Frasier's apartment, the next morning.
[FRASIER, in his bathrobe, enters from his room.
DAPHNE, dressed in a skirt and blouse, enters from the kitchen
with a pot of coffee]
DAPHNE: [Very cheery] Oh, good morning, Dr. Crane. I hope you slept well.
FRASIER: [Sitting at the dining room table] Good morning, Daphne.
You seem quite chipper this morning.
DAPHNE: [Pouring his coffee] Ah, yes. The Christmas season and all.
And, well, you know how it is when you're in love.
FRASIER: Yes, I think I can remember that far back.
DAPHNE: Now, don't be so cynical. There's someone out there for you.
I know it.
[MARTIN enters from his bedroom. Phone rings, he picks it up.]
MARTIN: For you, Daph. Donny.
DAPHNE: [Taking the phone from him] Thank you, Mr. Crane.
I need to talk to him.
[Takes the phone into the kitchen]
MARTIN:[Sitting at the table, as FRASIER pours his coffee and his dad's] Morning, Frasier. Great party last night.
FRASIER: Well, in spite of the competition from the man upstairs . . .
[Smiling at his own joke] well, not THE man upstairs . . .
it wasn't too shabby, if I do say so myself.
MARTIN: Did I hear the doorbell after I went to my room?
FRASIER: [Gravely] Oh, yes. Niles stopped back.
It seems that he and Mel are history.
MARTIN: Oh, good. I couldn't take another weird daughter-in-law.
[FRASIER shoots him a look]
FRASIER: Look, Dad, Niles is probably going to stop by this morning.
He'll need our comfort and support.
[As MARTIN says "OK, OK", Doorbell. DAPHNE enters from the kitchen,
replaces the phone, and goes to the door. Opens it, revealing NILES
in his usual suit. They throw their arms around each other and kiss passionately, letting it last a moment. FRASIER's jaw drops,
MARTIN just grins]
MARTIN: Well! Looks like someone else is giving him comfort and support!
NILES: [Formally, as they break apart] Good morning, Daphne.
DAPHNE: Morning, Dr. Crane
NILES: [Crossing to the dining room with DAPHNE following.
She goes to the kitchen and retrieves another cup] Morning Dad, Frasier.
[Sits at the table] And how is everyone after another of
Frasier's stellar soirees?
DAPHNE: [To NILES, offering the cup] Coffee, Dr. Crane?
NILES: [Taking it] Oh, yes, thank you. You know, Frasier,
you might want to close your mouth. I think I saw a fly buzzing around.
DAPHNE: I'll just go and fetch the muffins.
[Exits to kitchen. MARTIN is following all this with amusement]
FRASIER: [Finally able to speak] Niles! What the hell was that !!?
NILES: [Innocently, pouring coffee] What was what?
FRASIER: [Gesturing wildly] You!! Daphne!! The door!!
NILES: [Feigning confusion, then "gets it"] Ohhhhh, you mean . . .
FRASIER: Yes, I mean . . .
NILES: [Lightly] Just a friendly morning greeting. [Takes a sip]
MARTIN: Yeah, Fraish, what's wrong with it?
FRASIER: Shut up, Dad! [To DAPHNE, who is setting the muffins on the table]
Well, Daphne?
DAPHNE: Oh, he's right. We always say hello like that.
[Sits next to NILES]
FRASIER:[Still very agitated] Not if I've been conscious here
the last seven years!
[NILES and DAPHNE can't contain it any longer and burst out laughing]
FRASIER: Would someone mind telling me just what the hell is going on??
NILES: Daphne, I think it's time to give it up. [She nods]
Frasier, Daphne and I had a little talk last night, and
FRASIER: [Getting up and crossing into the living room.
DAPHNE and NILES follow him] Niles, you said you weren't going to
interfere with her! Where are your ethics? My God, man, you . . .
you told her!
DAPHNE: No, he didn't. He didn't have to.
NILES: Someone else did.
FRASIER: Well, who would have done something like that?
DAPHNE &
NILES: [Together as she sits on the sofa, he on the arm next to her]
You.
