04x24 - Odd Man Out

[bunniefuu]

ACT ONE

ON THE PLUS SIDE SHE DID LOSE TWO POUNDS


Scene 1 - Int. Frasier's Studio at KACL
Frasier is seated in his booth. Roz stands beside him, sorting
through papers.

Frasier: Oh Roz, I managed to get some reservations at San Gennaro
tonight. [standing] I thought we'd go celebrate your birthday.
Roz: [looking up] Oh, that is so sweet, but I have a date. With
that waiter we met at lunch yesterday.
Frasier: [disbelieving] You're going out with that guy?
Roz: I didn't have enough for a tip.
Frasier: Keep in mind the service wasn't that good. [pause] Well, the
reservation won't go to waste. I can always take Niles.
Roz: Niles? Again? You know, your entire social life consists
of going out with your brother. [pause] Don't you think
you're getting into kind of a rut? You're still young!
You need to go out and get drunk...

Frasier walks around her toward the door of the booth.

Roz: [cont'd] Wake up in some stranger's bed and not even remember
how you got there.
Frasier: [opening door] In other words, exchange my life for yours.
Roz: Well, do what you want. But you know what? You could shake
up your life every once in a while, do something spur of the
moment. Once, I finished work on a Friday and hopped a plane
to Acapulco, and I didn't pack anything but my toothbrush.
Frasier: Oh, yes, yes, I do remember you calling in sick one Monday
morning with a mariachi band in the background.
Roz: Well, I was sick.
Frasier: Mmm-hmmm. [closes door]

FADE OUT

Scene 2 - Int. Frasier's living room at the Elliot Bay Towers

Daphne: [opening front door] Oh, Doctor Crane!
Niles: Daphne.

Niles walks into the apartment to place his coat on the sofa.
Daphne closes the door after him. When he turns back toward her,
she has turned her back to him. She is wearing a yellow sundress
which is unzipped to her lower back.

Daphne: Thank God you're here. My zip's stuck.
Niles: Oh.

Niles walks to her and reaches for the zipper, watching her lower
back intently.

Niles: Good thing I got here when I did.
Daphne: Don't be afraid to grab hold and give it all you've got.
Niles: [looking up at the back of her head] Okay.
Daphne: Sometimes pulling it down a bit helps.
Niles: [looking up again] Okay. [pause] Oh, dear. I've zipped my
tie into your dress. It won't come loose.

Niles leans down to examine his predicament.

Daphne: Oh, let me see!

Daphne turns to look, jerking Niles by the tie in the process.

Daphne: Oh, I'm sorry! It is stuck, isn't it? Well, maybe some
liquid soap from the powder room will loosen it up.

Daphne walks to the bathroom, dragging Niles by the tie. He is
leaned over, his face very close to her rear - most likely a
delightful scenario for him. Just as Daphne has her hand on the
knob to the bathroom, Frasier walks in the front door, taking in
the scene before him. He stares skeptically for several moments
as he closes the door behind him.

Frasier: Niles, there's something on your tie.
Daphne: [grinning] Doctor Crane was helping me with my dress,
and now he's caught.
Frasier: Yes, he is. [walks to Daphne, pushing Niles to the side
slightly] Allow me. [frees the zipper] Ah, there. All
right, there we go.

Frasier walks over to hang up her coat, and Daphne walks toward the
breakfast table.

Daphne: What a relief. I was just about to step right out of this
dress and embarrass poor Doctor Crane to death.
Niles: Well, we all have to die of something. [gazing longingly]
Frasier: Oh Niles, I managed to score some reservations tonight at
San Gennaro. You up for a little Italian?
Niles: Actually, I'm going out with Maris, so I guess you could say
I'm up for a little Episcopalian. [laugh]
Frasier: [laughs, walking toward wet bar] Like some sherry?
Niles: Yes, thank you.
Frasier: So, those counseling session must be going very well.
[pouring sherry]
Niles: They are! So, tonight, we thought it would be a kick to
recreate our very first date.
Daphne: [sitting at table] Oh, that's sweet.

