1. Ain't No Finer Diner
FADE IN:
EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY
There is a PICTURE of EMILIO, a Hispanic man in his early 20s in
front of a friendly looking restaurant called Dressing Barn dated
"July 10 1997-August 3 2001."
Another PICTURE of the same man, slightly older, in front of a
restaurant called Hane's dated "December 1 2002-January 23 2004."
PICTURE of him again, older, in front of a restaurant called
Burritoland dated "May 3-12 2007."
PICTURE of Emilio with another restaurant called Ain't No Finer
Diner dated "August 28 2011-Present." The still image comes to
life, he enters through the front into the restaurant.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY - THE PRESENT
The restaurant walls are yellow. Emilio is slightly overweight
and kind, his face rests in a dumb smile.
EMILIO
Buenos días, everyone! Carolina here,
yet?
A FEW CUSTOMERS are eating at booths, they look up and smile at
him. A woman, CAROLINA - Italian, loud, mid-30s, vivacious--turns
her head and SHUSHES Emilio.
CAROLINA
Tranquillo! I'm watching Il Vecchio e
il Vibrante.
Carolina turns back to the TV and stares intently, mumbling as
she watches.
Emilio smiles blankly and walks to a kid, JORGE - an overzealous
chubby 11 year old. Emilio affectionately scruffs up Jorge's
thick black hair. Jorge is writing in a notebook.
EMILIO
Having a good morning, mi hijo?
Jorge puts down his pen and sighs impatiently. Carolina turns to
look at them, a COMMERCIAL has come on.

2. JORGE
Si, Papi.
Jorge closes and picks up the notebook, the cover furry cheetah
print. He hugs it to his chest, SIGHS, and walks into the back.
CAROLINA
Why is he so dramatic?
She dramatically turns back to the TV set. Emilio blinks twice.
The MAYOR and HIS WIFE enter the restaurant, conversing amongst
themselves - just an average married couple.
MAYOR
...terrible things about it and I just
really don't want to eat--
EMILIO
Buenas dias Mayor! Mrs. Mayor.
The Mayor is startled and turns to Emilio.
MAYOR
Oh... good morning, Emilio.
The wife nods and smiles. Emilio smiles back at them dumbly. They
all stand awkwardly for just a moment too long. The Mayor and his
Wife shift their eyes. Emilio is still smiling.
EMILIO
Right this way.
He grabs three menus and heads towards a booth in the back. The
Mayor shoots his Wife a look and they follow.
Emilio sets the menus down on the table and walks away. The Mayor
and his Wife seat themselves and look at their menus.
Emilio walks to the counter and grabs a dustpan, but then
something through the window catches his eye.
Outside, a man is approaching the restaurant through the windows.
DIEGO - about 40, Caucasian, blonde-brown hair with a beard,
skinny legs, and a large belly. He is wearing boots, tight pants
and a tight shirt that reveal an appalling muffin top.
Emilio looks at the doorway, his eyes widen.
Diego throws the door open and stands in the doorway, hands on
hips. WIND BLOWS a few stray leaves into the restaurant.

3. DIEGO
Hello, Emilio.
Diego speaks jeeringly. Emilio grabs a dustpan and walks towards
him sternly. Diego looks back, his eyes narrowing.
Emilio veers off to the left and sweeps up the leaves. Diego
continues to stare intently. Emilio empties the leaves into a
garbage can.
EMILIO
Hola, Diablo.
DIEGO
It's Diego.
Diego walks deliberately into the restaurant, his attempts at a
macho stride verging on having a physical disability. The door
closes behind him. Everyone watches him tensely.
He sits down in a booth and tells Emilio:
DIEGO
I'll take the number 9.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
a scene of Diego taking a bite of an omelette. He chews slowly.
Everyone watches as he eats.
DIEGO
Ahh! Filth!
He spits the omelette out all over the table. The restaurant
grows quiet. Diego looks at Emilio.
DIEGO
Clean it up, peasant.
He stands up and strolls around the restaurant.
The Mayor and his Wife exchange an uncomfortable glance.
Emilio closes his eyes. He begins to sputter out noises, trying
to form a sentence, as behind him...
Diego pulls a small bottle out of his pocket and quickly
sprinkles some goop onto a plate of food behind the counter.
Everyone is focused on Emilio.