FRASIER: What???
DAPHNE: [As NILES puts his arm around her shoulder]
Dr. Crane, remember your backache last week?
NILES: It seems that narcotic pain killers give my brother loose lips.
FRASIER: [Sitting on the other side of the sofa] Oh, dear lord.
I can't believe it. I don't remember anything about it.
DAPHNE:I knew you didn't, so I kept it to myself.
You did remember your remark about your father's chair, though.
FRASIER: [Warning] Daphne . . .
MARTIN: [Coming in and sitting in said chair] Still, Daph,
your finding out about Niles doesn't explain all this!
DAPHNE: Well, Mr. Crane, you see, things haven't been exactly
all blissful with Donny and me anyway. I was starting to have
nagging doubts about us. Then when I found out how Niles felt about me,
I [Looking up at NILES] started to look at your younger son
a bit differently.
NILES: I was clueless, I swear.
DAPHNE:I couldn't imagine how someone like Niles could care for me
that way, even though we have been good friends. But the more I
thought about it, the more I . . . I liked it.
But it was all so confusing . . .
NILES: I came back last night, as I said, to apologize . . .
FRASIER: It's OK, Niles. I believe you. So, Daphne?
DAPHNE: Well, I know you don't believe in my visions, Dr. Crane,
but . . .I had my last one, about this. Last night at the party.
It confirmed it, for me, anyway.
NILES: So, when she found out about Mel and me . . .
DAPHNE: I just had to speak up . . .
NILES: And I couldn't deny it . . .
FRASIER: Ok, you two, I get the picture. This is just . . .incredible.
Well, what can I say, but . . .congratulations! To both of you!
[They all stand up, hugs all around]
MARTIN: Finally, one of my sons has a girlfriend I can live with!
In fact, one I do live with!
DAPHNE: Thank you, Mr. Crane.
NILES: Frasier, uh, sorry about, well, goofing on you like that.
DAPHNE: It was my idea. We just couldn't resist.
FRASIER: Oh, it's all right. I probably deserved it,
for all my meddling over the years.
NILES:[Patting him on the back] Well, Frasier, this time,
ya meddled good. Even if you didn't realize it.
FRASIER: Thank you, brother. I'll cherish the compliment.
DAPHNE: [Taking her coat and purse from the coat rack]
Well, I'd better be off. I have to meet Donny, and, you know . . .
NILES:[Taking her in his arms] Do you want me to come with you?
Moral support?
DAPHNE: Thank you, Niles, but, no. Sometimes we have to do
our own laundry.
NILES: OK. [Kissing her forehead] I'll call you later about dinner.
DAPHNE: I'll be here. [Softly] I love you, Niles. Don't forget that.
NILES: How could I? I love you, too, Daphne. Good luck!
DAPHNE: Thanks. I'll be OK. I love all you old sods!
[Exits through front door]
MARTIN: Well, I better get cleaned up if I'm going to meet Duke
and the gang. [Patting NILES on his arm] Congratulations again, son.
Take good care of her. She is one special lady.
NILES: Thanks, Dad. Don't I know it!
[MARTIN exits toward his room. NILES comes back to the living room,
sits on the couch. FRASIER hands him his coffee cup.]
FRASIER: Niles. I'm still stunned. I don't know what to say.
NILES: Well, for starters, say that you're happy for me?
FRASIER: Oh, Niles, of course! Amazing. Winning your dream woman
like that. I dare say, it kind of gives me a ray of hope.
NILES: Frasier, you just never know. Your perfect mate could be
someone right under your nose.
FRASIER: Oh, Niles, I doubt that . ..
[Front door opens, enter ROZ]
ROZ: Oh, hi, guys! I hope you don't mind, it was unlocked.
Hey, I bumped into Daphne in the hallway, and she looked so happy,
even . . .radiant. What's going on?
NILES: [With a glance at FRASIER, ushering ROZ toward the couch]
Well, Roz, the most amazing thing has happened. You see . . .
[Cut to FRASIER, who, chin in hand, has a small smile on his face]