Part 2
'And this is Doctor Frasier Crane, wishing you good mental health.' Frasier took of his headphones with a contented sigh.
'Good show Frasier,' Roz praised, entering his booth.
'Thanks Roz.' He smiled at the compliment he received so regularly, though it always sounded fresh.
'Oh, your brother called to remind you about tonight. Twice. He sounded like he really didn't want you to forget,' Roz explained, walking back to the producer's booth. 'What're you doing? Going out to dinner?'
'No, no, we're just starting a little project,' Frasier said mysteriously, giving nothing away.
'It wouldn't happen to be those promos we were gonna do tonight, would it?' Roz asked.
'Oh God Roz, I'm sorry. How about we meet at the café tomorrow at about 12? We could do them then,' Frasier suggested.
'Ok.'
'Listen, I've gotta go meet Niles. I'll see you tomorrow!' Frasier said to Roz, picking up his briefcase.
'By Fra…' But Roz got no further. Bulldog had just entered with his usual assortment of oddities for his show.
'Hey doc!' Bulldog greeted.
'Hey Bulldo…' Frasier began.
'Hi Roz. Listen, I've got this big interview on my show today and I could sure use a good luck kiss!' Bulldog interrupted.
'I bet you could,' Roz whispered in a husky tone, beckoning with her finger towards her.
'See doc,' Bulldog laughed, 'persistence pays off!' Frasier somehow doubted this, but didn't voice his thoughts. Roz pulled Bulldog close to her, then pushed him away, bending his arm back and pushing him against the console.
'Listen you little slime ball, if you ever try that again, I'll…' Roz breathed.
'I don't care what you'll do, just let me go already. Owww!' Bulldog pleaded. Roz first pushed him harder against the console, but eventually let him go. Frasier had watched this whole charade with an amused look on his face, but finally remembered Niles. He slipped out of the door, and left Roz and bulldog to their antics.
'Hold the elevator!' Niles called as he ran into the Elliot Bay Towers, his brother's building. He leapt into the elevator just as the doors had begun to close. Luckily the only person in it was Daphne.
'Hello Daphne,' Niles greeted.
'Oh, hello Doctor Crane,' Daphne replied, giving him her smile that he loved so much. 'What are you doing here?'
'Oh, Frasier and I have a little project we're going to begin this evening,' Niles explained as the elevator made his stomach swoop. Or maybe that was just caused by Daphne as she smiled again. 'Daphne, there's something I need to tell you,' Niles said before he could stop the words falling out of his mouth. 'I, I…' But he failed to finish, as the elevator doors opened on the 19th floor.
'Yes Doctor Crane?' Daphne prompted. Niles knew he had to tell her, now that he and Maris were no longer together.
'I… I wish you wouldn't call me Doctor Crane,' Niles said, then made a note to kick himself later. 'It's Niles.'
'Ok, I'll try.'
The pair got off the elevator together, and entered apartment 1901.
'Hey Daph, hey Niles,' Marty said to them as they came in.
'Hello Mr Crane,' Daphne said, smiling again. This made Niles realise it definitely wasn't the elevator making his stomach funny.
'Hey Dad,' Niles said, 'Eddie.' This was responded with a bark as Frasier entered from the kitchen.
'Hello Niles. Sherry?' Frasier offered.
'Please,' Niles replied, wandering over to where Frasier was standing. 'Frasier,' he said in a quiet tone, 'how are we supposed to work with Dad and Eddie here?'
'And Daphne,' Frasier pointed out. 'Don't worry, I got them Sonics tickets, and we can lock Eddie in Dad's bedroom.'
'Daphne's not really…' Niles trailed off as Frasier gave him a look that silenced him.
'Well Dad,' Frasier said casually, looking at his watch, 'don't you think you and Daphne should be going? The game starts soon,' he finished as he handed Niles his sherry.
'Alright, we'll get out of your hair,' Marty said, 'I'm not stupid you know. I was a detective! But what is it you're doing?'
'Oh, noth…' Frasier said.
'We're writing an opera!' Niles interrupted.
'So much for secrecy,' Frasier said, smiling slightly, 'who else have you told, any major newspapers?'
'Well Dad and Daphne have a right to know. And they're not going to go blabbing to anyone about it, are they?' Niles defended, however giving his father a long look.
'Don't worry,' Daphne reassured, 'we won't tell anyone.' And with that she and Marty left.
'Come on,' Frasier gestured down the corridor to his and his father's bedrooms.
'Aren't we using the piano?' Niles quizzed.
'I was talking to the dog. You go and find some manuscript paper while I put Eddie in Dad's room.' Frasier suggested.
'Ok. Err…' Niles looked around, not knowing quite where he may find it.
'On second thoughts I'll get it. You go and have a fiddle on the piano.' Niles did as his big brother said, and sat down at the piano. He played a chord, then hummed it, then thought how hard it would be to write an entire opera.
'Frasier,' Niles said as his brother came and sat down next to him at the piano with a pad of manuscript paper and a pen, 'I don't think this is such a good idea.'
'Nonsense Niles,' Frasier reassured him, 'I mean how hard can it be?'
