[11.11]High Holidays
High Holidays Written by Christopher Lloyd
Directed by Sheldon Epps
=====================================================================
Production Code: 11.11
Episode Number in Production Order: 251
Filmed:
Original Airdate on NBC: 9th December 2003
Transcript written on 29th December 2003
Hey, Freddie!
Frederick has appeared in the following episodes:
[3.09] Frasier Grinch
[4.07] A Lilith Thanksgiving
[4.16] The Unnatural
[6.11] Good Samaritan
[7.09] The Apparent Trap
[8.10] Cranes Unplugged
[9.18] War of the Words
[10.06] Star Mitzvah
Transcript {Mike Lee}
Skyline: Christmas lights on the Space Needle.
ACT ONE
Scene One — Café Nervosa
Frasier and Roz are seated at a table. Martin comes in with Eddie.
Martin: Hi, guys.
Frasier: Oh hey, Dad.
A waiter brings a cup for Roz and a plate of complimentary cookies.
Waiter: Cappuccino to go. Holiday cookies, anyone?
Frasier: Oh yes, I believe I will, thank you.
Frasier and Roz each take one. Martin reaches for the plate, then
pulls back.
Martin: Oh, not for me.
Roz: Watching your weight?
Martin: Yeah, and it's killing me. But the other night, Ronee made a
comment about my "bowl full of jelly."
Roz: Well, everyone puts on a few this time of year.
Frasier: Everyone doesn't sit around reading the newspaper, actually
slurping from a bowl full of jelly.
Roz: Well, you look great to me, Martin.
Martin: Thanks.
Roz: Merry Christmas.
Roz picks up her coffee and a shopping bag and leaves.
Martin: Oh, Eddie and I must have walked about three miles.
I'm sweating like a pig.
As he moves to take Roz's chair, Frasier hooks it with his foot and
pulls it in.
Martin: What the hell are you doing?
Frasier: I am saving that seat for someone who may not wish to have it
bedewed with pig sweat.
Natalie, a young woman of dark and exotic beauty, enters.
Natalie: [sultry French accent] Frasier?
Frasier: Oh, Natalie!
Natalie: Hello.
Frasier: [shaking her hand] Hi.
Frasier: This is my father, Martin Crane. Uh, Natalie Blanc of the
Seattle Tourism Board. She wants me to do a promo for her.
[to her] He was just leaving.
Natalie: Oh, that little dog is adorable.
Frasier: Yes, and he's smart as a chimp too! Off you go!
He shoots Martin a meaningful look. Martin takes the hint and goes to
the counter.
Frasier: [motions her to the seat] Please. It's so lovely to finally
meet you.
Natalie: Thank you, thank you.
Frasier: Have a seat. [she does] So, tell me about this promo.
Natalie: Well, it's pretty simple. It begins with you at home on the
couch. [hands him a script] And you say...
Frasier: [reading] "Anybody feel like taking a walk? Then come to
Seattle."
Natalie: And then we see you walking at the Space Needle, the beach,
the fish market — but we do all of that with special effects.
It should only take a couple of hours tomorrow. So, are you
in?
Frasier: [overcome by her accent] I'm "een!" [they laugh] You know,
it's funny, when you called me at the last minute, there was a
small, madly insecure part of me that wondered if I was your
second choice.
Natalie: No, you weren't the second.
Frasier pauses, struck by the double meaning there. As Martin turns
back with his coffee, Eddie jumps into Frasier's arms.
Natalie: Nice meeting you.
Martin: You too.
Natalie: Oh, that dog is so precious.
Frasier: Yes, there are times when I could just squeeze him to death!
Natalie: You know, maybe he should be in the spot with you.
Martin: Eddie in a commercial?
Natalie: Mm-hmm.
Frasier: It's called a spot, Dad.
Natalie: You look so perfect together. He could just sit next to you
on the couch.
Frasier: Well, I suppose there's no harm in a little window dressing.
Natalie: The director will love it. I'll call him right now.
She takes out her cell phone.
Martin: Oh, I don't believe it. [pets Eddie] Eddie's first TV spot.
Frasier: Oh, knock it off. You didn't even know that term until ten
seconds ago.