4. Emilio finally opens his eyes.
EMILIO
The--you--this...that is not nice!
Diego stops and turns towards him.
DIEGO
Shut up, Egg! You were never meant to
be in this business. Failure after
failure; shall we take a trip down
memory lane?
Emilio is steaming with anger. Diego escalates.
DIEGO
You opened a restaurant that only
sells salad. Who were your customers?
Rabbits?
Emilio closes his eyes. He clenches his teeth.
Carolina stands up aggressively.
CAROLINA
Get out, Diego.
He ignores her.
DIEGO
Or my personal favorite, Hane's!
Emilio twitches.
EMILIO
That was named after my grandfather.
DIEGO
That's a brand of underwear, buddy! Do
you honestly think you can keep this
up?
Carolina storms over towards a cabinet, pulls out a glass, and
goes to the sink to fill it with water. She then goes up to Diego
and SPLASHES it into his face.
CAROLINA
That's enough, Swine.

5. They have a stare-off. Diego blinks first and then sneers. He
turns away and walks towards the door. When he gets to Emilio, he
stops, leans over close to his ear, and sniffs.
DIEGO
Smell that? Smells like loser.
He exits the restaurant and the door slams behind him.
Everyone is frozen or stunned. The Mayor scratches his ear.
Emilio sits down and breathes deeply. Jorge walks over to him.
JORGE
So is anyone else concerned about how
tight his pants are?
No one laughs. The Mayor clears his throat.
Carolina claps her hands. Tells the Mayor:
CAROLINA
Ay! Let me get you your food.
Carolina puts the glass onto the counter and picks up two plates
of pancakes and hash browns from behind the counter.
She sets them down on the Mayor's table. The wife smiles
uncomfortably and tries to lighten the mood by saying
MAYOR'S WIFE
Well, I'm starved!
The Mayor shoots her a look. She eats. He unfolds his napkin and
puts it on his lap.
Carolina grabs a towel from behind the counter and starts
cleaning up the water she spilled until we HEAR...
CHOKING NOISES. The Mayor is clenching a fork in one hand,
banging his hand on the table. His wife stands up and begins to
SCREAM.
MAYOR'S WIFE
Ahh! Darryl! Darryl!
Emilio, Jorge, and Carolina rush over, panicked.
EMILIO
What's wrong, Mayor?!

6. The Mayor shoots him a dirty look while gagging. Emilio moves to
push the table aside. Carolina grimaces.
The Mayor's pancakes have a green gooey liquid on them.
CAROLINA
Why did you eat those?!
MAYOR'S WIFE
We thought it was one of those new
organic things!
Jorge tugs at Carolina's clothes and points at the Mayor.
JORGE
Mom, mom!
The Mayor throws his fork into the other side of the booth.
EMILIO
What'do we do?!
MAYOR'S WIFE
Help him!
EMILIO
How?!
Emilio looks around frantically. The Mayor continues to flail and
gag. He begins to foam at the mouth. Jorge SCREAMS and hides
behind his mother.
CAROLINA
Ay give him the--what do you call it--
give him the Nyquil!
EMILIO
Nyquil?!
CAROLINA
Oh no, no, tilt his head back and
pinch the nose!
MAYOR
(through gags)
Not---a--nose--bleed---
The Mayor begins to convulse. Carolina starts screaming too, they
all crash about one another in horror.

7. Emilio fumbles in his pocket for his phone, and pulls it out. It
is a flip phone.
MAYOR'S WIFE
(screaming)
Oh God...oh God....who uses a flip
phone...oh God...
Emilio DIALS 911 frantically and speaks into the phone.
EMILIO
Hola, hola? We need an ambulance!
...Sí, sí, Ain't No Finer Diner on
Lincoln Street...
No..yes...yes, that's actually the
name of it. Rápido!
FLIP TO:
INT. RESTAURANT KITCHEN - NIGHT
The TELEVISION shows a shot of the Mayor lying in a hospital bed.
FEMALE REPORTER
(VO)
...But things took a turn for the
worse when Mayor Deblin and his wife
stopped by Ain't No Finer Diner in
Huntersville for a meal that turned
out to be worse than the restaurant's
name.
Emilio watches from a chair. He is holding the remote, completely
still.
Carolina and Jorge are cleaning up behind him, they look towards
him with concern.
On the TV, a shot of the Wife holding her husband's hand while he
lies in the bed is shown.
MAYOR'S WIFE
(on TV)
He took one bite. He took one bite,
and next thing we knew, he was foaming
at the mouth.
She wipes a tear from her cheek.