Martin walks in the front door with Eddie on his leash.

Niles: Hey, dad. In fact, that day my car was in the shop, so I'm
here to borrow Dad's car just like I did back then. [Frasier
hands him his sherry] Just saying that makes me feel so young.
"Gee, Dad, can I borrow the car?"
Martin: You did that twice on the phone, and I didn't find it cute
then. [reaching in pocket, pulling out keys] Here you go.

Martin tosses his keys to Niles underhanded. However, they sail
right by him and are caught by Frasier, who is standing behind him.

Frasier: [handing Niles the keys] I just can't picture Maris in Dad's
'82 Impala.
Niles: Neither could she, at first. I'll never forget the look of
wonder on her face at touching vinyl for the first time.
She said it made her feel cheap and dirty, and she liked it.
[proud] I was her first bad boy. [sits on couch]
Frasier: Uh-huh. Yes, I remember the way you used to carry your
inhaler around rolled up in the sleeve of your t-shirt.
[gesturing to Daphne at the table and Martin coming out of
the kitchen] Oh, how about you two? You guys want to join
me for dinner tonight?
Martin: Oh sorry, Sherry's cooking me dinner tonight.
Daphne: And I have a date with Greg.
Frasier: Greg? I don't believe I've met him yet.
Martin: I have. He's gorgeous. [stares all around] Well, he is.
Daphne: He's certainly the best-looking man I've ever been out with.
Of course, he doesn't have a thought in that pretty little
head of his. [distantly] Hmmm, this could be the one.
Martin: [going to sit in chair] But you know, Frasier, maybe I can
have Sherry cook for me some other time.
Frasier: No, no. You don't have to put yourself out on my account,
Dad. [notices answering machine blinking] Oh Dad, did you
happen to check this message?
Martin: No, I don't touch that thing.
Message: [V.O.] Hi, it's Laura. We're getting an extra day of
rehearsal, so I'm coming in tonight instead of tomorrow.
American, Flight 11, 10:30. Can't wait. Bye!
Frasier: Great news, Laura's in town!
Niles: Who's Laura?
Frasier: A stranger who called my machine by mistake.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

Scene 1 - Int. the restaurant - San Gennaro
Frasier stands at the maitre 'd's booth in the restaurant, his arm
propped against it casually.

Frasier: Reservation for Doctor Frasier Crane.
Maitre 船: From the radio, yes?
Frasier: Yes. Ooh, actually my date canceled, so it'll just be me.
Maitre 船: I see, sir. [lowers voice] Table for one.
Frasier: There is no need to lower your voice. I'm not ashamed to
dine alone. eally, as a man of some celebrity, I can serve
as a symbol to others who might otherwise be afraid to do
so. I mean, really it's okay, it's actually even preferable
to sit and dine alone rather than listen to someone who's
too much in love with his own voice prattle on endlessly.
Maitre 船: Well, you convinced me, sir. I'll see if your table's
ready.

The Maitre 'D leaves the room, and Frasier is left alone, looking
decidedly less comfortable.

Maitre 船: [loudly] Doctor Crane? Your table for one is ready.

He holds a menu out for Frasier, who takes it and slinks to his
table, which is positioned right in the center of the room.

Frasier: Uh, listen, is it possible to move to... to have a table
elsewhere? I feel just a bit conspicuous right here.
Waiter: I'm very sorry, sir, but they're all reserved. But don't
worry, most of our patrons only have eyes for each other.
Frasier: Very well.

Frasier sits. The waiter begins to fix the place setting, clinking
glasses together very loudly. Other diners begin to look at the
table.

Waiter: I'm so sorry, sir.
Frasier: Perfectly all right. Just because I'm alone doesn't mean
I'm lonely. Perhaps I could have a glass of your house
cabernet.

A young boy approaches as Frasier fixes his napkin in his lap.

