[1.6]The Crucible
The Crucible Written by Sy Dukane
& Denise Moss
Directed by James Burrows
=====================================================================
Production Code: 1.6.
Episode Number In Production Order: 6
Filmed on
Original Airdate on NBC: 21st October 1993
Transcript written on 2nd April 1999
Transcript revised on 15th August 2001
Transcript {michelle cushley}
Act One.
Scene A - Frasier's booth at KACL.
Frasier is on air.
Frasier: You're listening to KACL 780 on your AM dial. This is Dr.
Frasier Crane. All our lines are open, so please, give us
a call. [silence] I'm just sitting here waiting. [silence]
Hey, Seattle, c'mon, I know you're out there. Hey, look,
I realise it's a sunny day but on all those rainy days,
I was there for you. [silence] Well, alright then, if
that's the way you want it, you leave me no recourse...
[clears his throat; singing]
"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie-"
His board lights up.
Frasier: That seems to have gotten you going there, okay! Alright
then, I knew you were out there. Okay, Roz, who do we have?
Roz: We have Gary from Issiqua on line two. He and his wife had
a big fight.
Frasier: Sorry to hear that, Gar. I'm listening.
Gary: [v.o.] Well, y'see, Dr. Crane, my wife is hell-bent on going
to Italy this year.
Frasier: Ahh, Italia - the rolling hills of Toscana, the art of
Firenze, the passion that is Venizia...
Gary: [over his head] Yeah, well, anyway - I like taking vacations
as much as the next guy but I say that, if we dip into our
savings, I think the first thing we should buy is a new
sump-pump for the basement. At least with that-
Frasier: [interrupting] Oh, listen, Gary. Let me stop you right
there. I'm afraid I'm going to have to side with your wife
on this one.
Gary: But the trip to Italy costs eighteen hundred bucks, and that
doesn't include the "Splendours of the Vatican" package.
Frasier: Gary, there is more to life than sump-pumps. Whatever
happened to feeding our souls? Look, for example, I recently
purchased a painting by one of this country's premier artists—
oh, it's not important who. Well, it's Seattle's own Martha
Paxton, but... Practical? No. But ever since acquiring that
painting, I look at it every day and there's not a moment when
I do that I'm not uplifted by its beauty. So Gary, go to
Italy, bring back a suitcase full of memories. Will you do
that?
Gary: I still think I should get the sump-pump.
Frasier: [contemptuous] Well then, yes, Gary, you... you should get the
sump-pump! We'll be right back after this newsbreak.
Frasier is now off-air and moves through to Roz in the control booth.
Frasier: Roz, just what is a "sump-pump?"
Roz: If you need one, you'll know. Listen, do you really own a
Paxton or were you just blowing sunshine up old Gary's skirt?
Frasier: Yes indeed, I do own a Paxton.
Roz: Well, you'll be pleased to know that she's on line three.
[holds up the phone]
Frasier: [gasps and snatches the phone] My God, Roz, she's the
preeminent Neofauvist of the twentieth century! How
could you put her on hold?
Roz: Well, the phone rang and I pushed the little button-
He gestures for her to push the little button again.
Frasier: Yes, hello, Miss Paxton. I'm so sorry to have kept you
waiting. Well, thank you. I'm very flattered that you listen
to my little show. Yes, well, yes, I meant every word. Yes,
that's lovely, I'd like to meet you, too sometime. [sudden
thought] As a matter of fact, I'm having a few friends over
for a little gathering this Friday night, for cocktails and
such. Well, I suppose you're far too busy to... you would!
Oh, that's marvelous. Alright, that's the Elliot Bay towers
on the Counterbalance. Around seven is just fine. And, well,
I'll see then then. Ciao! [hangs up]
Roz: I didn't know you were having a cocktail party.
Frasier: That makes two of us!
FADE OUT
WHAT A SWELL PARTY
Scene B - Frasier's apartment, Friday night.
The cocktail party has started. Martha Paxton's painting occupies a
place of honor over the fireplace.
Daphne is standing in the middle of a small clique, while the rest of
the party mingle around them. Niles is seated on the stereo cabinet,
gazing at her adoringly.
