Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
[ Goldilocks Lived Here Once ]
Up in the tower of KACL, Frasier brought his resume and reference packet, but he had a strong feeling that he wouldn't need either of them, for it was one of his very best friends that was the manager of the station now.
He greeted her secretary with the most uplifting attitude. "Good morning, I'm here to see Roz Doyle."
"Who?" The lady behind the desk seemed so unprofessional. Frasier didn't know her. By his observations, she must have been in her position within her first two days.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I don't have an appointment, but I'm here to see the station manager."
She only enhanced her unprofessional mannerism by pointing to the door of the station manager.
"Why thank you," there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. As he headed for the door, he smiled. It was going to be so nice to see Roz again. He had thought about bringing her flowers, but didn't want it to be misunderstood to others as a bribe to get his job back. Since the "secretary" hadn't announced his arrival, he softly knocked before entering the door.
There, he didn't find Roz at all. There was a large man slumbering on the couch with his face to the back of the couch. "Oh dear God," Frasier thought. What is this? It was after lunch time and there was no reason for someone to be sleeping on Roz's couch at this hour. He thought about back-stepping out, but didn't think that he would be able to bear conversing with the secretary any further.
"Excuse me." Frasier said in a soft voice.
The stranger grumbled.
"Excuse me," he said louder.
"Uh, wha…" Kenny Daly rolled over and sat up. "What? What's going on?"
"Kenny?! Kenny Daly?!"
"DOC!" Kenny jumped up and gave his friend a big hug. "Oh, I wouldn't lie to ya Doc, it sure is great to see you."
"You too Kenny, but… where is Roz?"
"Ah, she's home sick. I'm just filling in."
"Oh thank God. What about you Kenny? I thought you were DJ-ing."
"Oh, I am Doc." He shot a look at the clock on the wall. "Oh gosh, oh Pete's. Is that the right time?"
Frasier glanced at the clock hanging there. "Yes, I believe so."
He turned up the speaker hanging on the wall and there was dead air. "Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick! Doc, I've got to go! Come with me!"
Before Frasier had time to respond, Kenny ran out of the office. Frasier ran after him.
Down to Frasier's old both, Frasier caught up with Kenny there.
Kenny hot-keyed the mic. "Hey all of you crazy people out there in the slippery streets of Emerald City. It's Kenny Daly back to stop the sound of silence. I'm jaw-jappin' to you from KACL 780 on your AM dial and my heart is pounding and my nerves are shot just to play you this next song… I'm sure it's your favorite… well… the song title should be repeated in the song a few times." He slapped the monitor and threw in a tape that started the music. He turned the music down. "Oh my God Doc, we made it!"
"If you're referring to being extremely late to your time slot, then yes, we made it." Frasier's smirk faded. "Kenny, what's going on here? This place looks like a ghost town and where is your producer?"
"Well, to tell you the truth Doc, this place is a sinking ship. I'm only temporarily covering as station manager. I don't even have a producer."
"What are you saying Kenny?"
"The ratings have been so low, this place has gone to hell in a handbag."
"How could this have happened? Roz would never have let this happen."
"Oh man Doc, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Roz is going to be sacked just as soon as she returns. I'm not even her replacement. I'm just temporary. The new station manager should be here any day now."
"Oh good heavens. Just how long has Roz been sick?"
"Weeks. It's off and on."
Frasier was a little lost for words. His concern for Roz made the problem with the station look small.
"Hey Doc, how about you be my guest today? Take some calls. Do what you do best. We'll bump up the ratings in no time. What do ya say?"
"Thank you Kenny. Perhaps another time. I'm going over to go see Roz."