2023/2024

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 SETTING

TIME

Jaly 31d through Sth.

ACT
¡| Scene 1: Washington Heights -
sunrise

BLACKOUT .

PERUSAL.
 ACT Il
Scene 1: Benny's Fire Escape — Sunday
morning

Abuela Claudia 6: Usnavi

... Carnila

Kevin
Scene 7: The
Street — t
ALABANZ..A..
. Nina
Scene 3: The Street later
thaafiemoon EVERYTHING
IKNOW.
Scene 9: Outside the Salon Piragua Guy
NO ME DIGA r
(REPRISB).... Scene 10: Vanessa de Usnavi
The Street
PIRAGUA (REPRISE),—
Scene 11; The Bodega .
CHAMPAGNB ..cc.mccornororioronn
es ararer cone Scene 12: The Usnavi € Company
Dispateh Booth
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
Scene 13: A Shady Alleyway late at
night
Scene 14: The Street — Monday
morning, sunrise

PERUSAL
 i
Y

k
;
1-1- Í4
1 ¡

ACTI

Yo pu ou the RADIO VOICE

, ll t m liddie pools and call me up with your sizaling summer
mari
scandal. Tomorrow'stthe Fourth goiJuly
I of ascorch
t bbut we're kicking off the celebration
h na! at' ng
tonight with fireworks o e erl
e s

USNAVI
Yo, tha's my wall!

GRAFFITI PETE
Pshh...

USNAVI

USNAVI
Oye, piragilero, como estas? | Hey, piragua guy, how are you?]

PIRAGUERO
Como siempre, Señor Usnavi. | [Like always, Mr. Usnavi]

PERUSAL
 1-1-2

USNAVI
1 AM USNAVI AND YOU PROB'LY NEVER HEARD MY NAME
REPORTS OF MY FAME ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED
EXACERBATED BY THE FACT
THAT MY SYNTAX
IS HIGHLY COMPLICATED
*CUZ IIMMIGRATED
FROM THE SINGLE GREATEST LITTLE PLACE IN THE CARIBBEAN:
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!
TLOVE Tr!

ABUELA
CLAUDIA (Enters,)
Doo-00!

Abuela, USNAVI
do we have milk at home?

ABUELA CLAUDIA
No, que pasó? | £No, what happened?]

USNAV!
TPs my fridge. 1 got cafe but no “con leche? | [with milk. "]

ABUELA CLAUDIA

USNAVI
Nice. Your lottery ticket.

PERUSAL
 1-1-3

ABUELA CLAUDIA
(She kisses the tickets and holds them up to the sky.)

(She exits,)
USNAVI

SHEWAS
NO ABUELA,
RE LLYM
THAT A“ABUELA.”
ME | ferandmother]
YRAIS
*SSHET PRACTICALLY
BUTTHI CORNE 1 HE ED , | fschaol]
NOWS YOU'R PROB'LY ESCUELA.
8 R THINKI
R
, “TME N:
EVE UP
B SHIT'S
NORT OCREEK!
WELL, YOU
IN NINETY SIXTH STREET!”
R ENEMUS
H TAKF TH A TRAI
HARLEM TO NORTBERN MANHATTAN
EVE FARTHET THA E E N.
N R N
OF MAINTAIN.
GEAND A 181 AN A.
E THE
T THIS
WRITING ESCALATOR.
DOWN,
T F YOU*R
THOP T %, D K
E TM EGONNA TEST YA LATER.
PM GETTING TESTED; TIMES ARE TOUGH ON THIS BODEGA.
TWO MONTHS AGO SOMEBODY*S BOUGHT ORTEGA?S, (Points
to the salon.)
OUR NEIGHBORS STARTED PACKIN” UP AND PICKIN” UP AND
EVER SINCE THE RENTS WENT UP
IT'S GOTTEN MAD EXPENSIVE
BUT WE LIVE WITH JUST ENOUGH.

CAR, DAN 8 W1-

5 AND ENDLESS DEBTS

PERLISAL,
 T-1-4

IN ALL
THE HEIGHTS

ISERVE . USNAVI
CAFÉ
ALL
*CUZ TONIGHT SEEMS LIKE A MILLION YEARS AWAY!
EN WASHINGTON—

USNAVI
NEXT UP TO BAT, THE ROSARIOS
THEY RUN THE CAB COMPANY, THEY STRUGGLE IN THE BARRIO
SEE THEIR
DAUGHTER NINA”S OFF AT COLLEGE,
, TUNTION IS MAD STEEP.
50 THEY CANT SLEEP, EVERYTHING THEY GET 18 MAD CHEAP!

- KEVIN
GOOD MORNING, USNAVI!

USN I
PAN CALIENTE, CAFÉ
AV —
CONLECHE! | [Hot bread,
coffee withmlK2]
KEVIN
PUT TWENTY DOLLARS ON TODAY'S LOTTERY.

ONE CAMILA
TICKET, THAT'S IT!
HEY
!
KEVIN
A MAN'S GOTTA DREAM...

CAMILA

PERUSAL
 1-1-5

KE N
B
VI THIS ONE'S
DON"T LOOK AT ME, EEN COOKING
ALL, WEEK!
CAMILA
USNAVL, COME OVER FOR DINNER.

KEVIN 3 CAMILA
THERE'S PLENTY TO EAT.

DANIELA
SO THEN YESENIA WALKS IN THE ROOM—

CARLA

DANIELA
SHE SMELLS SEX AND CHEAP PERFUME!

CARLA
Uh oh...
DANIELA TT
SMELLS LIKE ONE OF THOSE TREES
THAT YOU HANG FROM THE REAR VIEW!
CARLA
Ah, no!

DANIELA
TT*S TRUE! SHE SCREAMS “WHO'S IN THERE WITH YOU JULIO?”
GRABS A BAT AND KICKS IN THE DOOR.
BR*S IN BED WITH JOSE FROM THE LIQUOR STORE!
( t mel
CARLA £ USNAVI N e )]
NO ME DIGA! | [No Hdding!
o l
USNAVI
l
Daniela and Carla, from the salon,

PERUSAL
 1-1-6

(They exit. SONNY runs in.)

USNAVI
Sony, you're late.

SONNY
Chillax, you know you love me.

(SONNY exits,)

USNAVI
ME AND MY COUSIN RUNNIN? JUST ANOTHER DIME-A-DOZEN MOM
AND POP STOP AND SHOP.
AND, OB, MY GOD, IT'S GOTTEN
TOO DARN HOT, LIKE MY MAN COLE PORTER SAID.
PEOPLE COME THROUGH FOR A FEW COLD WATERS AND
A LOTTERY TICKET, JUST A. PART OF THE ROUTINE.
EVERYBODY'S GOT A JOB, EVERYBODY”S GOT A DREAM.
THEY GOSSIP, AS I SIP MY COFFEE AND SMIRK.
THE FIRST STOP AS PEOPLE HOP TO WORK, BUST
IT—T'MLIKE:

(People come through his store.)

ALL
IN THE HEIGHTS

PERUSAL
 1-1-7
GROUP 1:
(CAM, DA
CAR, AC B
KE BEN,GR, W 2 M
SON, USN, IBUY
V, MY COFFEE
N, P, 2 2
ANDIGO! — ' )
MÍ
GROLP ,
2: M4 £. M5)
IBUY (PIR, VW, W3, Wa,
MY VVS,
COFFEE AND-—

ALL
SET MY SIGHTS

GROUP 4
ON ONLY WHAT INEED TO KNOW.

WHATINEED GROUP 2
TO KNOW,

ALL
IN THE HEIGHTS
MONEY 15 TIGHT

BUTEVEN GROUP 1
$0.

BUTEVENSO, GROUP 2

ALL
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN I BLAST MY RADIO!

BENNY
YOU AIN'T GOT SKILLS!
-
NO

BENNY! USNAVI

LEMME BENNY
GET A—

USNAVI
MILKY WAY
1-1-8

BENNY
 1-1-9

USNAVI
WHAT?
BENNY £ SONNY
YOU STILL AIN”T GOT NO SKILLS!

USNAVI
HARDEE-HAR.
BENNY
VANESSA SHOW UP YET?
USNAVI
SHUT UP!
BENNY
BEY LITTLE HOMIE DONT GET SO UPSET.

USNAVI

BENNY

VANESSA
NO!
NO, NO
NO,NO, NO, NO-NO-NO!
NO!
NO, NO-
NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO,
NO-NO! N O-NO-NO-NO-NO!
M JOHNSO IGO TH SECURI DEPOS
KE ITA BOE N TYE I TO M C
TT.OBOT
TH LOSBT.
11"S
R N, LOC Y AN
IT NO D REFLECTED
X T MAK
N SAVI IN MM F YB STATEMENT.
.
BU
'S TPV BEE K A DOW PAYMEN
T NEANDPAY
N
[WO
N?
L
RENT,O E N T
NO, N T YOU DOWN—
O 'T E
BENNY
,
YO, HERE'S YOUR CHANCE; ASK HER OUT RIGHT NOW!

VANESSA
PLL SEE YOU LATER WE CAN LOOK AT THAT LEASE,

PERUSAL
 1-1-10

(She hangs up.)

BENNY
DO SOMETEIN”, MAKE YOUR MOVE, DONT FREEZE!

USNAVI
HEY!

VANESSA
(Approaches USNAVI)
YOU OWE ME A BOTTLE OF COLD CHAMPAGNE]

USNAVI
ARE YOU MOVING?

VANESSA
JUST A LITILE CREDIT CHECK AND I'M ON THAT DOWNTOWN
TRAIN!

USNAVI
WELE, YOUR COFFEE'S ON THE
HOUSE,

VANESSA
OKAY.
_
B ENNY
(Under
AVI, ASKhis
HERbreath, to SOÑNY)
USNUT. Q
SONNY
NO WAY!

VANESSA
PLL SEE YOU LATER, SO...

(VANESSA waits a moment, before exiting. USNAVI misses the mament,)

BENNY
O00EH... SMOOTH OPERATOR, AW, DAMN, THERE SHE GO!
YO, BRO, TAKE FIVE, TAKE A WALK OUTSIDE!
YOU LOOK EXHAUSTED, LOST, DON”T LET LIFE SLIDE!
THE WHOLE HOOD IS STRUGGLING, TIMES ARE TIGHT,
AND YOU”RE STUCK TO THE CORNER LIKE A STREEFLIGHT!

PERUSAL
 1-1-11

USNAVI
YEAH PM A STREETLIGHT,
CHOKING ON THE HEAT.
THE WORLD SPINS AROUND
WHILE PM FROZEN TO MY SEAT.
THE PEOPLE THATIKNOW
ALL KEEP ON ROLLING DOWN THE STREET.
BUT EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT
SO PM SWITCHIN” UP THE BEAT.

USNAVI
WE CAME TO WORK AND TO LIVE AND WE GOT A LOT IN
COMMON.

USN I
DR, P.R, WE STOPPIW.
AV
ARE NOT
AL
L CLAU
ABUE A
L DA F
Y E.
005THB
IN EVERY A PACIENCIA
DI
, Y, USNAV]
HEIGHTS
UNTI TH DA W G FRO
00H, LPOVERTY O M OPTIONS,
E Y TOE STOCK
00H. : ALL
PV GT TODA
E Y!
IN
THE HEIGHTS,
O
PERUSAL
 USNAVI
AND TODAY”S ALL WE GOT, SO WE CANNOT STOP,
THIS IS OUR BLOCK!

ALL
IN THE HEIGHTS,
TIHANG MY FLAG UP ON DISPLAY.

PIRAGUA GUY
LOLELOLELO LAI LA L LE!
I O
ALL
IT REMINDS MB THAT 1 CAME FROM MILES AWAY.

ENSEMBLE
IN THE HEIGHTS
IT GETS MORE EXPENSIVE EVERY DAY,

EVERY DAY
AL
AND TONIGHT IS SO FAR L AWAY—
USNAVI
YOUFO MAÑANAM PAN
A | ftomorrow my friend]
S R GOTT JU IT KEEP
A WATCHIN”
A S
USNAVI AL OTHERS
BEN, GRP,
YOU'LLSE TH M 8M
Mi, INL THE HEIGHTS!
LAT NIGHT 2 3
YOU”LLE E
E S,
TASTEAN RI LATE NIGHTS!
TH SSD CE IN THE HEIGHTS!
BEAN BEANS AND
SHAVEYRUP
E IC
D E, RICE! SHAVED
AND I TWIC IN THE HE[GHTS!
T E, ICE!
TAIN*T
GONNA SAY IT
SAY TWICE!

PERUSAL
 1-2-13

USNAMI ALL
TURN UP THE STAGE LIGHTS, AB
WE'RE TAKIN? A FLIGHT AH
TO A COUPLE OF DAYS AH
IN THE LIFE OF WHAT IT*S LIKE AB!

ALL
EN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS!

Scene 2: On the Street

What USNAVÍ
did] say? Go fix the fridge.
SONNY
Hells no, it was blowing fuses,
sparking and shit!

can get real dionrthtem!

USNAVI
J ain't wastin' no plane ticket on this kid. TIL be on Playa
Rincon with a rum and coke. Sonny can stay here and sell
Twinkies. *

SONNY
Sell? 111 givo “em away for free. P' m the Robin
Hood of El Barrio. (Exiés)
NINA
(Enters, looks around at the
neighborhood.) Hey!

USNAVI
Nina Rosario, what is up?!

NINA
Jetlag, 1 haven't slept ali
night.

PERUSAL
1-2-14

NINA
Bendición, Abuela. | [Blessingl

NINA
Y felt like ten.

NINA
1 got mine handed to mo ona
silver platter.

SONNY

NINA
Look who”s a grown man. tn
eL
qe
q
p
r
e
e
€
 1-2-15

USNAVi
That's fridge grease,

SONNY
Why you so jealous of my skills?

USNAVI
Back towor
k,(SONNY exits. To
NIÑA:)
Stop by later!
(Exits.)

MUSIC-18: NINA'S THEME- Ml

NINA
Those recipes you sent were my
survival kit.

ABUELA CLAUDIA
I had to make sure you remembered the flavor of home.
(Gets up.) .
Bueno, come inside, 1 haye your | [Good... little sandwich]
sandwichito ready!

NINA
T'll be there in
a second.
ABUELA CLAUDIA

Til go put the

fan on,

(ABUELA CLAUDIA exits into her apartment)

MUSIC E RESPIRA (BREATHE)

PIRAGUA GUY
SIGUE ANDANDO EL CAMINO [Continue walking
POR TODA SU VIDA. the way (path) of
your life. RESPIRA... Breathe...]

NINA
BREATHE.

