
That doesn't make any sense, man.
Kit shrugs, watches Liv walks back toward the kitchen.
LIV
Plug it back in. But make sure the
next one’s in Spanish.
FERN
Sí, jefa.
He watches her cross the floor. Clay watches too. So does
Jesús. And Kit.
The rain intensifies O.S. A DROP from the ceiling HITS the
floor. Then another. Magda puts out buckets to catch the drops.
KITCHEN
Liv steadies herself against the counter, on the verge of
tears - sad or mad is uncertain.
FERN (CONT'D)
That motherfucker stinks of trouble.
LIV
I didn't endure ten years on a drunken
rollercoaster to walk away empty
handed. Either he goes or I go to
my grave trying to make him.
FERN (softer)
We could... disappear. Just the two
of us.
LIV
Didn't you hear what I just said?
FERN
Then the motherfucker goes.
LIV
First, we smile. We cook. We survive
the night. We keep Jesús happy.
She grabs a bunch of cilantro, chops with methodical fury.
Fern turns on the stove. A pan SMOKES. Oil SIZZLES. Magda
enters with a bowl of sliced limes, her jaw set.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
Storm’s not over. This is going to
be another long night.
LIV
What's Jesús doing?
MAGDA
What Jesús always does. Watches and
waits. And when he decides... the
rest of us learn to live with it.
She sets the limes down, slowly unrolls a rosary onto the
prep table. Doesn’t say another word. Just goes back to work.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Storm Aftermath
EXT. EL MILAGOR PERDIDO – NIGHT
The last STRAGGLERS drift out into the street, huddled under
umbrellas or coat hoods. THUNDER murmurs in the distance, but
the storm has passed, the street no longer a rushing river.
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – NIGHT
Jesús and his men are gone. Their table sits empty — three
shot glasses in a perfect triangle.
Clay slouches at the bar, spinning a mezcal glass between his
fingers, slow and idle — his eyes sharp and wary.
Fern hauls out a trash bag. Magda wipes down the bar, silent
as a ghost. Manuel pulls a package from under the counter,
disappears into the kitchen.
Liv pours a glass of wine. Walks it over to Kit’s table.
LIV
Closing soon. You good?
KIT
That depends. You want me to stay?
LIV
If anything goes south, you’ll just
take notes and sell the story.
KIT
Anthology's in the works.
LIV
Yeah? What you callin' it - The
Idiots of San Miguel?
KIT
Buried in Light.
CLAY
You two always this cozy at closing
time?
Liv doesn’t answer. She takes his empty glass, walks back
behind the bar. Clay turns to Kit.
CLAY (CONT'D)
It occur to you my brother didn’t
skip town?
KIT
Plenty of things make men run. Bad
debts being top of the list.
CLAY
He wouldn't say he had my money to
get me down here and then just
disappear. Something ain't right.
KIT
Maybe he realized he could put that
twenty grand to better use.
CLAY
Nah. He knows I'd kill him before I
let him pull the wool over my eyes
again.
MAGDA
(Spanish, subtitled)
Men who ask too many questions get
answers they don't like.
CLAY
Now what the hell did she say?
KIT
She said you should head home before
your boots rot.
Clay stands slowly. Smiles the smile a snake gives a mouse.
CLAY
Tell you what. I’m gonna stick
around. Shake a few trees. Poke a
bear here and there.
KIT
Funny thing about bears, you never
see the teeth until it's too late.
Clay tips his hat. Exits into the night. Liv locks the door
behind him, sits with Kit, pours mezcal, downs a shot.
LIV
What was that talk about twenty grand?
KIT
That's his asking price to walk away.
LIV
Another delusional gringo. They're
fucking exhausting.
(standing, to Fern)
Can you close up? I need a night on
my own to think.
FERN
I'll walk you.
LIV
No. Make sure everything is shut
down tight, especially your secret
fucking safe.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
Confrontation at Midnight
INT. LIV & JONAS’S TEMP RESIDENCE – HALLWAY - NIGHT
Liv enters, locks the door behind her, walks to the
LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN
Opens a bottle of wine. Pours a glass. Sips. Silence. Peace.
O.S. KNOCK KNOCK.
She sets the glass down, walks to the
HALLWAY
Cracks open the door. Clay is standing there, hat in hand.
