They watched the game in silence and when the station cut to a commercial, Frasier rose to his feet. "Another beer, Dad?"
"Yeah, but wait a minute, Fras." Martin pointed the remote at the television and lowered the sound.
"Something wrong?"
"No. I'm fine. But I'm wondering about something."
"What's that?"
"Where did you find it? My chair?"
"Oh, well, it was the darndest thing. I traced it to a junior high of all places!"
"Junior high? What was it doing there?"
Frasier chuckled at the memory. "Well, it was being used as a prop in a production of Ten Little Indians!"
"Ten Little Indians, huh? Boy, I remember that one! You really stole the show!"
"Much to Niles' annoyance as I recall." Frasier laughed, remembering that ridiculous moment. At the time, it was quite tragic. He'd never seen Niles so jealous. He never quite got over it, either."
"When has Niles ever gotten over anything?" Martin pointed out. "So how'd you get it back?"
"Well, this rather frazzled woman ran the play by the name of Ms. Warner. "I offered her two-hundred dollars for the chair, and of course she accepted but she told me I couldn't have it until the play was over."
"Seems fair enough, I guess."
"Yes, and for a moment there it looked like the play wouldn't go on because Bobby McDuff suffered a severe case of stomach flu and left them without a Dr. Armstrong."
"Dr. Armstrong? Isn't that the character you played?"
"Yes, it is."
"Oh geez, don't tell me you offered to fill in!"
"Well, I might have mentioned that I was quite good in the role."
Martin laughed out loud. "You performed in a junior high play?"
"Yes! And I was quite good!"
"You paid two hundred dollars and performance as the only adult in a junior high school play to get my chair back?"
"Yes, but it was only-."
To Frasier's surprise, Martin rose from his chair and walked over to the couch.
"Dad, what are you doing? The game's back on! You're going to miss it!"
"The hell with the game."
"What? But Ken Murphy is up at bat."
"That's Ken Griffey Jr. and to hell with him!"
"Dad-."
"Thanks, Frasier. Thanks a lot. You're a good kid."
The hug that Martin bestowed on him was completely unexpected, and it brought tears to Frasier's eyes. It only lasted a second before Martin walked back to his chair and sat down. "Let's just watch the game, all right?"
"Whatever you say, Dad."
As Frasier returned his attention to the television, he realized how much he loved his father.