As Natalie talks into her cell phone, Frasier sulkily makes a show of
petting Eddie.
FADE OUT
Scene Two - Apartment
The apartment is garishly decorated for Christmas, as it is every year.
Martin is adding some finishing touches, when Frasier comes in, with
Eddie on a leash.
Martin: Hey Fras, how'd the big shoot go?
Frasier: Well, it went splendidly, Dad. I thought you were going with
Niles to the airport to pick up Freddie.
Martin: Yeah, I decided to stay home, do some decorating.
Frasier: Ah yes, that magical time of year when the Great Wall of China
and my apartment are the only two man-made structures visible
from space.
The doorbell rings. Frasier goes to answer it.
Frasier: I must say I'm really excited about seeing Freddie this trip.
Martin: Yeah, what you got planned?
Frasier: Oh gosh, everything from whale-watching to a trip to the
garlic festival.
He opens the door to Niles and Daphne, who both have fake smiles pasted
on to cover their shock. They come in and sink onto the couch.
Frasier: Niles, Daphne...! Where's Frederick?
Niles: Actually, he insisted on taking his own elevator.
Frasier: [laughs] Oh, priceless! You know, just when you worried that
he's on the brink of terrible teendom, there he is, still just
a little boy who wants to play in the elevator.
The elevator opens behind Frasier's back, and there is Frederick: he is
dressed head-to-toe in black leather and denim, his hair is dyed black,
and his face is paler than Lilith's, except for his eyes and lips,
which are alsoblackened. Steel jewelry hangs from his neck and belt.
Freddie: Hey, Dad.
Frasier: There he is...
He turns, and yelps out loud.
Freddie: Nice greeting, Dad.
Frasier: Freddie, why are you dressed like this?
Daphne: [still smiling] He's a Goth now.
Freddie: You all don't have to treat me like I'm some kind of freak.
Martin: No, we're not, Freddie. It's great to see you.
He comes over and hugs him awkwardly.
Martin: [aside to Frasier] Maybe you could move up that trip to the
garlic festival.
Frasier: Listen, Freddie, I don't understand. Um, the Goths were
plunderers. Apart from your tendency to be overaggressive
with your rooks at chess camp, I don't see the connection.
Freddie: It's just what I'm into now, okay? Me, my friend Andi,
a bunch of us. But if you don't get it, you don't get it.
He trudges to the hallway. They all make conciliatory noises.
Frasier: I didn't mean anything by it, I simply thought... [Freddie
exits] Oh, dear God! Well, thank you Lilith, for mentioning
this little development!
Daphne: Oh, it's just a phase. All teenagers go through a rebellious
period. It always passes. You should have seen me at that
age — dating the older boys, hitch-hiking, drinking, shop-
lifting. Do you know I can carry a frozen turkey between my
knees?
Niles, for whom this is more than he ever wanted to know, rises stiffly
and walks to the bar.
Niles: That'll come in handy if we ever misplace our serving platter
at Thanksgiving.
Chuckling at her memories, Daphne points to Frasier.
Daphne: Hey, and didn't you once tell me you went streaking?
Frasier: Well, I had shin splints at the time, so it was really more of
a brisk nude walk.
Daphne: What did you do, Niles? How did you rebel?
Niles: Oh, the usual ways.
He hands Frasier a sherry.
Frasier: Thank you, Niles.
Daphne: Like what?
Niles: Oh, like what? Well, uh...
Martin: Never happened, Niles. Your mother and I kept waiting for it.
Niles: [stung] I find it hard to believe that I never...
Martin: Nope, nope. You were one of those good kids. One time
I found a bag of something that looked suspicious in your
dresser, but it turned out to be just something to make
your sweaters smell nice.
Niles: Well, one time...
Martin: Face it, Niles — you just didn't have it in you to be bad.
[N.B. Martin is perhaps doing Niles an injustice here. Earlier
mention was made of him mooning President Nixon at a campaign rally,
in [2.18], "The Club."]
Freddie comes back out. Everyone gasps and jerks reflexively.
Frasier: Freddie, hi. Listen, I was thinking maybe we could take in a
movie tonight.
