Authors Note: Just a quick one shot of how I thought Hector's first Dia de Muertos would have been like. SPOILERS for Coco. Also fair warning, this story does not have a happy ending.
All characters and movie references to Coco belong to Disney and Pixar!
Today's the day! Today's the day I get to see mi amor y mi hija! It's finally Dia de los Muertos and I can cross the bridge! I wonder what Imelda left out for me. Maybe my guitar? My suit? No! Tamales! Oh she would make the BEST tamales!
Hector thought as he straightened up his outfit, retied his scarf, and repositioned his hat.
"I don't know why I am putting so much thought into my appearance, it's not like they are gonna see me" he chuckled and turned as if he were with someone but remembered he is still alone, like he has been since he died.
It was his turn next in line. He walked in front of the scanner, fixed his posture, and put on a smile.
**BUZZ**
He flinched and was shocked, he hadn't seen it buzz for all the skeletons who went before him.
"What- what happened?" Hector asked.
"Oh I'm so sorry but it looks like no one put up your photo." said the clerk.
"What?"
"When no one puts up your photo you-" she tried to explain.
"Ya ya ya, 'can't cross over' I know but... are you sure?"
"Si. The scanner says that you do not have any photos on any ofrendas, I apolog-"
"No no no no. It must be a mistake! Try again."
"The scanner isn't wrong señor-" she said softly
"No you don't understand, my wife, she would've put my photo up! I know she would have! Try again!" Hector said with rising tension.
"I don't think that's a good idea-"
"Please?"
She sighed and fiddled with the dials once more.
**BUZZ**
"I am truly sorry, señor." She said sincerely.
"How is this possible? It can't be right. Imelda would've- I know she would have! I mean she'd be sad and angry- she was angry- furious even- but I died and- even if she didn't then-"
"Sir, I have to ask you to leave-" she said trying to cut off his rambling.
"Ernesto would have put my photo up! He would-"
Hector was so consumed in his babbling that he didn't even notice the clerk call for security. Almost instantly, 2 skeleton officers arrived behind Hector.
"Sir, you need to leave." said one of the guards.
"No no no no there's been a mistake." Hector pleaded
"Your holding up the line." replied the other guard
"No! I have to cross the bridge- I can- my photo- it has to be there! I know-" Hector tried explaining
"Last warning."
"Try the scanner again! Please!" Hector said grabbing the bars near the scanner to get closer to the clerk. The security guards grabbed hector and started dragging him away.
"NO! No, please! This isn't right! MY PHOTO HAS TO BE ON THE OFRENDA! MY WIFE- PLEASE!"