CLAY
Didn’t think you were gettin’ rid of
me that easy, did you?
LIV
What do you want?
CLAY
Surely a spit of hospitality ain't
asking too much from family.
She hesitates. He plants a foot inside the door. Choice
removed. She turns, walks back to the living room. He follows,
pokes his nose in the bedroom, returns to the-
LIVING ROOM
Sniffs around like a dog.
CLAY
Cozy. Don't know where Jonas figured
I'd be bunking.
LIV
That's because he didn't.
Clay slumps onto the sofa, kicks a box under the tabl, sees
its label: JONAS'S FILES - PRIVATE.
CLAY
Well, lookie here.
He yanks the box out, starts rummaging. Liv slugs her wine.
CLAY (CONT'D)
(reading)
Life insurance policy for one Maria
Olivia Fry Cordoba.
(low whistle)
You don't look sick to me. You hiding
some silent disease my bro was banking
on?
LIV
It's time for you to leave.
CLAY
(picking through files)
I'll just take these for a closer
look.
LIV
You will do no such fucking thing.
She stomps her boot onto his hand. Grinds down hard. Smashes
her wine glass on the table. Points the sharp stem at him.
LIV (CONT'D)
Listen good, Clay. Jonas Fry is a
miserable drunk without a pot to
piss in. You want to poke bears
around here, you better know something -
next of kin means you're the one
they'll skin first. This ain't Texas
cabrón.
She lifts her foot, keeps the sharp stem raised.
LIV (CONT'D)
Get out of my fucking house.
Clay swipes the stem out of her hand, grips her throat.
CLAY
Well, ain't you a spark plug? I see
why my brother was so bewitched.
He tosses her aside. Grabs his hat. Walks out. Liv scrambles,
watches him from the doorway.
HALLWAY
Clay notices the garage door, jiggles the handle. It's locked.
CLAY (CONT'D)
What's in here?
LIV
The lion, the witch and the wardrobe.
CLAY
(opens front door)
This ain't over.
LIV
Bring it on, buster.
The door slams SHUT. Liv locks the deadbolt, slides down the
wall. Pulls out her phone, hands shaking.
LIV (into phone) (CONT'D)
How do I get a gun?
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
A Tense Decision
INT. KIT’S APARTMENT – MORNING
RAIN PATTERS. A fan WHIRS. Liv holds a gun at arm's length.
KIT
Finger off the trigger ‘til you’re
sure you hate somebody.
LIV
I hate him fine, and I don't even
know him. I just sure as hell know
I don't want to.
Kit places a box on the table — rounds, rod, rag.
KIT
Take this, too. If he breaks in,
throw it at his head. Might do more
damage than the bullet.
LIV
I’m serious, Kit.
KIT
So’s the recoil.
He walks over, stand behind her, his hands on her grip.
KIT (CONT'D)
Two hands. This isn't ballet. You’re
trying not to die.
LIV
Story of my life.
She raises the gun, aims at a framed photo of Hemingway in a
matador’s jacket.
KIT
Don’t you dare. That’s signed.
Kit sits, lights a cigarette. Liv puts the gun and box in her
purse, lights a cigarette, sits to enjoy it. O.S. a dog BARKS.
She sees a gold chain peeking from under a newspaper. She
pulls it out, along with a tiny sack. She pulls on the chain.
Out falls her locket and the severed pinky.
Liv stares at the severed pinky. She lifts her eyes. Kit meets
her stare. He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t explain. Just taps ash
from his cigarette. Calm. Casual. Deadly.
Liv puts the locket around her neck. She leaves the pinky on
the table, wrapped up in plastic like a tiny sausage.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
High Stakes in the Rain
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO - AFTERNOON
Liv sets out a buffet of finger food, taquitos, dips, etc.
O.S. THUNDER. Buckets dot the floor catching RAIN. Magda mops
around them. Fern fills a cooler. Manuel checks coke packets.
Luis and Carlos man the door.
Tables join to form one table for seven MEN, Jesús center, a
chair empty. Kit shuffles cards.
Clay swaggers in. Carlos eyes Jesús, who nods imperceptibly.
KIT
Five card draw. Ante up.
Clay takes the empty chair, slaps down a wad of dollar bills,
a bottle of bourbon.