Johnny: Hi.
Frasier: Hello. What's your name?
Johnny: Johnny. How come nobody's sitting with you?
Frasier: Well, that's a bit complicated, Johnny.
Johnny: My mom and dad said it's okay if you come sit with us.
Frasier: Oh, well, that's a very... very sweet offer, and I know it's
hard for a young boy to understand, but really, there's
nothing wrong with someone eating by himself.
Johnny: You know, one time I was really bad at school and the
teacher made me eat lunch all by myself.
Frasier: Oh, well that gave you an opportunity to think about your
actions, didn't it?
Johnny: Nope. I just cried.
Frasier: [rolls eyes] Run along, Johnny.

Johnny leaves. The waiter approaches.

Waiter: Your glass of cabernet, sir.
Frasier: Oh, thank you.
Waiter: Oh, and I see your candle has gone out. [shouts] Enrico!
[claps loudly]
Frasier: Please, stop! Tonight, I'd prefer to just... dine in the
shadows, thank you.

An attractive woman approaches.

Woman: Excuse me. Are you here by yourself?
Frasier: As a matter of fact I am, yes.
Woman: I was hoping you'd say that! Would you mind if I -
[gestures at the other chair at the table]
Frasier: Oh, good Lord, yes. I've actually been sitting here hoping
somebody would- [realization passing over him] make good use
of that chair.

As the woman takes the chair away...

Amanda: AAAHHHH! [jumps up] Of course I'll marry you!

The scream has startled Frasier, who spills his cabernet all over
his shirt.

Ethan: Oh, sorry for the commotion, folks. [notices spilled wine,
walks over] Oh, gosh, is that our fault? Listen, let me
pay for the dry cleaning!
Frasier: Oh, not to worry, not to worry.
Maitre 船: Congratulations, you two! Here's to young love!
Husband: [standing with his wife] Well, as long as we're all
sharing good news, my wife just told me that we're having
twins.
Ethan: Now that I've already interrupted all of your meals, I'd
just like to share my joy with everyone here. [gazes at his
fiance] To Amanda, my future bride, I will love you every
day of my life, and I hope that, when we die, it's at the
exact same moment so that neither of us will have to spend
even one second alone again.

Everyone applauds, including Frasier, but VERY grudgingly. He looks
around, frowns, thinks a bit, and finally stands and walks over to
Johnny's table.

Frasier: Hi, um, Johnny said I could eat with you.

FADE TO:

LOVE AMONG THE RUINS


Scene 2 - Int. Frasier's living room at the Elliot Bay Towers.
Frasier walks in the front door of his apartment. Martin and Daphne
are sitting at the breakfast table.

Martin: Hey, Fras, how was your dinner?
Frasier: [walking slowly behind the couch] Not since Quasimodo strolled
the streets of medieval Paris have so many people uttered the
phrase, "That poor man."
Daphne: I'm sure it wasn't as bad as all that.
Frasier: Oh? [opens his overcoat to reveal his red shirt and tie]
Daphne: Oh, dear.
Frasier: [walks to hang up his overcoat] The height of the evening came
when the entire staff of waiters delivered the birthday cake
that I'd ordered for Roz and neglected to cancel. [pause] They
sang to me. [walks over to lean against Martin's chair]
Martin: It's not your birthday.
Frasier: Staying right with the story as usual, Dad. Anyway, after
dinner I took a long stroll, and it suddenly struck me:
I'm single. I'd gotten accustomed to thinking of myself as
recently divorced, but that was five years ago. I'm forty-
three, and I'm alone.
Martin: Hey! [stands and walks to kitchen] I have something that'll
cheer you up. I brought you some of Sherry's mock apple pie.
[comes out] It's called "mock" cause they uses crackers
instead of apples.
Frasier: Good! [doorbell; Frasier walks to answer door] Nothing spoils
an apple pie like apples. [opening door] Oh, Niles.
Niles: Frasier! Oh, what happened?
Frasier: Well-
Niles: No, let me guess. [leans in] Robust color, fruity bouquet.
I'd say that's an amusing little merlot.
Frasier: Cabernet. [closes door]
Niles: [walking past him] Oh. Well, it's still amusing.
Daphne: So, did you and Mrs. Crane enjoy recreating your first date?
Niles: [standing behind chair at the breakfast table; very excited]
Oh yes, my Maris remembered details that I'd forgotten. For
example, when I brought her home after the restaurant, we
took a stroll around the grounds. Suddenly, Marta appeared
on the balcony playing the part of Maris's late father. She
was liquored up on Rob Roys and f*ring Swedish meatballs at
me from an antique blunderbuss.
Frasier: [glances down at answering machine] Dad, am I the only one
in this household who checks this machine?
Laura: [V.O.] Hi, Molly. Laura again.
Frasier: Again.
Laura: [V.O.] Is that Tom on the machine? He sounds nice. Anyway,
I just called to remind you I'll have my cello with me.
Translation: you might want to clean out your car this time
to make room. I know, toujours la grande souer. Anyway, I
can't wait to see you guys. I've been on my own way too
much lately. See you at 10:30, Flight 11. Love you.
Goodbye.

