03x11 - The Friend

[bunniefuu]

Act 1

Scene 1 – Frasier's Apartment
[Martin comes in with Eddie. Frasier is sitting on the couch reading
a newspaper whilst Daphne is doing the cleaning.]

Martin: [talking to Eddie first] Slow down! Hey Daphne, guess what
Eddie ate in the park today?
Daphne: Ooh let's see. A hot dog wrapper?
Martin: No. Guess again.
Daphne: A cigarette butt?
Martin: No. Guess again.
Daphne: Apple core?
Martin: No. Guess again.
Frasier: [becoming increasingly exasperated] Oh really, must you two
play this ridiculous game? She makes some feeble s*ab and
you say "No. Guess again." Then she starts flailing away
with even more ludicrous answers, all the while you chanting
"Guess again", until she's gibbering like some auctioneer
with a bad bladder. Then you finally reveal the answer at
which point nobody even cares.
Daphne: [looking at Martin] I'm not sure which one of us got the
worst of that, but I think it was you.
Martin: Guess again.

[The doorbell rings and Frasier goes to answer. It's Niles.]

Frasier: Niles.
Niles: There's a half-eaten lizard in your elevator!
Martin: And that's the last hint you're getting.
Niles: [reaching for his pocket] Oh Frasier, I had a breakthrough
today with one of my compulsive gamblers and he gave me two
tickets to the racetrack on Saturday. It's a luxury box – I
though you might want to go.
Frasier: Oh I would love to Niles. Why don't you want to use them?
Niles: Well, the jockeys if you must know.
Frasier: What?
Niles: Diminutive, underweight figures in expensive silks wielding
riding crops. It just reminded me too much of Maris.
Frasier: Dad, what about you? I've never known you to turn down the
horses.
Martin: Ah, sorry. I've got poker with the guys.
Frasier: Oh well then. I'll just call one of my friends. [Frasier
walks towards the phone before stopping suddenly] Jeez. This
is sort of embarrassing. The first three names on my list
are all back in Boston.
Daphne: What about someone from your wine club?
Frasier: Oh well truth be told Daphne, those people are insufferable
bores unless they have a glass in their hands. Sherry,
Niles?
Niles: Please.
Frasier: Oh I know. How about Ed O'Hanlon?
Niles: Moved away last year.
Frasier: Ooh, how about Edmund Kelly? If I know old Ed he'd never
leave Seattle.
Niles: Indeed not. They buried him here three years ago.
Frasier: Dear me. Really? I'll miss him.
Niles: Yes. Three years from now when you think of him again
there'll be a void!
Frasier: My God how did this happen? I've been back here for two
years and I've yet to forge any new friendships.
Martin: [wriggling about uncomfortably in his chair] You'd better
watch it Frasier. Next thing you know you're gonna be like
one of these old people who are so set in their ways that
they're only happy hanging around with people who are the
same as they are.

[Cut to Eddie wriggling about on his back on the floor.]

Frasier: What exactly is your point Dad? That I've lost my knack for
making friends?
Martin: Well I hate to bring it up but you never were very good at
it. It was always you and Niles ever since you were kids.
The two of you always holed up in that damned garage – at
least until you b*rned it down.
Daphne: You b*rned down the garage?
Niles: Well, between Frasier and his Bunsen burner and me and my
mosquito repellent…in retrospect it was unavoidable!
Frasier: Still, you know Dad, I did have friends in college and back
in Boston. It's only since I moved to Seattle that I've
started falling back on Niles.
Niles: Ooh – "falling back on Niles"?
Frasier: Niles, you know what I mean. Settling for what's comfortable
and familiar. My God, you and I can go out together and I
know what you're thinking before you even say it.
Niles: Well then I'm sorry you had to hear that Frasier!
Frasier: You know what? This would make a wonderful topic for my
show. "Making New Friends" What are we so afraid of?
Martin: Why do you make everything so complicated? You wanna meet
somebody new? You just walk up to him, stick out your hand
and say "Hi. How you doing?"
Frasier: Thank you Dad. I can always count on you not to overthink
something.
Martin: Thanks [realises what Frasier has just said] Hey!

Scene 2 – KACL

MAYBE JUST A SHAMPOO AND SET


[Frasier is doing his show while Roz looks on.]

