Café Nervosa
"I'll have a double decaf non-fat latte medium foam, dusted with just the faintest whisper of cinnamon." Niles Crane said to the waitress.
"Right away, sir." The waitress said.
"So Niles, how are things?" Frasier asked. "You were telling me about a new support group you've created."
Niles smiled proudly. "Yes, and we have our first official meeting on Thursday night. Right here at Café Nervosa!"
"So what's the topic? Schizophrenia again?"
"No, actually my group is called "Panicky People". We sit around and sip caffeinated drinks while discussing things that make us nervous."
Frasier raised his eyebrows. "Very clever, dear brother."
"Yes, I thought so too, and-."
"Excuse me, Dr. Crane?"
"Yes?" both men answered at once.
Niles and Frasier looked up to find an attractive woman with red shoulder-length hair smiling at them.
"I just wanted to say that the advice you gave on depression was just wonderful. Oh, my name is Holly, by the way."
Frasier smiled and extended his hand in greeting. "Well, thank you so much, Holly. It's always nice to meet a fan of my radio program on KACL. Please have a seat."
"Thanks. But... I'm sorry. I was actually talking about him." She said, pointing to Niles.
Frasier glanced at his brother, trying to hide his disappointment.
"My brother Niles. Well... of course. Holly, this is Niles Crane. Niles... Holly."
"Pleased to meet you." Niles said. "But I'm sorry. I don't remember seeing you in my office."
"It wasn't an appointment. I was referring to the lecture you gave at the University of Washington last month."
"That's right, I'd completely forgotten about that!" Niles said.
"Well I could never forget it. I mean, you have no idea how grateful I am to you for the advice you gave." Holly said.
Niles took out his notepad and pen and began to write. "Really? Wow! If you don't mind my asking, how long have you been experiencing this depression?"
"I was actually talking about my father. You see, my mother died recently and it hit us both pretty hard. She woke up one morning complaining of a stomach ache and the
next thing we know, she was gone."
Frasier looked at her sadly and took her hand in both of his. "Dear God, that's just terrible. I'm so sorry."
Holly smiled. "Thank you. I cried myself to sleep for weeks but I finally decided that I had to be strong for my father, you know? He's usually a really strong person as well,
but this? He sank into a deep depression and for a while I thought I was going to lose him too. I really didn't know where to turn and it all seemed so hopeless. Then I read
about Dr. Crane's lecture at Guthrie Hall."
"I'm certainly glad that my message reached at least one person." Niles said.
"I went straight home and used the techniques you described and within a few weeks, he was back to his old self; laughing and joking the way we used to. You are... the
most amazing man; truly awe-inspiring. "
Niles couldn't stop smiling at the compliment. "Well you've certainly made my day with this news. And to think that I was dreading a boring old meeting at the office." He
glanced at his watch. "Oh! I'd better get going soon. Punctuality is a virtue you know!"
"I'll keep that in mind." Holly said with a smile. "Um, listen... forgive me if this is a little foreword of me but I was just wondering...I'll completely understand if you say no, but
I want to repay you somehow. For what you've done for my father and me."
But Niles shook his head. "No. Absolutely not! I refuse to take any money. That lecture was strictly a favor to the University. I owed them for giving that purple and gold
football jersey to my Schizophrenia patient. Poor guy thought he was both the quarterback and the band leader."
Holly laughed. "A sense of humor too? Wow, you're more impressive than I thought. Dr. Crane. But I wasn't referring to money."
Frasier smiled. "I think I know where this is going."
"Frasier what are you talking about?" Niles asked.
"I guess that means I'll just have to come right out and ask you." Holly said.
Niles' eyes narrowed. "Ask me what?"
"Dr. Niles Crane... Will you go out with me?"