6.44 pm.
Mr. Riley is already at King Cole Bar sitting at the bar slab as he waves to the Bartender.
BARTENDER:- can I get you anything sir.
MR RILEY:- No. Not yet. ( he look at the Bartender's name on his shirt) Jack is it?
BARTENDER:- yes. That is my name.
MR RILEY:- I will give you 3 hundred dollars if you make my evening perfect...
BARTENDER:- ( he looked offended) excuse me, I'm just a bartender, not a hooker.
MR RILEY:- what!! oh no, no. That's not what I mean. There is this guy l really like and he is going to be here any moment from now. So I just want this date to go perfect.
BARTENDER:- ( he smiled ) OK. Just tell me how you'd like the night to go.
MR RILEY:- OK. Give us the same drinks. He likes beer so make sure our cups never go empty and come on, Valentines is coming. can you make the lights in here more loving...
BARTENDER:- OK. On that, And I'm sorry for the misunderstanding earlier. I'm into guys, but not in that way.
MR RILEY:- You don't have to apologize. I understand( he smiled as the Bartender walked to his stand) I hope I don't fuck this up.
BELLO:- ( he tapped Mr. Riley's shoulder from behind) Murphy?
MR RILEY:- Bello?. What are you doing here...( look into his wristwatch) by this time?
BELLO:- I should be asking you the same question. ( then had on a wide smile)
MR RILEY:- I came in early because..I..knew..i was going to be late. So why don't I just come early...( he then smiled. Hoping Bello will believe him) so what about you. Why are you early?
BELLO:- hmm. Same reason. ( he then smiled too. Hoping Mr. Riley will go with the idea) so how are you?
MR RILEY:- I'm good. Please, sit. ( Bello sat right next to him ) so how are you keeping up with rehearsals?
BELLO:- rehearsals are fine and thank you for the cool dressing room. Tintina told me you painted the wall. I love the pink. It reminds me of Hedwig and the angry inch.
MR RILEY:- I'm glad you love it. ( he wink at the bartender as he came with two beer mug) so tell me. What do you love about New York?
BELLO:- well I love the fact that I can be myself and love anyone I want to love here. That feeling is magical. You understand. Right?
MR RILEY:- yes I do. What about your family?
BELLO:- (he laughed) My family is just... Unexplainable.
MR RILEY:- how so?
BELLO:- Well to sum it up, My father had four wives and 8 children. My mother was my father's first wife, having me as her only child.
MR RILEY:- so you are the first child?
BELLO:- yes and only son. My mother died when I was 6 out of heart attack because she couldn't handle the fact that my father wanted to marry another wife...
MR RILEY:- oh I'm sorry...
BELLO:- Oh don't be sorry now. It's a long time ago. Anyways after my mum died, he had problems with his other wives. I'm not sure of what really happened but he divorced all of them and then one day when I was 12 my dad went to sleep and never woke up living behind all his remaining millions for me and my half- sisters.
MR RILEY:- ( his eyes wide open) Wow!
BELLO:- Anyways. what about you? Family drama?
MR RILEY:- no. Not really. My parents are still alive and they love me for who I am and my older brother Philip is in London with his family.
BELLO:- You own a theatre on Broadway, how?
MR RILEY:- Well My family own a berry farm in London called "the Murphy berry". I sold my shares of the farm and bought a theatre.
BELLO:- wow! But why theater?
MR RILEY:- Well, my grandma really loved the theater. it is my favorite memory of her. whenever I come see her for the holidays she always took me to go watch a show in any community theater. ( the bartender dropped two cups of beer in front of them) Cheers!
BELLO:- Cheers..
"Anchor" written by Isa Hafsat Hamtin ❤
Tintina is in her dressing room holding a paper and sitting on a desk beside the mirror. Tintina's room is normally open, so Dianna walked in.
TINTINA:- Dianna? is everything OK?
DIANNA:- ( holding a golden handbag) yes miss Harrison. Everything is fine.
TINTINA:- please, call me Tina'. It sounds more friendly and it's easier to pronouns.
DIANNA:- OK. Tina, I just wanted to invite you and the guys to my family mask ball on Valentine's day at Radio City Music Hall.
TINTINA:- wow. Sounds massive. Do you want us to perform?.