Freddie: Can't, Dad. I made plans with my friend Andi.
Frasier: Your friend Andi from school is here?
Freddie: Yeah, visiting relatives. We're seeing a movie.
Frasier: But you just got here.
The doorbell rings.
Freddie: We've got all week, okay? Be cool.
He opens the door to Andi — a girl decked out exactly the same as he
is — but for her long hair, it's difficult to see any difference in
gender.
Freddie: Hey.
Andi: Hey.
Freddie: Well, see ya.
They leave. Everyone struggles for words.
Niles: Well, at least he's not dating outside the faith.
FADE TO:
HIGH HOLIDAYS
Scene Three — Café Nervosa
Frasier is seated alone at the table in the rear. A husband with his
pregnant wife comes over.
Husband: Excuse me, are you using this chair?
Frasier: [charmed] Well, doesn't that have a familiar ring to it?
[stands to offer the chair] The weary holiday traveler
and his pregnant wife seeking kindness from a stranger...
Natalie has just entered and noticed him.
Natalie: Frasier?
Frasier: ...I'm afraid I am, yes. So...
He shoos the couple away, and invites Natalie to sit.
Natalie: I'm so glad I ran into you. [to waiter] Um, cappuccino to go,
please.
They sit.
Natalie: The ad agency loves the spot.
Frasier: Oh!
Natalie: Apparently they got quite creative with it. I'll messenger
you a copy.
Frasier: Oh, that's wonderful news. Listen, I realize you're dashing
off, but do you think we could celebrate tonight over a drink?
Natalie: Sure. How about, uh... 7:00 at Garagiste?
Frasier: Could you say that again?
Natalie: Garagiste. You don't know it?
Frasier: Oh yes, I do. I just love hearing you say it.
They laugh. The waiter brings Natalie's coffee.
Natalie: Oh, thank you.
Frasier: Let me get that for you. [pays]
Natalie: Thank you. I'll see you then.
Frasier: Yes, take care.
As she leaves, she passes Niles.
Natalie: Hello.
Niles: Hello.
She exits. Niles sits with Frasier, obviously impressed.
Niles: Well, that was a yummy little stocking stuffer.
Frasier: Yes. She's the one I told you about. The girl with the
accent.
Niles: Oh, yes.
Frasier: God, she could read me the phone book, and I would melt like
an overripe Camembert. Imagine what she would do with that —
[imitating her] Camembert.
Niles: R-R-R-Roquefort.
Frasier: Reblochon.
Niles: Blu.
Frasier: We're terrible!
They share a boys' naughty chuckle.
Frasier: [more sober] Well, at least it will be nice to have something
to do this evening — for a change.
Niles: Is Frederick still spending all his time with his little
ghoul-friend?
Frasier: Yes, they're going to a concert this evening. And, of course,
I don't begrudge him a social life, it's just that I feel so
rejected.
Niles: [looking around] Mm.
Frasier: You know, when one has something they'd clearly rather do than
spend time with you, it just feels like...
He notices Niles looking around nervously and checking his watch.
Frasier: What the hell are you doing?
Niles: I'm sorry, I'm waiting for someone.
Frasier: Who?
Niles: Well, it really bothered me when said that I never rebelled.
I mean, I've been obsessing about it. What kind of self-
respecting psychiatrist — not to mention father-to-be —
completely misses one of life's prime rites of passage?
So... I've decided to rebel tonight. [grins] Right under
Dad's nose.
Frasier: How?
Niles: You ready?
Frasier: Yes.
Niles: You sure?
Frasier: Positive.
Niles: Move your coffee, it might...
Frasier: Niles!
Niles: [proudly] I'm getting high on reefer.
Frasier stares at him, while Niles puts a "shh!" finger to his lips.
Frasier: What?
Niles: I've waited for this all my life, Frasier — one act of utter,
devil-may-care, crotch-grabbing brazenness! And of course
I'll have a nurse on speed-dial in case things get too hairy.
Frasier: And exactly which of your connections in the Seattle
demimonde is going to get you this reefer?
Roz enters and drops a small parcel on the table in front of Niles.
Roz: Okay, Niles, you're hooked up.