[N.B. French, 殿lways the big sister.?/i>]

Daphne: Too bad there's no way to call her back. She's gonna be
stranded at the airport.
Frasier: Oh no, she won't, she'll take a cab.
Daphne: You know, that happens a lot. People leaving wrong messages.
And after hearing a stranger's voice like that, it always
starts me wondering what they must be like.
Martin: Oh, you can't really judge what a person's like from the
voice.
Niles: [looking at Sherry's mock apple pie on the breakfast table]
That's true. I was once told that I sound - imagine the
impertinence - [enunciating] "UP-TIGHT."
Daphne: Well, she sounds to me like a very attractive woman.
Intelligent -
Niles: She speaks French.
Frasier: I always loved the name Laura.
Martin: Hey Frasier, you know, that was gonna be your name if you
were a girl.
Frasier: Really?
Martin: Yeah! Your mother always wanted Priscilla, but I never
liked the nickname "Prissy."
Niles: [cutting a slice] Mmmm, I never much cared for it, either.

Frasier smiles at the irony and sits down on his couch.

Daphne: You know, Doctor Crane, this Laura sounds like she might just
be a perfect match for you. If you left now, you could meet
that plane.
Frasier: [laugh] Oh, please, Daphne, a couple phone calls and you're
fixing us up already.
Daphne: But think about it! She plays the cello. You'd like that.
[stands and walks toward Frasier]
Niles: She appreciates neatness. [following Daphne]
Martin: She expresses affection easily. That's good. [receives
stares from everyone] Well, pardon me for growing a little,
okay?

Daphne perches on the arm of the sofa. Martin sits in his chair.
Niles stands between them.

Niles: She did mention being on her own too much. So we know she's
available.
Frasier: Oh, sure it's fun to speculate, but, come on, you can't
seriously be suggesting-
Daphne: But why not? I can't imagine a more exciting way to meet.
The woman of your dreams steps off a plane, and there you
are to rescue her.

Niles is watching her tenderly. Very sweet.

Martin: Oh, yeah, you can't b*at meeting somebody in a romantic way.
That's the way it was with me and your mom.
Niles: You met Mother over the chalk outline of a m*rder victim.
Martin: So? It was romantic to us.
Daphne: I met a boy in a cute way once. I was eighteen and visiting
Stonehenge and this smashing young man came up to me and
told me he was an actual descendent of the Druids.
Frasier: Boy, is that the one place that line would work.
Niles: I met someone once flying home from college. I got bumped
into first class, found myself sitting there next to a
positively ravishing woman. She was a bit older and I was
trying desperately to be suave, so when she leaned over and
suggested we join the Mile High Club, rather than admit I
was unfamiliar with the term, I whispered back, "I really
don't travel enough to make that worthwhile." [pauses, takes
a sip of sherry] God, that was twenty years ago. [starts
to chuckle, then] Nope, still can't laugh about it.

