Frasier's apartment, decorated for Christmas.
Kitchen, after the Christmas party.
[DAPHNE, in her bathrobe, is at the sink, lost in thought,
rinsing glasses.
FRASIER, also in a bathrobe, enters from the dining room,
carrying several champagne glasses.]
FRASIER: Well, this is the last of it, I think. Leave those
for the morning, why don't you, Daphne.
[She doesn't acknowledge him] Daphne?
[Nothing. He raises his voice] Daphne, are you in there somewhere?
DAPHNE:[Startled] What? [Turns around] Oh, Dr. Crane.
[Turns off the faucet] I'm sorry, did you say something?
The . . . water, you see . . .
FRASIER:[Putting the glasses down] No, I don't think that's it.
Daphne, is everything all right?
DAPHNE:[Drying her hands on a dishtowel] What do you mean?
FRASIER: Well, you've been awfully distracted lately, and,
well, you seemed kind of down at the party this evening.
I'm concerned, that's all.
DAPHNE: Oh, Dr. Crane, thank you. I guess I've just got a lot
on my mind these days.
FRASIER: Well, you are facing a momentous event in your life.
[Off her blank look] You know? Getting married?
DAPHNE:[Flustered] Oh, yes, of course. That is a big decision.
FRASIER: Decision? Maybe I'm missing something, but I was under
the impression that one had been made?
DAPHNE: Oh, yes, yes it had. Has. Oh, dear, Dr. Crane,
I must just be tired.
FRASIER: Of course. Well, off to bed with you. These chores can wait.
[Doorbell. FRASIER exits the kitchen to answer it.]
FRASIER: [As he nears the door] Good lord, who can this be?
The party ended two hours ago!
[Opens his front door to reveal NILES, still in his formal party suit.
DAPHNE, who had started to walk out of the kitchen, looks alarmed
and backs up into it out of sight]
FRASIER: Niles! Last I knew, you did have a home?
NILES: [Entering] I'm sorry, Frasier. I . . .I just broke up with Mel,
and, well, this time it's for good.
FRASIER: Oh, I'm so sorry, Niles. Do you want to talk?
NILES: No, no, thank you, it would just be more rehashing of an old tale. Actually, do you know if Daphne's still up?
FRASIER: Niles . . .
NILES: Oh, come on, Frasier, it's not what you're thinking.
You know I have pledged not to interfere in her life.
I realize all too well that she's getting married. It's just that,
I need to talk to her. I still feel badly about what happened tonight.
I want to apologize again about that embarrassing incident with the gift.
I don't think I handled it very well. She is still a good friend.
FRASIER: [Looking toward the kitchen] Well, she's just back there
in the kitch . . .
[The light has been turned off and DAPHNE is gone] Well.
She must have gone to her room. [Off NILES' pleading look]
Oh, alright, you know where it is. Just keep your voices down
and let yourself out. Goodnight.
[Exits to his bedroom]
[NILES crosses to DAPHNE's room and knocks softly]
NILES: [Through the door] Daphne? I'm sorry to bother you so late,
but . . .
DAPHNE: [Nervously opening the door] Dr. Crane. I thought you went home.
NILES: [Awkwardly] Well, I did, I mean . . .I took Mel home, but . . .
I couldn't stop thinking about that . . .thing that happened with your Christmas gift, and . . .
DAPHNE: Oh, don't worry about that, I completely understand. [Hopefully]
Um, you look a bit shaken. Would you like to come in for a moment?
NILES: Oh, no, Daphne, you must be tired, I don't want to keep you up . . .
DAPHNE: [Gesturing him to enter, he does. She closes the door]
Oh, it's all right, really. I'm not all that tired, actually.
Although I should be, what with cleaning up after all those people.
Um, have a seat, if you like.
[Indicates the foot of the bed]
NILES: [Sitting] Thank you. I am a bit rattled, I guess.
Mel and I broke up just now, on the way home. We had a huge fight and,
well, this time, it's for good.
DAPHNE: [Sitting next to him] I know. I heard you telling your brother.
I'm sorry.
NILES:[Looking confused] But you weren't there when. . .
oh, you must have been on your way in here when I arrived.
DAPHNE: [Relieved at not being caught eavesdropping]
Yes. So, Dr. Crane, what happened with Mel?
NILES: Oh, she started to get snippy, and she said a few choice words
about . . . well, someone I care about, and I'd had it. So, I ended it.
I guess sometimes it takes a while to see someone's true nature.
[DAPHNE starts fidgeting and looking quite nervous]
Are you all right, Daphne?
DAPHNE: Oh, yes, it's just . . .well, actually, Dr. Crane,
I'm . . . glad you stopped by, and really, forget about the gift thing.
But . . . in light of what's happened, there's something
I've been wanting to, um . . .no, something I need to talk to you about.
NILES: Daphne, oh, of course, anything.
DAPHNE: [Not looking at him] Oh, dear. This isn't easy. You see, I . . .
I heard something last week , inadvertently, that I found rather
startling. I . . .oh . . .
NILES: Daphne, what is it? You know you can tell me anything.
Has this got something to do with Donny?
DAPHNE: Oh, Donny. Um, no, it's . . it's . . ..oh, lord, it's about you!
NILES: Me? Have I done something . . .to offend, or . . .
DAPHNE: [Tension building] Oh, God, please, shut up, Dr. Crane,
you'll have to let me talk or I'll never get this out!
NILES: Sorry. I'm sorry, Daphne.
DAPHNE: Anyway, it was when your . . .brother was on those back pills,
and I offered him a massage. He was talking a lot, something about cats,
I think, and . . .and then he . . .let out a . . . a little secret
that you apparently have been. . . keeping from me.
NILES: [Softly] Oh, my God.
