While rehearsing for the theatrical production Anna in the Tropics, Paolo Andino (M.F.A. acting, ’97) never thought a good deed he performed weeks before would send him on an all-expense paid trip to the tropics.

The adventure began when Andino and his friend Matt Cronin (pictured enjoying dinner in Bermuda, Cronin left, Andino right) found a video camera in the backseat of a Manhattan taxicab.  As an actor accustomed to performing on the screen as well as the stage, Andino was naturally curious about the film inside the camera.

After watching just a few scenes, Andino and Cronin quickly ascertained that the camera belonged to English tourists Len and Jill who were staying at the Hilton before traveling by cruise ship to Bermuda for their daughter’s wedding.  Amused by the couple’s cinema photography style to document everything, Andino and Cronin understood what a disappointment loosing the camera must have been for the couple.

A phone call to the Hilton quickly confirmed that their amateur detective skills were leading them in the right direction; however, the couple had already checked out.

Andino and Cronin wasted no time and began searching the camera bag and Internet for more clues.  Discovering that the only ship leaving for Bermuda that day was scheduled to depart in a mere matter of hours, Andino and Cronin hailed another cab and rushed to the harbor to return the camera.  They also found an old receipt that revealed the couple’s last name to be Nobbs.

As the taxi driver rushed Andino and Cronin to the Port Authority, they tried to write a short note to the Nobbs, but the ride was too bumpy. Andino said that the only thing left to do was film the return of the camera “Leonard Nobbs style.”

Identifying themselves simply as Paolo and Matt, the two narrated their efforts earlier in the day and then carefully documented the rest their adventure right up to the point where a crewmember from the ship took the camera.

Andino remembers that they shared the story with friends over dinner that night but said they then forgot about the whole ordeal.  The Nobbs thought little of the incident as well, assuming that someone at the hotel had found their camera.

Back at home in Hampstead, England, while reviewing footage from their trip, the Nobbs discovered an unexpected cast of characters as Andino and Cronin interrupted Len’s documentary with one of their own.

With the help of Britain’s “Good Morning TV”, the New York Post and a number of New Yorkers who jumped at the chance to identify Andino and Cronin, the Nobbs were able to thank the two via satellite on “Good Morning America”  (Andino and Cronin pictured above with Diane Sawyer).

After doing another TV spot on MSNBC, declining several other media opportunities and Andino’s return to Seattle, the two forgot about the situation once again, until they received a call two days later from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce informing them that because they “handled the situation like any good Bermudian” the Bermuda government would like to have them as their guest for five days.

Although he never expected a reward of any kind, Andino admits he enjoyed relaxing in a hammock at a hilltop cottage overlooking the Bermuda coast.  “But,” he added, “the thrill of the chase and the opportunity to help was reward enough.”