TINTINA:-.....Goddammit, my coat.. (Looking Down at her coat as the person tries to apologize) Don't try to apologize to me !! you just ruined my...( She then look up and saw who the person was) Bello?...
BELLO:- Happy holidays Tintina...
TINTINA:-( her eyes were Wide open with smile) Bello! (She gave him a big hug ) Sorry..I'm rubbing coffee all over you.
BELLO:- It's fine they're just Stains. it will come off...so how long.. 2 years right.
TINTINA:- yes two years. I have missed you a lot what are you even doing in New York?
BELLO:- I'm here to stay permanently. I just opened that music store across the street ( pointing to the store) best place to sell music is on Broadway.
TINTINA:- (she laughed) you think like an Igbo man ... Come on let's go inside. Vero will be happy to see you.
BELLO:- OK...( they walk back inside the theatre) Come to think of it, I haven't seen Vero since after graduation...
TINTINA:- Well! you're going to see her today... Vero!!!!! VERO!!.. she is not going to hear me. Let me go and call her. I will be right back. Don't go anywhere OK..
BELLO:- OK oo. ( Tintina hurried backstage to Vero, While he sat down on one of the Auditorium chairs and admire The stage) wow. You really did it Tintina...(He took a deep breath and exhale) Broadway...( Then someone from behind gently taps him on his shoulder And then he screams a little) ah!! .. ( he Turn back and then froze. Slow motion happening in Bello's head because to him, he is Seeing the sun and the Stars all dancing and in the clouds And fireworks to add to the celebration.)
MR RILEY:- ( smiling) hello?..( Bello Still seem lost at the moment) are you OK?
BELLO:- eh... I mean yes...Of course w..why wouldn't I be.
MR RILEY:- sorry for asking. you just seem a little off.
BELLO:- was I? I'm sorry. I was just Shocked.
MR RILEY:- why?
BELLO:- becau....( Tintina came back To the Auditorium with Vero.)
VERO:- oh my God.. Bello!!!.. ( She ran towards him and jump on him giving him a big hug) so good to see you... Oh my God... It has been six years since I last saw you. How 9ja na[s1]
BELLO:- still the same. Corrupt.
VERO:- dame... God help us...
BELLO:- Amin [w1] ( Mr. Riley then cleared his throat To show His presence)
TINTINA:- Oh forgive me For being rude, let me introduce you. Bello, meet Mr. Riley Murphy My manager and the owner of this Theatre. Mr. Riley, meet the Bello Muhammad, My best friend in secondary school and the owner of the Music store across the street.
BELLO:- Pleasure to meet you Mr. Riley. ( Then stretch forth His hand)
MR RILEY:- ( Receiving the handshake and smiling) Please ..you can call me Murphy.
TINTINA:- hey wait!... Why can't I call you just Murphy?
MR RILEY:- Because you're not handsome. ( Vero then laughed) So you are "the Bello". Tina' describes you as just handsome but I have no idea how handsome you are in person.
BELLO:- ( Blushing) wow thanks a lot. (The Auditorium is Silent for a moment)
TINTINA:-(She cleared her throat loudly To Break The Silence) Mr. Riley we are Hosting an open audition next week for Emma's and Bob replacement.
MR RILEY:- Emma? Why??
VERO:- she has cancer...
MR RILEY:- oh my Gosh... Is she going to be OK?
VERO:- she will. But After chemotherapy, She won't have the energy To come back on stage.
MR RILEY:- I see... OK I will be here next week...
"ANCHOR":- written by Isa hafsat hamtin🎆🎇
Tintina and Mr. Riley are at the Auditorium hosting auditions. Vero is sitting behind them taking notes.
TINTINA:- ( a lady singing on stage) ...thank you! ..we will keep in touch. ( the lady took a bow and then exit the stage.) Well, that was another Disaster...
VERO:- more like our 34th disaster. And why can't Bello just play himself? We will kill so much time if we're only auditioning girls...
TINTINA:- Vero. Bello can't act.
VERO:- well have you asked him?
TINTINA:- it wouldn't matter, he is going to say no because he is too busy with his music store. ... Now let's go back to business... Mr. Riley, how many more left?
MR RILEY:- We have just ....( look at the list) 103 more to go.
TINTINA:- what! Oh, men. what a good way to start the new year. I'm tired and hungry.
VERO:- wow. We are lucky this time. The last audition was 312.
MR RILEY:- that was because we were casting for the entire show. Now we just need two new cast..come on let's look at number 35 and we go for lunch..( Bello walked in from the entrance)
BELLO:- hi guys.
MR RILEY:- ( smiling) hi...
TINTINA:- what's up..
VERO:- we were just talking about you.
BELLO:- ( he sat down next to Vero) talking about what?.
VERO:- if you could play yourself in the show.
BELLO:- of course why wouldn't I?
VERO:- ( she turn to Tintina and gave an "I told you so" look.) you were saying?...
TINTINA:- but what about your music store?
BELLO:- I can just hire someone to look after the store. I mean, who are we kidding. there's nobody who can play me except me.
TINTINA:- ok fine... You got the part( Speaking through the microphone) NUMBER 35!! PLEASE STEP FORWARD! ( Then a lady walked to the stage and Tintina is shocked)
VERO:- OHMYGOD...
BELLO:- whatda.....( from afar, the lady looks a lot like Lea but she has shorter curly hair and thicker hips. She is wearing a little heel black shoe, tight high-waist jeans with a slim belt, a black T-shirt and black long coat on top ) ina gani da kyau[s2] ( then he rubbed his eyes)
TINTINA:- yes they are. That's not Lea.
