Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
[ Sleepless In Seattle ]
"I hate to keep bringing this up Niles, but I'm truly distraught about Regan," Frasier told his brother over coffee on a Monday morning at Café Nervosa. "Oh, I suppose one positive way to look at it is that I did find out that it was Cam Winston renting my old apartment and was able to meet up with him. I do feel overwhelmingly slighted. Not only did things not work out with Regan, but Cam rented my apartment for his mother. She didn't care for it, as I've already told you, and she was already thinking about moving after the lease was up. Of course, Cam was not going to diverge this information until we made a deal that he would make the apartment available for me in three months as long as I gave up my parking spot for an entire half of a year." Frasier subconsciously put more unneeded sugar into his coffee while he was deep in thought. "Damn that Cam Winston." He looked over at his brother. "Niles, you haven't heard a single word that I've said?"
He lifted from his hand of the arm that propped his head up. His hair was a bit of a mess. "I'm sorry Frasier. I'm been tossing and turning all night."
"Well, you do look a bit enervated. What's going on Niles?"
"Oh, it's this move. Daphne tries not to let on, but I can tell she is miserable about us moving to Phoenix. I'm a psychologist. I can see the signs. It's tearing her apart."
"Well, Bebe's my agent now. Perhaps there is something I can do to help once I'm game fully employed again."
"I appreciate the gesture, Frasier, but I need to do this. I will be the supporter for my family."
"I respect that Niles. It's…"
"It's what?" Niles looked at him sleeplessly.
"It just makes me feel so helpless. I'm the big brother and being a psychologist, I'm used to solving everyone's problems. I hate that I can't help you."
"Thank you for your concern Frasier. You are a good brother, but I'm a big boy now. "
"I understand. Perhaps you should shift your schedule around to go home and get some sleep."
"I would only toss and turn at home." He glanced at his watch. "I'd better get going. Weren't you meeting Roz here this morning?"
"Yes, I don't know what's keeping her."
"Oh, here she comes now. Ta-ta Frasier." Niles greeting her on the way out.
She plopped down in her seat. Her hair was a bit frazzled.
"Roz, are you okay? You look so tired."
"Bebe came over last night and we talked for hours."
"Bebe? Is she trying to be your agent as well? I thought she was only taking me as a client. Is she really coming out of retirement?"
"Good morning darling."
They turned to see Bebe fashionably posing in Café Nervosa's door way. Frasier pulled back a seat for her.
"Thank you love. What an exhausting morning." She sat. "Could someone get me a hazelnut latte?"
"Of course." Frasier motioned for the server and ordered for her. He turned back to give her his full attention. "Did you set up any job interviews for me this morning?"
"Oh Frasier, behave yourself. I love it when you're so forceful. It reminds me of the animal instinct of a raging tiger who just takes what he wants and take he will."
"Perhaps you need a cold shower rather than a latte?" Frasier sounded.
She pouted. "Daddy's not in the mood for a little foreplay this morning?"
"I think I'm going to be sick," Roz commented.
"Roz, are you okay?" There was heart-felt compassion in his voice.
"I'M NOT HAVING MORNING SICKNESS FRASIER. It's Bebe that's turning my stomach."
"Oh we are just on edge, aren't we?" Bebe said tenderly. "Alright, I'll just come out and say it. I went to station after station, but no one is willing to pay you what you're worth Frasier."
"OH MY GOD!" Frasier's panic stage just kicked in.
"You said you liked working at KACL?"
"You went over to KACL? But they are in the process of selling the company."
"Yes, I'm sorry Frasier. They weren't in any position to offer you a position."
"But I already knew that." It was in his voice that he was getting frustrated.
"But what you didn't know is that she is." She looked over at Roz.
"What?" Both Frasier and Roz said at the same time.
"Roz, starting tomorrow, you're returning as KACL's station manager WITH the stipulation that they CANNOT sell the station for the next six months."
"What are you talking about?" Roz asked
"When they weren't ready to negotiate a contract for Frasier, I shifted into plan B."
"Plan B?" Frasier asked. "We have a plan B?"
"Ratings steadily dropped after Frasier left and I threatened them with the biggest lawsuit this side of the Rocky Mountains in lieu of how they stripped Roz of her authority little by little."
"You're saying…" Roz started to ask.
"Unlawful termination. They restrained your authority to do what you had to do to revive the ratings. Now you have the authority to hire who you wish." She shot Frasier a look.
"Bebe, what good is that if they'll be selling the station in six months?" Frasier asked.
"I have it in writing that they cannot sell the station within the next 5 years if you triple the ratings in those six months. And I know we can do that if I have to pass out fliers door to door."
Frasier smiled the greatest smile. "Roz, we're going to be working together again! Well, I will be working for you!"
Roz hugged him. "Oh my God Frasier!" She then turned to Bebe. "How can I thank you?"
"Well darling, you can start by signing me on as your agent."
"You've got it." She hugged Bebe.
"And just a few other small stipulations."
"Uh-oh." Roz said. "Like what?"
"Just a few minor details. I'll bring over the agent contract later today and tomorrow, we can meet for lunch in your incredibly huge office to hash over the small details. I'm buying." Just then, her coffee was delivered. "I'll need that to go and put a little scooty behind that booty," she told the Café's male server. "I'll leave you two to celebrate." She headed over to the counter to retrieve her coffee to go.