Frasier: So why is it we have so much trouble making friends? Is it
because we've become closed off? No longer want to reach out
to our fellow man? Well I'd like to think that if one of you
listeners out there happened to see me on the street you'd
feel free to walk right on up to me and…
Roz: Excuse me Dr. Crane, we have to stop for a very important
public service announcement [waits for show to go off air]
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? You're opening yourself up to every
creep out there!
Frasier: Oh Roz that's exactly the kind of cynicism I'm talking
about. I, for one, happen to believe in the kindness of
strangers.
Roz: Well I believe in the strangeness of strangers! [signals
show is about to start again] Three seconds.
Frasier: Hi, we're back with the topic of friendship. Now let's go to
the switchboard. Roz, who's on line one?
Roz: Good news Dr. Crane. It's Gerard from Stanwood. A new
friend.
Frasier: Hello Gerard. I'm listening.
Gerard: Well I called for another reason Dr. Crane. But what you
just said really moved me. I wish more people felt that way.
Frasier: Well thank you Gerard. I sense a kindred spirit.
Gerard: Maybe we could get together some time? Have a beer? Maybe I
could…you know…comb your hair?

[Roz gives Frasier the "thumbs up". The scene fades out and back in
to Frasier still taking increasingly stranger calls from the
listeners.]

Frasier: Well thank you so much for your offer of friendship George
but I really don't have five thousand dollars to invest in
your French fries vending machine. And for the sake of those
who do invest I suggest, Sir, that you find a better name
than "The Spuddy Buddy". This is Dr. Frasier Crane wishing
you all good mental health. I mean that today more than
ever!
Roz: [entering the booth looking smug] I just love it when I'm
right. It makes the day so good.
Frasier: You stacked the deck didn't you?
Roz: Oh please. You should have heard some of the calls I didn't
put through let alone these faxes. Read some of these.
They're sick.
Frasier: Oh Roz my listeners are not sick…[reads some of the
faxes]…although this one does bear watching! Here's one that
has promise. "Dear Dr. Crane. I never thought I'd write a
letter like this but I was moved by today's show. As a
photographer I come into contact with new people on a daily
basis yet I often find it difficult to make that one on one
connection. However your words offered hope and I just
wanted to say thank you. Sincerely. Bob Reynolds."
Roz: Doesn't sound too wacky.
Frasier: You know what? I think I'm going to give Mr. Bob Reynolds a
call.
Roz: Are you nuts? He could be a raving psychopath with a
trunkful of decomposing squirrels.
Frasier: Oh rubbish Roz. I'm going to call him. Where did you come up
with such a disgusting image?
Roz: [handing Frasier another fax] Meet Garth from Tacoma.

Scene 3 – Café Nervosa

BUTANE AND THE BEAST

[Frasier and Niles are sitting at their usual table.]

Niles: You're late today but I'm glad you're here. I need your
help. My designer is ready to mutiny if I don't pick a
fabric for my new couch. Now I've brought lots of swatches
so make yourself comfortable.
Frasier: Frankly Niles I'm not here to see you. I'm meeting a new
friend.
Niles: A new friend?
Frasier: Yes, you remember I was talking about widening my circle of
friends.
Niles: Oh I see. No more "falling back on Niles"
Frasier: It's not that I'm trying to replace you Niles. It's just
that Bob and I…
Niles: Bob? You're dumping me for someone named Bob?
Frasier: Niles I am not dumping you. I'm just worried that Bob might
feel awkward meeting the two of us.
Niles: Oh well we wouldn't want to make Bob feel uncomfortable now
would we? I mean after all I've only been your brother
for…[looking at watch]…38 years now. What does that mean
when there's the possibility that Bob may feel awkward?
Waitress: [to Frasier] There's a man over there who says he's waiting
for you.
Niles: No doubt the much ballyhooed Bob!
Frasier: Niles.
Niles: Oh it's all right. It's all right. I'll go quietly. Don't
worry about me. I'll be fine. I'll just go home to my Maris.
Oh [slapping his hand off his head] that's right!

[Niles leaves the Café. Frasier goes and joins Bob at another table.]

Frasier: Bob?
Bob: Dr. Crane.
Frasier: Call me Frasier.
Bob: Frasier then. I'm glad you called.
Frasier: [looks over at the counter] Coffee please. Well uh…so.
Bob: So.
Frasier: So. Listen, thank you for your fax.
Bob: I listen to your show all the time. I think you're
brilliant. You're probably sick of hearing that though
right?
Frasier: One would think but it's my cross.
Bob: That's the thing I love about your show. You're not just
serious. You can be funny.
Frasier: Well, I believe humour can be a therapeutic tool.
Bob: Against the as*ault of laughter nothing can stand.
Frasier: Mark Twain. "The Mysterious Stranger". I have a first
edition.
Bob: I'm a collector myself.
Frasier: You know I was a bit trepidatious about this experiment Bob,
but I'm feeling a real simpatico here.
Bob: Yeah, me too.
Frasier: I'm going to go out on a limb. What do you say once we
finish these coffees we treat ourselves to a proper dinner?
Bob: Hey that sounds great.
Frasier: OK. [notices a book on the table] Say, what are you reading?
Bob: It's my bible. "The Big Book of Barbecue" by Jeff Filgo.
He's a Texan. Of course all Texans think they invented
barbecue. Arrogant bastards! You like barbecue?
Frasier: Well…um…national holiday…4th July.
Bob: You know the secret to good barbecue? Mesquite. And the
secret to mesquite is you gotta soak them in water for 10
minutes. On special occasions I'll soak them in beer. Once I
soaked them in Sake for that [quotes with fingers] "flavour
of the Far East". You know in Japan they call their
barbecues "hibachis"? The arrogant bastards! I'm digging my
own barbecue pit right now…