Niles: Well, oh... I'll just take a look. [does so] Ah, yes, thick
and gooey. Ganja in its purest form.
Roz: It's a pot brownie, you idiot. My neighbor makes them.
Frasier: Oh.
Niles re-wraps the brownie and is about to put it in his pocket, but
then hears his car alarm go off.
Niles: Damn it, my car alarm again! I'll be right back.
He runs out.
Roz: Wait! But Niles...! Well, I can't wait, I got a date.
Frasier: Well, you're not leaving that thing with me.
Roz: Oh, come on, Frasier, just give it to Niles.
Frasier: No, no, no, I refuse.
She tries to hand it to him, he pushes her away.
Frasier: Just stop that, stop that. It is illegal. I will have
nothing to do with it, for God's sakes. What do you take
me for, some kind of common drug mule?
Roz: [as he's leaving] "Mule" is one word for it.
On his way out, Frasier passes Martin entering.
Frasier: Oh, hey Dad.
Martin: How are you doing?
Frasier: I'll see you back at home. [exits]
Martin: All right.
Roz: Hey, Martin.
Martin: Hi, how you doing, Roz?
Roz: Good. How are the holidays treating you?
The waiter comes by with his plate of cookies again.
Waiter: Cookie?
Martin: Oh... no, just trying to stay away from things that are bad
for me.
Roz spots her date — a man in a Santa suit whose pulls his beard down
to below his chin, revealing an "in the mood for love" grin.
Roz: [grins back] Well, that's where you and I are different.
[hands Martin the brownie] Can you give this to Niles?
He'll be right back.
Martin: Yeah, sure. [Roz leaves] Uh, coffee to go, please.
Martin sits at a table to wait. Curious, he unwraps the packet and
sees the brownie. Wincing, he pushes it away. A moment passes, as he
wrestles with his sweet tooth. Then he gives in and breaks off a small
piece and eats it.
Martin: Mmm... mmm...
He breaks off another piece and eats it, then just shoves the whole
thing in his mouth and licks the wrapper clean, enjoying every bit of
it.
He looks out the window and sees Niles coming back, and hastily goes to
the counter.
Martin: [mouth full] Could I have a brownie, please?
Waiter: Okay.
Getting the brownie, he quickly re-wraps it. Niles comes back in and
looks around for Roz, then sees Martin, who is getting his coffee.
Niles: Hey, Dad.
Martin: Oh hey, Niles. Um, uh, Roz wanted me to give you this.
Niles: [takes the brownie] Thank you. Hey, uh, you're going to be
home tonight?
Martin: Yeah, I'm walking home right now.
Niles: Oh, good. I'll see you there. Have a nice trip.
Martin: You, too.
Niles: [taking the double meaning] Oh, I will!
Niles chortles in anticipation — then turns and sees two uniformed
Police officers in the café, staring at him curiously. He starts
hyperventilating and lurches out of the café, keeping his head bowed.
They stare after him, perplexed.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Scene Four — Apartment
Later that evening, Frasier is seated on the couch, reading. Freddie
and Andi come in. Freddie is carrying a parcel.
Freddie: Hi, Dad.
Frasier: Hey, Freddie. Oh, Andi. How was the mall?
Freddie: Boring.
Andi: Except when that fat kid threw up in Santa's beard. That was
goth.
Frasier has given up trying to understand this jargon.
Freddie: [hands him the package] Oh, the doorman had this for you.
Frasier: Oh gosh, this must be my tourism promo! I'll tell you what —
why don't we have a look at it?
Freddie: I just came to get a jacket. We're going to the concert.
Frasier: Oh, come on, Freddie. You can spare a couple of minutes to
check out your old man's debut as a spokesman.
Freddie and Andi reluctantly sit on the couch.
Frasier: [looking for the remote] All right, where is that...?
[finds it] Here we go.
Sitting on Martin's chair, he turns on the TV and pops in the tape.
On the screen, they see nothing but a close-up of Eddie sitting on a
couch — his lips are moving with the aid of computer effects.
Eddie: [in Frasier's voice] Anybody want to go for a walk?
Then why not come to Seattle?
Frasier: Oh, dear God!