CLAY
Texas currency. Real liquor. None
of that cactus crap.
JESUS
We'll take your money, amigo. Not
your insults.
Liv sets a glass before Clay, puts a hand on the Bourbon.
LIV
Corkage is two thousand pesos.
CLAY
A hundred dollars?
Liv peels a hundred dollar bill from his wad.
LIV
You can count. Good. It'll help
when you lose the rest.
(peels off a fifty)
Propina, gracias.
(to Fern, Spanish,
subtitled)
Take this idiot gringo's dollars.
Give him peso chips.
TIME DISSOLVE
The afternoon wears on. Cards FLICK. Chips CLINK. Bourbon
drains.
LONERS come and go. Manuel palm packets of coke and money
disappears below the counter. Jesús watches. So does Kit.
The room thins. The sun sets. Lights FLICKER on.
Magda stashes her bucket and mop, knots a scarf around her
neck, NODS goodnight as she leaves. Liv clears plates. Fern
restocks beers. More mezcal is poured.
Clay toys with his last chips, pours the last shot of bourbon.
Sits back. Swirls the amber liquid.
JESÚS
Who'd've thought? Just you and me,
amigo.
Clay smirks, tosses in his last five chips. Kit deals.
Clay: Nine and ten of Spades.
Jesús: a Queen of Diamonds and Jack of Clubs.
Kit burns, flops Jack and Eight of Spades, Four of Clubs.
Clay CHECKS. Jesús bets one chip.
Kit burns, turns Two of Diamonds. Jesús bets. Nothing
aggressive. Just insistent.
Clay stares at his cards. No help. Ten-high.
Kit burns, flips the River - Seven of Clubs. RAIN DRIPS like
Chinese torture. PLOP. PLOP. PLOP.
CLAY
What do you say we sweeten the pot?
JESÚS
I'm all ears.
CLAY
Family lawyer says if Jonas is
incapacitated, I'm his power of
attorney. Means I own half this
dump.
JESÚS
That supposed to scare me?
CLAY
Nope. Just means your headache's
got a Texas accent now.
JESÚS
Gringos bumbling around these streets
at night tend to have mishaps.
CLAY
I ain't bumbling. And, ain't no
love lost between me and my brother.
I just want what I'm owed.
Jesús downs a shot of mezcal, dips orange into the sal de
gusano, sucks on it long and hard. WATER DRIPS into buckets.
CLAY (CONT'D)
The señorita got it right. I can do
the math and I reckon what you've
got in that pile 'bout covers it.
JESÚS
Then it's settled.
Jesús slides his entire pile of chips into the center. Fern
takes them, converts them to stacked bills - dollars and pesos.
Sticks them in a bag, hands them to Clay. Clay stands, tosses
a chip to Kit. Jesús nods.
CLAY
Appreciate the hospitality.
KIT
Hope the walk home’s just as smooth.
Clay tips his hat, swaggers toward the door.
KIT (CONT'D)
(sotto)
This town don't drown you fast. It
swallows you slow.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
Fleeting Glory
EXT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO – CONTINUOUS
Clay walks out. Cobblestones gleam, wet and slippery. Clay
slings the bag over his shoulder, walks away, WHISTLES Eve
Young's "Silver Dollar."
Behind him, Liv follows at a distance.
INT. EL MILAGRO PERDIDO
Jesús pours mezcal. Kit rolls the chip across his knuckles.
KIT
That was charitable. You could have
taken his boots too.
JESÚS
A man walks taller when he thinks
he's won something.
Fern clears the table.
FERN
And when he finds out different?
KIT
He doubles down on stupid.
FERN
You want me to handle him?
JESÚS
He’ll dig his own grave if you give
him a shovel.
Kit raises his glass slightly, a toast without a smile.
KIT
Hope he’s got a strong back.
Outside, a bottle rocket WHOOSHES up into the sky — a burst
of gold that fades fast into nothing.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
High Stakes Negotiation
INT. CLAY'S HOTEL - NIGHT
Clay WHISTLES down the hallway, key in hand. Unlocks the door.
CLAY'S HOTEL ROOM
Clay tosses the bag of money onto the bed. Goes into the
bathroom. O.S. Sound of URINATING. A TAP on the door.