8. On the TV: a shot of the green gooey pancakes. We HEAR a FEMALE
REPORTER.
FEMALE REPORTER
(VO)
Lab results have revealed that rat
poisoning was the culprit for this
mishap. And this isn't the first time
Owner Emilio Montoyez has almost
killed a customer.
Emilio swallows and looks at the ground, taking a breath.
Carolina wrings out a washcloth into the sink, looking at him
with concern. Emilio looks back at the TV set.
On the TV, the Reporter - mid 20s, bubblehead - appears.
FEMALE REPORTER
In his official statement, the mayor
said that he will give Montoyez two
days to save his restaurant before
shutting him down for good. This Diner
might not be so finer after all. I'm
Katie Bentz, reporting to you live
from--
Emilio presses the power button on the remote and the screen goes
BLACK. He closes his eyes, leans back, and sits quietly.
Carolina comes up behind him and rubs his back to comfort him. He
takes a deep breath.
Jorge comes up to his father's side and looks at him tenderly.
JORGE
Dad?
Emilio opens his eyes and looks at him.
JORGE
Can I watch The Cheetah Girls?
Emilio looks at the ground. He gets up and faces them both,
putting a hand on Jorge's shoulder.
EMILIO
Not now, son. Not now.
He slowly walks to the counter and puts the remote on it.
Carolina and Jorge watch him sadly.

9. Carolina looks at the TV, mutters to herself:
CAROLINA
Another time, Il Vecchio.
They all exit out the front. Emilio locks the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Emilio, Carolina, and Jorge stand in a line. Emilio is wearing a
suit and a bow tie, Carolina a pretty low-cut dress with a
matching clutch and hat, and Jorge a button down tucked into
khakis.
Carolina turns to inspect Emilio. She nods approvingly at his bow
tie, then turns to Jorge. He is slouching.
CAROLINA
Jorge!
She swats him on the back with her clutch.
CAROLINA
Stand up straight.
Jorge straightens up somberly as...
A CAR pulls into the parking lot from the main road.
A bead of sweat drips down the side of Emilio's face.
The car pulls up in front of them then comes to a stop. A sticker
on the side of the car that says "INSPECTOR."
Jorge's mouth tightens as he puffs up his chest even more. He
tilts his chin up.
Emilio's hand is shaking. He says, low:
EMILIO
I don't think I can do this.
Carolina looks down at his hand and takes it into hers. She
squeezes it and they exchange a glance.
CAROLINA
God be with us.
Emilio takes a deep breath and they turn to face the car.

10. A man in a hat and long jacket emerges from the driver's side of
the car with a clipboard, SILHOUETTED by the SUN. He closes the
door to the car and clicks the key fob. Two HIGH-PITCHED BEEPS
are heard as the car locks. He is the INSPECTOR.
The Inspector walks towards Emilio. He comes to a stop, looks
down at his clipboard, and flips through some papers.
Emilio looks down at the clipboard, nervous.
The Inspector looks up. For the first time, we see his face. He
is Diego with a fake mustache and sunglasses.
DIEGO
Emilio Montoyez?
Emilio's face contorts into an expression of fear. Naive, he
doesn't recognize Diego.
EMILIO
Sir?
The WIND BLOWS. Diego's mustache flies off.
Jorge scrambles to pick it up. He hands it back to Diego.
Diego takes it and reattaches it to his face. Flustered:
DIEGO
Sorry... that happens...
Emilio laughs nervously. Carolina joins in but laughs too hard.
Jorge follows suit. The laughter fizzles out. Emilio clears his
throat.
EMILIO
We understand, Inspector.
Emilio holds open the door to the restaurant.
EMILIO
Come in, sir.
Diego walks inside. Carolina and Jorge follow. Emilio tugs at
his collar, then he too enters the restaurant.
INT. RESTAURANT
Emilio, Carolina, and Jorge cluster together in the center.

11. Diego lowers his sunglasses and peers at a table. He shakes his
head and jots something down on his clipboard.
Emilio scrunches his eyebrows together in concern. Carolina
places her hand on his back.
Diego walks towards the counter and GROANS disapprovingly. He
writes something down on his clipboard.
DIEGO
Hmm.
Jorge looks up at his father, worried.
Diego looks at the floor, then at the ceiling, then at a menu on
the counter. He picks it up and skims over it.
DIEGO
Hmmm.
Emilio looks, about to burst.
EMILIO
What is it?!
DIEGO
Hmmmmmmm.
Diego writes more on the clipboard. He looks up.
DIEGO
Yeah, I'm gonna have to take a look at
the back.
Emilio gestures towards the kitchen door.
Diego walks over to it and enters the kitchen. The DOOR CLOSES
behind him.
CAROLINA
Ay, I do not like him.
JORGE
I'm scared, Papi.
Emilio sighs heavily, pained. Puts a hand on his son's shoulder.
EMILIO
Me too, son. Me too.