[The scene fades out and back in with Bob still extolling the virtues
of Barbecues and Frasier growing weary whilst trying to force a
smile.]

Bob: …my speciality is the Shian Smoky Quail. The trick is a high
engulfing flame. Like a forest fire. Of course they call
forest fires "nature's barbecue". You know my co-workers
call me "Shish-ka-Bob"?
Frasier: Well Bob. Do you have any charcoal free interests?
Bob: Yeah I'm a professional photographer. [quotes with fingers]
The camera never lies.
Frasier: I'm a bit of a camera buff myself. What's your trade? Photo
journalist?
Bob: I take kids portraits at Value-Mart [quotes with fingers]
Where your dollar buys more! You know what? Why don't we
talk about this over dinner?

[Frasier goes to the counter to get the cheque looking less than
pleased. While he does so Bob moves away from the table and we see
that he is in a wheelchair.]

Frasier: You know, Bob, about that dinner? [sees the wheel chair] How
about Tex-Mex?
Bob: [putting on a ridiculous tartan bunnet] You're talking my
language.

[Bob wheels himself out the Café. His wheel chair has an awful squeak
and Frasier follows uneasily.]

Act 2

Scene 1 – Frasier's Apartment
[Martin and Daphne are in the kitchen. Daphne is making Martin a
healthshake for breakfast.]

Daphne: [pulling Martin's unhealthy breakfast out his hand.] No you
don't. I'm fixing you a breakfast drink with fresh fruit,
yoghurt, carob, pitted prunes. A healthy body makes for a
sunny disposition.
Martin: [menacingly] You want sunny? Let me have my fritter.
Daphne: Oh shush. [whisks the drink] There we are.
Martin: There just aren't enough drinks that build up a nice head of
black foam!

[Martin walks through to the living room to find Frasier sitting at
the table drinking a coffee.]

Frasier: Morning.
Martin: Well you were home late last night.
Frasier: I had dinner with a new friend. Bob.
Martin: Oh that's right. Have a good time?
Frasier: Hardly. The man talks endlessly on subjects that are of no
interest to anyone but him.
Martin: [sarcastic] Gee. I can't imagine what that's like.
Frasier: Oh Dad. He took me to this God-awful barbecue place. All
they serve is huge platters of charred greasy beef. The only
sound you can hear is the gnawing of meat, the smacking of
lips and the clatter of bones hitting the floor.
Martin: I can't take it any more. I'm having that fritter!
Daphne: If you don't like this man why did you have dinner with him?
Frasier: Well I was going to tell him that I didn't want to see him
anymore but you see it's a bit more delicate than just that.
The problem is he's in a wheel chair.
Daphne: So what? If you don't like him you don't like him.
Frasier: Well I know that. It's just that I'd hate to have him think
it was just because of the chair.
Daphne: I have worked with the disabled for over 10 years now. And
if it's one thing I've learned they don't want special
treatment.
Martin: [comes out of the kitchen] Oh I forgot to bring in the
paper. [puts a pained look on his face all of a sudden.]
Daphne would you get it? My leg's just aching and throbbing!

[The doorbell rings.]

Frasier: I'll get it. You know, Daphne, you're right? I was kind of a
coward wasn't I? Well, at least I got through the evening.

[Frasier answers the door to find Bob wearing the bunnet, newspaper
in hand and the awful squeak still there as he wheels himself in.]

Bob: Here's your paper Buddy!
Frasier: Bob you're here. Did we have plans?
Bob: No. I was in the neighbourhood. Just thought I'd stop by.
Frasier: Did I mention where I lived? I'm astonishingly sure I
didn't.
Bob: You'd be amazed what you can find out with computers today.
Anyway – brought bagels, poppy seeds, pumpernickel, rye,
sesame, onion, garlic. 'Cos after all breakfast is the
[quotes with fingers] most important meal of the day. Hey-ho
you must be Martin. You're Daphne.
Martin: And you must be Bob.
Bob: That's me. Bob! Same forwards as backwards.