As Eddie continues speaking, a set of postcards scroll by his head to
show what he is talking about.
Eddie: Where else can you see... an ocean wave, a fish fly,
a mountain peak, and the world's largest needle? Come
to Seattle. Let's go for a walk.
The spot ends. Frasier is outraged, Freddie and Andi are, for once,
entertained.
Freddie: That is so goth.
Frasier: It is not goth! It's outrageous! It's like some hideous
Frankenstein hybrid of me and that no-talent dog!
Freddie: [gets up] Let's go. By the way, I'm staying at Andi's
tonight.
Frasier: What?
Freddie: At her uncle's. We have plans all day tomorrow.
Frasier: I'm sorry, Frederick, you're not staying anywhere until I hear
from her uncle first.
Freddie: [mortified] Oh my God!
Frasier: I'm sorry, but that is the rule.
Freddie: Dad! [then, to Andi] I'll meet you downstairs.
She exits.
Freddie: Do you know how much you're embarrassing me? What's your
problem?!
Frasier: My problem is that you've hardly spent one minute here since
you arrived! Now you tell me you have plans all day tomorrow.
Freddie: You're really making me want to spend time with you now.
Frasier: [settling] I'd like to know when you're going to be home.
Frasier: Tomorrow, okay? I'll have her uncle call you. [goes to the
door] I never should have come here in the first place.
Frasier: Freddie...
Freddie leaves, passing Niles in the hallway. Niles comes in,
grinning.
Niles: Hey, Frasier. What's up?
Frasier: Just another joyous holiday moment with my son to be pasted
into my scrapbook.
Niles: Ah. [then, eager] Aren't you going to ask me what's up?
Frasier: Didn't intend to, no.
Niles: I'd like you to.
Frasier: All right. What's up?
Niles: [gleefully] I am. I'm as high as the Himalayas! If I were a
city in Germany, I'd be High-delburg! Is Dad home yet?
Frasier: No.
Niles: I'll use this opportunity to up my dosage.
He takes out the remainder of the "pot brownie," and eats another small
piece.
Frasier: Oh, Niles! You realize that this is illegal? Did you
actually drive yourself here?
Niles: I'm a little too toasted for that, Frasier. No, the minute
I knew I was getting baked tonight, I called a cab. And I
printed my name and address on a card in my pocket in case
I'm still too crispy to speak to the cab driver taking me
home.
Frasier: I judge by all this rich terminology that you've done some
research?
Niles: Yes, I know all the symptoms I can expect to experience. I'm
especially looking forward to something called the "munchies"
stage. It's where one enjoys bizarre food combinations.
[opens the shopping bag he's carrying] I'm thinking of pairing
this Chilean sea bass with an aggressive Zinfandel!
Frasier: And this is all to prove a point to Dad?
Niles: To Dad, and for myself. Don't I have the right, just once,
to sip the sweet nectar of rebellion?
They turn as they hear Martin fitting his key into the door — or trying
to, he keeps fumbling and dropping them, while bursting into peals of
hysterical laughter.
Frasier: You know, I've got to go put a jacket on for my date.
Why don't you go see if you can help Dad at the door?
Frasier exits. Niles opens the door to Martin, who stumbles in
grinning like an idiot. He is carrying a jumbo bag of barbecue
potato chips, and a tub of chocolate pudding.
Martin: Hi, Niles!
Niles: Funny you should say that!
Martin: Yeah, it is!
They laugh hilariously, and Martin tosses his keys toward the counter,
where they fall short and drop to the floor. Then Martin apparently
becomes serious.
Martin: Hey, hey, Niles, let me ask you something. Do you ever feel
like you'd just like to go straight?
Niles: What?
Martin: Well, you know, I was walking home, and I kept thinking about
all the turns we have to make — right turn, left turn. How
much easier it'd be if we just could go straight over the
trees, over a building. That's what a giant would do. They
should let everybody be a giant for a day.
Niles, thinking it's all just a vision of his own "trip," bursts into
giggles, making Martin laugh again.
Niles: If you had any idea how strange you seem to me right now.
Martin: Why is everybody saying that to me?
He carries the bag to the kitchen, Niles follows him in.
Martin: By the way, you are welcome.