12. INT. RESTAURANT KITCHEN - DAY
Emilio enters and watches as Diego inspects the stove. Diego
crouches down and looks at it closely.
DIEGO
And what, exactly, happens here?
Emilio shifts on his feet.
EMILIO
That is where we cook things.
DIEGO
Ah!
He stands up and walks around the room, glancing at the
refrigerator, the cabinets, and the sink. He adds more notes to
his clipboard.
Carolina and Jorge enter the room.
Diego writes something and then clicks his pen with a sense of
finality.
DIEGO
Well, that about wraps everything up
here.
EMILIO
So what happens now?
Diego takes a sheet of paper out of his notes.
DIEGO
You fix all of these things and you
might have a chance at survival.
Diego hands Emilio the paper. Emilio frowns, looks at it.
"SHOT" - THE PAPER. A bulleted list that reads: Better Color
Scheme, Less Ugly Wall Decor, Update Sign, New Appliances, Get
Rid of the Mexican Kid, Pimp My Restaurant Audition Tape...
Emilio scans over the list. He doesn't understand.
EMILIO
"Move Ficus in Front of Door?" That's
a fire hazard.

13. Carolina snatches the sheet from Emilio and looks it over.
CAROLINA
"Get Rid of the Mexican Kid?"
Carolina and Emilio look at Jorge. Jorge looks taken aback.
Emilio shouts,
EMILIO
That's my son!
Diego lowers his glasses to roll his eyes then pushes them back
and adjusts his mustache.
DIEGO
Look, you asked for my advice, and I
gave it to you. This is a science.
CAROLINA
This is no science, this is madness!
JORGE
This is Spart--!
CAROLINA
Quiet, son, that joke is dead.
Diego buttons his coat and heads for the door.
DIEGO
Like I said. You want to save this
restaurant, you follow the list.
They stare at him, all at a loss for words. Diego opens the door.
DIEGO
Good day, Mr. Montoyez.
Diego turns around and grins evilly as he exits the back door. A
moment later, her returns and hurries out front.
Emilio, Carolina, and Jorge all stand quietly for a moment.
JORGE
Are you really going to get rid of me?
Emilio looks at Jorge and says heavily:
EMILIO
I don't know son, I don't know.

14. JORGE
WHAT?!
CAROLINA
Emilio!
She starts for him. Emilio recoils in fear.
EMILIO
Lo siento, lo siento, of course he can
stay! I'm kidding!
Carolina lowers her hand and leans against the refrigerator.
Jorge leans against her. Emilio sighs, defeated.
EMILIO
What do we do?
Carolina looks up, determined.
CAROLINA
Everything we can.
Emilio meets her eyes. She gives orders:
CAROLINA
I will do decor! Emilio, you do the
money, and Jorge, fliers!
Jorge opens the drawer beside him. His face morphs into a creepy
smile as he looks inside at his Cheetah Girls notebook.
Carolina opens a cabinet and pulls out a designer catalog.
Emilio looks at the floor, deep in thought. His face lights up.
EMILIO
And I'll write a speech.
Jorge and Carolina grimace.
CAROLINA
Ay, honey, remember what happened the
last time, maybe you should not so
much do the speech.
Emilio shakes no and walks for the front, empowered:
EMILIO
I'll write a speech!

15. We HEAR INSPIRING MUSIC and...
CUT TO:
EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Diego walks out of the restaurant and turns the corner. He leans
against a wall and pulls out his phone. He presses "4" and puts
it to his ear.
The phone RINGS.
MAN (VO)
Hello, Clearview Pets, how may I help
you?
Diego checks to make sure no one is listening.
DIEGO
I need five dozen cockroaches by four
o'clock.
ROACH WRANGLER (ON PHONE)
Diego? Same place as always?
DIEGO
Yep.
ROACH WRANGLER (ON PHONE)
Alright, good deal.
Diego motions to hang up, but brings the phone back to his ear as
the Roach Wrangler says:
ROACH WRANGLER (ON PHONE)
Would you be interested in taking a
brief customer satisfaction survey to
rate the quality of your shopping
experience today?
DIEGO
...No.
He motions to hang up again.
ROACH WRANGLER (ON PHONE)
Sir, I'm gonna need you to take this
survey.