[N.B. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, an invitation to
"join the Mile High Club" is an offer to have sex on an airplane.]

Frasier stands and walks back over to the message machine. He hits a
button.

Laura: [V.O.] Hi, Molly. Laura again. Is that Tom on the machine?
He sounds nice. Anyw-

Frasier stops the machine and turns around.

Frasier: She likes the sound of my voice. She's called me twice
today. That's already the best relationship I've had this
year.
Martin: So, are you going?
Frasier: Maybe. Oh, I don't know.
Daphne: There's nothing worse than when you look back on a missed
opportunity.
Frasier: What the hell! [runs to grab his overcoat]
Daphne: Oh, I'm so excited.
Frasier: I can't believe I'm actually doing this! [runs to the door]
Niles: Frasier, before you go-
Frasier: No, Niles, stop right there! Don't say another word to me!
I'll never do something this impulsive if I stop to overthink
it. Just let me get the hell out of here before I change my
mind!

He slams the door behind him. Several moments go by before he opens
it again and dashes toward his room.

Frasier: But not before I change my shirt.

FADE TO:

Scene 3 - Int. airport
People are de-boarding the plane. Several people hold signs.
The first says, "IBM." The second says, "DR. THOMPKINS." Frasier,
clearly nervous, stands with a sign with crude capital letters:
"LAURA."

Then Laura, a beautiful woman in her thirties, appears, maneuvering
her cello case with the help of a flight attendant.

Laura: Thanks for all your help. I can take it from here.
Frasier: [leaning forward, speaking hesitantly] Uh, Laura? Looking
for Molly?
Laura: Yes, I am. Molly sent a driver?
Frasier: Oh, no, no, no. [sincere smile] I'm not a driver, I'm a
psychiatrist, I'm here to help you.
Laura: [long pause] Molly's having me committed?
Frasier: No, no, no! I'm Doctor Frasier Crane.
Laura: Oh, from the radio!
Frasier: Oh, you know me!
Laura: Yes, I've heard your show, it's great! But your knowing me
is just - weird.
Frasier: Well, actually... you left a couple messages on my machine
today by mistake.
Laura: Oh, no. I must've gotten my sister's new number wrong.
Frasier: I didn't want you waiting around for someone who wasn't
coming.
Laura: So you came all the way down here? What're you, like the
nicest guy in the world?
Frasier: Yes. Yes, I am. Well, speaking of nice, I would be
delighted to drive you to your sister's home.
Laura: Oh, no, no, no, I'll take a cab.
Frasier: Are you sure? It's no trouble at all.
Laura: Well, she lives an hour away. But, uh, listen, could I buy
you a drink just to say thank you?
Frasier: Yes, I'd love that. [gesturing to the instrument case] May I
take your cello?
Laura: Aaahhhh... I checked my cello, this is my purse.

Long pause; Frasier seems confused, totally at a loss as to what
to say.