Daphne: Well, my theory on death is: first you're whisked down a long
dark tunnel towards a beautiful white light; you suddenly get
all the jokes you never got before, you let out a little
chuckle, and then you die!
The clique laughs.
Frasier: That's a delightful story, Daphne, but I think the toast
points need replenishing.
Daphne: [moving away] Be right on it.
Niles: [hops down] Enchanting, just enchanting.
Frasier: My God, Niles, why is no-one eating the Mussoline of Duck?
Eddie hops onto the chair and starts eating it.
Frasier: Oh, you mangy little cur! [chases Eddie away]
Niles: Well, now we know why.
Frasier tidies up the duck and nervously licks his fingers clean.
Frasier: Look, Niles, the dog is eating the food, the pianist is too
intrusive, the Pinot Noir is far too stagey and it's five past
seven and Martha isn't even here yet!
Niles: I'm not going to have to sedate you, am I?
Frasier: No, I'm just a bit on edge, I want everything to be so
perfect. [pause] By the way, where's Maris? I haven't
seen her all night.
Niles: She's on your bed.
Frasier: My bed?
Niles: Yes, she's asleep under the guests' coats. She exhausts
easily under the pressure to be interesting.
Frasier: Niles, she's supposed to be looking after dad. That's the
only reason you're here, remember?
Niles: Dad is in the bathroom - don't worry.
Doorbell rings.
Frasier: That must be la Paxton - and fashionably late, of course.
He opens the door. It's Roz.
Frasier: Oh hi, Roz, it's you. [she looks offended] And you look
radiant.
Roz: I look like crap - I've got a spot on my dress, I over-plucked
one eyebrow and the crotch of my pantyhose is creeping down to
my knees.
To Frasier's horror she squats behind the table next to the couch
and pulls them up.
Frasier: Couldn't you have just done that in the elevator? [takes her
coat] Oh, my goodness, Roz, you've got a neck. Gee, so what
do you think of the place? Is it everything you imagined it
would be?
Roz: Well, to be frank, Frasier, I don't spend my idle hours
imagining how you live. But I did expect lots of beige
and, look, I was right.
Frasier: Would you like a drink?
Roz: Sure, something light would be nice.
Frasier calls the waiter over.
Roz: [to waiter] Double bourbon, rocks, and spill a little in the
glass.
In the Kitchen, Daphne is bent over, taking a tray out of the oven.
Niles sidles in, apparently innocently.
Niles: Oh, Daphne, you're here, too.
Daphne: My goodness, Dr. Crane - shouldn't you be out there mixing?
Niles: Oh, don't mind me. I'm just getting some ice. [puts the ice
to his forehead]
Daphne: Lovely party, isn't it?
Niles: Yes, it is.
Daphne: [chopping herbs] ook at this fresh fennel. [picks up a piece
and sniffs it] Smells wonderful, doesn't it?
Niles: [smelling Daphne's hair instead] It certainly does.
Daphne: [catching Niles] Dr. Crane, were you sniffing my hair?
Niles: Why would I do a thing like that? I'm a happily married man -
I love my Maris.
Guest: [entering kitchen] Where should I put this coat?
Niles: Just throw it on the bed.
In the lounge, people are still milling around.
Roz: So, Frasier, which one is your dad?
Frasier: Oh, well, he's the older gentleman over there talking to
Bethany van Pelt, showing her the photographs. [realises]
Oh my God!
He rushes over to them.
Martin: [re: photos] ...and when we finally got to her it was only
hanging by two tendons.
Frasier: [to Bethany, who looks ill] Would you excuse us, please?
[leads his dad away] Dad, will you stop showing these crime
scene photos? You're embarrassing me.
Martin: Oh, these society people eat this up. Besides, she was the
one that brought it up.
Frasier: Oh, she brought it up? Bethany van Pelt - the head of the
Junior League - brought up the subject of a hooker whose
body was hideously dismembered and scattered all over an
abandoned warehouse.
Martin: Yeah, she asked, "aren't these Swedish meatballs the
messiest things you've ever seen?" and I said, "no,
as a matter of fact"-
Frasier: Dad, dad, please!
Martin: Alright, alright, but stop shadowing me. I don't need a
nursemaid.
Frasier: Alright, if you give me your word, that's good enough for
me.
