ANCHOR (New York / Nigeria Story) [Screenplay]

Episode Eight:-"Trouble in paradise"

June 8th, 2025

Radio City Music hall, Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The 78th Tony awards ceremony. 10 minutes before Dianna received her award. James Corden is on stage standing in front of a microphone and wearing a leather suit with blue shoes.

JAMES CORDEN:-...and here are the nominees for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. (the cast of Anchor is seated at the auditorium with the audience. From the left, Christine is sitting next to Tintina who is holding two awards. Tintina is sitting next to Dianna. Dianna is sitting next to Lea. Lea is sitting next to Vero and next to her is Mr.Riley who is sitting next to Bello.)

MR. RILEY:- ( holding Bello's hand and whispered to him)...did I tell you you look gorgeous this evening?

BELLO:-(no expression on his face. He is looking at the stage as he answers Mr.Riley) Oh save it, Murphy. I'm not intrigued. (then he removes his hand from Mr.Riley's hand)

MR.RILEY:- is there something wrong?

BELLO:- nothing is wrong (still not facing Mr.Riley)

MR.RILEY:- Here you go again ( he rolled his eyes)

BELLO:- excuse me? ( this time he faced him)

MR.RILEY:- you do this thing whereby you are upset about something instead of saying what's bothering you, you say nothing is wrong!

BELLO:- because nothing is wrong!

MR.RILEY:- Yes there is!! ( People sitting around them all turned in their direction Including Vero and the rest of the cast)

VERO:-( she whispered to Lea) seems like trouble in paradise. ( Lea then nodded her head curiously as they continued to look at Bello and Mr.Riley)

BELLO:- Lower your voice, people are looking.

MR. RILEY:- I don't care about what people think, I care about you!

BELLO:- well I find that very hard to believe. ( drum rolled as James Corden opens the envelope)

JAMES CORDEN:-.. and the award goes to Bello Muhammad For Anchor!! ( without wasting a second Bello quickly stood up and he walked to the stage )

BELLO:- ( Standing in front of the microphone. From afar, you won't notice he is sweating) Wow I'm so nervous ( he smiled as audience laughed) I'm a Hausa boy from Nigeria so I have to say, holding a Tony with my name on it is an impossible turn possible ( audience clapped) so I want to thank Tintina Harrison for this big opportunity and to let her know I will forever be grateful ( he then blow a kiss to the audience which is mainly for Tintina) I'm still nervous so I better get off the stage now before I pee on myself ( audience laughed as he walked towards the backstage)

3 hours later.
Bello and Mr. Riley are coming out of the Building where they hosted the Award after-party.

MR. RILEY:- I think we got to wait a while for the valet to arrive with my car.

BELLO:- don't worry I will take a cab.

MR.RILEY:- are you being serious right now?! (Bello then faced him with an angry but peaceful look) please talk to me. if there is anything I have done wrong I'm really sorry and sorry again for not noticing.

BELLO:- Yeah right. ( he rolled his eyes as he looks for a cab)

MR.RILEY:- ( HE grabbed him by the arm with force) look at me when I'm talking to you!!