11x21 - Detour [a.k.a. Love Maybe]

[bunniefuu]

Skyline: A crane is seen on the horizon lifting a load.

ACT I

Scene 1 – Café Nervosa
Frasier enters happily.

Frasier: Can I get my usual, please?

He sits at a table with Roz.

Roz: Well, you're in a good mood. What's up?
Frasier: Well, actually... no, I'd better not. Don't want to jinx it.
Roz: No problem.
Frasier: Besides, the mark of a-a true gentleman is discretion.
Roz: [not as interested as Frasier wants her to be] Okay. Listen,
about your dad's bachelor party...
Frasier: Charlotte and I spent the night together.
Roz: I thought she was seeing that super-hottie Frank.
Frasier: Dumped him, thank you.
Roz: For you? [then] I mean, wow, way to go!
Frasier: Yes, I know. It's funny I should end up with my own
matchmaker, isn't it?
Roz: Yeah, I mean that Frank was the whole package. Those eyes,
that chin, that bod that wouldn't quit...
Frasier: Yes, well, it didn't have to quit, it was fired.

Frasier's coffee arrives.

Frasier: Thank you very much. [to Roz] Now, you were saying something
about my dad's bachelor party?
Roz: Yeah. Weren't you having a problem deciding on the
entertainment?
Frasier: Oh, yes.
Roz: Well, there's this girl in my spin class, and she does it all –
strips, lap dances, movies.
Frasier: Really? Would I be familiar with her work?
Roz: I don't know, have you seen “Grinding Nemo”? Anyway, I invited
her over here so you could check her out. She's going to be
here any second. Her name is Amber Licious.
Frasier: Really, well, I'm afraid I can't do it right now. I'm meeting
Charlotte for coffee, uh-
Roz: Well, you can tell her yourself. Hey, Amber!

Amber rushes in. She is a busty blonde with a wide smile. Roz and
Frasier rise.

Roz: How are you?
Amber: Hi!
Roz: This is Frasier.

Amber shakes hands with him.

Amber: Hello.
Frasier: [after mumbling a bit] Hello, uh, how do you do, Miss Licious?
Uh, I'm terribly sorry, but I've got something scheduled, so
I'll have to postpone our interview. Perhaps we could meet
this evening at my place, around 7:00? I live at the Elliot
Bay Towers.
Amber: Can we make it 7:30? I have to go re-dub some groans for
“He-Biscuit.”
Frasier: Well, I'll see you then. Good.

Charlotte enters the cafe wearing a business suit.

Charlotte: Frasier?

Frasier runs to join her. Amber sits down by Roz.

Frasier: Oh, hi! Listen, I... gosh, I'm sorry I had to dash off this
morning.
Charlotte: It's OK. I have to dash off myself right now.
Frasier: Oh, I thought we were having coffee.
Charlotte: We were. I forgot - I have to catch a train to Portland
in twenty minutes. I'm giving a talk to the Northwest
Businesswoman's Association. I'm sorry.
Frasier: Oh, no, it's all right. I'm sure you'll be wonderful.
Charlotte: Oh, yeah, it's a good speech. I gave it last year to the
Midwest Businesswoman's Association. Anyway, I'll be back
Sunday night. We can have dinner then. I really should
catch a cab.
Frasier: Wait, maybe I could just drive you to the station.
Charlotte: Oh, you don't have to do that.
Frasier: No, no, I'd like to. Besides, I've always been a sucker for
that romantic movie-ending goodbye - a fog-shrouded train
platform, a-a passionate kiss.
Charlotte: [agreeing] With a romantic dip.
Frasier: Yes, well, maybe I am, but there are damn few of us left.

Charlotte leans back, demonstrating what she meant.

Charlotte: Dip, dip.
Frasier: Oh!

Frasier takes her hand, getting it. Charlotte smiles.

FADE OUT

Scene 2 - On the road in Frasier's car
Frasier is discussing dinner plans. Charlotte is deep in thought.

Frasier: So, I could make us a reservation for dinner on Sunday.
I would suggest Cucina...
Charlotte: [distracted] Yeah, okay.
Frasier: Charlotte... you seem a little distracted. Is there
something on your mind? Charlotte?
Charlotte: Oh, Frasier.
Frasier: Oh, boy.
Charlotte: Look, I-I really don't want to get into this now. Why don't
we talk about it Sunday night?

He parks the car.

Frasier: [very worried] Please. I can't wait till Sunday. My
imagination will t*rture me.
Charlotte: Okay. [pause] I'm moving back to Chicago in three weeks.
Frasier: Three weeks?!
Charlotte: It's not you. I bought my old business back from my ex.
I—I know I should have told you sooner, but it was never
the right time.

There is a pause. She reaches out and touches his shoulder.

Charlotte: Are you okay?

His facial expressions alone are enough to answer that question.

Frasier: [under his breath] I had to blab to Roz.
Charlotte: What?
Frasier: [very sad] Nothing. Are you sure?
Charlotte: This all happened before we got together.
Frasier: Well, let's look on the bright side. I mean, Chicago isn't
that far away.
Charlotte: I don't want a long-distance relationship. And neither do
you. You said so on your application.
Frasier: Okay. But, you know, we still have three weeks.
Charlotte: Don't be hurt, but... if someone called your show and said,
"I'm leaving town in three weeks. Should I get involved
with someone?" what would you say?
Frasier: I'd say it was foolish to take the plunge and bring up
feelings that must be dashed, and so forth. But what do
I know? I'm not infallible.
Charlotte: [smiling wistfully] Frasier...
Frasier: [resigned] All right.