He passes Niles, who is following Daphne out of the kitchen.
Frasier: [hits Niles] You watch him!
As Frasier moves off, Niles would obviously prefer to stay with
Daphne, when Roz comes over to him.
Roz: Hi, Niles.
Niles: Oh, hello.
Roz: You may not remember me, I'm-
Niles: Of course I remember you. Would you be a love and watch that
man with the cane? [continues following Daphne]
Doorbell rings. Frasier answers - this time, it is Martha Paxton.
She is short, bald and aged around 50. She wears a poncho which
covers her arms completely, and a Native American bead necklace.
Martha: Dr. Crane? I'm Martha Paxton.
Frasier: Of course, who else could you be? Welcome to my salon.
[loudly] Everyone, everyone, your attention, please. I'd
like you all to welcome our guest of honour, the renowned
artist - Martha Paxton.
The guests applaud.
Frasier: May I take your... poncho?
Martha: No, no, no, no, I never take it off at parties. It gives me
an excuse not to shake hands with people.
Frasier: Oh, how delightfully eccentric! You must meet my brother,
Niles. Oh, Niles?
Niles: [moves over to the door] Miss Paxton, Dr. Niles Crane. It is
an honour to shake your hand. [outstretches his hand then,
seeing no reaction on her part, shakes her poncho instead]
Well, to shake anything of yours is an honour. [skulks away,
embarrassed]
Martha: Now, where did you hang my painting? I'm always curious to
know how people live with my work.
Frasier: "Live with my work" - I love that phrase. If you would, right
this way, please. [leads her towards the centre of the room]
I think this is the perfect spot for an ideal viewing. Oh
God, I've waited so long for this moment - I'm just going to
stand back and let you describe your work - "Elegy in Green"—
in your own words. The way you insinuate the palette but
never lean on it, you capture the zeitgeist of our generation.
It is the most perfect canvas it has ever my privilege to gaze
upon. I mean, one can only imagine what inspired you to paint
it.
Martha: I didn't paint it.
A murmur passes through the crowd.
Frasier: [fighting panic] Of course you didn't. You-you created it,
you gave birth to it.
Martha: [walks to the painting] I didn't do anything to it - I never
saw this painting before in my whole life.
Martin: [leans into Frasier's ear] And you thought I was gonna
embarrass you!
End Of Act One.
Act Two.
Scene C - Frasier's apartment, post-party. Martin and Frasier are in
the lounge. Daphne is cleaning up while Frasier just leans against
the pillar, staring at the painting.
Martin: I really liked your friend Roz.
Frasier: What?
Martin: Roz, at the party tonight. Nice gal. Why don't you ask her
out? She's great-looking and she can really hold her liquor.
Frasier: Dad, do you mind? I've just suffered the most humiliating
evening of my life. I've been been made a fool of by this,
this, this... thing. [gestures towards the painting]
Daphne: You know, I may be just a girl from Manchester but, I have to
tell you, even though it's not a Paxton, I really like that
picture. I liked it the minute I saw it. I liked it even
before I knew who Martha Paxton was. And quite frankly,
I don't think that woman bathes.
Frasier: Well, enjoy it while you can because, first thing in the
morning, this is going back to the dealer where I bought it.
I'm demanding my money back - no-one is going to take
advantage of Frasier Crane.
Martin: You know, listen, Frasier. You're kind of upset about this,
maybe I should return it for you.
Frasier: Well, Dad, I appreciate the gesture but, really, what do you
know about the art world?
Martin: Apparently about as much as you do.
FADE TO:
#$&%*!!!
Scene B - The Hayson Gallery
Frasier is staring at a painting, he is approached by Phillip.
Phillip: I can see the love in your eyes. You must have this painting.
Frasier: Are you the owner?
Phillip: Yes, I am. Phillip Hayson. [they shake hands]
Frasier: How do you do, I'm Dr. Frasier Crane. I happen -
Phillip: No, not the Dr. Frasier Crane. From the radio?
Frasier: Guilty. Yes, but -
Phillip: My wife and I love your show! Could I have your autograph
before you go?
Frasier: It would be my pleasure but, speaking of autographs, I have a
small problem with this painting. [holds up painting]
Phillip: I'm really distressed to hear that. Would you like a glass of
wine?