16. DIEGO
I don't want to.
ROACH WRANGLER (ON PHONE)
SIR! YOU WILL TAKE THIS SURVEY, AND
YOU WILL LIKE IT.
Diego cringes.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY - SERIES OF CUTS
Once again, we hear INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC. Under the music, Jorge
sits at a booth with printer paper, sticker letters, and markers.
He looks at a paper, deep in thought, then colors the edges with
a purple marker.
Carolina walks towards a wall carrying two containers of paint.
She sets them down then picks up a smock from the booth and puts
it on. The TV Remote sits on the table, it catches her eye.
INT. RESTAURANT BACK ROOM
Emilio paces back and forth thinking, stopping, jutting notes.
INT. RESTAURANT
Music continues. Jorge puts a sticker on the page. He smiles,
proud of his work.
Carolina rolls the brush against the wall leaving behind a fresh
trail of orange. As she paints, she watches the TV on the
opposite side of the room.
Mouth agape and absorbed in her show, she accidentally rolls the
brush onto the window. She turns abruptly and puts her hands on
her head, accidentally getting paint in her hair as well. She
drops the brush to the ground, paint splatters. She fumbles
around, panicked.
INT. RESTAURANT BACK ROOM
Emilio sits facing his computer. He is watching a Youtube video
titled "Obama's State of the Union Address 2013". He mouths the
words along with him and mimics his motions.

17. EXT. STREET - DAY
Jorge rides a bike on the sidewalk. He is wearing a backpack. He
stops at a wooden lamppost, pulls out a flier and a stapler, and
staples the paper to the pole.
The FLIER is a picture of the Cheetah Girls with a purple border.
In bold white letters, it reads: "Ain't No Finer Diner: Everyone
Deserves Redemption!" Beneath, "Half-Price Today 5pm-Close."
He rides out of frame.
Diego creeps into frame and pulls a black marker from his pocket.
He blacks out a tooth on the first girl, draws a mustache on the
second, glasses on the third, and armpit hair on the fourth. He
laughs and runs off.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Carolina frantically pulls a framed painting off the wall
opposite the one she had been painting.
She nails a hole into the wall above the window and hangs the
painting off of it, then steps back. It looks terrible. She
notices the paint splotches on the ground and looks around the
room, her gaze resting on a stack of placemats.
She scatters the placemats around the floor.
INT. BACK ROOM
Emilio watches his printer as a PAPER prints out. He picks up the
page to admire it and sits back, satisfied.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY - END MONTAGE
MUSIC FADES OUT. Emilio enters the main room. Carolina looks,
placemats in hand, and freezes.
Jorge enters the restaurant through the front door.
JORGE
Ay, Papi! You have to see my fliers.
Jorge glances at the mess, unphased. He pulls a flier out of his
bookbag, runs to his father, and hands it to him.
Emilio ignores Jorge and surveys the damage in the restaurant
around him. He starts to YELL but is cut off mid-shout--

18. CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT - SUNSET
The restaurant BUSTLES with activity. A large tapestry hangs over
the window in place of the painting, covering the paint streak.
Carolina takes orders from a FEW CUSTOMERS at a corner booth
while Jorge brings menus to a YOUNG COUPLE - a black woman and an
Asian man in their 20s - a few booths over.
Emilio is dressed in a nice button down and khakis. He stands by
the door, collected, with a smile on his face.
The Mayor and his Wife are seen approaching the restaurant
through the window. They walk arm-in-arm. As they get closer, the
Mayor tries to make a run for it, but his Wife chases him and
pulls him back while scolding him. They enter the restaurant
through the front door.
EMILIO
Hola, hola. Gracias, mi señor.
Emilio takes one of the mayor's hands into both of his.
EMILIO
Thank you for giving me a second
chance, Señor Mayor.
MAYOR
Well if we're keeping track this is
probably your eleventh--
Emilio is not listening. He hugs the Mayor's Wife, who
uncomfortably accepts. He pulls away and picks up two menus.
EMILIO
(with a flourish)
Ven conmigo, siéntense.
Emilio starts for a booth. The Mayor looks at his wife hatefully.
MAYOR
I can't believe you're making me do
this again.
MAYOR'S WIFE
Darryl, we are Christians. Forgiveness
is what we do.

19. They follow Emilio and sit down. The Mayor's Wife delicately
spreads her napkin onto her lap.
EMILIO
Can I get you started with anything
tonight?
As he says this, the FRONT DOOR OPENS.
DIEGO
How about your tears, lukewarm.
Emilio turns.
EMILIO
Won't the salt make you...salty? Won't
it make you salted?
Everyone stares at him, confused.
BLACK WOMAN
What were you going for there, honey?
Diego steps fully inside the restaurant and lets the DOOR CLOSE
behind him.
EMILIO
What do you want, Diego?
Diego struts towards an open booth.
DIEGO
Oh, don't mind me. I'm just here for
the show.
He sits down and folds his hands across his stomach.
Emilio stares at him distastefully. Carolina looks back and forth
at them and then steps forward.
CAROLINA
Ay, well would you look at that!
She motions towards the clock.
CAROLINA
It is almost the time for your speech.
She grimaces over the word "speech."