PIR,
SON, (Overlapping)
Y SI PIERDES MIS
HUELLAS QUE DIOS TE
BENDIGA.
USN 8 M3
¿And f you lose your
way that god blessed
(gave) yow.

PERUSAL
 1-2-16

RESPIRA. | Breathe.]
ISMILE NINA
THIS IS MY E
AT THE FACES
STRET.
PVE KNOWN ALL MY LIFE. TBEY REGARD ME WITH PRIDE, AND
EVERYONB'S SWEEI,
THEY SAY “YOU”RE GOING PLACES!”
SO HOW CANISAY THAT WHILE] WAS AWAY, THAD
SO MUCH TO HIDE!
“HEY GUYS, IT'S ME!
THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT YOU KNOW.” THE
KID COULDN”T HACK IT,
SHE'S BACK AND SHE'S WALKIN” REAL SLOW,
WELCOME HOME, :
JUST BREATHE ...

ENSEMBL
(DAN, CAR, E:
PIG, SON, ,
SIGUE USN,
ANDANDO EL
W1 W, M3CAMINO POR TODA
5 8, M5)
SU VIDA. RESPIRA—

NINA ENSEMBLE
JUST BREATHE— Y SI PIERDESMIS HUELLAS
QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA.
RESPIRA—

NINA
AS
1 REMEMBER THE 1
THE RADIO PLAYS OLD FORGOTTEN BOLEROS,
PRASE,
NIN WHEN THIS CITY WAS "ENSEMBLE
THINK OF THE DAYS MINE.
A J
SAI "NINA, BE BRAVE
“AY, TEGONNA
YOU”RE
AND ADORO,
BE TE TE ADORO, | [Tiove you]
RESPI
QUIERO,”
FINE!" RA!
THE NEIGHBORHOOD TE QUIERO | [Iwant yo]
LIFETI
D ES
AGO AND
WAVED, RESPIRA!

AND MAYBEIT'S ME,

BUTIT ALL SEEMS LIE
M
NINA
SO WHAT DO ISAY TO THESE FACES THAT 1USED TO KNOW?
“HEY, PM HOME?”

PERUSAL
 1-2-17

wa
MIRA |
NINA,
fLook]
NINA
HEY...

NINA
THEY”RE NOT
WORRIED ABOUT ME...

NINA
THEY ARE ALL COUNTING ON ME TO SUCCEED

NINA

WHAT'LL YOU BE?”

JUST ME AND THE GWB, ASKING “GBE NINA,

PERUSAL
 1- 3-18

KEVIN
(Et the radio.)
Cient onovent y do e l a esquina,
[On hundred
y- ninet
o t
a ofrent
e de a McDonald's,
s, n e ,£orner
acro fro 1wo, n hMeDonald's.]
l l ss m e

PERUSAL
 1-3.-19

(Beat)
Atención, L know it*s hot but 1
don't want to see any drivers
withouta tie, this is Rosario's.
(Cozies up to CAMILA) +
How can you be stressed when our muñeca”s home? | fdo]

CAMILA
The mechanic called, he won't touch another engine till we pay for

last month,

KEVIN
Then PH get a little engine grease
on my hands.

CAMILA
Why, so you can hurt your back
again?

KEVIN
You used to thi]nwaks sexy when I
fixed cars.

CAMILA
Before all that mileage...
(Looking at a letter.)
Mira, Uptown Investment Group...

KEVIN
Another developer. 10s not an offer,
it's an insult.

CAMILA
Regency Bank.
(Opens a letter.)
We're behind on all these payments. We need an emergency loan,

KEVIN
We'll go ses the bank manager
Monday.

CAMILA
This can't wait, papi,

: KEVIN
The dispatcher called out,

BENNY
Hey, boss, P'11 cover the radio.

PERUSAL
 1-3-20

KEVIN
You don't speak Spanish.

BENNY
Ahem, there's a now voice he w the
riding ve today—
at a
 1-3-21

MANNY RAMIREZ IS IN TOWN THIS WEEKEND. SORRY

DOMINICANS, TAKE ROUTE EIGHTY SEVEN, YOU AIN'T
GETTING BACK IN AGAIN.
HOLD UP A MINUTE.

(Be puts down the radio.)

NINA
BENNY, HEY—

. BENNY
NINA, YOU*RE HOME TODAY!

NINA
ANY SIGN—

BENNY
.». OF YOUR FOLKS, THEY”RE ON THEIR WAY!f

NINA
ANYWAY-—

BENNY
TT"S GOOD TO SEE YOUR FACB—

NINA
ANYTIME—

BENNY
HOLD UP A MINUTE, WAIT]
YOU USED TO RUN THIS DISPATCH, RIGHT?

NINA
ONCE OR TWICE—

BENNY
WELL CHECK THE TECHNIQUE! YO!
(nto the dispatch.)
THERE'S A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT1IHAVE TO MENTION
AT THE INTERSECTION OF 10 AVE AND THE JACOB JAVITZ
CONVENTION CENTER
AND CHECK IT, DON'T GET STUCK IN THE RUBBER-
NECKIN” ON A HUNDRED NINETY SECOND,
THERE*S A DOUBLE DECKER BUS WRECK!

PERUSAL
 1-3-22

NOW LISTEN UP, WE GOT A SPECIAL GUEST!

BENNY
LIVE AND DIRECT BENNY...
FROM A YEAR OUT WEST!
WELCOME HER BACK, BENNY...

(NINA steps to the microphone.)

NINA
HELLO!

(Pe hear the cacophony of the most beautiful HORN CHART EVER

GOOD MORNING!

(NINA catches herself having fun, abruptly stops.)

BENNY
ANYTIME, ANYTIME, NINA.

(NINA heads for the door. BENNY stops her.)

BENNY
"WAIT HERE WITH ME.
IIS GETTING HOT OUTSIDE, TURN UP THE A.C.
STAY HERE WITH ME.

PERUSAL
 T- 4-23

OH!
WHOA,
OH!

Scene 4: The Street

(ABUELA CLAUDIA ¡s on her stoop, feeding pigeons.

USNAVI enters from the bodega)

USNAVI
Oye, you missed another doctors
appointment,

ABUELA CLAUDIA
Mijo, would you take medical advice from a man named Dr. Gross? | [My som]

USNAVI
As long as you're taking your
medicine.
(She doesn't respond.)

Abuela...Pero, Abuela, eso no importa... | [But, Abuela, it doesn't matter...

ABUELA CLAUDIA
It males my heart work better, but in return it gives me
headaches. Imagínate, with what those pills cost, I could
get myselfa good facelift.
(Demonstrating nips and tucks on her face.)
Sácalo de aqui, mételo pacá. | [Take a bit
here off here, put it here.] Sacalo de aquí, mételo
pacá. Pacá, pacá...

(SONNY comes out of the bodega with a soda in hand.)

SONNY
Who hooked itup? Ice cold Comntry Club Cola Champagne! Ahhhhbh,

USNAVI
Put that on your tab. You owe me five thousand, three hundred—

ABUELA CLAUDIA
Usnavi, I think he”s trying to tell you, he fixed the Frigidaire,

: SONNY
So let's talk about that raise. Fres sodas or I walk.

PERUSAL
 1-4-24
USNAVI
Half price. Cola Champagne, That?s my final offer,
Diet.
(Exits,
)
Ain
" SONNY
no Dominicans be drinking no diet soda!
(Fro
m VANESSA
across the street)
Be thankful, at least someoneSO around
NY here is getting a raise!
o
(Exi in t f N
T'm starting
ts a
to h union. Underage cousins bodega workers unite!
e bodega)

DANIELA
Excuse me, this isn't social hours.

VANESSA
. Sorry, it's Con Edison. 1 gave my mom half my check to

pay the bills... DANIELA

pa the
VANESSA y n.
(ito the phone.)
Hi ma*am? 1 get my check on Monday, I
Yes, P'Il hold,
can
(To DANIELA,)
Daniela, 1 know I still owe you
from last time...

DANIELA
Caria, whai*s my rule?

(Cor CARLA
(To VANESSA.)
r
She*!! do anything for you but she won't Support your
mothers malfunction...

Dysfunction. DANIELA
ecting her.)

PERUSAL
 1-4-25

VANESSA
My lights are going to be out all week.

CARLA
What would Jesus do?

DANIELA
Do 1 look like Jesus
to you?

-
VANESSA (Into the phone.)
Yes, Pm still here, No, don't transfer me!

Hello? Hello?

DANIELA
(Takes the phone.)
Comay, 11's timo to clear out that negative energy! | fGirifriend]
So take five and got me some packing tape.

VANESSA
Anything else? While Pm at it?

.
DANIELA A Pepsi.

EIN NA Mo Ted Te

(DANIELA and CARLA exit into the salon,)

VANESSA THE
ELEVATED TRAIN BY MY WINDOW
DOESN'T FAZE ME ANYMORE.
THE RATTLING SCREAMS DON”T DISRUPT MY DREAMS
TPS A LULLABY, INITS WAY.
THE ELEVATED TRAIN DRIVES EVERYONE INSANE,
BUTI DONT MIND, OH NO,
WHEN I BRING BACK BOYS THEY CÁN'T TOLERATE THE NO(SE,

PERUSAL
 T-4-26

(VANESSA approaches USNAVI outside the bodega)

Ay, Usnavi, help! SOS!

USNAVI
GOOD MORNING VANESSA! .
TF ITISN"T THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE PLACE...

(She wipes his check.)

VANESSA
YOU GOT SOME SCHMUTZ ON YOUR FACE.

USNAVI
Anotherla ,night
eh Whoever you wer
e wi e” g , h t nothing on those biceps.
Ibenc tepress
s ? s gallon
o mil an tw th fs caseso ean o Goya b
h i f k d o s,
x : VANESSA
Ttwas my mom. They shut off our power. Again.

USNAVI
Coffee, whole milk, Very sweet. Little bit of cinnamon.

PERUSAL
 I-4-27

VANESSA
Mm. Just like my abuela used to do.

USNAVI
That's what all the 1 remind them of their grandma.
ladies say.
SONNY

GOOD MORNING!

GOOD SONNY 8. USNAVI

MORNING!
(VANESSA kisses SONNY on the cheek. She grabs SONNY to dance.)

USNAVI
VANESSA!

SONNY
VANESSA!

SONNY 3, USNAVI]
VANESSA!

(Screaming from th DANIELA

saon.) e l
VANESSSSSAAAAAA! Tm thirsty, coño!
|
Zdamn!]
“VANES
SA Can 1 got a Pepsi and some
packing tape?

SONNY
Uh, my cousin over there with his tongue banging out, has
been meaning to ask you... .

VANESSA
Yes? ”

SONNY
What a lady such as yourself might be doing tonight?

VANESSA
Does your cousin dance?

PERUSAL
 L- 4.28
SONNY
Like a drunk Chita Rivera.

VANESSA
Okay... After Nina's dinner, we can hit a few clubs and check out the
fireworks.

OH SNAP! WHO”S THAT?

DON”T TOUCH ME D'M TOO HOT! YES! ned?]
QUÉDOPE!
SO PASÓ? LO SABE
YTUHERE 1GO! [Andyou
[Wh kno
at happe
w
S! NO PARE it] [Don't
, I! stop]
[Keep
SONNY 8 USNAV
SIGUE SIGUE! | going!

.
DID YOU SEE ME
(Continue!)]

USNAVI

SONNY 8 USNAVI
FREAKY
FREAKIT!
USNAVI
I
AK A
E
SONNY 3 USNAVI

“YOU!

GONNA SEE THIS HONEY

USNAV
M LITTLE MONEY AND ONE DAY T'LL
HOP JET

SONNY 3, USNAVI
BLUE! :

USNAVI
BUT UNTIL THAT FATEFUL DAY, PM GRATEFUL
IGOT A DESTINATION.
 PM RUNNIN TO MAKE IT HOME,

PERUSAL
 1-5-29

to him.)

VANESSA
FOR
THE NEIGHBORHOOD SALON IS THE PLACE I AM WORKING THE
MOMENT.

(They exit.)

BENNY
(nio the radio. Shaky
Spanish)

PERUSAL,
 BENNY
Exit fourteen, follow signs to Fort
Tryon,

NINA
The u-turn off exit fifteen is
quicker.

NINA
(Into the radio.)

BENNY

(Back to work) :
Yes sir.

NINA
It must be the bags under my
eyes.
CAMILA
(Enters.)

NINA
Mom,
 |
|
CAMILA |
Excuse me, you think youre all grown up?
.

NINA
,
I was hoping we could grab a few cofffees and go home for a minute.

KEVIN

A
No, we're celebratingl Caridad is still serving breakfast.

NINA
(Be ;
Tate atat)
Abuela Claudia's.
;
P
E

CAMILA :
So? T get to fatton you up, too! D

KEVIN |
We have to go by Daniela's. Everyone wants to ses you. ¡

NINA E
You guys!
;

Okay. 1 planned this whole speech on the plans...

.
E
KEVIN
Benny, give us a minute.
BENNY
|
(To NINA.) i
Tf thores anything 1 can do...

KEVIN :
Go.
E

(BENNY exis.)
 -
CAMILA
Mija.

NINA
1 lost my scholarship.

, CAMILA
Did you get in some kind of troubie?

1 PERUSAL
 NINA
No.

CAMILA
T's Justtell us what
okay. happened.

NINA
My grades
they called mowere below the cutoff so they put me on probation ,
into the Dean”s office
Añter midterms scholarship.*
and he was like, “We have to pull your

CAMILA
But you were studying nonstop!

NINA
No, I was working to pay for books 1 didn't have time to
read. Look, I ended up taking a leave of absence,

CAMILA
Does leave of absence mean drop aut? Nina, look at me,

NINA
1 guess you could say 1 left
school.

KEVIN
What?

CAMILA
Oh my god, when?

NINA
1 didn't know what to do—

CAMILA
When?

NINA
March.

CAMILA
Four months ago!? What were you doing since then?

NINA
Figuring out how to tell you. Staying on my friends couch.

PERLISAL
 1-5-33

CAMILA
Like a beggar? You lied to me! Every time 1 called you!

NINA
1 couldn't work two jobs and study for finals and finish my term
papers.

KEVI
N Two jobs? You said it was going
to be one.

NINA
It's expensive. The scholarship only covered part of it.

KEVIN
Then you pick up the phone and say, “Papi, I need some money.”

NINA
You laid off two drivers this
year.

KEVIN
Twould have found a way!

NINA
You dog"t know what college is
like!

KEVIN
Well then educate me, por
favor!

Pause)
CAMILA
Tm going to get started on dinner,

NINA
Cancel tonight.

CAMILA
“You be home in an hour!
(Exits,)

KEVIN
Why didn't you just ask me?