Frasier: Well, actually I -
Phillip: My wife and I toured the Loire valley last year and we
couldn't resist buying four cases of this. [opens the
bottle and pours Frasier a glass] It's really quite
extraordinary - I hope you like it.
Frasier: Well, I'd really rather not have any wine at this moment -
Phillip lets Frasier taste the wine.
Frasier: Well, that's rather nice, isn't it? Finishes well.
Phillip: Very well. Would you like some more?
Frasier: No, no, no, thank you. I'd... getting back to my problem -
I recently gave a small but elegant soiree at which Martha
Paxton was in attendance, you see. She told me that this
painting was not her work.
Phillip: Oh dear, I can imagine how embarrassing that must have been.
Frasier: I doubt you can, Mr. Hayson.
Phillip: Please, Phillip. Let's take a look at that in slightly
better light, shall we? [walks the painting over to a stand
and places it on the easel] Oh, yes, I remember this - it's
breathtaking. [Raising his voice] Ronald, Diane, will you
step in here a moment please?
Two of Phillip's shills come through to join them, they gather
around the painting.
Phillip: Do you remember when this piece was in the gallery -
everyone who saw it wanted it.
Diane: Yes, it's a very special piece.
Ronald: Mrs. Chitcherelli was heart broken when it sold.
Phillip: Oh, I remember -
Frasier: Yes, I'm sure she was but, you see, it's not a Paxton!
Phillip: But it says right here that it is a Paxton. The signature
is here. [The three bend to point at the signature]
Frasier: Martha Paxton says that it is not a Paxton.
Phillip: Oh, Martha, how is the old dear? Her and I go back a long
way, is she still-? [makes a gesture to his hair - a reference
to Paxton's baldness]
Frasier: As a Crenshaw melon, yes.
Phillip: Would you like a little more wine?
Frasier: No, I don't want any wine. I want to discuss this painting.
Phillip: So would I. Maybe some brie? [Ronald and Diane disappear]
Frasier: No, I don't want any brie! I want my money back.
Phillip: Oh, well, that's where things might get a bit... prickly.
You see, we have a strict policy here at the Hayson gallery -
all sales are final.
Frasier: But, in this case, you're willing to make an exception.
Phillip: Oh, I'd love to, but I can't.
Frasier: Yes, but it's a forgery.
Phillip: Well, if it is, it's a damn good one. [laughs]
Frasier: Alright, alright, I'm going to make this simple - I want my
money.
Phillip: I'm sure you do.
Frasier: Oh, I know what you're doing - you're "handling" me. You're
agreeing with everything I say hoping I'll tire and go away.
Phillip: Whatever you say.
Frasier: I don't believe it! You're shining me on. You are shining
me on! Where is the fairness of this, where is the justice?!
Phillip: Dr. Crane, if you ever find justice in this world, let me
know, will you? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.
[walks away]
Frasier: What? Did a crate of freshly-painted Rembrandts just arrive?!
[follows him] Damn it, you're not getting away with this!
I am not leaving. I am not leaving! I am NOT leaving.
FADE TO:
AFTER HE LEFT...
Scene C - Frasier's apartment.
Frasier arrives, with the painting, to find Martin eating at the dinner
table.
Martin: What are you still doing with that? I thought you were going
to return it.
Frasier: They wouldn't take it back. All I got was some attitude and
a cheap glass of wine - Loire valley, my ass.
Martin: What are you going to do now?
Frasier: Well, they've forced my hand. I'm going to call the police.
[picks up the phone]
Martin: Five-five-five three thousand.
Frasier: Thanks, Dad. Try to mess with Dr. Frasier Crane, I'll teach
them. [into phone] Hello, yes. Oh, just a second. [to Martin]
Dad, who do I ask for?
Martin: Have them put you through to the fine arts forgery department.
Frasier: [into phone] Hello, yes, the fine arts forgery department,
please.
At the table, Martin hides his grin while Frasier gets a sour look.
Frasier: Dad, they're laughing at me.
Martin: [chuckling] Give me the phone. [Frasier does] Hi, who's this?