[Martin and Daphne both laugh. However Frasier is clearly not happy.]

Scene 2 – KACL

THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GIVES THE GRIEF


[Frasier has just finished his show. Roz is in the booth handing him
a bunch of notes.]

Roz: Got some messages. Bob. Bob. And…oh look…here's one from
Bob.
Frasier: [in desperation] 2 weeks and 45 phone calls. Can't we just
get an unlisted number?
Roz: They sort of frown on that with call-in shows. Frasier –
you've got to do something about Bob.
Frasier: I know Roz. I'm working up to it.
Roz: You know the longer you put it off the worse he's going to
feel when you finally tell him.
Frasier: Yes I know that. I'm a psychiatrist. I'm quite capable of
dealing with difficult problems in a sensitive mature
fashion…[opens the door to leave]…Wait! Did you hear that?
That squeak!
Roz: What squeak?
Frasier: [worried] He's here. It's Bob!
Roz: I don't hear anything.
Frasier: Oh that's right. Only dogs and I can hear it.
Roz: Frasier, you're being paranoid.

[From the distance we hear the unmistakable squeaking sound of Bob's
wheelchair. Frasier looks panicked.]

Frasier: It's the sound of his chair. I'd know it anywhere.

[Frasier looks out the booth's window and sees a tartan bunnet move
ominously past the crest of the window like a shark's dorsal. Frasier
wails in distress and crawls under the window ledge before hiding
behind his desk. Bob comes in.]

Roz: Hi Bob.
Bob: Knock Knock Roz. Frasier around?
Roz: You just missed him.
Bob: Too bad. I got great news. I checked out that vacancy in his
apartment building and guess who's gonna be neighbours?
[A muffled scream is heard from beyond.]
Bob: What was that?
Roz: Feedback. This equipment's old [looking in Frasier's direction]
and pathetic!
Bob: Well maybe I can catch Frasier back at his place…correction, our
place.
Roz: Bye Bob.
Bob: Bye Roz.

[Bob exits. Roz moves round to the back of the desk to find Frasier
still cowering.]

Roz: OK he's gone. You can come out now.
Frasier: No he's not. He's never really gone!
Roz: So Bob's gonna be your new neighbour? [hillbilly accent] Well,
break out the butane there every Barbecue day!

[N.B. Peri Gilpin was born and raised in Waco, Texas.]

Frasier: NO! NO! He's not going to move into my building. I won't
allow it. I'm going to talk to him Roz. Listen, I could use
your advice. You've broken up with a lot of people. What do
you find to be the most effective thing to say?
Roz: I love you and I want to have your baby.
Frasier: Good, I've got my fallback.

Scene 3 – Café Nervosa.
[Niles is ordering a coffee. Frasier rushes in.]

Frasier: Ooh Niles, Niles. I need to talk. Bob's meeting me
here…[notices the coffees in Niles' hand]…this isn't my
usual.
Niles: Well it's not for you. It's for my friend.

[Niles motions over towards a man sitting at their usual table. He's
dressed fairly casually and doesn't look a typical "Niles friend".]

Frasier: That man is your friend?
Niles: Yep. We share thoughts, feelings. We talk about the arts,
current events. Today we're just…hangin'!

[Niles goes to sit down with his new friend (Ralph). Meanwhile in the
background we hear the "squeak" before Bob enters to join Frasier.]

Niles: [handing Ralph a coffee] There you are.
Ralph: Thanks.
Niles: My pleasure.
Ralph: You know, I can't stay long. I've got 4 more pools to clean
today besides yours and I'm gonna to lose sunlight.
Niles: You know, Ralph, I was thinking that in many ways my
profession is a lot like yours. I start out skimming the
surface of the human psyche. Then I plunge ever deeper into
the murky undercurrents, adding chemicals when necessary.
Ralph: [at a loss for words]…There's a lot of leaves this year!

[The scene switches to Frasier and Bob's table.]

Bob: I'm glad you called. I was starting to get self-conscious
here. It seems like I'm always the one calling or stopping
by or suggesting dinner or movies or shopping for hats. Oh
[taking out a similarly hideous tartan bunnet to his] I got
you a beaut!
Frasier: [forcing a smile] Bob. You really shouldn't have.
Bob: I knew you'd like it, neighbour.
Frasier: About that Bob. Have you actually signed a lease yet?
Bob: No. Why?
Frasier: Well, we need to talk.
Bob: Whoa. If you were a woman I'd swear you were dumping me.

