Niles little friends!
Niles is over the moon. His package finally arrived. He proudly carries it into his room and tears it open. This is better than Christmas for him. He had ordered some new listening devices from a specialty store. The latest models.
He takes a closer look at them. They are so small, they can easily be hidden anywhere and they run with batteries. The small tapes have a reording time of 24 hours and can be used over and over again. Of course, they have their price and they cost a fortune. But how else should he find out what was going on. On the intercom system alone, he can't rely anymore. First, there is none in Miss Fine's room, and despite his very best efforts, he learned nothing about the mysterious goings-on during the last few days.
Basically, every minute, he literally was glued to the intercom with his ear to eavesdrop what his boss was doing. But there was nothing else but business. And he got even weirder when Miss Fine was in the office with him. Niles had great hopes Maxwell would talk with her about his private life, but they only talked about the children, Miss Fine's relatives, or the day. Moreover, Niles got the feeling they seemed to make fun of him. Often, he involuntarily listened to them, making jokes at his expense. Niles realized that somehow they always must know when he was eavesdropping on them. Still, Niles couldn't get rid of the feeling that Fran knew more than him.
Niles can't wait to bring his new babies into action. He hopes soon their would be a good opportunity. He returns to the kitchen. Fran was there, reading a magazine. He puts her on a test. He casually shares with her his suspicions that their boss is actually seeing a woman. She laughs, finding it completely absurd. She mocks he probably doesn't even know anymore how to flirt with a woman, alone have the courage to approach a woman physically.
However, Niles notices that she had blushed visibly and she was stammering. It confirms his suspicion that she knows more than she was telling him.
Later, he sees her scurry into the office. Niles gets immediately on the intercom, convinced he would get to know something. But she only blabbs about a trivial story with Gracie and a classmate. Niles, of course, doesn't have a clue that while she's telling the story, Fran writes Maxwell a note saying she urgently needs to speak to him privately and undisturbed. They arrange another date that evening at the Plaza.
In their suite that night, Fran tells Maxwell about Niles suspicions.
"He's on to us and he is coming closer and closer. He will not rest until he finds out the truth. He's firmly convinced that you're not seeing a backer but a woman." Maxwell tries to remain calm.
"That doesn't surprise me at all. Niles and I, we both have known each other for a long time. He had to see through my behavior sooner or later. I guess he reads me better than everyone. But I'm sure he wouldn't even dream that you're the mystery woman."
"Maybe! But for how long we can hide this fact. He dies to find out who this lady is and you know Niles when he is on a mission." Maxwell can't help it. He laughs. "Oh yeah! I know! We'll just have to be even more careful around the house, especially when Niles is around. No word about our love and no body contact! Besides, I have a plan."
He whispers something in Fran's ear and she starts to giggle.
"That's pretty cruel Max. Still, you are a genius!"
"Thanks! Not cruel at all. Pure self-defense!"