Hey, Doris. Yeah, Marty Crane. Yeah, that was my son. Yeah,
I just thought he needed a bite of a reality sandwich. Yeah,
yeah, give my best to the guys. Thanks. Bye. [hangs up]
Frasier: What was that?
Martin: Frasier, the boys downtown have their hands full of murders
and robberies - they don't have time for this artsy-fartsy
stuff.
Frasier: Yes, Dad, but what am I supposed to do? I've been cheated!
Niles and Daphne emerge from Frasier's bedroom, both are disheveled
and appear straightening their clothes.
Frasier: What were you two doing back there?
Niles: Maris lost her earring at the party last night. Daphne was
good enough to crawl under the bed to look for it while I...
Frasier: [long and low] Yeeeess?
Niles: Searched the credenza!
Daphne: Maybe I'll go check in the hallway. It might have gotten
trampled into the carpet when everybody stampeded for the
elevator.
Frasier: No one stampeded! They were all just good guests, they knew
when to leave.
Niles: Two hours early. [laughs]
Frasier: Oh, shut up, Niles!
Niles: [sees the painting] Oh, I see. Am I to ascribe this foul mood
to the fact that you were unable to unload the bogus Paxton?
Frasier: Yes. Gee, I know, Niles. What is the name of that really
vicious lawyer that you use?
Niles: Which one, the one I used to sue the contractor or the one
I used to sue the personal trainer?
Frasier: Well, the meanest.
Niles: Uh, that would be the second one. I used him to sue the
first one.
Frasier: Right. [picks up the phone] Ah, just give me his number,
will you?
Martin: Ah, forget it, Frasier. Five years of litigation and you'll
end up paying eight times what you paid for the painting.
[carries his plate to the kitchen]
Niles: He's right about that.
Frasier: [replaces the phone] God, I hate laywers!
Niles: Oh, me too. [sits down on the couch] But they make wonderful
patients. They have excellent health insurance and they
never get better.
Frasier: Say, I know, I know. I can use my radio show - why didn't I
think of this earlier? I can use my bully pulpit to expose
that man for the fraud that he is!
Niles: Now, Frasier, that's slander. He'll sue you for everything
you've got.
Frasier: Damn it, Niles, where is the justice? Where am I supposed to
turn to? I'm a, a beloved household personality and I've been
screwed! [gestures at the painting]
Martin: [as he returns from the kitchen] For God's sake, Frasier,
you're forty-one years old. It's time you learned something:
the system ain't perfect. Sometimes the bad guy wins. And
all those things you thought would be around to help you,
the courts and the police department? Well, sometimes
they're just not there when you need them. So you can either
let it eat a hole in your stomach, or you can just file it
away under the heading, "Sometimes Life Sucks."
[exits to his room]
Frasier: [shouts after him] Yeah well, that file's getting pretty
thick!
Niles returns from the bar with two sherries. He hands one to
Frasier.
Frasier: So that's that, huh? Hayson just gets away with it. He's
sitting there now with his brie and his wine and his little
chuckle at my expense. Gosh, you know, I finally understand
why people take matters into their own hands. It would be so
satisfying right now to just... slash his tires, or... throw
a brick though his window or something. Just so he'd learn
that you don't do this to people and get away with it.
Niles: Yes, well, I know you, Frasier, and I know that you'd never
resort to that sort of thing. [looks at his brother, and
becomes unsure] Would you, Frasier?
Silence.
Niles: There's a vein throbbing in your forehead.
Daphne enters from the hallway.
Daphne: Well, I couldn't find it in the hallway but let me give it
one last try. Could you give me the matching earring? Maybe
I'll get something from it.
Niles hands Daphne the earring. She holds it in both hands and
concentrates.
Daphne: Oh yes, I'm getting a feeling. It's in your father's room.
No, no, it's in Dr. Crane's room. Oh, this is odd, now it's
in the hallway.
Eddie scampers in from the hallway and across the lounge.
Niles/Daphne: Eddie!
Niles and Daphne run after Eddie while Frasier grabs his car keys
and exits the apartment.
FADE TO:
PEACHFUZZ
Scene D - Outside the Hayson Gallery.
Frasier creeps round the corner, holding a brick. He checks that the
coast is clear, then stands in front of the window and is about to
throw it until he notices an old couple walking past. He hides the
brick behind his back.