LIV (O.S.)
(Spanish, subtitled)
Turn down service, señor.
Clay walks back into the room, shirt undone.
CLAY
No, gracias.
Another KNOCK. Clay cracks open the door.
LIV
(pointing a gun)
Didn't think you were getting rid of
me that easy, did you?
Clay backs up fast. Liv walks in, gun unwavering.
LIV (CONT'D)
I'm not here for your "winnings."
I just need you to sign over Jonas's
half of the bar. Seeing as you're
power of attorney and all.
CLAY
For that, I'd need actual paperwork.
Liv pulls a deed out of her bag.
LIV
Think I came unprepared?
CLAY
That shit don't count unless it's
notarized.
LIV
Which is why you're meeting me
tomorrow. At the wizard's house.
CLAY
And if I don't?
LIV
Then you risk a series of unfortunate
mishaps. Muggings. Beatings. Or
maybe... up to your neck in sand...
ants taking turns nibbling your
eyelids. San Miguel's got options.
CLAY
You've made your point. Let's get
it done so I can leave this podunk
piss hole.
LIV
I'll be sure to pass your compliments
on to the tourist board.
Liv picks a pad and pen off the desk, scribbles an address,
tosses it to him.
LIV (CONT'D)
Google it. Ten AM. Don't be late.
She backs out. Door CLICKS shut.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
Rooftop Reflections and Reluctant Agreements
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - ROOFTOP - NIGHT
Fireworks CRACK across the sky. A cigarette glows in the dark.
KIT
People don’t get buried all at once.
It's slow. Like that frog in a pot
of water heating up one degree at a
time. You say yes, when you mean
no. You stay when you should go.
You look the other way long enough,
you forget which way's forward.
A firework BURSTS into a waterfall of silver sparkles.
KIT (CONT'D)
Funny how folks come here thinking
they'll find something. Peace.
Escape. Reinvention.
(MORE)
KIT (CONT'D)
All they find is themselves. Same
mess. Different scenery.
He takes a drag. Watches a red burst arc across the sky.
KIT (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
This town doesn’t kill you. It just
shows you who you are. The rest...
That's on you.
INT. KIT’S APARTMENT - MORNING
Window open. A notary stamp rests next to a mug of coffee.
Liv sits at the small table. Kit paces behind her. DOOR BUZZES.
KIT
Showtime.
Kit presses the buzzer. A beat later, Clay swaggers in,
hungover and sweaty.
CLAY
How'd I know this isn’t a setup?
KIT
It is. Just fewer bullets.
Clay eyes the table. The deed. The notary stamp.
CLAY
You're a notary?
KIT
And a helluva wedding officiant.
LIV
Enough chit chat. Sign.
CLAY
Mighty pushy for someone with a
missing husband nobody's bothered to
report.
LIV
How many times do I have to spell it
out? This isn't Texas, ToTo.
KIT
Children. Please.
Kit uncaps the pen. Places it between them like a weapon.
KIT (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Sign and go. Or stick around and
roll the dice.
Clay stares. His fingers twitch. He picks up the pen. Signs.
KIT (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Initial there. And there.
Clay does, shakily. No fight left.
KIT (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Raise your right hand.
CLAY
What the fuck?
Clay hesitates. Kit just looks at him.
KIT (CONT’D)
You swear the signature's yours.
Your mind sound, and no one's pointing
a gun at you?
CLAY
The last part's debatable.
KIT
Good enough.
Kit stamps the document. A clean, satisfying CHUNK.
LIV
One more thing. I've got an SUV for
sale. Could take you far and fast.
CLAY
Price?
LIV
For you? A killer deal. My house.
Tonight at ten.
CLAY
I'm fixin' to be gone by then.
LIV
Suit yourself.
Clay exits. Door closes behind him. Kit pours coffee for him
and Liv.
KIT
Well... Now we see how smart he is.
Liv LAUGHS, CLINKS mugs with Kit, toys with her locket.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
New Beginnings
INT. FERN'S APARTMENT – AFTERNOON
Fern cranks out sit-ups, counting.
FERN
(Spanish, subtitled) *
Two fifty. Two fifty-one.
A KNOCK.
He cracks the door, topless. Liv stands there, admiring.
FERN (CONT'D)
You come to yell at me again?