PERUSAL
What could you have
done? (Exits.)
THIS KEVIN
ISN'T HAPPENING,
INÚTL! USEL E
I
JUST LIKE MY FATHER WAS BEFORE ME:
SS.
INÚTIL! USELESS. :
AND EVERY DAY
HE CUT THE CANE,
HE CAME HOME LATE AND PRAYED FOR RAIN,
PRAYED ORF
RAIN.
AND ON THE DAYS
"WHEN NOTHING CAME
MY FATHER”S FACE WAS LINED WITH SHAME. HE*D
SIT ME DOWN BESIDE HIM AND HE'D SAY, “MY
FATHER WAS A FARMER,
HIS FATHER WAS A FARMER, AND
YOU WILL BE A FARMER.”
BUTITOLD HIM, “PAP, FM SORRY, PM GOING FARTHER. T'M
GETTING ON A PLANE.
AND 1 AM GONNA CHANGE THE WORLD SOMEDAYT” AND
HE SLAPPED MY FACE,
HE STOOD THERE, STARING AT ME, USELESS.

TODAY MY DAUGHTER*'S HOME AND 1 AM... USE LESS.

AND AS A BABY SHE AMAZED ME WITH
THE THINGS SHE LEARNED EACH DAY. SHE
USED TO STAY ON THE FIRE ESCAPE
WHILE ALL THE OTHER KIDS WOULD PLAY. AND
IWOULD STAND BESIDE HER AND P'D SAY:

“TM PROUD TO BE YOUR FATHER, *CUZ

YOU WORK SO MUCH HARDER, AND YOU
ARE SO MUCH SMARTER THANI WAS
ATYOUR AGE.”
ANDI ALWAYS KNEW THAT SHE WOULD.-FLY AWAY. THAT SHE
WAS GONNA CHANGE THE WORLD SOMEDAY.

PERUSAL
 1-6-35

[ WILL DO WHATJT
THEY'LL HAVE EVERYTHING TEEY NEED.
TAKES.
OR ALL MY WORK, ALL
EVERYTHING
MY LIFE, I'VE SACRIFICED WILL HAVE BEEN USELESS.
MANS EAN

Scene 6: The Salon

(The ladies are packing.)

DANIELA
“You know me, 1 don't like to talk
about
nobody, pero... oye esto! | fowe...listen to this!]

CARLA
Dani, don't! My pastor told me
gossip is a sin,

DANIELA
Jesus, perdóname. Gladys went behind | [forgive me.]
my back for aten dollar hairdo and
guess what she found | ZA cockroach.]
in her extensions? Una
cucaracha, One of the big
ones, with wings.

(NINA enters,)

NINA
Hey, ladies...

DANIELA
Entre, mijal | [Come in, girl friend!]
CARLA
Mira quién es! | [Look who dt is!]
VANESSA
Hells yeah, she?s
back
NINA

(To VANESSA.)
I called yon all
morning.

PERUSAL
 1-6-36

VANESSA
Gues who confiscated my phone? Next
pufall,
m i you suite an ta m
s
with you. t e n r ase d ke o
NINA
(To DANIELA,)
Mind if
I steal Vanessa for a
minute?
D ELA
—| ANI
And what are we, chopped chuletas? fporkchops]

CARLA
Pobrecita, you need a | fPoor girl]
makeover.
s u a
t NINA
1 have to go help my mom...P'11 ee yo dinner?
th doo
at r DANIELA
Pl be packing. Tomorrow we close forever!

. NINA
Ok no. t )
e Sis
Alright,
Ca yo n minutes,
m u
DANIELA
believe the salon's moving to the Bronx?
t th hood
o e .
VANESSA
Gettin” out the barrio, and headir”
( -
The kee
y p
T DANIELA
o NINA) NINA
raising the rent, what can I do?

DA LA
Man, now who's going to mess
a aup my highlights?
á th Bron fr eyebro t
n e x, ee w
Ungrateful! Txmess up your highlights
NINA And if you come
NIE
visit UN
discount price.
waxing!

You're the only person who touches these

brows,

PERUSAL
 1-6-37

DANIELA
So Isee. Tweezers!

(VANESSA hands her tweezers,)

CARLA
Ay pero, what happened to these curls? You need some hair gel mami,

MUSIC 6: NO ME DIGA Ñ

NINA
Oh god, do not make my hair all
eruuchy!

DANIEL
A You have to accept hair gel into
your life!

DANIELA
GORGEOUS
!
CARLA
CARLA 8| [Pretty woman!]
LINDA! DANIE

TELL , LA
ME SOMETHING 1 DON*T KNOW!
- VANESSA
VIEJA! - | [Old women!]
L
DANIELA
SUCIA! A| [Dirsy girl]

CAR
CABRONA! | [Bastard! (Bitcht)]
CARLA, VANESSA 8, DANIELA
TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW!
; CARLA
ALITTLE OFF THE
TOP!
DANIELA

A LITTLE ON THE
SIDE!

PERUSAL
 1-6-38

NINA

ALL
TELL ME SOMETHING 1DON"T KNOW!

DANIELA
BUENO.
YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME
BUT SOMB LITTLE BIRDIE TOLDME,
.

DANIELA
OKAYI
JUST WANTED TO SEE WHAT YOU'D SAY!
AL
TELL ME SOMETHING I LDON”T KNOW!
CARLA, 8 DANIELA
NINA
(at Vanessa)

VANESSA
What? 1
don't
ALL
carel | Oh, gosh! (Oh, goodness!)]
S NIN HEAR YO BEE
AY
O A, U N
BENDITO!
,
DANIELA
TALKING
TO
NINA
BENNY. AND WHAT DO YOU HEAR?

DANIELA

PERUSAL
 1I-6-39

NINA

CARLA
1DON”T THINK IKNOW WH AT YOU
MEAN...

DANIELA
CARLA! HE*S PACKING A STRETCH
LIMOUSINE!

VANESSA
PL BE YOU IMPRESSED THEM ALL OUT WEST;
L T
YOU WERE ALWAYS THE BEST, NO DOUBT!

THEY'LL DANIELA
CALL YOUR NAM E—

PERUSAL
 1-6-40

NINA
You guys, 1 dropped out.

- DANJELA, CARLA 8. VANESSA

No me diga?!

NINA
I should go.

(She exits)

DANIELA
That's a shitty piece
of news.
CARLA
That girl never
quitanything. DANIELA
| fGíri]
Muchacha never got
Sh go a C í gy
e a B!
t n m
D
VANESSA
ía i an
once. [ had to talk her off the fire escape.
lc t d
e
ANIELA
Maybe theWha t he
pressure cooker couldn't
t h ll pah, the lid flew off!
e
VANESSA
But happened?
wiy?

DANIELA
1DON”T
KNOW...
DANIELA 8, CARLA

IDON'T KNOW.
DANJELA
1DON”T KNOW...

CARLA 8 VANESSA

PERUSAL
 1-7-41

ALL
QUÉ SÉ | [What do 1now?]
YO?

BENNY
Does my tie look straight?

a Qu USNAVI
Benny, you look the same as yevery
it d trying to impress Nina,
.
SONNY
Whao (Smiffs.)
, you need to impross some Old Spice under those arms.

BENNY

SONNY

T' o . Th d BENNY
m wlearning
m tr n insisomeone
an ou else's e
dime ay I open Benny”s Car Service, PI
y a de d t.
Iuo de
a ta t
ke h USNAVI
Either one of you Rockefellers wann s business off my hands?
i

SONNY BENNY
Heck no, Naw, D'm cool,

USNAVI
1 didn*t think so.

GRAFFITI PETE
Whatup? Buy my
tshirt.

PERUSAL
 USNAVI
That's your sales pitch? Get the hell
out of here.

GRAFFITI PETE
Today”s special, two for twenty.

USNAVI
How about1 give you nothing and yon scrub your initials off my awning? .

SONNY
(Bands PETE a slushee,)
Sonny”s Secret Recipe.

USNAVI
That's a dollar twenty five.

GRAFFITI PETE
Let's 1 got some roman candles, bottle rockets. Third of July, party starts
trade,
tonight!

USNAVI
Contraband, Vandalism. You got three seconds before I call the cops. 9.
1.

(GRAFFITI PETE exits,)

"
SONNY Usnavi, double check this.

(Hands USNAVI the paper.)

: USNAVI
Take Five Lotto. Hold up, we sold a wianer yesterday?

BENNY
Somebody won?

SONNY
Yo, I want a cut of your cut!

USNAVI
1 don't get a cut. Yup, these
numbers match!

PERUSAL
 1-7-43

BENNY
Whaf's the payont? Don't tell me no five hundred dollars.

MEAT a _
USNAVI
NINETY SIX THOUSAND!

SONNY 8, BENNY
DAMN!

USNAVI
NINETY SIX THOUSAND!

SONNY
DOLLARS? HOLLER!

USNAVI
NINETY SIX THOUSAND!

BENNY
Y
O
IF WON
WEL IENOTHE LOTTO BOTH
IWOULDN TOMORROW,
R
, LW
, 'T SPENDIN?
E SPREE.
GOIN' ON NO
TD PICK A BUSINESS SCHOOL AND PAY THE ENTRANCE FEE!

PLLBEA BUSINESSMAN, RICHER THAN NINA”S DADDY!

DONALD TRUMP AND 1 ON THE LINKS, AND HE” S MY CADDY! MY
MONEY?*S MAKIN MONEY,
TM GOIN FROM PO* TO MO” DOUGH!
KEEP THE BLING, 1 WANT THE BRASS RING, LIKE FRODO!

PERUSAL
 1-7-44

USNAVI
OH NO, HERE GOES MR, BRAGGADOCCIO
NEXT THING YOU KNOW, HE'S LYING LIKE PINOCCHIO—

BENNY
WELLJF YOU'RE SCARED OF THE BULL, STAY OUT THE RODBO!

GRAFFITI PETE
YO, IGOT MORE HCES THAN A PHONE BOOK IN TOKYO!

USNAVI
00H, YOU BETTER STOP RAPPIN YOU'RE NOT READY
TUS GONNA GET HOT AND HEAVY,
AND YOU'RE ALREADY SWEATY—

GRAFFITI PETE
Y-Y-YO! YO!...

USNAVI
“YO! YO! IM SORRY WAS THAT AN ANSWER?
SHUT UP, GO HOME AND PULL YA DAMN PANTS UP! AS
FOR YOU, MR. FRODO OF THE SHIRE-—
96 G'S AIN"T ENOUGH TO RETIRE

BENNY
C*MON, ILL HAVE ENOUGH TO KNOCK YOUR ASS OFF ITS AXIS!

USNAVI
YOU'LL HAVE A KNAPSACK FULL OF JACK AFTER TAXES!

(SONNY runs to ABUELA CLAUDIA.)

SONNY
NINETY SIX THOUSAND!

ABUELA CLAUDIA
(Crosses
herself.) Ay | fOh, praise!]
alabanza!

(ABUELA CLAUDIA disappears into her apartment. SONNY

runs to the salon.)

SONNY
NINETY SIX THOUSAND!

PERUSAL
 BENNY
IT WOULD FEEL
FOR REAL, THOUGH, IMAGINE HOW
GOIN? REAL SLOW
NO REGRETS
DOWN TH HIGHWAY O LIF WITH
E
AND NOE BREAKIN' YOURF NECK FOR RESPECT OR A PAYCHECK
TLLTAKEA BREAK FROM THE WHEEL
FOR REAL, THOUGH,
AND WE'LL THROW
HERE
THE BIGGEST BLOCK PARTY, EVERYBODY

CARLA
CHECK ONE TWO THREE
W NINETY sIX G'S?
WHAT WOULD YO U D ITH
O
DANIELA
WHO ME?
CARLA
IMEANIF
ME?
ITS JUST BETWEEN YOU AND

PERUSAL
 1-7-46
CARLA
IXNOW.

DANIELA
WITH NINETY SIX G*S
TD START MY LIFE WITH BRAND
A NEW LEASE!
ATLANTIC CITY WITH MALIBU
A BRBEZE

CARLA
AND A BRAND NEW WEAVE!

DANIELA
OR MAYBE JUST BLEACH...

VANESSA
Y'ALL ARE FREAKS.

USNAVI
Yo, Pm just sayin”...
IT'S SILLY WHEN WE GET INTO THESE CRAZY HYPOTHETICALS
“YOU REALLY WANT SOME BREAD?
THEN GO AHEAD CREATE A SET OF GOALS.
AND CROSS THEM OFF THE LIST AS YOU PURSUE
*EM, AND WITH THOSE NINETY SIX,
TKNOW PRECISELY WHAT I'MDOIN?.

“VANESSA
WHAT'CHU DOIN?

USNAVI
WHATM 1 DOIN? WHAT'M 1 DOIN? IT
TAKES MOST OF THAT CASH
JUST TO SAVE MY ASS FROM FINANCIAL RUIN!
SONNY CAN KEEP THE COFFEE BREWIN”,
AND PLL SPEND A FEW ON YOU, *CAUSE
THB ONLY ROOM WITH A VIEW'S
A ROOM WITH YOU IN IT!

AND [COULD GIVE ABUELA CLAUDIA THE REST OF TT.

JUST FLY ME DOWN TO PUERTA PLATA,
PLL MAKE THE BEST OF 111
YOU REALLY LOVE THIS BUSINESS?

PERUSAL
 1-7-47
SONNY
NO.

USNAVI
TOUGH, MERRY CHRISTMAS.
YOU”RE NOW THE YOUNGEST TYCOON IN
WASHINGTON HIZNITS!

SONNY
YO!
WITH NINETY SIX THOUSAND, I'D FINALLY FIX HOUSIN”,
GIVE THE BARRIO COMPUTERS AND WIRELESS WEB BROWSIN”,
YOUR KIDS ARE LIVIN" WITHOUT A GOOD EDJUMICATION,
CHANGE THE STATION, TEACH EM ABOUT GENTRIFICATION. THE
RENT IS ESCALATIN”,

GRAFFITI PETE
WHAT?!

SONNY
THE RICH ARE PENETRATIN”.

GRAFFITI PETE
WHAT?
SONNY

GRAFFITI PETE
WHAT?!

SONNY
WHAT ABOUT IMMIGRATION?

GRAFFITI PETE
WHAT?

GRAFFITI PETE
WHAT?

PERUSAL
 1-7-48
SONNY
RACISM IN THIS NATION'S GONE FROM LATENT TO BLATANT.

ALL
00000HI1 / WOOH!

SONNY
PLL CASH MY TICKET AND PICKET, INVEST IN PROTEST,
NEVER LOSE MY FOCUS TILL THE CITY TAKES NOTICE
AND YOU KNOW THIS MAN! PLL NEVER SLEEP
BECAUSE THE GHETTO HAS A MILLION PROMISES FOR
ME TO KEEP!

