Niles' BMW sped through the streets of Seattle until he came to the address that Frasier had written down.
But wait... this couldn't be right...
This was where their father lived? It was appalling! Why, this place made the Shangri-La look like... well, the Montana! But why would Frasier send their father here?
He had to get to the bottom of this. He rushed into the lobby, cringing at the sight. Perhaps Frasier was in a state of psychosis; one that caused him to believe that he
was still happily married, which is why he shipped their father off to this... There were simply no words to describe this place.
The thought caused Niles even more anxiety. Frasier was always the strong one; the one who saw more grounded than his little brother. All the more reason to talk to
his father. But for some strange reason, Niles felt a wave of nervousness come over him as he searched for the apartment number.
Ahh... here it is... Number... 12. Number 12? What kind of apartment complex only has twelve units?
His hand shook as he knocked on the door.
"Dad?"
When the door was opened, his father smiled and hugged him. "Hey, Son! Good to see you! You're late, you know! I was expecting you a lot earlier!"
Late? For what?
"Come in! Sorry this place is such a mess. Eddie had a field day with the newspaper!"
Niles looked around the place in horror. "Dad, I'm so sorry about all this." He said.
"Sorry? For what?"
"For... well... This is really where you live?"
To his amazement, the question caused his father to light up. "Yeah, isn't it great? I just love it!"
"You can't be serious!" Niles said.
"Oh yeah, it's wonderful! And Eddie loves it, too!"
"But Dad, what about Frasier's place?"
"What about it?"
"Well, I can't believe that he just... kicked you out like that! I mean what could have possibly happened between you two to cause him to do something so
extreme?"
"Kicked me out? Niles, are you feeling well? There's no way I'd move in with him! Why we'd be at each other's throats all the time! We'd never be able to get along."
"But you seemed to be getting along just fine the other day when-."
Niles stopped suddenly, as his father looked at him, puzzled.
"When what?"
"Um... Dad... I think we need to talk."
"Sure, have a seat." His father said, clearing a space on the sofa.
"Thank you." Niles said as he sat down.
"Beer?"
Niles shuddered at the sight of the tiny refrigerator in the incredibly small dining area.
"Um... no thanks. Listen Dad... About Frasier..."
"Yeah?"
"Have you been feeling well lately?"
His father took a swig of his beer. "Yeah, just fine. Why?"
"Well, perhaps you're experiencing some memory loss. It's perfectly normal at your age, and maybe if we just took you and Eddie back to Frasier's, it would help to-."
Niles couldn't help but notice that something was different... "Um, Dad?"
"Yeah, Niles?"
"Where-where's your cane?"
"My what?"
"Why, your cane! The one you've been using ever since you were shot."
"Shot? Oh Niles what's the matter with you? That's a horrible thing to wish upon your father!"
"But Dad, don't you remember? You were shot while checking out a burglary! And then Frasier took you and Eddie in, and that's when-."
His father laughed, confusing Niles even more. "Oh, I know what you're talking about."
Niles sighed with relief. "Thank God because I was-."
"Fras and I were just talking about that the other day on the phone About how horrible it would be if something were to happen to me and I'd have to move in with
him and Lilith. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Lilith like she was my own daughter-and Maris too, son! But there just wouldn't be enough room. But the way your
brother loves Eddie, it might be fun! I should really bring Eddie over for a visit some day. Those two are just the best of friends!"
Niles swallowed hard. "Dad? I think I'll have that beer now."
"Oh sure... No problem, Son!" His father said, walking over to the mini refrigerator without as much as a limp.
The dizziness Niles felt was overwhelming and he began to wonder how he would possibly drive home.
"Here you go, Son!"
"Thanks, Dad." Niles said, taking the beer can. He opened it quickly and drank its contents in one gulp.
"There's plenty more where that came from!" his dad said with a smile. "Want another?"
"No, thank you. What are you watching?"
"Oh, the World Series of course! This is incredible! Ninth inning, Mariners down by 2 runs and no outs and... Oh My God I can't believe it!"
Niles blinked, watching in complete astonishment as his father jumped of the couch and began to cheer.
"What's going on?"
"Mariners just won the World Series... Again!"
"Again? But you said they had the worst record of any team! Fewer touchdowns and-."
"Touchdowns? Oh Niles... you're such a kidder! You're the biggest sports fan I know!"
Okay, now Niles knew he'd lost his mind. He hated sports!
Um... Dad... I don't understand. How is it that you don't remember being shot? I mean, you're doing remarkably well. Daphne's done an incredible job and I realize that
I don't thank her enough for all she's done for you."
"Who's Daphne?"
Niles felt his heart stop. "W-what?"
"Who's Daphne? I don't know anyone named Daphne!"
Niles stood and put his hand on his father's forehead. "Are you sure you shouldn't lie down? How could you have forgotten Daphne? Frasier hired her to be your
physical therapist when-."
"Are you crazy? I don't need a nursemaid! I'm perfectly fine! I'm not a cripple you know!"
"Dad, I never said-."
"Now if you want to talk about Maris or your brother or Lilith or anyone else, fine! But don't come over here and then degrade me! I don't know where you got this
insane idea that I'd been shot, but I'm perfectly fine!"
Niles stood; ignoring the blood rushing to his head. "I think I should probably go now."
"That's a good idea!" His dad yelled. "Maybe find a therapist of your own!"
When his father turned his attention back to the television, Niles quickly made his escape. There was only one place he could go to calm his nerves... and it definitely
wasn't home.