Manuel Calavera is the protagonist, and only playable character in Grim Fandango. The player assumes the role of Manny at the beginning of Year One, following right up to his departure from the Land of the Dead at the end of Year Four. As penance for his sins, Manny is not allowed to simply leave the Land of the Dead, but instead must work as a travel agent (a.k.a. a Reaper) in the Department of Death; spending the first two years of the game following Mercedes Colomar.