VANESSA
“You are so cute!

SONNY
I was just thinking off the top of
my head.

USNAVI
Ninsty-six K: Go!
VANESSA .
IF 1 WIN THE LOTTERY, YOU”LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN,

USNAVI
DAMN, WE ONLY JOKIN”, STAY BROKE THEN,

VANESSA
TLEL BE DOWNTOWN, . GET
A NICE STUDIO, GET OUT OF TBE BARRIO.

VANESSA BENNY
1FI FOR REAL THOUGH,
WIN IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD FEEL
THE GOIN” REAL SLOW,
LOTTERY, DOWN TEE HIGHWAY OF LIFE
YOU”LL WONDER WHERE TVE WITH NO REGRETS,
BEEN. AND NO BREAKIN' YOUR NECE
FOR RESPECT OR A PAYCHECK—

PERUSAL
 1-7-50

USNAVI BENNY
YO(TTS FOR REAL
SILLY WHEN WE THOUGE,
GET INTO THESE TLL TAAKBREEAK FROM
THE WHEEL AND WE'LL
CRAZY EYPOTHETICALS.
THROW

THE BIGGEST
“YOU REALLY WANT SOME
BLOCK
BREAD, THEN GO AHEAD
PARTY, EVERY-
CREATE A SET OF GOALS.
BODY HERE,
CROSS "EM OFF THE LIST AS
YOU PURSUE "EM,

A WEEKEND WHEN WE
AND WITH THOSE NINETY CAN BREATHE, TAKE
SIX [KNOW PRECISELY IT EASY.
“WHAT PM DOIN”.

FOR REAL
YO! IPS
THOUGH,
SILLY WHEN WE IMAGINE
GET INTO THESE -
HOW IT WOULD FEEL GOIN*
CRAZY HYPOTHETICALS,

REAL SLOW,
YOU REALLY WANT SOME
DOWN THE
BREAD THEN GO AHEAD
HIGHWAY OF
CREATE A SET OF GOALS,
LIFE WITH
NO REGRETS,

CROSS "EM OFF THE LIST AS

YOU PURSUE *EM, AND WITH AND NO BREAKIN”
THOSE NINETY SIX, YOUR NECE.
FOR RESPECT OR A
1KNOW PRECISELY PAYCHECK
WHAT PM DOIN?.

PERUSAL
PERUSAL
 USNAVI FOR REAL
YO!
SILLY WHEN WE GET
IT'S THOUG
BENNY
THESE
INTO H,
CRAZY BREA PLL
FR
HYPOTHETICALS, THE
K O
TAKE
WHEELA
BREAD THEN GO
YOU REALLY WANT M
AHEAD
SOME CREATE A SET AND WE'LL THROW,
OF GOALS. BLOC
K
YOU PURSUE THE BIGGEST
*EM, PARTY, EVERY-
AND
CROSSWITH THOSE
"EMOFF THE
NINET BODY HERE,
LIST PASDOIN
WHA
T ' *! WHEN
CAN
WE
SIX M REATHE,
, 1] KNOW
NIN TY A WEEKEND
TKNO
SI Y
WPRECISELY B
WHATIP TAKE IT
M
EASY.
AND WITH
E

THOSB
X
PRECISELY
DOI. OH, WHOA, OH!

Yo!
PERUSAL
 1-7-53

WOMEN 3 MEN VANESSA |

WITH 96 G'S PLL
BE DOWNTOWN,
MEN
WE MOVIN” ON TOMORRAH,

WOMEN A
BRAND NEW LEASE

MEN
WE ROCK BEYOND MAÑAÑA,
SEE
WOMEN A YOU Ú
MALIBU BREEZE... AROUND!

MEN
WE DROP THE MAMA DRAMA, WE
STOP AT THE BAHAMAS!

WOMEN
WHY-OH!

Ñ
MEN -"
WE DRINK PINA COLADAS!
POPPIN” LOCKIN” UP THE BLOCK
AROUND!
WOMEN
WHY-OH!

MEN !
DROP IT LIKE 11”S HOT!

PERISAL

ji
 USN 3
BEN
WHA??
WHA”?
WHA”?
WHA”?

PERUSAL
 1-8-55

ALL
WE'LL GET THE DOUGH “N” ONCE
WE GET GOIN”
WE'RE NEVER GONNA STOP!

MUSIC 7A: 96,000 PLAYOFF/ABUELA'S TRANSITION

NINETY SIX THOUSAND

NINETY SIX THOUSAND
NINETY SIX THOUSAND

Scene 3: The Street

(NINA and CAMILA enter.)

CAMILA
Call your fathor. He was supposed to help me, and he*s not picking up.

NINA
We're fine, we have all afternoon.

CAMILA
We ate not fino.

(They exit into the bodega. ABUELA CLAUDIA comes

out onto her stoop.)

CLAUDIA
Ay, que calor. Usnavi, o00-o0! | £4y, the heat.]

USNAVI
(Enters.)
Something's wrong, you were off pitch,

CLAUDIA
TPs the heat. Toma,:your ham and cheese. | [Here]

USNAVI
Thanks. You know, you. already
brought me one,

CLAUDIA
De verdad? My memory goes two miles an hour. |
(Really?2] T'm teling a walk, 1 need some air,

PERUSAL,
 1-3 -56

USNAVI
Breaderumbs for your birds.
(Hands her a lite
bag.) Stay in the shade,
okay?

CLAUDIA
Ah! I should stop by Padre Carlos”s church and light a few candles,

USNAVI
Light one for my broken grata, 1 gotta go call the mechanic about that thing.
Mi
amor, like you always say, patience and faith.

CLAUDIA
Paciencia y fe.

(USNAVI exits,)

ABUEL
A
CALOR..
CALOR...CALOR. CALOR. CLAUDIA
AY,
. ..CALOR...
.. CALOR...
TH SUMM
MAMÁ! OTTES DA
E E YF T Y Y
AY CARAJ IE HO .
, O, R'S
T! T! H !
THAT OKAY PACIENCIA FE!
BUT (She ' the
makes S sign of the-cross)
PACIENCIA
'S ! | fldiom: hell (shis)]

MAMÁ WOULD SAY, “PACIENCIA Y FE!”

I'REMEMBER NIGHTS, ANGER IN THE STREETS,

PERUSAL
 1-3-57

HUNGER AT THE
WOMEN FOLDING CLOTHES, PLAYING WITH
WINDOWS.
IN THE SUMMER
MY RAIN...
FRIENDS MAMÁNEEDS A JOB, MAMÁ
ONE DAY .YOU
SAYS
SAYWE'RE POOR,
AND NUEVA YORK
“VAMOSA
WAS FAR, NUEVA YORK...”| [Let's go to
New York...”] BUT NUEVA YORK HAD WORK.
AND SO WE CAME...
AND NOW, PM WIDE AWAKE A
MILLION YEARS TOO LATE
ITALK TO YOU, IMAGINING WHAT YOU”D DO
REMEMBERING WHAT WE WENT THROUGH

(The music swells into a mambo groove. PASSERSBY on the

sidewalk come to life, waving hello to ABUELA CLAUDIA as
they pass.)

NUEVA YORK] AY MAMÁ!

TT'WASN”T LIKE TODAY,
YOU'"D SAY:
“PACIENCIA Y FE,

ENSEMBLE:
(PIR, W1-4, M1-
“PACIENCIA Y 6)
FE,

ABUELA CLAUDIA
PACIENCIA Y
FE!”
FREEZING IN EARLY DECEMBER
ENSEMBLE

PACIENCIA
IN Y-—
ESPAÑOL,
IREMEMBER,
ABUELA CLAUDIA
FRESH OFF THE BOAT IN AMERICA

A CROWDED CITY INNINETEEN FORTY THREE!

LEARNING.TBE ROPES IN AMERICA
DANCING WITH MAYOR LAGUARDIA,
ALL OF SOCIETY WELCOMING M4M7 AND ME!
HA!

PERUSAL
1-8-58

AND HERE ISTAYED.

PACIENCIA USN,
Y FE...
BEN, GRP 2 M3
PACIENCIA Y

SON, PIR, M5 € M6
FE...

PERUSAL
 1-9-59

DAN, CAR, NIN, SON,

(She stops and laughs.)

Alright, Mamá. Okay,

PACIENCIA Y FE.

CAR, NIN, CAM, DAN, SON, USN, BEN, GRP 3, W5 +

PERS

PERUSAL
 I-9-60

SONNY
Well, well, well. Nina Rosario. 1 think we both know what time it is.

NINA
Your bedtime?

SONNY
Not yet. 1's time you open that wounded soul up to Sonny.

NINA
T's tempting.

SONNY

BENNY
(Entering from the dispatch, calling
behind kim.) Domingo, it's all you.

NINA
(Zo SONNY.) . :
Can] get a rain check on that
slushes

SONNY
Bat—

BENNY |
Yo, Sonny.
(Gestures that SONNY should get lost.)

SONNY
One day yow'Il both sympathy and will I bo there? Probably,
need my (Exits.)

BENNY
Is this step taken?

NINA
(Scoots over.)
Did you learn some more curse words?

PERUSAL
 BENNY
(Sits.)
Tm trying but it's like two different languages. Puer Rica
Dominican Spanish, Spanish. to n

NINA
I hear They spoke a different kind of English at Stanford.
you.
BENNY

Really?
NINA

BENNY
You need to teach them some local
vocabulary.

NINA
Oh 1 did, Every day in the cafeteria, 1 was like, “Oye, you
need somo fries with that?”

-BENNY
(Like a toast.)
To not speaking the language.
NINA
THE WORLD,
WHEN TO THINK WE LIVED AT THE TOP OF MAP
TUSED
THE WORLD WAS JUST A SUBWAY LIN
AND THE ONE-SLASH-NINE CLIMBED 4 DOTTED TO E
MY PLACE.

BENNY
THERE'S NO NINE TRAIN NOW,

NINA
[USED
RIGHT. TO THINK THE BRONXA WAS MAP. IN
A PLACE
SUBWAY THE SKY,
WHEN THE WORLD WAS JUST AND
MY THOUGHTS TOOK SHAPE

PERUSAL
 1-9-62

NINA € BENNY
ON THAT FIRE ESCAPE ...

NINA
CAN YOU REMIND ME OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE AT
THE TOP OF THE WORLD?

BENNY
COME WITH ME.
WE BEGIN JULY
WITH A STOP AT MY CORNER FIRE HYDRANT.

NINA
“YOU WOULD OPEN IT EVERY SUMMER,

BENNY I
WOULD BUST IT WITH A WRENCH TILL
MY FACE GOT DRENCHED, TILL
[HEARD THE SIRENS,
THEN IRÁN LIKE HELL!

NIN
A YOU RAN LIKE HELL!

_
BENNY YEIRAÁN LIHKE H,ELL!

NINA -
I REMEMBER WELL!

BENNY
TO YOUR FATHER?S DISPATCH WINDOW, (He
bangs on the window.)
“HEY, LET ME IN, YO!
THEY”RE COMING TO GET ME!”

NINA
“YOU WERE ALWAYS IN CONSTANT TROUBLE—

BENNY
THEN YOUR DAD WOULD ACT ALL SNIDE, BUT HE LET ME HIDE.
YOU”D BE THERE INSIDE—

PERUSAL
Twenty seven years ago, in Arrecibo, Puerto Rico, I threw my shovel down, hitched a ride into town
and I bought two plane tickets to Nueva York. I showed up at Camila’s house with my suitcase and
said: “This way, vamos”.

CAMILA: That whole plane ride I was trying not to cry, verdad?

KEVIN: The whole plane ride you were drinking Baccardi. You were Nina’s age and now watch. You
make me proud to be a Rosario, so today I put down my shovel again, hitched a ride into town and I
took another leap of faith. Nina, I sold the business to pay for your tuition.

NINA: What?

KEVIN: I sold Rosario’s; you’re going back to Stanford.

CAMILA: Kevin, this had better be a joke.

KEVIN: Uptown Investments takes over in two weeks.

CAMILA. Uptown? Ay Dios mío!

NINA: Hey dad, I’ll find a job. I’ll take no classes...

KEVIN: What? (Looks at Vanessa) So you can end up just another girl stuck in el barrio?

VANESSA: Hey wait! Why are you looking at me when you say that?

BENNY: So I just lose my job.

CAMILA: Of course you didn’t. I do the payroll, the banking, the chaotic papers, we worked twenty
years to build this company. I worked…

KEVIN: For what Cami? Twenty years for what?

NINA: What about your employees?

BENNY: You can’t just kick us to the street.

KEVIN: I’m not a welfare office. Family comes first, above everything.

BENNY: The day you hired me you said I was family.

KEVIN: That’s business. This is my daughter.

CAMILA: You’re all my family and you have my word: we are not selling Rosario’s.

KEVIN: That's the same thing that

we foresaw when we came!

NINA: No, it's not the same thing, Dad.

It is not the same.

When you came here and Mom came here,

you all had a Latino community

ready to welcome you, open arms,

babies and abuelas,

and teachers and lawyers,

first generation, fifth generation...

There's no community for me at school.

I got searched.

Yeah.. I got searched.On moving day...my roommate lost her pearl necklace and...

the RA and her parents came in...

and searched me and they...

emptied my drawers,

turned over my purse...

and I just stood there.

I stood there and didn't say anything.

And then eventually, they found it...

in her bag.

KEVIN:

You're the best we've got, Nina.

If you can't stay in the ring,

what's that gonna say about us?

NINA

You can't keep putting your life's work

on my shoulders, Dad.

KEVIN

Dile, mi gente,

isn't she the best we got?

NINA

And then I apologize like an idiot.

I stood there, I didn't do anything,

and then I apologized.

KEVIN

Well, you keep getting A's, baby,

that's your revenge.

BENNY: My God, you're not hearing her, Kevin.

NINA: I'm not going back!

KEVIN: ¿Cómo?
NINA: I'm not going back!

KEVIN

So all of my decisions

can just go to hell here?

I'm doing this for you!

NINA: No, you're doing it for you!

NINA

What if I refuse your money?

What if I don't want it?

KEVIN: Mírame en los ojos.

NINA

I refuse.

VANESSA: Excuse me, I’m not good enough to sit with the Bourgeoisie.

(Nina goes to Benny).

NINA: Benny I can fix this, I promise…

KEVIN: Nina, stay away from him. (Benny exits)

BENNY: I’ll get out of the way.

NINA: You know I will never touch that money!

KEVIN: So help me God, you are flying back to California.

KEVIN: I’m making the damn deal.

CAMILA: This is our business!

KEVIN: It was in my name.