LIV
(kissing him)
Nope. Came to celebrate.
Fern opens the door wider. Liv steps in.
FERN
What we celebrating?
LIV
The bar’s mine. Legally. No monkey
business.
He hands her a glass of orange juice. They toast.
LIV (CONT'D)
To... New beginnings. Maybe even
love.
Fern watches her. Like he’s afraid to break the moment.
FERN
You sure you want that?
LIV
More than anything.
He sets his glass down. Pulls her to him. They kiss. No rush.
FERN
You and me, Liv. Whatever comes.
LIV
Next, we talk to Jesús. But, first
this.
She pulls her dress off. Her locket falls between her breasts.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
55 -
Unraveling Secrets
EXT. KIT’S APARTMENT – AFTERNOON
Clay bangs on Kit's door. No answer. Clay jimmies the lock
with a credit card. Door CREAKS open.
INT. KIT'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
It's quiet. Dust motes swirl in hot light. Clay CLICKS the
door closed, scans the room.
He moves through the apartment — slow, suspicious, resentful.
ON A SIDE TABLE: Old Polaroid: Kit younger, sunburned, in
fatigues — next to men with guns and hard eyes. Insignia: CIA
special division.
ON A SHELF: B&W wedding photo. Kit and his Mexican wife.
Tucked behind the frame - a faded clipping: "Maria Luisa
Hendrix Herrera. Beloved wife, warrior, dreamer. 1980-2015."
In front of the frame is a small box. Clay opens it.
INSIDE: gold wedding band. He picks it up, sees an inscription.
CLAY
(reading)
"J plus L. Forever." Why do you
have my brother's wedding ring?
He pockets the ring. He moves to the small desk. Rifles through
papers, notebooks.
CLAY (CONT'D)
C'mon papers you gotta be here.
He finds the small sack bag. Opens it. The severed pink falls
out. Clay drops it on the floor. Dances like a teenage girl
with a mouse at his feet.
CLAY (CONT'D)
Goddamn it, Jonas... That's some
sweetheart of a wife you got. And,
she's gonna' pay.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
56 -
Strategic Alliances
INT. LA SOMBRA CANTINA - BACK ROOM - EARLY EVENING
Small, dark, humid. OLD MEN play dominoes. A jukebox spins
"EL TRISTE" by Jose Jose low in the B.G.
Liv and Fern step inside. Eyes shift toward them. Behind the
bar, Luis tips his head toward a back door.
LIV
Gracias.
BACK ROOM
Liv and Fern enter. Jesús sits alone. A bottle of mezcal and
a chessboard, mid-game with no opponent. He gestures to chairs.
JESÚS
(Spanish, subtitled)
Sit. Speak.
Liv sits. Fern stays standing.
LIV
Clay signed over the bar. Stamped
and notarized.
JESÚS
And yet... you don't look happy.
FERN
Jonas put out a hit on us before he
disappeared.
JESÚS
A coward's final investment.
LIV
If Clay finds out... he'll think it
was us who retaliated.
JESÚS
Then it’s good you came. Better to
know who stands with you and who
wants to bury you. Who's at the bar
now?
FERN
Manuel's holding down the fort.
José and Kit are there, of course.
LIV
Don't forget Magda. She can kill
with a single look.
JESÚS
He won't do anything in public.
I'll send my men, but you won't see
them.
LIV
Hopefully, he'll buy the car and
leave. No drama. That'll pay the
first installment of my debt to you.
JESÚS
You don't owe me. Consider it an
investment in our future.
Liv stands, shakes Jesús's hand.
LIV
To be continued.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
57 -
Dusk in San Miguel
EXT. LA SOMBRA CANTINA - MOMENTS LATER
Liv and Fern exit, hop into
FERN'S TRUCK - MOVING
Fern starts up the engine. Drives down a dusty road.
LIV
Drop me off in town. You go see
what we need to buy for tomorrow.
I'll come to you after he's gone.
FERN
Are we still peso pinching?
Liv LAUGHS heartily, leans over to KISS Fern.
EXT. SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE – DUSK
The sun sets fire to buildings, cobblestones. Papel picados
FLUTTER overhead. LIV walks alone, carries a grocery bag.