Frasier: Good evening. Lovely night, isn't it? Yes, well, goodnight.
Again, Frasier gets ready to throw the brick but this time a horn
honks and Niles's car pulls up in front of the gallery.
Niles: [through car window] Get in the car.
Frasier: Niles, what the hell are you doing here?
Niles: Stopping you from doing something really stupid. Now get
in the car.
Frasier: I will not! Niles, look, I know this is wrong but I don't
care! It's the only thing left for me!
Niles: Alright, Frasier. [steps out of the car; Frasier retreats]
Frasier, just give me the brick and no one will get hurt.
Frasier: Why don't you just go away? This is no concern of yours.
Niles: Yes, it is.
Frasier: How?
Niles: Remember that day in junior high school when somebody took
all my clothes while I was in the shower, right after gym
class? They hung them from the goalpost on the football
field. I had no choice but to get a ladder and climb up
there wearing nothing but a towel, wet and shivering. Then
the towel fell off! There I was - your little brother,
hanging naked from a goal post, and everyone was standing
around laughing, and all Coach Medwick would do was stand
there going- [holds his arms up to imitate the gesture]
whatever that means.
[N.B. In American football, the signal - raising the arms to vertical
and then dropping them to a "Y" position - means "field goal!" when a
player scores by kicking the ball over and through the goal post.]
Frasier: Niles, why are you telling me this?
Niles: Because - I was so humiliated, I went home, I cried my eyes
out, I swore I would get even. I was just about to put
sugar into Coach Medwick's gas tank... and you stopped me.
Remember what you said? "If you act like a barbarian, you
will become a barbarian."
Frasier: I said that?
Niles: Yes. Well, actually you were more verbose at the time.
I had to listen, you were sitting on my chest.
Pause.
Niles: Give me the brick, Frasier.
Frasier: [frustrated] And let him get away with this?!
Niles: I know, I know! What the gallery owner did to you was wrong,
it was humiliating. But if you throw that brick through that
window, you will have lost something more valuable than your
money. You will have lost... your mind. Frasier, you can't
do this!
Frasier: Well, Niles, if you were strong enough to show restraint
after so much humiliation, not to mention the nicknames.
Niles: [as if remembering] Nicknames. [then:] There were nicknames?
Frasier: Oh, you didn't know that? Oh dear God, yes. Uh, "Peachfuzz,"
"Jingle Bells" - I can't remember the rest.
Niles: "Peachfuzz"?
Frasier: Yes, I believe Coach Medwick made that one up himself.
[hands Niles the brick] Well, anyway, here you are.
I won't be needing this anymore.
Niles: I'm proud of you.
Frasier heads towards the car but Niles does not join him. Instead,
he cocks his arm and hurls the brick through the gallery window,
shattering it with a loud crash. As the alarm sounds, Niles throws
his hands up in a gesture reminiscient of the Coach Medwick signal.
Frasier: [shouts above the alarm] My God, Niles! What are you, what
have you done?!
Niles: [proud] I've struck a blow for justice! Nobody calls me
"Peachfuzz." Now let's get the hell out of here.
They both run to the car, but as Frasier dashes to the passenger side,
Niles stops and runs back to the window with his wallet out.
Frasier: Niles, what are you doing now?
Niles: We may be barbarians, but we pay for our pillaging!
He throws a handful of notes in through the broken window.
Frasier: Come on, come on! [Niles gets into the car] GO, GO, GO, GO!
Niles's tires squeal as he speeds away from the gallery.
End Of Act Two.
Credits:
Frasier is contemplating the painting after hanging it on the wall.
The camera begins to zoom out and we discover that he's hung it above
the cistern in the powder room.
Guest Appearances
Guest Starring
JOHN RUBINSTEIN as Philip Hayson
RACHEL ROSENTHAL as Martha Paxton
EUGENIE BONDURANT as Diane
GREGORY EUGENER TRAVIS as Ronald
Guest Callers
ROBERT KLEIN as Gary
Legal Stuff
This episode capsule is copyright 1999 by Michelle Cushley & Nick
Hartley. This episode summary remains property of Frasier, Copyright
of Paramount Productions and NBC. Printed without permission.