MR RILEY:- How are you so sure.
TINTINA:- because she wouldn't dare try to see me again.
VERO:-(whisper to Tintina) look Tintin', whether she can sing or not she got the part.
MR RILEY:- let's just see what she can do...( Speaking through the microphone) WHAT IS YOUR NAME AND WHAT ARE YOU SINGING?
DIANNA:- ( She has Nigerian accent and has a sharp voice) my name is Dianna Martin and I will be singing "Never Enough from the musical The Greatest Showman"
MR RILEY:- OK EXCELLENT. GO ON...
TINTINA:- ( she began to sing And Tintina is having an episode. Tintina remembers the Careless night. The night She regrets. that wonderful night. 21st September 2017. The moon is full, Tintina and Lea are on the rooftop of their ss3 hostel. Lea put her head on Tintina's shoulder.) God I can't believe Election is tomorrow. Why can't the three of us win?
LEA:- because there can only be one head of girls.
TINTINA:- Why?. It would have been fun if we had three heads. You and Vero are my friends. It will suck if it is only one of us that becomes the head of girls.
LEA:- ( she laughed) It would be weird.
TINTINA:- yes that is true. ( they both looked at each others eyes) I love your brown eyes. And gray hair. ( they both laughed)
LEA:- wait how can you see the color of my eyes. The moonlight isn't so bright.
TINTINA:- I don't need extra light to know the color of your eye Lea.
LEA:- ( she blushed and looked at Tintina ) you are really something else.
TINTINA:- I know..( she looked at the big moon)
LEA:- ( still looking at Tintina) Tintin'...
TINTINA:- yes ( still looking at the moon)
LEA:- look at me..( Tintina turned to her as Lea kissed her)
TINTINA:- (she broke from the kiss ) what are you doing?
LEA:- take off your clothes. ( removing her own clothes)
TINTINA:- Lea... Are you high?
LEA:- if you don't take off your clothes, I will take them off for you.
TINTINA:- this is just...( Lea kissed her again) ..crazy.
LEA:- (she kiss her again) I know you don't want to resist so just let it happen ( she kissed her again and again. Both of them not wearing clothes. Tintina tries not to touch too much but Lea touched and kissed all parts of Tintina's body which made Tintina hungry for more. Tintina is On top of Lea, kissing from her neck down to her laps and then...)
MR RILEY:- Tina'. Are you with us?
TINTINA:- what! ( Tears in her eyes)
MR RILEY:- are you ok? Why are you crying?
TINTINA:- Oh it's nothing. I cry whenever I see something beautiful.
MR RILEY:- ( he laughed) OK. Number 35 is done, what do you think?
TINTINA:- ( Speaking through the microphone) THAT WAS AMAZING DIANNA. WE WILL KEEP IN TOUCH. ( Dianna left the stage)
VERO:- seriously.. Why not just give her the part now.
MR RILEY:- ( looked behind ) I'm disappointed that you don't know how what you just said is wrong. You don't give them the part right away. These kinds of things take time and process.
VERO:- process what exactly ?
MR RILEY:- look. we still have other people to audition..
TINTINA:- (she laughed) come on guys. Let's go eat...
Two weeks later
VERO:-( coming out of the theatre with Tintina and Mr. Riley) ... You guys should have given the part to her that day. Now she is nowhere to be found. Tintina na u cuz am[s3]
TINTINA:- hey!! I tried calling her with the number in her audition application, and the number wasn't reachable.
VERO:- well good luck finding another Lea. I'm going home. (She Whistles for a cab and a taxi cab quickly appeared ) I love New York for this... ( she got in and the cab and drove off)
TINTINA:- (she laughed) Isah the crazy girl.
MR RILEY:- ( he tapped Tintina on the hand) hey Tina'. Isn't that Dianna from the audition? ( pointing at her coming out of Bello's music store across the street)
TINTINA:- (her eyes were Wide-open of smile) yes that's her.
MR RILEY:- well what are you waiting for. Go talk to her.
TINTINA:- OK I'm going..( she quickly ran to the store crossing the road and ignoring annoying New York taxi drivers. She managed to get across to Dianna) hi...
DIANNA:- (holding a Hamilton soundtrack. She then turns to Tintina) oh my God. Tintina Harrison?. How did you find me?
TINTINA:- ( See how closely, she noticed her brown eyes and a diamond ring on her left hand) you say that as if you don't want to be found.
DIANNA:- I'm just surprised that's all.
TINTINA:- we have been trying to call you but your number wasn't reachable.
DIANNA:- I'm so sorry. I was mugged last week so I lost my phone.
TINTINA:- I'm so sorry that happened. I hope you are okay?
DIANNA:- I'm fine. The things inside the bag are replaceable ( then smiled) by the way, why were you guys calling me?
TINTINA:- Oh it's nothing. We just wanted to tell you that you got the part.
DIANNA:- wait what!!....oh my God. I got it?
TINTINA:- Yeah... And Rehearsals start this afternoon. So don't be late OK.
DIANNA:- I won't, I promise...
don't forget to vote ⭐
APPENDIX TRANSLATION
[W1]Amin means Amen in Islam
[S1] how 9ja na / How is Nigeria now?
[s2]ina gani da kyau/ am i seeing well ? ( Hausa)
[S3]na u cuz am / you are the one who caused it