Niles: Oh... for what?
Reset to: the kitchen as they come in.
Martin: For turning you on to the best thing you will ever eat:
barbecue pudding chips!
Of course, Niles doesn't believe even a stoned person would go for
those, but Martin opens the bag and dips a chip in the pudding.
Niles: No, thanks.
Martin: Oh, they looked at me funny in the store, too, but you taste
that and tell me that's not better than a woman.
He holds out the chip, Niles recoils.
CUT TO: Living Room
Frasier trots out with his jacket, then sees Eddie sitting in his path.
Frasier: Do you mind?
Eddie doesn't move.
Frasier: Oh, I see. Now you're such a big star that the whole world
has to revolve around you. Fine.
He steps over Eddie and goes into the powder room.
Frasier: [through the door] I'll tell you what. You just gloat all you
like. This is not over between us!
CUT TO: the kitchen
Martin is still eating chips, while Niles is chopping some vegetables
for his dinner.
Martin: Why am I putting these chips in this pudding?
Niles: Well, I was going to say.
Martin: I should be dumping the pudding in with the chips! [does so]
You know, I've been having these great ideas all day. I wrote
some of them down. [takes a writing pad out of his breast
pocket] There. What do you think this means? [reads] "Dog
army." Oh, that cold medicine I took this morning is making
me feel funny. I think I'm going to go sit down for a while.
[exits]
Niles: Whatever.
Reset to: the living room.
Martin brings the chips out, and sits down into his chair with a
grateful sigh. He turns on the TV.
On the screen:
Eddie: [in Frasier's voice] Anybody want to go for a walk?
Martin leans forward, goggle-eyed.
Eddie: Then why not come to Seattle?
Martin: Sweet mother!
Eddie: Where else can you see... an ocean wave, a fish fly,
a mountain peak, and the world's largest needle? Come
to Seattle. Let's go for a walk.
Martin: Eddie?
Frasier: [o.s., from the powder room] I know what you're doing!
Martin turns and sees Eddie sitting on the floor, staring — and
apparently speaking — at him.
Frasier: You're sitting there thinking you're the king! Well, you're
not!
Martin: [towards the kitchen, in panic] Niles?!
Frasier comes out of the powder room as Niles comes out with the
carving knife in one hand and the vegetables in the other.
Frasier: All right, I'm off to my date. Oh, for heaven's sake,
Niles! That knife is as sharp as a machete. You should
not be chopping with it in your condition. [exits] Do that
for him, will you, Dad?
He leaves, as Martin hesitantly rises, still staring at Eddie.
DISSOLVE TO:
Scene Five — Frasier's Kitchen
A little later, the two Crane men are hunched over their dinners —
Niles, with his jacket off and lazily lulled over the range, is
cooking his vegetables. Martin is eating vanilla ice cream directly
from the carton.
Niles: I've come dangerously close to over-braising my chard. [proud]
It's almost as if something dulled my motor skills.
Martin: You sure you don't want a little of this on the side? I can
scoop around the Lucky Charms.
Niles: No, thanks.
He goes out into the living room and takes his seat at the dining
table.
Niles: You know me, Dad. I'm not much of a rebel. [he carelessly
flings his napkin onto the floor] Too much of a goody-two-
shoes.
He gleefully pours himself wine, still in the throes of his
psychosomatic intoxication.
Frasier trudges in the door, looking worn-out and depressed.
Niles: [picks his napkin up] Hi, Frasier.
Martin: [o.s., from the kitchen] But you've got to open your mind up.
That's where all the great inventions come from. Like, it
used to be people would eat too much, their pants would get
tight! Big problem! Then one day, somebody said, "Wait a
minute! Why not put elastic in them?"
Martin comes out carrying the ice cream carton — his pants and shoes
are gone, he's only wearing boxers and socks below the waist.
Martin: Hi, Fras.
Frasier: Dad, where are your pants?
Martin: In the fridge. [off Frasier's look] I had a reason. [shows his
pad of paper] "Fridge pants."
Frasier: Dad, when you were at the café today, you didn't eat a brownie
that Roz brought for Niles, did you?
Martin: Yeah - but I replaced it.