20. Emilio's mouth twitches, then he turns away from Diego and walks
into the back room. Carolina and Jorge exchange a look.
JORGE
Why a speech?
Emilio returns to the room. He raises his voice to read:
EMILIO
I want to thank all of you for coming
out tonight.
The restaurant grows silent.
EMILIO
It took a lot of hard work to open up
this diner.
He surveys the crowd. Carolina squints, pained. Jorge closes his
eyes and pulls his head back.
EMILIO
But, hey! We didn't minder!
He chuckles slightly and looks around the room expectantly. No
one even smiles. One customer coughs. Irritated, he looks down at
his paper.
EMILIO
Because when it comes to a diner...
The Black Woman and Asian Man exchange a look with one another.
Carolina brings the Mayor and his Wife their food.
EMILIO
There isn't one finer.
The crowd is still unamused. Diego laughs.
DIEGO
Look everyone, he writes as well as he
cooks.
Emilio begins to breathe heavily, angered. He continues
aggressively.
EMILIO
And in the nick of timer...

21. Diego narrows his eyes and waits. Emilio turns red with fury. He
can hardly continue.
EMILIO
We found...that we could...climb--
The Mayor's Wife jumps out of her seat and SCREAMS. Everyone
turns to look at her. She points.
MAYOR'S WIFE
COCKROACH!!
We see a COCKROACH crawl out of her food. Everyone begins
SCREAMING. ANOTHER COCKROACH crawls on another plate of food.
BLACK WOMAN
OH, HELL NO!
She flips the plate over. Everyone continues to SCREAM, even
Jorge and Carolina. Emilio turns to Diego. Diego looks at him
smugly.
Realizing what Diego has done, Emilio YELLS. He FLIPS A TABLE and
starts for Diego. Diego JUMPS UP and runs around. By this point,
everyone is running around SCREAMING.
DIEGO
That was some speech, Emilio!
The Black Woman runs past Diego, arms flailing. Emilio picks up a
plate and throws it at Diego, the VEIN in his neck buldging. The
plate SHATTERS against a light fixture and it begins to SPARK.
ASIAN MAN
AHH!
The Asian Man ducks underneath the table to avoid the shrapnel
and crawls away.
A spark lands on one of the placemats. It smokes a little.
EMILIO
HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME?
A Customer SCREECHES as COCKROACHES CRAWL UP THE WALL. Jorge
STOMPS at the ones at his feet. The SMOKING placemat starts to
CATCH FIRE.
DIEGO
What will the papers say, Emilio?

22. Diego runs away from the fire, enjoying his game. Emilio follows
YELLING in a fit of rage.
The Asian Man sits in a corner, rocking back and forth.
EMILIO
DIABLO, DIABLO!!
The placemats, which cover an entire section of flooring, BURST
INTO FLAME.
MAYOR'S WIFE
SHIIIIIIIITTT!
The Mayor's Wife runs towards a booth for cover. The Black Woman
is already under it. The Mayor's Wife rears back and PUNCHES her
in the face.
MAYOR'S WIFE
YAH!!
She SHOVES the Black Woman out of the way and DIVES beneath the
table.
Carolina rushes to the sink and FILLS A GLASS with water, then
runs back to the fire and throws it as if she were in a soap
opera SPLASHING someone in the face.
Diego and Emilio run past, Emilio throwing anything he can get
his hands on. Things SHATTER left and right. FLAMES CLIMB the
tapestry. Jorge runs into the kitchen.
EMILIO
THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PLEASANT
EVENING!!!
Emilio picks up a chair and launches it across the room. It
CRASHES THROUGH THE WINDOW.
The Asian Man begins to WEEP.
ASIAN MAN
Why...why...
He shakes a cockroach off of his shoe. Between sobs:
ASIAN MAN
...It's still not the worst date I've
ever been on...