[Bob laughs whilst Frasier looks awkward. The scene switches back to
Niles and Ralph's table where Niles is showing Ralph different
sections of coloured wallpaper.]

Ralph: Blue one's nice.
Niles: Mmm. I'm just concerned that blue might be a bit overbearing
on a couch of that size. Although it might complement that
Killin rug I was telling you about. What do you think?
Ralph: [staring deadpan at Niles] I live in my van!
Niles: So you'd probably go for colours that add the illusion of
space?
Ralph: You know, Dr. Crane to be perfectly honest, when you asked if
I wanted coffee – I thought you were gonna bring me one.
Niles: Duly noted Ralph. Next week you can go back to drinking from
the hose.

[Ralph gets up and leaves. The scene switches back to Frasier and
Bob's table.]

Frasier: You see I just don't think there's a basis between us for a
sound friendship. Neither of us should feel bad about it.
Bob: That's easy for you to say. You're not the one being
rejected.
Frasier: No, no. I'm not rejecting you. Truth is you're pleasant.
You're charming.
Bob: Frasier, I'm an adult here. At least respect me enough to
tell me what it is you don't like about me.
Frasier: Well all right, all right. We have absolutely nothing in
common. You talk on endlessly about subjects that I have no
interest in. You call me all the time. Frankly you're
suffocating me!
Bob: [looking hurt] Wow. I don't know what to say. I wish you'd
said something sooner.
Frasier: I wanted to. Frankly I was afraid you'd think it was because
of the…you know…
Bob: The what?
Frasier: The wheelchair.
Bob: Why would I think that?
Frasier: I don't know. I just wanted you to know that.
Bob: I wish it did have to do with the chair.
Frasier: I beg your pardon.
Bob: Well, if the chair were your problem that would make you a
jerk. This way, I'm the jerk.
Frasier: Well, I wouldn't say that.
Bob: Come on, you just did. You just said I'm boring and
obnoxious. Who knows people better than you? You can keep
the hat. [Bob turns to leave.]
Frasier: Bob, wait, please. I've got to level with you. Truth is I
find nothing wrong with you. I was just ashamed to admit it.
It is the chair.
Bob: What?
Frasier: [clearly lying] I think frankly that you are wonderful
company. Wildly stimulating. Your hobbies are so
fascinating. [picks up his tartan bunnet] You have a sense
of style that really, I mean, doesn't compare to anyone's.
It's just me. I feel petty and small about it but I can't
get past the chair. I'm sorry Bob. Please. [Frasier gets up
to leave] I'm sorry. This is goodbye.
Bob: I don't believe this. You don't want to be my friend 'cos
I'm in a wheelchair.
Waitress: [listening nearby] What? That's the worst thing I've ever
heard!
Frasier: [protesting] Look. You don't understand.
Bob: What's not to understand. You just said flat out – my chair
repulses you

[By now a crowd is forming around them.]

Patron #1: What kind of a person does that?
Frasier: Well…
Patron #2: I've got a birthmark on my back. I guess we can't be
friends either!
Frasier: [in desperation] People please. Frankly this doesn't
concern any of you.
Bob: When I think about all the gifts I gave you. All the
barbecue sauce – Hot 'n' Spicy, Tex Mex, Mesquite,
Teriyaki, Honey Mustard…
Frasier: [getting mad] Oh For God's sake Bob – put a sock in it.
Patron #2: [to Bob] We were just on our way to dinner. Would you like
to join us?
Bob: I'd love to.

[Bob turns to leave with the couple grabbing Frasier's tartan bunnet
on the way.]

Bob: So. You guys like barbecue?
Patron#1: Yeah. Who doesn't?

[The crowd moves away looking at Frasier. Frasier is left standing
alone in the centre of the Café. He turns to look at his usual table
where Niles is sitting. Niles looks away for a second before pushing
out the other chair at the table with his foot. Frasier sits down
slowly looking extremely guilty.]

Niles: Are these wing tips too busy with these pants?
Frasier: Well, yes. They're a bit frenzied. Perhaps a woven lace
would tone down the glitz.
Niles: Might have to go overseas for that.
Frasier: No, not at all. You can get them downtown.
Niles: Well, who shops downtown anymore?
Frasier: Well I do for one…

[The scene fades out with Frasier and Niles continuing to discuss
their personal fashion intricacies.]

Credits:
Back in Frasier's kitchen Daphne is making another healthshake for
Martin who looks on disapprovingly. Daphne turns her back for a
minute so Martin opens up the whisk and puts in a doughnut before she
can notice. She turns around before martin motions to her to get
something else. When she turns her back again he pours in his can of
beer.