A guitarist STRUMS "SABOR DE MI." Lovers argue quietly over
melted ice cream. A dog trots past, tail wagging.
Liv slows at the corner, glances back. Luis and Carlos lean
against a wall, pretending not to watch her. She turns.
EXT. JONAS & LIV'S TEMPORARY RESIDENCE – DUSK
A SHOVEL leans against her door. Liv glances around. The
NEIGHBOR across the street waves. Liv smiles.
LIV
Gracias!
She unlocks the door, picks up the shovel. Carries it inside.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
58 -
Confrontation in the Shadows
INT. JONAS & LIV’S TEMP RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Dark. One lamp GLOWS. Liv drops her bags on the counter, takes
a bottle from her purse, sets it on the counter.
GARAGE
Liv props the shovel against the wall, pops the SUV trunk.
She inspects the mat... dried blood still visible. Not enough
to scream murder. Just enough to suggest it. She walks back
into the
HALLWAY
Props the door open a crack. And into the
LIVING ROOM
She settles into an armchair, mezcal on side table. Her hands
on the armrests, in one a glass, the other a pistol. O.S. a
KNOCK.
LIV
Door's open.
FOOTSTEPS. Clay steps into the room.
CLAY
This your idea of a killer deal?
LIV
Car's in the garage. It's American.
Should satisfy your patriotic tastes.
CLAY
How much?
LIV
Your fool brother paid asking price.
I'll sell it for twenty. A steal.
CLAY
So, you'll have me leave penniless.
LIV
Tell ya' what. You can keep a grand
to cover your gas and candy for the
road because I'm generous like that.
Clay walks out
GARAGE
Clay walks around the SUV like a car rental agent looking for
dings. Liv follows him, pistol in hand.
Clay pops the trunk, touches the dried blood stain. He spots
the shovel against the wall. Picks it up, hefts it, smiles
grimly. From his pocket — he pulls out Jonas’s wedding ring.
CLAY
You thought you could just scrub it
all away? Tell you what — I’ll take
the car. And the memories. You
don't get a goddamn dime.
LIV
Get out.
Clay smirks — lashes out with the shovel. The blow smashes
her hand, sends the gun clattering across the concrete. Clay
lunges. Liv dodges around the SUV. Clay chases, snarling.
HALLWAY
Liv bursts through the door — SLAMS it. Tries to lock it —
but Clay SMASHES it open with his shoulder.
CLAY
Tell me what you did to him! Tell
me the goddamn truth!
KITCHEN
Liv stumbles to the counter, yanks open a drawer, digs for a
knife. Clay grabs her hair at the roots, twists it, throws
her to the ground. Her head catches the granite edge on the
center aisle. She falls, head bleeding. She scrambles backwards
and up to standing as Clay advances.
LIV
(screaming)
Luis! Carlos!
CLAY
Ain't nobody can hear through these
walls. Blessed be 500-year-old
construction.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
59 -
Desperate Defense
EXT. STREET
Luis and Carlos glance at each other, straighten slightly.
Listen, but no real noise escapes the house. They stay put —
at the ready.
BACK INSIDE THE KITCHEN
Clay moves around the center aisle, closing the space between
he and Liv. She dodges past him to the counter, grabs a knife,
spins and runs out.
BEDROOM
Liv bolts into the
BATHROOM
Locks the handle in the plywood door. She backs against the
wall, knife in her shaking hands.
O.S. Clay’s footsteps THUD. A boot to the door. A beat. BOOM.
A gunshot shatters the door — wood splinters everywhere.
Liv ducks low, scrambling under the sink. Another SHOT.
A hole blows open in the door.
Clay’s hand reaches through, fingers scrabbling for the handle.
Liv lunges. Stabs her chef's knife deep through his hand.
CLAY
(screaming)
Bitch!
His hand jerks — but he's pinned to the door by his own flesh.
Liv searches under the sink, pulls out a can of hairspray,
backs against the wall.
Clay pull the knife from his hand. BLOOD GUSHES. He holds his
hand to his chest, tries to stem the blood.
Liv yanks the door open, advances, spraying hairspray in his
eyes. Clay HOLLERS, lashes out, but is blinded. The can
empties. She throws it at him, runs out.
GARAGE
Liv rushes in. SLAMS the door. Clay kicks it open, barges in,
half-blinded, blood pouring down his arm.