23. The SCREAMING continues as the Mayor watches, speechless. Jorge
returns to the room, fumbling around with a fire extinguisher in
hand. He tries to use it but the force of it SLAMS him against
the wall and KNOCKS a picture down, which also BURSTS INTO
FLAMES.
The Mayor grabs the fire extinguisher from Jorge and SPRAYS
everything. As the air clears, everyone grows quiet and still.
They are all covered in foam.
The Asian Man is still WEEPING. He SNIFFS and stops.
Emilio calms down and the redness leaves his face as he looks
around the restaurant.
A cockroach scurries by the Mayor's foot. He SQUASHES it and
drops the fire extinguisher to the ground.
MAYOR
In all my years.
He looks at Emilio with disgust.
MAYOR
Never in all my years, have I ever had
the displeasure to dine in such a
filthy establishment that continues to
disappoint.
He walks toward the booth his wife is under and reaches out his
hand. She crawls out from under the table and grabs it, then
stands. To her husband:
MAYOR'S WIFE
Should we get our food to go?
The Mayor shoots her a look that silences her.
To Emilio:
MAYOR
It's over.
The Mayor and his Wife leave. The other customers also gather
their bearings and depart, wiping foam off of themselves as they
go. Only Carolina, Jorge, and Emilio are left.
Emilio stands, rooted to the spot, crushed. Carolina makes her
way through the rubble and looks at him with compassion. Jorge
shakes his head and comes to.

24. CAROLINA
Amore mio...
Emilio closes his eyes, suppressing back tears.
EMILIO
It's over.
A tear escapes his eye and rolls down his cheek. Jorge looks at
him. Seeing his father so upset fills his eyes with tears as
well.
Emilio heads for the door. A cockroach is crawling on his back.
JORGE
Papi...
Carolina puts her hand on Jorge's shoulder and shakes her head.
They stand together and watch as Emilio leaves the restaurant.
Emilio whispers to himself.
EMILIO
It's over.
The cockroach crawls into a spot of foam on his back and falls
through it to the ground. Emilio lets the door close slowly
behind him.
CUT TO:
EXT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Emilio walks around the side of the restaurant. The tune to
"Reflection" from Disney's Mulan begins to play.
Emilio looks into a PUDDLE beside the dumpster. We see his
REFLECTION as he SINGS.
EMILIO
Look at me.
I will never pass for a perfect chef.
Or a perfect father.
Emilio reacts to his reflection, defeated.
EMILIO
Because of me,
An interracial relationship couldn't
start.

25. An image of the Black Woman rejecting the Asian Man's attempt to
hold her hand.
EMILIO
Now I see,
That if I were to keep
This charade up,
My community would fall apart.
Images of the townspeople yelling with torches and pitchforks
outside of the restaurant. They part to reveal the Mayor and his
Wife using Jorge as a battering ram against the restaurant door.
Emilio turns and looks towards the sky.
EMILIO
Who is that boy I see?
Overweight.
He grazes his hands over his belly, and looks down into the
puddle, sad.
EMILIO
Five foot three.
Two star restaurants thirteen years
In a row.
Diego peers around the corner and watches, concerned. The Mayor,
Carolina, and Jorge poke their heads out as well.
Emilio brings his hands to his face and clenches his fists. He
releases them and puts them across his heart.
EMILIO
Why can't people come to dine
The Mayor's eyes fill with tears as his Wife, the Asian Man, the
Black Woman, and the same Customers from earlier join to watch.
Emilio crouches down and PEERS INTO THE PUDDLE.
EMILIO
At my restaurant
Without thinking they'll die?
His face contorts to an expression of anger as he sings
passionately:
EMILIO

26. When will I get recompense
For all I've sacrificed?
He slashes his hand through his reflection on the word
"sacrificed." The PUDDLE RIPPLES. Emilio sits back, wrapping his
arms around himself and sniffing. Softly:
EMILIO
All I know right now is that
All my dreams have died.
He lets his head fall and buries it into his arms. MUSIC OUT.
The onlookers exchange looks of concern with one another,
hesitant. The Asian Man and the Black Woman look into each
others' eyes and squeeze one anothers' hands.
Diego steps forward. Tenderly:
DIEGO
Emilio?
Emilio looks up and turns his head to face him, startled. He
drops his arms slightly.
DIEGO
That was...that was--
The Mayor also steps forward. Others follow.
MAYOR
Moving.
Jorge runs to his father and hugs him.
JORGE
That was cheetahlicious, Dad.
Emilio hugs Jorge, then lets go and wipes his eyes.
EMILIO
I...I didn't know that you all were
still here...
The Mayor's Wife smiles at him with kindness.
MAYOR'S WIFE