DIANNA:- no!. Not at all. It's just a welcome party my father is putting together for my sister. We haven't seen her in years. We are hosting the ball at the Lobby stairs, where Dave Mills wall painting is. ( removing some invitation cards from her handbag ) You and the cast are actually the only friends I have around here. So it would mean so much to me if you guys came. ( giving Tintina an invitation card )
TINTINA:- (collecting the card) really? We are your only friends?
DIANNA:- well I'm still getting used to the city so yeah...
TINTINA:- don't you have someone special, a best friend or something?
DIANNA:- Well I have a fiancé...
TINTINA:- ( looking annoyed as Dianna mentioned her fiancé.) You can invite the others, but I'm not coming. Sorry...( Giving the card back to Dianna ) I have work to do.
DIANNA:- like what exactly?
TINTINA:- ( looking down to her paper) preparing for the Tony's
DIANNA:- what! The Tony Awards are on till June and it's Valentines. Don't you have someone special to be with or something? ( then had on a wide smile)
TINTINA:- no I don't...
DIANNA:- ( she hides her smile as she tried to put on a straight face) seriously. The Tintina Harrison is single?
TINTINA:- shocking right. Nobody is worth my perfection. ( she then smile)
DIANNA:- you really think so?. I mean you have never had a...
TINTINA:- no!... I haven't. ( the room was silent for a moment)
DIANNA:- ...but this show "Anchor" is about you. Like in real life, right?
TINTINA:- yeah...
DIANNA:- so based on the script, " Lea" the character I'm playing was the girl you loved, right?
TINTINA:- where are you going with this?
DIANNA:- I'm just saying. I understand why you don't want to give love a chance. But you can't tell me you haven't had feelings for someone else.
TINTINA:- no. No one. I'm too scared to be heartbroken again I guess
DIANNA:- wow! ( the room became quiet a bit) Look, What Lea did to you wasn't fair at all. You gave her love and she showed nothing but crap. she has no idea the amazing personality she had let go. I get why you are scared of love. But Love is not Lea. Love is love. So even if you don't come for the ball, just go out and find someone. You may not know, your future wife may be very close by ( they both smiled at each other) And If I may ask, what's even her last name? The script didn't say...
TINTINA:- haha. Her last name was funny to be honest. Her full name is Lea Cynthia.
DIANNA:- ( she raised an eyebrow as if she had just solved a puzzle) hmmm....well... If you change your mind...( she dropped the invitation card on Tintina's table). The invitation will still be open.
TINTINA:-( Dianna was about living the office) Dianna.
DIANNA:- yes Tina'.( she stopped and stood still)
TINTINA:- Has Veronica shown you your dressing room?
DIANNA:- yes she has. The room is beautiful. I love the orange wall.
TINTINA:- I'm glad you like it. ( Dianna smiled and about to exit the room ) actually. ( Dianna pause) there was one other person.
DIANNA:- ( she smiled) go on.
TINTINA:- Her name was Diane. We had a brief connection because we only met one day and on that day we only spoke for like five minutes. She was sweet. Although she didn't see it, she had no idea how beautiful she was and with her gorgeous green eyes. We had this weird connection that I had never felt before with anyone even with Lea. Then I think her mum called her on the phone and she left. I never saw her again. I know it's weird to have a feeling for someone you met for five minutes.
DIANNA:- ( she smiled more) no it's not. It's amazing.
TINTINA:- well, ...( she picks up the invitation card) as for your invitation... I will think about it. Okay?
DIANNA:- okay. ( she left the room)
TINTINA:- ( looking at the invitation ) hmmm... This will be fun...
14th February 2025
Bello just got an apartment. The place is full of brown boxes because he is still unpacking. The place is painted ash but his bedroom is painted pink. He is stepping out of his apartment wearing a white Tuxedo with black trousers, black untied bow tie, shining black loafers, hanging his overcoat on his right hand and holding his red devil mask on his left hand. He Locked his pink door and began walking as he answered his ringing phone.
BELLO:- hello. Who is this?
UNKNOWN CALLER:- Bello it's me. I'm here in New York. Where are you?
BELLO:- I'm off to the ball. I will see you there.
UNKNOWN CALLER:- are you sure Tintin' will talk to me.
BELLO:- Of course she will. Lea don't worry I'm going to be there with you the whole time...
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