CAMILA: Dinner is over.

 NINA
TM HOME—

BENNY YOU'RE NINA

FINALLY HOME. YOU”RE I'M HOME!
HOME! TM HOME!

(Sun sets on theneighborhood)

PERUSAL
 1-11-67

PIRAGUA, PIRAGUA!
KEEP SCRAPING BY, PIRAGUA!

PIRAGUA, PIRAGUA!
KEEP SCRAPING BY, PIRAGUA!

KEEP SCRAPING BY, KEEP SCRAPING

BY... LALTO LALI! LAOTLO LLE LOELAN

KEEP SCRAPING BY, KEEP SCRAPING BY...

LAT LO LE LO LAN

KEEP SCRAPING BY...

OH, QUÉ CALOR, QUÉ CALOR, QUÉ CALOR, QUÉ CALO-O-OR!

Scene 11: The Rosario Household

Masia

(The Rosario household. An old record plays. NINA and

CAMILA dance. VANESSA dances up to ABUELA CLAUDIA.)

VANESSA
Yo, tomorrow's the fourth of July, is time to party! Come
on, AbuelaClaudia, Pll show you some new moves,

ABUELA CLAUDIA
Vamos, but no bump and grind!

(They dance.)
CAMILA
(Pulls NINA to dance.)
Tt's my song.

! NINA
Wo really don't have to,

CAMILA
Yes we do. I dance best when lim
angry.

(They dance.)

PERUSAL
1-11 -68

CAMILA
The seratch in the record is my
fayorite part!

USNAV
I
(Enters)
Damn, did we miss the record serateb?

BENNY
(Enters.)
Put the music back on!

CAMILA
Bueno, but no encores! Show up late, you miss the hot stuff

USNAVI
New Zealand Shiraz, Vintage 2008.

BENNY
Some pastel de guava for desert. | fguava pastry]

PERUSAL
 1- 11-69

USNAVI
(To CLAUDIA)
Bendición.

ABUELA CLAUDIA
Qué dios te bendiga! Alabanza to the day! |
[God bless you! Praise...] We have to talk later...

USNAVI
So, West Village, do Eows you a bottle of champagne?

VANESSA
The lendlord saw my credit application and laughed. Out loud.

NINA
Screw him. Tt wasn't the right
place for you.

VANESSA
No, there was exposed brick on purpose, not because the walls were all busted.

NINA
Don't worry about that. We should all go dancing later...

BENNY
Tf there's AC, P'm there, 7
(To
USNAVI) You in?

USNAVI
Actually, Vanessa and l already
have plans.

VANESSA
Yeah, come with us. The more friends the better, right?

USNAVI
You know it, friend!

(KEVIN enters.)

KEVIN
The west side highway was bumper to
bumper!

CAMILA
There you are!

PERUSAL
 BENNY
Boss, how's it
going?
USNAVI
| [The boss!]
El jefe!
VANESSA

What's up, Mr.

Rosario?
]
ABUELA CLAUDIA
Mira pala, Who's that handsome man? | [Look over there.

KEVIN
(Kisses ABUELA CLAUDIA.)
1's my beautiful princesa.

NINA
Hey, dad...

KEVIN
(To NINA.) :
Excuse me. You're tho princess, Claudia is the queen,

CAMILA
And what does that make me?

KEVIN
, The dictator.

(They kiss.)
CAMILA
Damn straight! One day T'll open my Restaurante Boricua, Until
then, yow're all my guinea pigs! Serve yourselves, plates aro
in the kitchen!

KEVIN
Listen up everyone. Atención!

CAMILA
Let's serve first, the food is
gonna get cold.

KEVIN
Cami, the pernil can wait five
minutes. | [ham]

PERUSAL
 1-11-71

(He clears his throat.)

Twenty seven years ago in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 1 threw
down my shovel, hitched a ride into town, and bought two
plane tickets to Nuevayork. 1 showed up at Camila*s house
with a suitcase and said vamos.

CAMILA
That whole plane ride 1 was trying not to cry, verdad? | firueh?]

KEVIN
That whole plane ride yon wete
drinking Bacardi,

CAMILA
Sin verguenza! | [No shame!]

KEVIN .
We were Nina”s age.
(To NINA.)
And now look at you. You make me proud to be a Rosario. So
today 1 threw down my shovel again. 1 hitched a ride into
town. 1 took another leap of faith, Nina, 1 sold the
business to pay for your tuition,

NINA
What?

KEVIN
I sold Rosario”s. You're going back to Stanford.

"CAMIL
A Kevin, this had better be a joke.

KEVIN
Uptown Investment takes over in two
weeks.

CAMILA :
Uptown? Ay dios mio, they offered us | fOh my god]
nothing!

KEVIN
It was enough, mi vida. | fmy tire]

NINA
Wait. Dad, Pll find ajob. I can take night classes!

KEVIN
What so you end up just another girl stuck in el barrio?

PERUSAL
 NINA
(To BENNY)
Benay, Pl £ix this, 1 promise—

KEVIN
Nina, stay away from him!
. BENNY
(To KEVIN)
TP 1] get out of
your Way.
(He exits.)

(NINA and KEVIN ore alone.)

: NINA
You know 1 will never touch that
money.
KEVIN

PERUSAL
 1-12-74

(She
exits,) Nina!

DAMN, THIS IS NICE!

TREALLY LIK E WH AT THEY VE DONE WITH THE LIGHTS!
HEIGHTS!
SO THE HOT CLUB I WASHINGTON
,
YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT,
N THIS MUSIC'S TIGHT,
YO, DID 1 MENTION THAT YOU LOOK GREAT TONIGHT?

USNA
RELAX. QUÉ RELAXED?1'M
VI RELAXED.

M 8,3
3 | [Zeant (Go)]
WEPA! VANESSA! W
USN
S BEE HER A WI VI
ON* G GE S BUS
YOU*VEN E D NE CH BEFORE. TOR
O |E.
DT DO ITOUT;
YCAD T O IY TH THE S
1A I 'S A W O
BRAN RE /Andevery
A
day]

PERUSAL
 VANESSA
LET'S GO GET A DRINK.

USNAVI
SOMETHING SWEET,

VANESSA
YOU KNOW ME, A LITTLE BIT OFCINNAMON.

ALL
WEPA! VANESSA!

BENNY
HERE'S TO GETTING FIRED!
USNAVI
TO KILLING THE
MOOD!
TH
BO |[Healtht]
SALUD!
(They do a shot.)
-
BENNY
WITHOUT $0 MUCHAS A “THANK YOU!”
. USNAVI
AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
BOTH
CHEERS!
(They do another shot.)

BENNY

(He fixes USNAVT'S collar.)

USNAVI
HOLLER!

PERUSAL
 USNA
To
ASLONG AS YOU BUYVI'EM, 1'CHAIM! — | [Hebrew:
lifel]

PERUSAL
 1-12-77

BENNY
WHO”S VANESSA TALKIN” TO?

USNAVI
SOME DUDE!

BENNY
DUDEA
SOME
THAT'S MESSED UP, SHE'S TRYIN TO MAKE YOU JEALOUS!

USNAVI
FELLAS,
JEALOUS? 1 AINT JEALOUS!I CAN TAKE ALL THESE
WHATEVER!

NINA
BENNY, CAN WE TAKE A WALK OUTSIDE?

BENNY
AND THERE SHE 15!

TODAY!
NINA
PM GONNA MAKE IT RIGHT!

BENNY
A TOAST TO THE END OF ALL IKNOW!

NINA
YOU”VE HAD ENOUGH!
BENNY
SAYS THE GIRL WHO HAS IT ALL!

PERUSAL
 NINA
THAT'S NOT FAIR.

BENNY
WELL WHY DON'T YOU RUN HOME TO DADDY?
HE LOVES TO REMIND ME THAT PLL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR
YOUR FAMILY... FORYOU...

NINA
YOU DON'T KNOW ME!

BENNY
POOR YOU...

NINA
TTHOUGHT YOU WERE DIFFERENT.

BENNY
SALUD.
(He shoves his drink in NINA's hand and pulls a random
WOMAN to the dance floor.)
Come on.

PIR, GRP 8 M11-

6 "VANESSA, LET ME GET THE NEXT
ONE!
VANESSA, LET ME INTERJECT SOME!
THE WAY YOU SWEAT, THE WAY YOU FLEX ON THE FLOOR TT
MAKES ME WANT YOU MORE!

VANESSA, LET ME GET THE NEXT ONE!'

VANESSA, LET ME INTERJECT SOME!
THE WAY YOU SWEAT, THE WAY YOU FLEX ON TBE FLOOR TT
MAKES ME WANT YOU MORE!

PERUSAL
 1-12-79

(USNAVI approaches YOLANDA at the bar.)

USNAVI
BARTENDER!
LET ME GET AN AMARETTO SOUR FOR THIS GHETTO FLOWER! HOW
ARE YOU SO PRETTY?
YOU COMPLETE ME,
YOU HAD ME AT “HELLO,” YOU KNOW YOU NEED ME,
TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY, LET'S GET FREAKY. OHIGETIT
YOU'RE THE STRONG AND SILENT TYPE. WELL, IM THE
CARIBBEAN ISLAND TYPE,
AND 1 CAN DRIVE YOU WILD ALL NIGHT!
BUTIDIGRESS!
SAY SOMETHING SO I DON'T STRESS.

YOLANDA
NO HABLO | Adowt speak English]
(W1)
INGLÉS.
USNAVI

“YES1

(USNAVI takes her out on the floor. Everyone is dancing.

VANESSA and JOSE. USNAVI and YOLANDA. BENNY and CLUB GIRL.
NINA finds another GUY to dance with and spins by BENNY.
BENNY is pissed. USNAVI swoops in and takes VANESSA out
of JOSE'S hands and dances with her. JOSE, without missing a
beat, glides back in and
takes VANESSA back, mid-turn. To add insult to
injury, he grabs YOLANDA, and is now dipping and
spinning them both on the dance Roor. During this
impressive display, USNAVI and a very drunk BENNY slide
in and each grab a girl, leaving JOSE dancing alone,
JOSE, angry, starts to tap USNAVI on the shoulder,
Without missing a beat, BENNY hauls and punches JOSE
across the face. More and more instruments add lo the
mix. The dancing gets intense, crazy. It is a whirtwind
of
movement, a release of stress, when suddenly:

THE POWER GOES OUT IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

Complete darkness, A cell phone lighi appears,

illuminating a face. More and more cell phones lights
up, creating a blue glow in the club.)

REE Ñ Ñ
(A flashlight comes on in the dispatch booth,)

PERUSAL
1-12-30

PIRAGUA GUY
OYE QUÉ PASO? |He w hat happened?]
y
USNAVI
BLACKOUT, BLACKOUT!
PIRAGUA
GU GR
VINO EL APA
GÓ [Here cames a blackowt
P !
Y
N 8.M1-3
OH, NO AY DIOS! eh
god!] :
NI VA W1-
N, 3N,DAM,
GRP, 5 CAR,
USNAVI PIR, M5 8 .
BLACKOUT, M6 M4-3,
BLACKOUT! OYE QUÉ . OH, NO!
HOL U WAI VI O NO
PASO?
D T!
PBENNY NO H !
ENSEMBLE
, ,
HOLD UP,
NIN WHERE YO CAN* S
YO IEL
WAIT!
A D U T
! APAGÓN
YO SON-
AY DIOS!
U OF-A,
GOT
AN WUSNAVI
1CAN'T ' D E T I
GO, OH,
HIS I A
FIND YOU— OU
B QUIT
ER! NO!
T!
SHOVIN” OR WE'RE OH,
GONNA
- TS NO!
NINA TAKE IT SLOW. OH,
ANOVEN,
BEHINDA YOU— BACK OUT, NO!
PM T S
OH, NO!
LACK
CHILL, FOR
REAL,
GETKILLED!
(A flashlight at the bodega. SONNY appears outside,
holding a baseball bat, protecting the storefront,)
PERUSAL
 I-12.-81

KEVIN SONNY MEN

CALLING ALL "WHAT'S GOING ON?
TAXIS! OH,
WHAT'S GOING ON? NO!
KEV 3 USN SUDDENLY IFIND
EVERYONE RELAX
PLEASE...
0H, THE ELECTRICITY 18

NO! GONE.
KEVIN
CALLING ALL
TAXIS! (SONNY) (MEN)
WHAT”S GOING ON? OH,
WHAT”S GOING ON? NO!

KEV 3: USN
EVERYONE RELAX 1IGOTTA GUARD OH,
PLEASE... THE STORE MAKE NO!
SURE THAT
NOTHING'S GOING OH, /
"WRONG!
NO!
ENSEMBLE
BENNY (split in two
SOMEBODY BETTER groups)
OPEN THESE WHAT'S GOING ON?
GODDAMN DOORS! WHAT'S GOING ON? NO! / 0H,

VANESSA
SOMEBODY BETTER OH,
OPEN THESE /No!
GODDAMN DOORS! GOTTA FIND NO!/OBH,
USNAVI TELL HIM
BENNY WHAT IS GOING ON
SOMEBODY BETTER 0H,
OPEN THESE /NO!
GODDAMN DOORS! NO!
NOTHING IS ON! /OB,
VANESSA
NOTHING IS
ON!
ANDICANTFIND
USNAVI! ENSEMBLE
(one
group)
NO
ANDICAN'T FIND !
USNAVI.... NO
!
NO
!
PERUSAL
 1- 12.82

BENNY USNAVIÍ
NINA WHERE'D VANESSA,
YOU GO? NINA
HAS ANYONE
NINA WHERE'D VANESSA, SEEN BENNY?
YOU GO?

NINA WHERE*D VANESSA,

YOU GO?

ICAN'T FIND TIGOTTA USNAVI

YOU! GO. HELP ME!

NINA WHERE'D “VANESSA,

YOU GO?

NINA WHERE'D VANESSA, HAS ANYONE

YOU GO? SEEN BENNY?

NINA WHERE'D VANESSA,

“YOU GO? BENNY-...

ICAN'T FIND IGOTTA USNAVI

YOU! GO. HELP ME!

KEVIN
PLEASE FIND NINA! VANESSA FIND
FIND CAMILA! MY WAY HOME!
TF YOU SEE MY FAMILY BRING
THEM HOME!

SONNY “WE
ARE POWERLESS WE
ARE POWERLESS “YOU LEFT ME ALONE!

WE ARE POWERLESS! WE
ARE POWERLESS!

PERUSAL
 1-12 - 83

WE GOTTA KEEP MOVIN!

SONNY
NAW, MAN, ICAN”T LEAVE, WE GOITA GUARD THE STORE!

