She was about to break down completely when she had a revelation. Of course, why didn't she think about it before? When she'd found a relatively safe place, she removed her phone from her purse and dialed information. After several rings and a very long hold time, the phone was miraculously answered.
"What city please?"
"I'd like the number of a taxi company in Seattle, please." She said, her voice quivering. When she was given the number she quickly committed it to memory and after thanking the woman profusely she raced to dial it. But it wasn't easy with her trembling fingers.
"Emerald City Taxi." A voice answered.
"Yes, I need a taxi right away!" she said frantically. "I'm at the corner of Fourth and Hanover, so please hurry!"
"I'm sorry ma'am, because of the festivities downtown, all of our taxis are in use right now. We won't have any available for the next several hours."
Her mouth fell open in disbelief. "What?"
"We have no-."
"I heard what you said!" she yelled, feeling her heart pounding against her chest. "But that's impossible! You're a bloody taxi company! How can you not have any taxis?"
"Happy holidays, ma'am. Have a good night."
"But-."
The dial tone blared in her ear like a siren and she felt tears rising to the surface. It was getting later and later but the crowd was becoming more and more frightening.
"I'll try once more." She reasoned. "Surely Dr. Crane will pick up the phone, or even Mr. Crane. He can send a cop for me. I don't even care, as long as I can get home."
But her attempt was met yet again with a busy signal.
"Bloody hell…"
Frasier promised her that he'd be there for her, he'd promised! And now she had noone. Unexpectedly she began to sob, not at all surprised when no one around her paid any attention. Her hand trembled as she stared at her phone, at a loss for what to do. She had absolutely no one to turn to, no one at all. She opened her phone once again, determined to find a way.
And then her eyes landed on his name, the name of the person who had become her best friend. Her worry subsided, if only a bit. It was worth a try. It had to work. Because if it didn't, she wasn't sure what she would do.