Frasier: For God's sake! That was a pot brownie! You're stoned off
your ass!
Niles: Well, someone must feel pretty out of it, being the only one
here who isn't completely burnt.
Frasier: Oh, knock it off, you imbecile, you're as sober as I am!
Niles snaps out of it.
Martin: I knew I was feeling woozy. I thought it was that cold
medicine I took this morning.
Frasier: [takes the ice cream and holds Martin's arm] It's all right,
Dad.
Niles: Oh my God, I am so sorry. Dad, are you all right?
Martin: Yeah, I'll be fine. But I better go lie down before it really
hits me.
He slowly walks down the hallway.
Martin: Come on, boy.
Frasier: I'll be in there in a minute to check on you.
Martin: Oh, suit yourself, Eddie!
Martin exits.
Frasier: Didn't it occur to you that he was behaving strangely?
Niles: I thought it was me! I thought it was the Mary Jane talking.
Frasier: Oh, Niles, please, will you drop the drug lingo?
Niles: [his face in his hands] Frasier, I feel terrible.
Frasier pours a sherry.
Frasier: Yes well, at least you had a better night than I did. Halfway
through our date, Natalie got a phone call - an emergency at
home. [chuckles bitterly] I decided to take a little walk.
Twenty minutes later I saw her in a different bar with another
man.
Niles: There was no emergency?
Frasier: Not unless he had an infected earlobe which required an
immediate tongue-flicking. It's been a hell of a Christmas.
Niles: I'm so sorry, Frasier.
Frasier: Truth be told, I'm most disappointed about how things turned
out with Frederick. I've just felt us drifting apart lately,
and I was hoping that we could bond again on this trip.
Niles: Well, you may have given him a wonderful gift just by letting
him rebel against you.
Frasier considers that.
Niles: Something which I am obviously completely incapable of
achieving. I'm going home.
Frasier: You're a good man, Niles. In a way, isn't that rebelling
against rebellion?
Niles: [smiles] Nice try.
Frasier: All right, look at it this way — you did get our cop father
stoned tonight.
Pause.
Niles: [with a cocky grin] I did, didn't I?
Frasier: Yeah.
Niles exits with a swagger. Frasier smiles to himself, then sees the
place setting Niles laid out for himself.
Frasier: Hmm... [checks the label on the wine] Oh, madness!
Frederick comes in, also looking worn-out and depressed.
Frasier: Frederick.
Freddie: Hey.
Frasier: What are you doing home? I thought you were spending the
night at Andi's.
Freddie: I changed my mind. Good night.
Frasier: Did something happen at the concert?
Freddie: No.
Frasier: Are you sure? I can't help noticing your mascara's run a
little.
Freddie pauses, then unloads.
Freddie: Andi ran into a "friend" from her old school.
Frasier: Ah... another boy?
Freddie: She hardly talked to me the whole night.
Frasier: I'm sorry, son. These things happen, and... well, they always
stink.
Freddie: Did it ever happen to you, Dad?
Frasier: It may have. Tell you what — you know, I've got a box of that
cereal you used to like. What do you say I pour us a bowl and
I'll tell you a story or two.
He goes to the kitchen, picking up the ice cream. Freddie follows him.
Freddie: It's happened to you more than once?
Frasier: [chuckles, then] I'll pour you a big bowl.
END OF ACT TWO
Credits:
Frasier is seated on the couch and rises to answer the door. He looks
through the peephole and is irritated to see a pizza delivery man. He
opens the door to reveal that the man has a large stack of pizzas. He
begins to explain that he made no such order, when Martin rushes out in
his underwear, claims the stack, and runs back to his room, leaving
Frasier to pay the bill.
Guest Appearances
Special Guest Star
TREVOR EINHORN as Frederick
Guest Starring
MUSETTA VANDER as Natalie
AMITA BALLA as Waitress
MARISA GUTERMAN as Andi
GRINELL MORRIS as Husband in Cafe
JOSEPH KEANE as Waiter
Legal Stuff
This episode capsule is copyright 2003 by Mike Lee. This episode
summary remains property of Frasier, Copyright of Paramount
Productions and NBC. Printed without permission.