GRAFFITI PETE
THEY GONNA BOMBARD THE STORE
UNTIL YOU AIN'T GOT A STORE NO MORE!

SONNY
IGOT A BASEBALL BAT ON A RACK IN THE BACK!

GRAFFITI PETE
(Opening a book bag.)
IGOT A COUPLE ?A ROMAN CANDLES, WE
CAN DISTRACT THE VANDALS!
SONNY
HEY YO I SEE SOME TBUGS COMIN”, MAN, WE
GONNA GET JACKED UP!

(GRAFFITI PETE rushes out of the store holding a Roman Candle,

SONNY behind him wielding a bat.)

GRAFFITI PETE
GIMME A LIGHT, PLL BE RIGHT BACK. BACK UP!

BACK G RAFFITI PETE € SONNY

UP! BACK UP!
(We hear an explosion.)

CAM, NIN, CAR, ABC, USN,

BEN, VAN, DAN, PIR,
SON, KEV, GRP, W1, W2, Wa, WS, M3, M4
W3, M1 8 M2 8 M5
LOOK AT THE FIREWORKS... LOOK AT THE FIREWORKS...
: LOCK. AT THE FIREWORES
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT FLY!
SKY...
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SKY!
LOOK AT THE
FIREWORES... LOOK AT THE FIREWORKS FLY!

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SKY! LIGHT UP THB NIGHT SKY...

PERUSAL
1-12-84

SONN
IT'S LATE THIS GRATE WON'T COME DOWN,
AND Y
COME
DOWN!
AT AN GOD S MUC
TH E D , O H
ÍS T COM CARLA
TH CROW
DOWN
IT'S E OH,
E D WIT
PANICI
! SONNY MANIC H WAS
L GRATE-
WON' SHOVIN
EVERYBODY
- G
SCREAMING AND
SLAPPI
W AR NG SHOUTING
AND
E E FRANTI W
WE AR C!
AND WIT IRA
M AMO
E YOU H HAZM I UR,F
AND
? EVERYONE'S E N A
+M3 8 HAPPENIN HAT'S DANIELA*
ABUEL YÁ O
G M
ADESPIERTA
M4 AR
W UN VEL ESTU VOR!
E E W 8W A A! CUA VE LA
POWERLESS, MEJOR
VI E ELLA
a 5 A N
POWERLESS. + VANESSA, AQU
NO HA
L P GENT
POWERLESS L PERONO
I Y SE
! TIENE É
SONNY 3, WE ARE POWERLES5!
MEN -
BAILANDO DO
POWERLESS, AGÓN
WE ARE WE ARE POWERLESS! — QUIENES SON!
POWERLESS!

ENSEMBLE

USNAVI

ENSEMBLE
PERUSAL
 1-12 -85

ABUELA CLAUDIA
THE STARS ARE OUT TONIGHT!

ENSEMBLE
LOOK AT THE FIREWORES ...

USNAVI
YOU*RE NOT ALONE TONIGHT.

ENSEMBLE
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SKY ...

USNAVI 3: ABUELA CLAUDIA

YOU”RE/TMNOT ALONE TONIGHT ...

ABUELA CLAUDIA
USNAVI, PLEASE PROMISE ME
YOU”LL GUARD THIS WITH YOUR LIFE!

(She hands USNAVIa brown paper bag. He looks inside.)

USNAVI
ABUELA, PVE NEVER SEEN—

USNAVÍ £, ABUELA
CLAUDIA THIS MUCH MONEY IN MY LIFE!

(BENNY finds NINA on the street.)

BENNY
NINA THERE YOU ARE!

NINA
PVE GOTTA GO!

BENNY PLL
GET YOU OUT OF HERE TONIGHT!

NINA
IDON”T NEED ANYTHING TONIGHT!
ICAN FIND MY WAY HOME,

BENNY
THEN FIND YOUR WAY HOME!

PERUSAL
T-12-86

(She stops.)

NINA
WITHOUT YOU—

NINA 8 BENNY
WITHOUT YOU!

(She runs away from him.)

GROUP 1:

GROUP 2:
(PIR, DAN, CAR, W1-3 8
M3) LOOK AT THE FIREWORES...

GROUP 2
LOOK AT THE FIREWORES...

ALL
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SKY ...

ALL
EN WASHINGTON...
LOOK AT THE FIREWORES ...
LOOK AT THE FIREWORKS...

PERUSAL
 1-12-87

ALL
EN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS!

PERUSAL
 ACTI!

PERUSAL
 U-1-89

BENNY
M AC H . MOR
TEA LITTLE
B E NINA
E
CALOR.
BENNY
HEAT,
NINA
ANOCHE.
BENNY
LAST NIGHT,
NINA
DOLOR.
BENNY
PAIN,
NINA
THAT'S RIGHT.
LLÁMAME.
BENNY
CALL ME,
NINA
AZUL,
BENNY
BLUE,
NINA
_ÁMAME.
BENNY
LOVE ME.
NINA
PERHAPS 1DO—

PERUSAL
Tu -1-90

SUNRISE,

PERUSAL
 I-1-91

DANIELA
SUNRISE.
PIR, M3, MS
8, MG RESPIRA.

DAN, CAR, VAN 8 SON

SUNRISE.
KEVIN
NINA...
BENNY
IDON”T
KNOW.
NINA
.
YO NO SÉ.
BENNY
WHAT TODO.
. NINA
QUÉ HACER.
BENNY
NOW THAT PVE FOUND-YOU,
NINA
AHORA QUE TE ENCONTRÉ.
BENNY
WHAT WILL HE SAY?
NINA
QUÉ DIRÁ?
BENNY

PERUSAL
U-1-92

NINA
PROMISE ME YOU'LL STAY.
BENNY
PLL STAY.
SON, PIR, M4
3. M6 SUNRISE.
CAR, VAN 8 W4
SUNRISE.
DAN; Wi
8. W5 SUNRISE,

USN, GRP, SON 8, M3-6

SUNRISB.
BENNY
AND HOW DO YOU SAY “KISS ME?”
.
NINA
BÉSAME. SO
.
BÉSAME. BENNY N , PIR 8. M4
SUNRISE
CAR, VAN 8 W4
SUNRISE
DAN, W! 8
W5 SUNRISE

PERUSAL
 H-2-

USN, GRP, M3, M5 3 M6

93 SUNRISE
BEN
OH, AND HOW SAYNYALWAYS?
DO YOU NINA
? |
PARA
SIEMPRE... BENNY
] PARA
SIEMPRE.

CARLA
"Dito, Usnavi, Jet us help you
clean up.

USNAVI
Thanks but Pd like to be alone with my broken window.
PERUSAL
T-2-94

Listen, about last night, Sonny was calling, Abuela was alone ...

PERUSAL
 T-2-95

USNAVI
T meant to call,

VANESSA
ou yo
ab u
Sorry t r bodega.
(Exits,)

(Enters.)
Yo, Sonny, come check out my new wall! 1 painted that shit by candlelightt

SONNY
Shh, the mans having female
troubles.

* USNAVI
(Zo GRAFFITI PETE)
You got a new canvas. Tag up the whole store, have
a blast. (Exits,)

KEVIN
Thank god, Where have you
been?

CAMILA
Waiting here since three in the morning for you and Nina.

CAMILA
My phone died. She went dancing. 1tried to find her after the
blackout,

PERUSAL
 T-3-96

KEVIN
She followed your She walked out the door, same as you!
lead.

CAMILA
Pero, carajo, who opened that
door?

KEVIN
Camila!

CAMILA
Later, Right now we find our
papi. daughter.

USNAVI
ABUELA!

USNAVI
LET ME SEE IT AGAIN!

PERUSAL
NINA

Dad, I know what I have to do.

You've given me this amazing education

and I just need to use it,

and figure out how every

undocumented kid gets a pathway.

Maybe Stanford isn't a way out.

Maybe it's a way back.

Like Abuela always used to say...

asserting our dignity in small ways.

KEVIN

Wow.

This is it, huh, mija?

NINA

What?

KEVIN

This is the moment when

you do better than me.

Not because of some fancy degree...

It's 'cause you can see a future

that I can't.

Hey..You are Boricua.

Hmm?

We're a people on the move,

so yeah...

...bring us with you.

Ignore anyone who doubts you.

You take all the bruises, baby,

but you stay in the ring.

 USNAVI
UH HUB, UH HUA! UA HUH, !UH HU
H
ABUELA CLAUDIA A
THIRD FOR ME!
USNAVI
NO PARE! SIGUE, SIGUE!

USNAVI
YO! I KNOW JUST WHERE TO GO! .
THERE'S A LÍTILE BEACH NAMED PLAYA RINCÓN,
WITH NO ROADS, YOU NEED A ROWBOAT OR MOTORBIKE
TO REACH THIS BEACH, AND I7*S JUST A STONE'S THROW
FROM HOME.
MY FOLKS*S HOME,
BEFORE IWAS BORN.
BEFORE THEY PASSED ON -
AND LEFT ME ON MY OWN, IN NEW YORK,
WITH THE GROCERY STORE.

PERUSAL
 T-3-98

ABUELA CLAUDIA
REMEMBER THE STORY OF YOUR NAME...
IT 'WAS ENGRAVED ON A PASSING SHIP ON THE DAY
YOUR FAMILY CAME.
'YOUR FATHER SAID “USNAVI,
THAT'S WHAT WE'LL NAME THE BABY.”

USNAVI
I REALLY SAID “U.S, NAVY,” BUT HEY...
T
TWORKED WITH WHAT THEY GAVE ME OKAY....

THEY'D ABUELA CLAUDIA

O YO
BE $0 PROUD TODA
F U Y!
USNAVI
THEN BY THE END OF JULY,

ABUELA CLAUDIA
UH HUB
U UB,
UE HUA, 1 UH H H HUH!

USNAVI
OUT WHERE THE SEA MEETS THE SKY!

ABUELA CLAUDIA
NO PARE! SIGUE, SIGUE!

PERUSAL
 I-4-99

ABUELA CLAUDIA
WE'LL FIND YOUR ISLAND!

USNAVI
TLL FIND MY ISLAND SKY!

ABUELA CLAUDIA
AY, FIND YOUR ISLAND!

USNAVI
BUT WHATEVER WE DO IIr'S$—

USNAVI 2 ABUELA CLAUDIA

YOU ANDI

1 EAS a a

Scene 4: QutsIde the Dispatch Booth

(CAMILA sits alone. KEVIN enters,)

KEVIN
l went down: to the park, nothing. Any word here?

CAMILA
Mostly voice mails, half of people*s phones are out... 1 got to the
letter M...

KEVIN
Mara, alli está. | Look, there she is.]

(NINA enters.)

NINA
Mom, dad.

KEVIN
Start talking.

CAMILA
Where the hell haye you been?

NINA
I should have called, 1 know.

PERUSAL,
 T-4-100

KEVIN
Answer your mother! Where were
you?

(BENNY enters.)

BENNY
Boss, Mrs. Rosario, Can I have a
minute?

(KEVIN shoots NINA a look.)

. NINA
T's okay, dad.

_
KEVIN Think very hard about
what you say to me.

NINA
Just hear him out.

KEVIN
(To himself)
Actually, no.
(To BENNY) .
Pl say this nicely. Please stay away frorú my daughter.

BENNY
Sir, DP ve worked here since I was practically a kid. You know me.

KEVIN
Do you think you're anywhere close to her level?

BENNY
Of course not, sir. No one is.

NINA
Stop calling him “sir”,

KEVIN
(To NINA.)
You stay out of this!

NINA
Jesus, Dad...

PERUSAL
 D-4-101

KEVIN
(To
BENNY) Itaught you how to tie a goddamn tie!
TI taught you how to
drive.

BENNY
And now I tie the same Windsor knot around my collar as
you. We're not that different,

KEVIN
You know nothing about our
culture!

BENNY
This bullshit
again?
CAMILA

(Overlapping | [calm down]

.) Kevin, cálmate.

KEVIN
You will never be a part of this family, entiendes? I [understand?]

BENNY
Loud and clear.
(Goes to exit.)

NINA
Beny!

BENNY
Why learn the languageif they still won't hear you?
(Exits,)
KEVIN
(To NINA) :
Sin verguenza! Are you trying to shame me? | [Without shamel]

NINA
Yes, dad that's exactly what I'm
tryivg to do!

KEVIN
Well you have succsoded! / Congratulations, you succeed at everything—

PERUSAL
 H-4-102

NINA
(Overlapping.)
Sorry 1 embarrass youl

CAMILA
OH, MY GOD, ENOUGH!
NOW YOU LISTEN TO ME...

NINA
Mom...
CAMILA
CARAJO, 1SAID ENOUGH!
PM SICK OF ALL THIS FIGHTING!

KEVIN

CAMILA
YAPAPAPAPA! .
ITHINX YOU'VE SAID ENOUGH!
NOW LISTEN TO WHATISAY, WHAT
ISAY GOES!

KEVIN
Tm tryingto...

CAMILA
IDON'T WANNA HEAR IT! WE MAKE DECISIONS AS A FAMILY, AND
TEROWING BENNY OUT LIKE THAT?
YOU SOUND JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER!
WE BOTH KNOW WHAT A SONOFABITCH HE WAS!
“YOU THINK IT ALL COMES DOWN TO YOU...

(KEVIN goes to embrace her.)

KEVIN
CAMI, LET"S TALK ABOUTIT...

PERUSAL
 TT- 4-103

(CAMILA shoves him away.)

CAMILA
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! NO, YOU DONT!
WHEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM YOU COME HOME. 'YYOU
DON”T GO OFF AND MAKE MATTERS WORSE
ON YOUR OWN,
ONE DAY YOU”RE GONNA COME BACK HOME,
AND YOU”"RE NOT GONNA FIND ME WAITING ANY MORE.

KEVIN
Tm sorry.

CAMILA
HUH. DAMN RIGHT YOU”RE SORRY,

(CAMILA turns her attention to NINA.)

SO YOU STAYED OUT ALL NIGHT.

NINA
Mom...

- CAMILA
PM TALKING NOW! .
YOU SCARED US HALF TO DEATH, YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?

NINA
Tm sorry.

CAMILA
DONT APOLOGIZE TO ME. YOU SAVE IT FOR YOUR FATHER,

NINA
What?

CAMILA
LOOK AT YOUR FATHER.
HE DOESN'T SLEEP WHEN YOU”RE GONE.
HE'S WORKED HIS WHOLE LIFE TO HELP YOU GO FARTHER.
AND HE CAN'T ADMIT WHEN HE'S WRONG.
NOW WHO DOES THAT REMIND YOU OF?

PERUSAL
T-S-104

PERUSAL
 1 -5-105

SONNY
that dank,
My friend was trapped in the subway. They had to walk a mile in
nasty tunnel. Arid he stepped on a rat.

