Elliot Bay Towers
When the door opened, Daphne looked up from her ironing. "Well, Dr Crane! This is a surprise. Didn't expect you home so soon!"
Frasier picked up the Seattle Times that his father left on the coffee table and thumbed through the Arts section. "Yes, well... It seems that some of my callers weren't
too happy with the way my radio drama went on Saturday. Apparently I scared one young listener for life. But I suppose you heard the whole sad scenario."
"No, not really." Daphne said, smiling as she sprayed starch on Frasier's crisp white shirt. When he glared at her, she crossed her arms. "Well how am I supposed to do
the laundry, help your father with his exercises and cook your meals while finding the time to listen to your bloody show?"
Frasier threw down the newspaper in disgust. "Doesn't anyone listen to my show anymore?"
Daphne smirked. "Apparently they do!"
"I thought I told you to go to work!" Martin said as he hobbled into the living room.
"I did go to work, Dad! If you'd listen to my show, you'd know that!"
"Well you sure as hell didn't stay very long!" Martin yelled. "When I was your age, we worked long hard hours and I had to-."
"I know, I know! You had to walk ten miles in the snow go to get to work! I've heard this story a million times and each time your trek through the snow gets longer
and longer. I happen to know that it hasn't snowed in Seattle that much since-."
"Will you two bloody shut up!" Daphne yelled, startling them with her outburst.
"What's wrong, Daph?" Martin asked.
"What's wrong is that I'm tried of this constant fightin' between you two! Ever since that stupid radio drama-."
"Oh, so now you're calling my show stupid, huh?" Frasier interrupted.
"Well, now that you mention it-." Daphne yelled back.
"What's going on in here?"
They looked up to see Niles standing before them.
"Hey Niles." Martin said.
"Hello, Dr. Crane." Daphne said with a smile.
"Well... just the person I want to see." Frasier said sarcastically. "The person who ruined my production of Nightmare Inn."
Niles jaw dropped. "I did not!" He yelled, enunciating each word.
"Oh come on, Niles! You know damn well that if it weren't for your... impromptu mass murder, this whole fiasco would never have happened!"
"Frasier, I am appalled! Have you completely forgotten about Gil and his ridiculous obsession with that horrible boyhood in Surrey speech?"
"I wrote that speech!" Frasier said. "I worked very hard, directing that production and-."
"Your direction is for the birds!" Niles retorted.
"What?" Frasier yelled back.
"You heard me!"
Frasier gasped dramatically and put his hand over his heart. "I am wounded!" he yelled.
"Yeah? Well it's too bad we don't have any balloons so I can finish the job!" Niles said, giving his brother an evil laugh.
Daphne and Martin looked at each other blankly and shrugged.
Deciding to step in, Martin walked toward his sons. "Look, why don't we all just sit down and-."
The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts.
"Daphne, can you get that?" Frasier asked.
Daphne scoffed. "Why should I have to answer the door? It's your bloody house! Me Grammy Moon used to say-."
The doorbell rang again.
Daphne, please! I don't have time for, nor do I care to hear about your psychic visions or your Grammy Moon!" Frasier said.
Niles looked at his brother in horror. "Don't you dare talk to her like that!" He said, blushing when Daphne smiled at him.
"Frasier, I can't believe you! Treating someone as... beautiful as Daphne like a... slave."
Daphne turned to Niles and stared at him. "Wh-what did you just call me?"
Niles blushed deeply. "Oh... Well, I..."
The doorbell rang again. "I'll get that!" Daphne said, unable to stop smiling. On her way to the door, she took Niles' hand and squeezed it gently.
He watched, mesmerized as she went to answer the door.
"Roz! How nice to see you!" Daphne said, hugging her friend.
"Hey Daphne! Hey everyone!"
Frasier and Niles rolled their eyes upon seeing her.
"Roz... To what do we owe this little visit?" Frasier asked. "Or should I call you Miss Thorndyke?"
"Just stopped by so say hello." Roz said. "And speaking of..." She walked over to Niles, smiling when she saw how uncomfortable he seemed.
"Hello... Son." She said putting her arm around him.
He shuddered and moved away, causing her arm to fall to her side.
"That's a fine way to treat your mother!" Roz said.
At the thought, Niles put his fingers over his mouth in an attempt to keep from getting sick.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll just be going now. "Goodnight all."
"Goodnight, Son." Martin said.
With a sigh, Niles opened the door, taking note that no one else acknowledged his leaving.