Laura: [jokingly annoyed] I think that's funny. Why doesn't anybody
laugh at that?
Frasier: That is funny! Here. [takes case, leads them toward airport
bar] So, are you with an orchestra? [puts cello case to the
side]
Laura: With a chamber music group, actually. We're based in LA, but
we travel quite a bit. [sits] I grew up here, so it's always
nice to come back. I miss it.
Frasier: So, what'll you have?
Laura: Um... I think I'll have a glass of sherry.
Frasier: [pleasantly surprised] Two.
Laura: Not that you can expect that much from airport bar sherry.
[guiltily] Oh, goodness. Don't I sound like the perfect
snob?
Frasier: [dreamily] Yes... [catches himself] I mean, I agree with
you about the sherry. So... um... why did you choose the
cello?
Laura: When I was around eleven, my father took me to the symphony.
And this sounds a little silly, but when I heard the cello,
it sounded sad, like it needed me.
Frasier: [moved] That's not silly. It's lovely.
Laura: I was always an odd kid. All my girlfriends had posters of
David Cassidy. I had Pablo Cassall.
Frasier: I had Sigmund Freud. [laughs]
Laura: But did you kiss him every night before you went to bed?
Frasier: Well, I... I was tempted to, but he just would've read too
much into it! [they laugh; their drinks come] Oh, thank you.
Laura: I don't think I've ever shared a drink with a psychiatrist.
I'm worried that you must be analyzing me.
Frasier: Well, if I am, my diagnosis so far is that I... I can't find
a single thing wrong with you.
Laura: [takes sip of sherry] Actually, it's quite good!
Frasier: Yes. My second pleasant surprise this evening.
Laura: Frasier, maybe I'm misreading you here, but - I'm married.
Frasier: [slowly, very disappointed] Oh... somehow I jumped to the
conclusion that you were single. Wasn稚 there something in
your message about having been on your own too much, lately?
Laura: Oh, I've been away on tour.
Frasier: Oh... Well, I guess by now you've probably figured out that
my coming down here wasn't entirely the act of a Good
Samaritan. More like a lonely Samaritan. Guess it makes me
seem sort of desperate.
Laura: No... I think it makes you seem sort of romantic. I used to
do things like this when I was single. It was fun.
Frasier: Clearly, you were better at being single than I am.
Laura: Oh, come on. Let me ask you a question. How did you feel,
coming down here?
Frasier: I felt... completely exhilarated. In fact, it's the most
fun I've had in recent memory.
Laura: Exactly. The anticipation, the excitement, the hope.
Marriage is the death of all that.
Frasier: I hope you didn't write your own vows.
Laura: [laughs] I'm not down on marriage. It's just that marriage
can be great, but so can not being married.
Frasier: I suppose. [pause] Well, you're smart, lovely, talented,
able to look at the bright side of things. I'm getting
more disappointed by the moment.
Laura: [sincerely] I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted.
Frasier: Oh, don't be. Look, I really did have fun. You know, it's
not very often that I do something impulsive.
Laura: Well, maybe you should. [pause] Well, I really should be
going.
Frasier: Oh, no, here, allow me. Allow me. I'm the nicest guy in
the world, remember? [stands to retrieve cello]
Laura: I'll remember. [stands]
Frasier: Here we are. [hands over the cello]
Laura: This is probably a ridiculous thing to say, but if I weren't
married-
Frasier: No, you don't have to finish that, but thank you very much
for starting it.
Laura: [barely audible] Okay.

Laura turns to leave, but in the process, her cello case knocks over
one of the metal stools at the bar.

Frasier: Oh! Let me get that for you.

Frasier bends down to lift the chair. Laura walks back over and
leans toward him, her eyebrow raised worriedly.

Laura: If you ever think back on this, could you just-
Frasier: [broad, sweeping gesture] I'll just edit that part out.
Laura: [nods] Thank you.

Laura walks away. Frasier sits down, nursing his sherry. A dark-
haired woman comes on from off-stage.

Announcement: ...4 will depart from Gate 31. Passengers may proceed
to the....

Woman: Excuse me.
Frasier: Mmm-hmmm?
Woman: Did you just hear that gate change announcement?
Frasier: Oh, no, no, I'm sorry, but perhaps they can help you at the
ticket counter.
Woman: Oh, good idea. Thanks. [beginning to leave]
Frasier: Where're you headed?
Woman: Mexico. How about you?
Frasier: Oh well, I'm just going to finish up my sherry, and then
I'm off to.... [moment of inspiration] I'm going to Mexico!
Woman: Really? Acapulco?
Frasier: [stands to walk with her] It's uncanny! What hotel are you
staying at?
Woman: Via Terra.
Frasier: Why, that's where I'm staying! You're scaring me!

FADE OUT as they board the plane.