DANIELA
(Enters.)
Okay, people, 1 got through to They said it would be at least twenty
Con Edison!
four hours—

SONNY
They stopped all the buses. No
traffic lights,

VANESSA
This is like Gilligan's Ghetto
Island.

PERUSAL
 U-5-106

. SONNY
The dispatch has a
generator.
GRAFFITI PETE

Ain't nobody there,

CARLA
Well cart you open a hydrant?

GRAFFITI PETE
The popo”s took my monkey wrench.

DANIELA
Play nice.

SONNY

CARLA
My fingernails are slipping off in
the heat!

THI *
THA SP SEEI O DANIELA
HEYI
INEVE
T HEY!
WHAT'S M UGH
NG P N SE TH DAY.
RSIN WHE TTONTERIA
' E THE
E STREET?
..
| fnonsense]
WHE
CE NIWA A LITT
THO D GI
N S RL PEOPLE ALT
LE LATIN
ARE SCARED OF HEAT?
M FAVORIT TIM A
YGROWING
E UP EIN THE HILLS OF VEGA
ASK OF YEAR WAS CHRISTMAS TIME!
ME WHY!
CARLA
Wiy?
DANIELA
THERE WASN'T AN OUNCE OF SNOW,
DAFLOW!
BUT OH, THE COQUITO WOULD
| [eggnog-like beverage]
A E SAN TH N T
S W G E OUL AGUINALDO,
BEG G
THE CARNAVAL D W IN O | [Christmas music]
IELA
ROW!
PERUSAL.
 DANIELA
CARNAVAL DEL BARRIO!
CARNAVAL DEL BARRIO!
CARNAVAL...

DANIELA
DEL BARRIO...

DANIELA
DEL BARRIO...

PERUSAL
 TI -5- 108

PIR,
VY5 M3,DAN,
Má
CAR, WA,
8 M6 , SON, GRP, W1-3, M1 £ M2
CARNAVAL... CARNAVAL!

DEL BARRIO!
BARRIO!
CARNAVAL...
" CARNAVAL!
DEL BARRIO!
BARRIO!
+ SONNY 8 M5
CARNAVAL...
CARNAVAL!
DEL BARRIO!
BARRIO!
CARNAVAL...
CARNAVAL!
DEL BARRIO!
DEL BARRIO!
CA RL A

IDON ME,
KN ME,HAME!
YOU' CANTAND QUESTION.
DANITHAVAE
OB, W
"T TO REW O. — | [singing
I U A YO G
W AR T P S U ODANIELA |fimprovi
JUST MAKE
E E IMPROVISANDO!! sing]
YOU LE
LAI CANLOSING
LATLO LE LO LAI!
CARL WHATEVE PO IN
ANYTHING!
A
JUST R S T P O YOUR HEAD.
SO LONG AS YOU SING!
CARL
: A
UH...
M M —
Y M OM1S
DA I DOMINICAN-CUBAN,
FRO CHI ANDP. WHI
Y D 5M
PM BUT ALWAY SALEP FR.
CHILE-DOMINI-CURICAN,
C H MEANS:
I S Y ' R OM QUEENS!
M
PIRAGUA GUY
WEPAAA!

PERUSAL
 H-5-109

SON, PIR, DAN,

CAR, Wa, W5 Q
M3-6 GRP, W1-3 8.
CARNAVAL... M1-2 CARNAVAL!

DEL BARRIO! BARRIO!

CARNAVAL... CARNAVAL!
DEL BARRIO!
B
A
R
R
I
O
.
.
.
.

(VANESSA takes center stage.)

VANESSA
“YO! WHY 18 EVERYONE SO HAPPY?
WE'RE SWEATING AND WE HAVE NO POWER! TVE
GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE SOON,
THIS BLOCK'S GETTING WORSE BY THE HOUR! YOU
H
CAN'T EVEN GO TO A CLUB WIA TFRI END
WITHOUT HAVING SOMEBODY SHOVE YOU!

DANIELA
AY, POR FAVOR,
VANESSA, DON'T PRETEND THAT USNAVI'S YOURFRIEND, WE
ALL KNOW THAT HE LOVE YOU!

COMPANY
OHHHA!

CARLA
WOW, NOW THAT YOU MENTION THAT SEXUAL TENSION TT"S
EASY TO SER!

VANESSA
“YO, THI5 IS BOGUS!

DANIELA
HAVEN”T YOU NOTICED YOU GET ALL YOUR COFFEE FOR FREE?
PERUSAL
 bottle.)
ALL (EXCEPT VANESSA 8 SONNY)
AL L BANDE [R set fl
fla
[The Dominican
LA BANDERA DOMINICANA!
ZA A RA ai h ag g]
ALZA Lá BANDERA
e]

PERUSAL
 T-5-111

ALZA LA BANDERA
L BA CUBNA! [Cuban flag]
A NDERA A
PIRAGUA GUY ALL
PA'RIBBA ESA BANDERA! [Up with that flag! HEY!
ÁLZALA DONDE QUIERA! Raise t anwherel HEY!
RECUERDO DE MI TIERRA! H's areminder of
my homeland!]

PIRAGUA GUY €, USNAVI ALL

ME ACUERDODE MI TIERRA! | [I remember my HEY!
homeland! HEY!
ESA BONITA BANDERA! that beautiful flag!
CONTIENE Y ALMA
Y CUANDO MI M ENTERA! | Contains
UERA, An my ,entire
OE I E M d m im when
soul! ENTIÉRRAME N M TIERRA! e |y Bury
J die
n homeland.]

PIRAGUA GUY
(ad lib.)
AH!

DANIELA
EVERYTHING CHANGES TODAY!

COMPANY
HEY]

DANJELA 8 CARLA
USNAVP'S ON HIS WAY!

COMPANY
HEY!

DANIELA € CARLA
OFF TO A BETTER PLACE!

COMPANY
HEY!

DANIELA 8, CARLA
LOOK AT VANESSA'5 FACE!

PERUSAL
T -5-112

COMPANY
HEY!

BENNY
TM TAKING OVER THE BARRIO!
 H-5-113

SONNY
HOLD UP, GRAFFITI PETE £ Mi
WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE
USNAVT'S LEAVIN” US FOR THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
AND BENNY WENT AND STOLE THE
GIRL THAT PM IN LOVE WITH?
GRAFFITI PETE 8 Mi
SHE WAS MY BABYSITTER FIRST! HOO!
LISTEN UP, IS THIS
WHAT YA”LL WANT?
WE CLOSE THIS BODEGA, THE
NEIGHABORHOOD 18 GONE!
THEY SELLING THE DISPATCH,
THEY CLOSING THE SALON, AND
THEY'LL NEVER TURN THE LIGHTS
BACE ON, CUZ—

SONNY
AND Y”ALL KEEP DANCIN” AND SINGIN* AND CELEBRATIN”
BUTIT"S GETTIN' LATE AND THIS PLACE IS DISINTEGRATIN”
AND— 7

USNAVI
ALRIGHT, WE'RE POWERLESS, SO LIGHT UP A CANDLEI
THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON HERE THAT WE CAN”T HANDLE!

SONNY
YOU DONT UNDERSTAND, 1'MNOT TRYING TO BE FUNNY!

SONNY
WHAT?

PERUSAL
 USNAVI

SONNY
FOR REAL?
USNAVI
YES!

ALL
HEY!

ALL
HEY!

USNAVI
CAN WE RAISE OUR VOICE TONIGHT? CAN
WE MAKE A LITTLE NOISE TONIGHT?

ALL
HEY! :

PERUSAL
 U-5-1£5

ALL
HEY!
PIR, DAN 8, CAR
CONTIENEM ENTERA!
ALM — | [Itcontainsmy soul]
I A
ALL
HEY!
USNAVI
IN T, CAN
FACCAN
THEY WE US
BEAR SING $0 LOU
ACROSS THD AND
BRIDGE COUS,
RA4UIN EAS
E T SECAUCUS?

FROM PUERTO RICO TO SANTO DOMINGO,

WHEREVER WE GO, WE REP OUR PEOPLE AND TAE BEAT GO...

PIR, DAN,CAR, M5 8.M6 GRP, W4-5 8 M41-2

ESA BONIT A BANDERA! CARNAVAL DEL
N E EN
C O N T IMIE ALMA BARRIO...
TERA!
(USNAVI
confronts
VANESSA.)
" USNAMI .

(A moment.)

DANJELA £ CARLA
WEPA!

CARNAVAL DEL BARRIO!

CARNAVAL DEL BARRIO!

PERUSAL
I-5-116

USN, BEN, GRP, DAN,

VW1-4, M1, M2, M5 E
M6
CARNAVAL... PIR, CAR, VAN, WS, M3 8,
M4 BARRIO!
DEL BARRIO!

CARNAVAL... CARNAVAL!
:
DEL BARRIO! BARRIO!

CARNAVAL... CARNAVAL!

DEL BARRIO! BARRIO!

PERUSAL
 U-7-117

(USN, BEN, GRP,

DAN, Wi-4, M1, M2,
MIS € M6) (PIR, CAR, VAN, WS, M3 £
CARNAVAL... Má) CARNAVAL!
:
DEL BARRIO!

(Suddenly NINA enters from CLAUDIA s stoop, panicked.

She runs and grabz USNAVI, tells him something under
the noise. They exit into CLAUDIA 's apartment,)

BEN,
W1-4, GRP, PIR, CAR, VAN, W5, M3 £ M4
BARRIO..
Mi,DAN, .
CARNAVAL... M2, MS ALZA LA BANDERA
LA BANDERA
3, M6 DOMINICANA. ALLA
ZBANADERA
DEL LA BANDERA
ALZA LA BANDERA
BARRIO! PUERTORIQUEÑA.
CARNAVAL..
. LA BANDERA CUBANA.
DEL BARRIO!
(NEIGHBORS exit as the carnaval continues onto the next block.)

Scene €: The Dispatch Booth

(KEVIN in the dispatch booth, at the radio.)

AAN ]
KEVI
N ATENCIÓN. ATENCIÓN.
ROEL DOWN YOUR
WINDOWS, TURN UP YOUR
RADIOS.
UN MOMENTO, POR FAVOR.
PLEASE DRVE
LET EVERYBODY
(CAMILA
SLOW enters, stands beside him,)
KNOW
ATENCIÓN. ATENCIÓN.
I
ABUELA CLAUDIA PASSED AWAY AFNOON TODAY.
Scene 7: The Street

PERUSAL
u4-7-118

NINA
.
ALABANZ
ALARANZA. DOÑA CLAUDIA,: SEÑOR.
ALABANZA, AALABANZA.
A

ALABANZ A
ALABANZA.
ALABANZA, DOÑA CLAUDIA, SEÑOR
ALABANZA.
A

+SONNY
ALABANZA, ALABANZA.

PERUSAL
 I-8-119

+VANESSA 8 KEVIN
ALABANZA, ALABANZA.
CAMI, PIR, SON,
KEV, BEN £ M3 NINA, DANIELA 38 CARLA
ALABANZA ALABANZA.
, A DOÑ CLAUDI
ALABANZA A A,
SEÑOR.
ALABANZA.
ALABANZA,
ALABANZA, M4 3,
MG PACIENCIA
Y FE
ALABANZA.
: W3 Z W4
PACIENCIA Y FE
+M5
ALABANZA A DOÑA ALABANZA A DOÑA CLAUDIA
CLAUDIA,
SEÑOR. ALABANZA.
ALABANZA,
ALABANZA,
ALL
ALABANZA
,
ALABANZA
.
ALABANZA.
USNAVI
ALABANZA,

things.)
NINA
(Finds an old ticket.)
New York Lotto, 1978.

USNAVI]
She thought it was bad luck to throw
hem away.

PERUSAL
 IH-8-120

NINA
(She finds a piece of paper.)
“My Abuelas Front Door” by Usnavi de la Vega! 3rd grade.

USNAVI
Man, 1 got a check minus on that
thing.

NINA
Nice handwriting. “My abuela's front doar is busted up. H is falling offthe—”

(Shows the paper to USNAVI)

USNAVI
I believe that would be “hinges.” Spellod with aj.

“Th NINA
doorbell don't work. Because so manyStre
people comes over to visit the
e
doorknob be falling out.” The poet laureate
et. of 183rd

USNAVI
Nina, how much is your tuition?

NINA
She asked me about it last night.

USNAVI
Abuela would want you to have
some.

NINA
T have my parents, 1 can't take her money. But if you could
spare some of these photos, my dad would appreciate it.

MUSIC 20: EVERYTHING | KNOW

USNAVI
There”s a bunch of boxes inside.

NINA
IN THIS ALBUM, THERE'S A PICTURE
OF THE LADIES AT DANIELA”S.
YOU CAN TELL 1T”S FROM THE NINETIES
BY THE VOLUME OF THEIR HAIR.

PERUSAL
 T-3-121

NINA 8, USNAVI
“BUENO, LET'S REVIEW,

NINA
WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU KNOW.”

PERUSAL
 I - 8- 122

KEVIN
The day 1 bought the business. That man took Ievery dollar had.
(Hands lt to CAMILA)
CAMILA Mr,
O'Bantahan. When half this block was
Irish.

KEVIN
That Polaroid is an antique.

NINA

KEVIN
Camila?
CAMILA
Yes?

KEVIN
Pm asking for your support on
this.

CAMILA
So then ask. ?
KEVIN

CAMILA
1 will never be ready. But 1 know it's ths right time.

PERUSAL
 TT-9 - 123

KEVIN .
Okay. Then T'l1 be a mechanic again if
that's what it takes.

NINA
How can 1 pay yon back?

too some piec s oKEVIN

f wood nd made a box. took a ag fro
When s nine
1 waand
the kitchen an 1 k e a
old coffee can, T walked to the plaza
r m
in Arecibo, and shined shoes for a nickel. At the end of
the day there was thirty five cents in the can. Did I spend
it on candy? Did 1 buy toys?

CAMILA
You bought shoe polish.

KEVIN
Talways had a mind for investments. Nina Rosario, Bachelor of
Arts. When that day comes, we”1] call it even.

NINA
T love you, Dad.

(They hug)
MUSIC 21: NO ME'DIGA (REPRISE) - -

Scene 9: Outside the Saloh

(DANIELA, CARLA, and VANESSA enter from the sálon with

a few boxes.)

DANIELA
STILL NO POWER...

! CARLA 8, VANESSA
TELL ME SOMETHING 1 DON'TKNOW.

VANESSA I
THINK THAT'S ALL OF THB BOXES.

o CARLA €.
DANIELA TELL ME SOMETHING I DONT
KNOW.