DAPHNE:I found out later that I was the only one
who didn't know about it, and . . .
NILES: [Gets up and paces] Daphne, you were never supposed to hear
about that, at least, oh, not . . .not now, I mean,
well, you're engaged, and . . .
DAPHNE: [Small smile, almost to herself] Then it's true!
NILES: [Defeated] Daphne, what can I say? I'm sorry.
DAPHNE: [Relaxing a bit] You may not be sorry when you hear
this next part. Please, come sit down.
NILES: [Sits down, a little farther from her this time]
Oh, God, what else has my meddling little family been talking about?
DAPHNE: No, Dr. Crane, listen. [Deep breath] Tonight, when you took me
out on the balcony, I . . .I had another vision. It was so clear,
it made me shiver. [Smiling at him] You thought I was cold and
you put your jacket on me. Such a sweet gesture. Then it hit me,
really strong this time. I saw . . . him again.
The man I'm meant to be with.
NILES: You mean . . .you're still having visions about that,
after you've made your decision to marry Donny?
DAPHNE: [Eyes down] Visions have no respect for our decisions, Dr. Crane. Especially if we may be making the wrong decision.
[NILES looks confused] This time the man of my destiny
wasn't wearing a red bow tie, like before. He had on a suit and tie,
much like yours, and . . . this time . . .
this time I could see his face. [Looking up at him] Your face.
[NILES is close to hyperventilating] I realized in that instant
that I love this man. Now that I know . . .who he is.
Now, please, Dr. Crane . . .I need to hear it from you. . .
is it really true? Your secret?
NILES: [Gets up and crosses, turns to face her]
Daphne, what are you saying? Oh, my God, of course it's true.
I love you. More than I ever thought could be possible. I . .
I have loved you for so long, I don't even remember when it started.
But you have been in my thoughts and dreams for years now.
DAPHNE: [Choked up] Then . . .then why didn't you ever say anything?
NILES: [Pacing again] Oh, Daphne, I wanted to, I tried to several times.
But then you said you wouldn't get involved with a man who was going
through a divorce, and . . . then, by the time I was divorced . . .
my . . .attorney got there first.
[He turns around and she is right in front of him.
She puts her arms around his neck and kisses him passionately.
After the initial shock wears off he returns it, full force]
DAPHNE: [Taking off her engagement ring, putting it on the dresser
behind them]
Niles, I am so sorry about all that. You won't have to worry about
your attorney anymore. You see, I love you, too . . .Niles.
So very much!
NILES: [Breathless and giddy, he pulls her in for a bear hug]
Oh, God, Daphne! I can't believe this! Please tell me I'm not dreaming!
DAPHNE: No, my love, you're not dreaming.
[Running a finger down his temple]
Isn't this amazing? I've spent all evening wondering how I was going to
deal with this, and you fall right into my lap. Minus Mel, even.
[She initiates another kiss, more tender this time]
NILES: I would love to fall into your lap!
DAPHNE:[Laughing, then a bit shy] Um, do you . . .would you like
to stay here with me tonight?
NILES: Oh . . . darling. Ahhhh. It will take every ounce of willpower
I can gather to say no, but . . .we should give this a bit of time,
don't you think? To sink in, for one thing.
DAPHNE: Yes, Niles, of course, you're right.
NILES: Besides, I can't imagine what it would do to Dad and Frasier
to have me show up at the breakfast table tomorrow, coming from here!
DAPHNE: [Laughing] That would be a shock! It's just hard to . . .
to let you go. Now that I have found you.
[Kisses him deeply]
NILES: Ahh. You invented torture, didn't you?
DAPHNE: Oh, Niles, I didn't mean to. But, please sit with me
for a moment more. Promise I'll keep hands off.
[Sits on the bed again and motions for him to sit next to her.
He does, and puts his arm around her shoulders]
NILES: Arms are OK. Daphne, this is so incredible.
I just can't get over it!
DAPHNE: Me, too. Oh, Niles, hold me a moment. [He squeezes her shoulder]
I take it Mel's "choice words" were about . . .
NILES: You, yes. She said she saw how I looked at you.
And a few other things . .
DAPHNE: I love the way you look at me. I wish I'd seen it before.
Well, no matter now.
NILES: There is one complication left here, you do realize.
[Off her blank look] Donny?
DAPHNE: Oh, right. Donny. Well, I'll meet him tomorrow and break it off.
He'll be upset, but, well, he'll get past it, I'm sure.
I mean, it's not like I'm leaving him at the altar or anything!
If this was destined to happen, better that it be now.
NILES: You know, Frasier's been pulling me away from you for years.
He always thought he knew what was best for me, and you.
Can you picture his reaction to this news?
DAPHNE: Yeah, always one to meddle, he is.
[Getting a mischievous look on her face]
I just had an idea. Want to have some fun with him?
NILES: I'd rather have fun with you!
DAPHNE: Muster up that willpower, now. No, seriously. Hear me out.
Tomorrow morning . . .
[She whispers something in his ear that makes him grin
like a naughty child]
NILES: Oh, oh, yes, let's do it! Excellent idea!
DAPHNE: All right! Well, I guess you'd better go, then.
[They both get up and walk toward her door]
NILES: You need to get some sleep. Listen, Daphne, um,
it might be a good idea for us to talk some more, about, well,
what just happened here, among other things. Why don't you let me
take you to dinner tomorrow night? I know many quiet, elegant restaurants.
DAPHNE: That sounds wonderful. A real date!
We'll make our plans in the morning.
[They kiss again, then she opens the door and pats him on the butt]
Come on, now. Out.
NILES: Goodnight, my sweet girl.
[She watches as he tiptoes through the darkened hallway and
closes her door softly. He tiptoes to the front door,
nearly trips over the coffee table, and exits quietly]