27. Darryl forgot his keys.
The Mayor puts his hand to his face and wipes it off in
disbelief.
MAYOR
I never should have said those things
that I did back there. You're a damn
artist, Emilio. I'm sorry.
Emilio smiles at him.
DIEGO
No.
Diego pushes through the crowd and stands tall. His face falls
from composure to sadness.
DIEGO
I'm sorry.
Diego turns to face the crowd. He points at Emilio. Loudly:
DIEGO
This is an innocent man.
Several GASPS are heard from the crowd. Diego continues,
emotionally:
DIEGO
I have spent the past five years
coming up with ways to push his
buttons, to sabotage his business, and
to negatively impact his self-esteem.
The members of the crowd look at him and each other, confused.
DIEGO
I poisoned the Mayor.
The Mayor is taken aback. Diego is ashamed.
DIEGO
I brought in the cockroaches.
A COCKROACH crawls by the Asian Man's feet. He jumps and
shudders. The Black Woman shakes her head and looks up.
BLACK WOMAN
But why?
Diego takes a deep breath.

28. DIEGO
...I didn't like his face.
DISAPPROVING MUTTERS amongst the crowd.
BLACK WOMAN
(sassy)
You didn't like his face--
The crowd quiets down as Diego takes in a SHARP BREATH and
continues, voice shaking with emotion:
DIEGO
BUT that's no excuse for ruining
someone's life.
The Mayor nods understandingly. A pause, then
ASIAN MAN
But really, what was it about his--
DIEGO
(dismissing)
Chin, okay. It's too round.
Emilio frowns and puts his hand on his chin, trying to look at
it.
DIEGO
But that's not the point. Now I see
the error of my ways.
He approaches Emilio and takes his hand. He pauses, then looks
into his eyes.
DIEGO
(sincere)
I'm sorry, Emilio.
Emilio looks back at him, touched. Carolina approaches.
CAROLINA
And I'm sorry for letting Il Vecchio
get in the way of what really matters.
She looks at him apologetically.
CAROLINA
I won't let it happen anymore.

29. Emilio smiles at her.
CONGRESSMAN WEINER steps towards him. Everyone looks at him,
confused as to when he arrived.
CONGRESSMAN WEINER
(regretful)
And I'm sorry for what I did to my
wife.
BLACK WOMAN
Congressman Weiner?
A CUSTOMER
Why are you here?
SQUEAKING NOISES are heard. Everyone turns to find the source.
THREE COCKROACHES crawl forward. GENTLE MUSIC plays.
They continue to SQUEAK. "We're sorry too. We never meant you
any--"
The MUSIC STOPS as the Asian Man SPRAYS the cockroaches with
insecticide. They SQUEAL then are silenced.
CAROLINA
So where does that leave us?
The Mayor looks at his wife. She nods at him.
MAYOR
In lieu of Diego's confession...
Diego makes a face that shows his regret. Emilio raises his
eyebrows hopefully.
MAYOR
(smiling)
I think I don't have any choice but to
give you another shot.
Emilio rises, enthralled. The crowd cheers.
EMILIO
Oh, gracias! Muchas, muchas gracias!
He hugs the Mayor. Though surprised at first, the Mayor warmly
returns the hug.

30. MAYOR
No one should ever have to give up on
their dreams.
They smile at each other warmly.
Emilio shakes hands with the Mayor, then his wife.
MAYOR'S WIFE
Congratulations, Emilio!
EMILIO
Gracias, muchas gracias!
FEW CUSTOMERS
Well done, Emilio!
They clap for him. He beams.
Carolina walks towards Emilio and puts her arms around his neck.
CAROLINA
Well done, amore mio.
EMILIO
I couldn't have done it without you.
CAROLINA
(tenderly)
Damn straight.
She leans in for a kiss, but is interrupted by a disgruntled
customer.
CUSTOMER
Okay, okay, hold up.
The celebrations stop and everyone turns to face him.
CUSTOMER
I hate to be the voice of reason here,
but look at this man's track record!
Even before Captain Muffin Top--
Diego lets out a girlish offended:
DIEGO
Uh!
The Customer continues without pause:
CUSTOMER

31. --Sabotaged him, Emilio opened up
numerous restaurants that were--
Congressman Weiner and the Black Woman pick him up and throw him
into the dumpster. He YELLS and CLANGING is heard.
Everyone CHEERS.
BLACK WOMAN
This is your night Emilio!
EMILIO
This is my night.
He pauses, smiling to himself, then shouts:
EMILIO
La vida es buena!
Everyone CHEERS and jumps. The screen freezes on them all, mid-
air. CHEESY MUSIC plays.
FINAL FADE.
THE END