Liv circles the SUV, desperate, limping. There — the pistol
half under a tire.
Clay cuts her off.
CLAY (CONT'D)
Where you gonna run to now, darlin'?
Liv dives low — reaching for the pistol. Clay swings the shovel
like a bat. WHACK. It SMASHES into her ribs.
Liv crumples, GASPING, clutching her side.
The pistol skitters away. Clay kicks it out of reach.
He grabs her hair, yanks her upright, presses the shovel shaft
against her neck. He yanks it tight, pulls her backwards. Her
heels scrape uselessly against the concrete floor.
CLAY (CONT'D)
You shoulda stayed the obedient wife.
Liv GURGLES. Vision blurring. Knees buckling. She claws at
his hands. Digs her nails into his bleeding wound. He tries
to hold on. She bites down. Hard. He loses his grip.
CLAY (CONT'D)
(screaming)
You fucking bitch!
He throws her aside. Her elbow hits the concrete hard. Liv
rolls away, crawls to the SUV and the pistol.
UNDER THE SUV
Liv COUGHS BLOOD. Her arm reaches for the gun.
GARAGE
She emerges from under the car, gun raised — but Clay's already
swinging. The shovel CRACKS the gun from her hand. It spins
off into the shadows. Clay pounces, pins her to the floor.
His knees grind into her ribs. One hand chokes, the other
slams her head against the concrete.
CLAY (CONT'D)
You are so dead. You just don't
know it yet.
Liv GASPS. Sees — inches away — a CROWBAR under the bench.
She bites Clay's wrist — deep and savage. Clay YELLS. Pulls
back. Liv kicks him off. Scrambles. Grabs the crowbar. Stands
to face him.
Clay stumbles up, blood dripping.
CLAY (CONT'D)
Come on, baby. Let's waltz down to
hell together.
He charges. Liv plants her feet, raises the crowbar, swings
with everything she's got. CRACK. The crowbar connects flush
with his temple.
Clay crumples to the concrete. Heavy. Lifeless.
LIV
Wrong town. Wrong woman. Dead wrong
day.
Liv staggers back. Presses a button on the wall, next to an
old, faded tourist poster advertising: "San Miguel de Allende
— FIND YOUR MAGIC."
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
60 -
Emergence and Reflection
EXT. LIV & JONAS’S TEMP RESIDENCE
The garage door GRINDS open. Liv steps out, bloody but
standing. The crowbar slips from her fingers. CLANGS like a
bell tolling.
Across the street, Luis and Carlos step off the curb. Magda
stands between them, arms crossed. José smokes, his bandaged
hand visible.
LIV
Check his pockets for a hotel key.
That's where you'll find Jesús's
money. Do whatever with him.
Luis nods. Carlos cracks his knuckles. Magda lights two
cigarettes, hands one to Liv.
Kit leans against the parapet, cigarette burning low, a man
halfway between confession and eulogy.
KIT (V.O.)
It ain't the bullets that kill you
down here. Ain't even the bad luck.
It's the little things. One favor
you shouldn't have asked. One lie
you told yourself just to get through
the night. One morning you wake
up... look in the mirror and don't
recognize the sorry bastard staring
back.
He flicks the cigarette off into the dark.
KIT (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Some folks run. Some folks dig in.
(MORE)
KIT (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And some folks... they bury the past
so deep, even the worms lose interest.
A distant pop — fireworks or gunshot — it's hard to say.
KIT (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Me? I just tell the stories. Bury
the bodies with words. Lucky me.
The light's too bright for 'em to
see the dirt under my nails.
CLOSING MONTAGE - O.S. "CAMINO DE GUANAJUATO" by José Alfredo
Jimenez plays.
- On Kit's rooftop, Kit and Liv sip coffee, watch the sun
rise over the town.
- The sunlight turns the walls of El Milagro Perdido golden.
- Fern hands a sign above the door "BAJO NUEVA DIRECCIÓN."
- Inside El Milagro Perdido, José drinks coffee. Magda mops.
- In the cemetery, Clay's hat hangs on an iron cross driven
into the dirt. Luis and Carlos stand over it, light cigarettes.
- Liv and Fern walk into El Milagro Perdido. The music SWELLS