Although it didn't take long to drive from the Elliott Bay Towers to the Seattle Center's McCaw Hall where the ballet was to be held, it seemed to take a lifetime. Daphne was so excited she could hardly breathe and she was absolutely mesmerized by how beautiful Seattle was all aglow in Christmas lights and festive decorations. It was as though she'd been transported into another world.
The five of them climbed out of Frasier's car (where, in his usual gentlemanly fashion, Niles held the door open for her, making sure that she got out of the car safely) and headed into the stunningly beautiful performing arts center, where the lobby was adorned with the colors of the season. Everywhere she looked, men, women and children wearing colorful, festive clothing were milling about the lobby, waiting patiently (and some of them-children and adults alike, rather impatiently) for the doors to open. She could could hardly stand the wait.
Suddenly the doors opened and the hundreds of people began lining up, prepared to file into the auditorium. A peek inside the doorway revealed that the place was huge, with ceilings that seemed like they could reach the sky and red velvet seats; endless rows of seats. The entire population of Seattle would easily fit inside, or so it appeared. They showed their tickets to the and formed a single file line as they made their way down the aisle and up a flight of stairs until they arrived at a secluded tiered row of seats; hence the term "box seats". Apparently the sports world wasn't the only place these could be found. And box seats at the ballet were, in Daphne's opinion, much more impressive.
Frasier escorted Daphne and Roz inside and Daphne couldn't help but gasp in awe as they reached the last step and entered the correct section. "Oh my... are these really our seats, Dr. Crane?" Her voice sounded like that of an excited child, which apparently he found amusing.
"They certainly are, Daphne." He said, chuckling softly.
"Good, because I need to sit!" Roz moaned. "My feet are killing me!" Roz gently pushed past Daphne, allowing Frasier, Niles and Martin to escort her carefully down the stairs to the nearby seat. She sat down and sighed deeply. "When does this thing start again?"
"Soon." Niles snapped. "So just relax and enjoy it, all right?"
"How can I enjoy anything when I'm as big as a house?" She retorted.
Niles looked her up and down. "Well, now that you mention it, you do look very similar to-."
"Niles!" Frasier hissed, giving his brother a glare.
"Roz, come on." Martin said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Remember what I told you earlier about Hester."
Amazingly, Roz smiled. "Yeah, you're right Martin. I'm sorry."
Frasier reached across his father and took Roz's hand. "I hate to say it, but Niles was right, even if his attitude is a bit off. Just relax and have a good time."
"Okay." Roz agreed.
Daphne was so in awe of her surroundings that she barely noticed that Niles was escorting her to a seat, his hand gently on her elbow where she slowly took each step, praying that she wouldn't lose her balance. "Thank you, Dr. Crane, that's very sweet of you." She said, smiling at her friend.
He took his seat to the right of her and she found herself seated among those she loved as a family; she at the end, and to her right, Niles, Martin, Frasier and Roz made up the rest, filling every seat in the row. It was as though they had their own private viewing area, despite two rows of seats behind them.
From their vantage point, the stage was in perfect view. Daphne's eyes moved up and down the performance hall, with its large red curtain that would soon rise to start the show, the tiny lights overhead that looked like stars. The scenario made her sigh. It was the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen.
She barely had time to open her program and read through the abundance of information when the lights blinked and began to dim…