PERUSAL
 H-9-124

CARLA
(Looking at the candiles.)
Pu seeing double.

DANIELA
You say that every timo you wear those tight jeans.

ALL
AY, DIOS MIO.
DANIELA
l got a little something
something...

. ALL
(Sa
d)
No me
diga. DANIELA

DANIELA
:
me for
PT! cosign on the apartment. But you have to invite
a housewarming cocktail.

Pause.)
Tm touched, You care about me,

PERUSAL
 TI - 10-125

DANIELA
Oye, Pm just signing the paper. You're still paying the rent!

VANESSA
Thank you!
(Exi
ts)
CARLA

Feels good,
doesn't 1t? DANIELA

What? CARLA

Spreading Jesus*s
love,

DANIELA
I never should have gotten you that “Miracle A Day” cale ndar.

(DANIELA finds her keys, CARLA winces. A moment.)

CARLA
This is it. Make a farewell
speech.

DANIELA
T£s like a band-aid. Rip it off quick, you don't even notice.

(DANIELA locks the door, they exit)

Scene 10: The Street

MUSIC 214: PIRAGUA (REPRISE) Ñ E

PIRAGUA GUY
1T*S HOTTER THAN THE ISLANDS ARE TODAY,
AND MISTER SOFTEE'S TRUCK HAS BROKEN DOWN! AND
HERE COME ALL HIS CUSTOMERS MY WAY! ITOLD YOU,
IRÚN THIS TOWN!

PIRAGUA, PIRAGUA!
ONE-TWENTY-FIVE,PIRAGUA!
PIRAGUA, PIRAGUA!

PERUSAL
T - 11 -126

Scene 41: The Bodega

USNAVI
Sonny! Don't act like you can't
hear me!
SONNY
(Enters.)
State your purpose.

USNAVI
(Hands SONNY some cash.) slic
es.
Here”s some of that funch money. Go buy a couple of pepperoni

USNAVI
Money and liberty. What you always wanted, Pm freeing you. You're free,

SONNY
You think Burt would ever abandon Erie? You think Knight
Rider would be anything without Kit? He'd be taking a bus.

SONNY
Fíne. Bye, See ya, This is the
end ofan era!
(Exlts.)

MERA Ñ

PERUSAL
 1 -11-127

VANESSA
He's got a point.

USNAVI
How's it going?
VANESSA
SO 1GOT YOU A PRESENT.
1WENT DOWNTOWN TO GET TT.
DOING ANYTHING TONIGHT?
USNAVI
CLEANING.

VANESSA
YOU'RE DONE FOR THE DAY.

USNAVI
NO WAY.

VANESSA
CUZ WE GOT A DATE.

USNAVI
OKAY—

VANESSA

USNAVI
NO...

USNAVI
DAMN, THE BOTTLES ALL SWEATY ANDEVERYTHING. YOU
WENT AND GOT THIS?

PERUSAL
 USNAVI
1DON'T KNOW I WE HAVE COFFEE CUPS,
f
OR PLASTIC CUPS, 1 THINK SONNY PACKED THE CUPS...

VANESSA
THE BOTTLE.
TONIGHT WE'RE DRINKING STRAIGHT FROM
USNAVI?

USNAVI
YEAH?

VANESSA

USNAVI
HOW DO YOU GET THIS GOLD SHIT OFF?

USNAVI
YEAH!
VANESSA
BEFORE WE BOTH LEAVE TOWN,
THE
BEFORE
AND CORNER CHANGES
SIGN ARE TAKEN
THE S
AROUND THE DOWN,
NEIGHBORHOOD, AND
LET'S WALK
SAY OUR GOODBYES.
USNAVI ARE YOU ALRIGHT?

USNAVI
TM FINE, TM TRYN'A OPEN THIS CHAMPAGNE!
THING IS BROKEN,
SE THE TWISTY
BUT
E I'M GONNA OPEN THIS DAMN CHAMPAGNE!

VANESSA
LEMME SEE IT.

PERUSAL
 n- 11-129

USNAVÍ
NO, 1 GOT IT!

VANESSA YO,
USNAVI, DROP THE CHAMPAGNE!

USNAVI
YOU WENT TO ALL THIS TROUBLE TO GET US A
LITELE BUBBLY—

VANESSA
ANDIT'S GONNA BE OKAY.

USNAVI
TM SORRY, IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.

VANESSA
YOU OUGHTA STAY.

USNAVI
WHAT?

VANESSA
YOU CAN USE THAT MONEY TO FIX THIS PLACE.

USNAVI
HA HA, VERY FUNNY. -

VANESSA
ANDIT'S NOT LIKE SONNY*S GOT ROLE MODELS—

USNAVI
ROLE MODELS?

VANESSA
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE—

USNAVI

PERUSAL
 USNAVI
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?
 H-12-131

KEVIN
She's going back in the fall.

BENNY
(Pause)
Tomorrow I'ma start planning my own business and [ can't Ido that until
fini
this. My uniforni's on the counter, here's yoursquar awa 1all
keys. sh
Were
had your back, Kevin.1 Now got my own. ed y,

BENNY
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN,
YOU'RE GONNA NEED A FLASHLIGHT,
YOU'RE GONNA NEED A CANDLE...

NINA
ITHINK 1CAN HANDLE THAT.

NINA
1GO BACK ON LABOR DAY.

BENNY
ANDI WILL TRY TO MAKE MY WAY

BENNY
SO WE”VE GOT THIS SUMMER.

NINA

PERUSAL
T- 12-132

NINA
ICOULDN'TTF 1 TRIED.

NINA
BUT YOU'RE HERE WITH ME RIGHT NOW.
BENNY
WE'LL BE WORKING HARD, BUT
TF WE SHOULD DRIFT APART,

NINA

BENNY
LEMME TAKE THIS MOMENT JUST TO SAY—

NINA
NO, NO...
BENNY
YOU ARE GONNA CHANGE THE WORLD SOME DAY...

NINA
PLL BE THINKING OF HOME,

PERUSAL
 T- 14-133

BENNY
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN.

NINA
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN.

BENNY
"WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN.

MUSIC 23A: SONNY'S PROPOSITION

” Scene 13: A Shady Alleyway — late at night

(SONNY and GRAFFITI PETE appear in a shady alleyway.)

GRAFFITI PETE
You paged me?

SONNY
Shh. Step into my office. 1 just came into a little money
and I got a business proposition to throw your way.

SONNY
No one knows about this but yon and me, you got that?

(They shake hands)

Scene 14: The Street - Monday morning, sunrise

PERUSAL
 E- 14-134

(The power is still out, KEVIN ls up on a ladder,

taking down the “Rosario Car Service” sign. CAMILA is
beside him. He hands the sign down to CAMILA. Underneath
is the glimmer of an older sign:

BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED) NOTE

VAYAS,
SIME DEJAS,
SITE ALEJAS DE MI,
SEGUIRAENS MIS RECUERDOS PARA SIEMPRE, PARA
SIEMPRE , PARA SIEMPRE,
PARÁ SIEM—-PARÁ
SIEM— PARA
SIEMPRE...
(Continues under next rap)

(USNAVI has entered and watched this. He sits on his stoop,)

USNAVI LIGHTS
OUT ON WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, AND NOW
THE CRACK OF DAWN,
THE BLACKOUT GOES ON AND ON AND ON...

BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED)

PARA SIEMPRE,

USNAVI
SONNY”S OUT BACK, SORTIN THE TRASH
AS1THINK ABOUT THE PAST WITH A SACK FULL OF CASH.

BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED)

PARA SIEMPRE,

USNAVI
ABUELA REALLY WANTED ME UP ON A BEACH WITH
MARGARITAS IN MY REACH, AND
SOON THAT'S HOW IT'S GONNA BE...

BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED)

PARÁ SIEMPRE,

PERUSAL
 EH - 14-135

USNAVI
IMAGINE ME, LEAVIN' TODAY

CARLA
THE HYDRANTS ARE OPEN,
COOL BREEZES BLOW...

CARLA 3 DANIELA
THE HYDRANTS ARE OPEN,
COOL BREEZES BLOW...

CARLA 8, DANIELA KEVIN PIRAGUA GUY

THE HYDRANTS ARE GOOD PIRAG
OPEN, MORNING... PIRAG
UA!
COOL BREEZES NEW
UA]
BLOW... OF
ICE.
SO
BLOCK
ANDNI
SWEET
PIRAGUA!
CE
PIRAG
PIRAGUA.
UA!
,

PIRAGUA!

+ CAMILA
SIEMPRE,
SEGUIRAS EN MIS
RECUERDOS PARA
SIEMPRE...

above.)

+ VANESSA
TLL BE DOWNTOWN,
IT WON”T BE LONG NOW!

USNAVI
THERE'S A BREEZE OFF THE HUDSON
AND JUST WHEN

PERUSAL
 O - 14-136

YOU THINK YOU RE SICK OF LIVING HERE THE MEMORY

FLOODS IN,
THE MORNING LIGHT, OFF THE FIRE ESCAPES,
THE NIGHTS IN BENNETT PARK BLASTING BIG PUN TAPES,
P'M*A MISS THIS PLACE, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH: KEVIN
DISPENSIN” WISDOM FROM HIS DISPATCH BOOTH;
AND AT DAWN, VANESSA AT THE SALON, WE GOTTA MOVE ON, BUT
WHO'S GONNA NOTICE WE'RE GONE?

"WHEN OUR JOB*S DONE, AS THE EVENING WINDS

DOWN TO A CRAWL, SON, CAN 1EASE MY MIND
WHEN WE'RE ALL DONE? WHEN WE'VE RESIGNED IN
TEE LONG RUN, WHAT DO WE LEAVE BEHIND? MOST
OF ALL, PL1, MISS ABUELA?S WHISPERS, DOIN”
THE LOTTO PICK. SIX EVERY CHRISTMAS.
INFIVE YEARS, WHEN THIS WHOLE CITY”S RICH FOLKS
AND HIPSTERS,
WHO*S GONNA MISS THIS RAGGEDY LITTLE BUSINESS?

(USNAVI arrives at the bodega. SONNY and GRAFFITI PETE

are there.)

"
SONNY Yo cuz! We fixed the
gratel

USNAVI
(To SONNY)
What did 1 tell you about this punk?

SONNY
You have to commission an artist while his rate is still good.

GRAFFITI PETE
The first work in my new series,

(GRAFFITI PETE rolls down the grate. There is a huge

graffiti mural of ABUELA CLAUDIA that says PACIENCIA Y FE.
Silence.)

GRAFFITI PETE
He hates it.

PERUSAL
 USNAMI
A JO
YOU-GOT 'MNOT PLAYIN”.
GUYS,
YO GOTTUP
LISTEN G NOW TE THB,WHOL BLOC I
U A O , LL E E K '
M
STAYIN!
GO AHEAD, TELL EVERYONE
WE KNOW! (GRAFFITI PETE
and SONNY run off)
SONNY...!

PERUSAL
I- 14-138

(NINA enters, sees the mural.)

NINA
WE'RE HOME!
USNAVI
AND I NOT ME WHO KEEPS OUR LEGACIES?
WHO'SF GONNA, KEEP THE COFFEE SWEET WITH SECRET
RECIPES?
LIVE IN MY MEMORIES,
ABUELA, RESTIN PEACE, YOU
BUT SONNY'S GOTTA EAT; THIS CORNER IS MY DESTINY.

USNAVI
BRINGS OUT THE BESTIN ME, WE PASS A TEST AND WE
KEEP PRESSIN” AND YES INDEED,
YOU KNOW PL NEVER LEAVE.
TF YOU CLOSE YOUR
L EYES THAT HYDRANT IS A BEACH,
THAT SIRE IS A BREEZE,.
N FIRE ESCAPF'S A LEAF ON A PALM TREB!
THAT

USNAVI
ABUELA P'M SORRY.
YOUR eSTORY
BUTI AIN' GOIN BACK BECAUSE I'M TELLING
TO YOU SMILIN”, IFOUND MY ISLAND,
,
'ANDICAN
T ' GOODBYE
SAY I
BEEN ON IT THIS WHOLE TIME
TM HOME!

GROUP 4:
(NIN, CAM, DAN,
CAR,
SON, BEN, KEV, PIR 8
M3) WE'RE HOME!
GROUP 2:
(VAN, GRP, W1-5
8: M4, M2, Má, M5
3, M6)
THE HYDRANTS ARE OPEN,

PERUSAL
 TE- 14-139

USNAVI

PERUSAL
 E- 14-134

(The power is still out, KEVIN ls up on a ladder,

taking down the “Rosario Car Service” sign. CAMILA is
beside him. He hands the sign down to CAMILA. Underneath
is the glimmer of an older sign:

BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED) NOTE

VAYAS,
SIME DEJAS,
SITE ALEJAS DE MI,
SEGUIRAENS MIS RECUERDOS PARA SIEMPRE, PARA
SIEMPRE , PARA SIEMPRE,
PARÁ SIEM—-PARÁ
SIEM— PARA
SIEMPRE...
(Continues under next rap)

(USNAVI has entered and watched this. He sits on his stoop,)

USNAVI LIGHTS
OUT ON WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, AND NOW
THE CRACK OF DAWN,
THE BLACKOUT GOES ON AND ON AND ON...

BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED)

PARA SIEMPRE,

USNAVI
SONNY”S OUT BACK, SORTIN THE TRASH
AS1THINK ABOUT THE PAST WITH A SACK FULL OF CASH.

BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED)

PARA SIEMPRE,

USNAVI
ABUELA REALLY WANTED ME UP ON A BEACH WITH
MARGARITAS IN MY REACH, AND
SOON THAT'S HOW IT'S GONNA BE...

PARÁ BOLERO SINGER (PRE-RECORDED)

SIEMPRE,

PERUSAL
 I-8-119

+VANESSA 8 KEVIN
ALABANZA, ALABANZA.
CAMI, PIR, SON,
KEV, BEN £ M3 NINA, DANIELA 38 CARLA
ALABANZA ALABANZA.
, A DOÑ CLAUDI
ALABANZA A A,
SEÑOR.
ALABANZA.
ALABANZA,
ALABANZA, M4 3,
MG PACIENCIA
Y FE
ALABANZA.
: W3 Z W4
PACIENCIA Y FE
+M5
ALABANZA A DOÑA ALABANZA A DOÑA CLAUDIA
CLAUDIA,
SEÑOR. ALABANZA.
ALABANZA,
ALABANZA,
ALL
ALABANZA
,
ALABANZA
.
ALABANZA.
USNAVI
ALABANZA,

things.)
NINA
(Finds an old ticket.)
New York Lotto, 1978.

USNAVI]
She thought it was bad luck to throw
hem away.

PERUSAL