He unbuckles his seat belt, and they embrace. He caresses her gently.
A train whistle is heard, and the train itself rushes by.

Charlotte: Son of a bitch!
Frasier: Oh, I'm sorry. My hand slipped.
Charlotte: No, no, it's my train! Damn it!
Frasier: Oh, dear. All right, look, the next station isn't too far.
I'll bet I can b*at the train.

FADE TO:

Scene 3 - Frasier's car
Time fade to another train station. Charlotte looks on forlornly as
the whistle is heard and the train rushes by.

Frasier: Well. Round two to Amtrak. I could drive us to the next
station?
Charlotte: All right, but, you do know you're going to have to drive a
little faster. You do realize we got passed by a school bus
and a prefab home.
Frasier: Point taken.

Frasier starts to drive again.

Charlotte: I really do appreciate this.
Frasier: [clearly still smarting] Oh, it's all right. Didn't have
anything else to do. [then, realizing] Oh, dear. I've got
to make a call. Could you hold the wheel, please?

She does. Frasier fumbles around with the wires and earpiece of a
phone unit.

Frasier: I just got this. It's a... it's a hands-free unit. It's, uh,
much, uh, much, much safer.

He finally gets the unit in his ear and retakes the wheel, but the
mouthpiece is pointing straight up.

CUT TO:
Cafe Nervosa, where Daphne and Niles are speaking.

Daphne: Can't we just meet her? Everyone in Frasier's building raves
about her, and I hear she's unhappy.

Niles's coffee arrives.

Niles: I just hate the idea of poaching the Steingartens’ nanny.
Daphne: I seem to recall you poaching another man's fiancée once.
Niles: Oh, Daphne, I was in college. I... [off her look] oh, you
mean...

His cell phone rings.

Daphne: Well, who did you mean?
Niles: I'm sorry, I have to get this. Hello?
Frasier: [v.o.] Niles.
Niles: Frasier!

CUT back to the car.

Frasier: Listen, you remember that idea we proposed about Dad's party?

Charlotte somewhat playfully moves the mouthpiece down to its proper
place.

Frasier: The, uh, the entertainer. [To Charlotte] Oh.

CUT back to Café.

Niles: The klezmer band?

CUT back to car. Charlotte's hand is still flirtatiously near
Frasier's face after moving the mouthpiece.

Frasier: No, no, the stripper.

He chuckles at Charlotte. She smiles and moves back her hand.

Frasier: Uh, well, I found one!

CUT back to Cafe.

Niles: [nervously] Daphne's fine, thank you for asking! She's right
here beside me.

He gestures his head toward her. CUT back to car.

Frasier: Niles, I'm supposed to interview her this evening at 7:30 at
my place. I can't make it. Something came up. You'll have
to do it for me.

CUT back to Cafe.

Niles: Oh, no thank you!

He smiles stupidly and winks at Daphne. CUT back to car.

Frasier: Niles, if you're worried about Dad being there, he's got a
date with Ronee tonight.

CUT back to Cafe. Niles chuckles nervously. CUT back to car.

Charlotte: Don't we want south?
Frasier: Listen, Niles, I-I know that you get nervous around fan
dancers and their ilk, but you have got to conquer your
fear...

CUT back to Café. Niles looks resigned.

Frasier: [v.o., continuing] Thank you! I'll talk to you later.
Goodbye.

He cuts off the call. CUT back to car.

Charlotte: [nervously] South!
Frasier: What, I'm sorry?
Charlotte: South!! South!!
Frasier: What? What?
Charlotte: [craning her neck as they pass the turnoff] SOUTH!!
Frasier: Oh, dear, uh, you know, perhaps it would be best if you just
said left or right. It's not like there's a compass in the
car.

She looks at the dashboard.

Charlotte: What's that?
Frasier: Oh, well, I'll be damned.
Charlotte: [notices something else] What's that red light?
Frasier: Oh, that. Uh, that's nothing to worry about. It's been on
for months. I think there's something wrong with the bulb.

DISSOLVE TO:

Scene 4 - Dissolve to night
The "door open" warning beeps. Charlotte looks forlornly at her cell
phone. Frasier enters the car.

Charlotte: [with an ironic smile] Cell phones don't work here. Please
tell me you know what's wrong with the car?
Frasier: Not a clue. I opened the hood as a mere formality.

Charlotte sighs.

FADE TO:

NEIGHBORS DESCRIBED
JONATHAN AS A NICE BOY
WHO KEPT TO HIMSELF


Scene 5 - A country home
A knock. A rustic, pleasant woman opens the door to Frasier and
Charlotte.

Sue: Hello?
Frasier: We're terribly sorry to bother you, but, uh, our car has broken
down.
Sue: Well, come on in out of that cold!

She escorts them in. The husband is seated at the table.

Sue: My husband knows everything about cars. Harbin, these people's
car broke down. Go take a look at it for them. Harbin!

Harbin looks up with rather wild eyes. He crashes something on the
table and heads outside, mumbling unintelligibly under his breath.

Frasier: [as he passes] Thank you! Thank you very much. We
certainly appreciate that.
Sue: Well, just have a seat and have a cup of coffee and warm up.
I'm Sue, by the way.
Charlotte: Thank you. You're very kind.
Frasier: Yes, yes, indeed.
Charlotte: I'm Charlotte.
Frasier: And I'm Frasier.

She starts to pour them some coffee.

Frasier: Gosh, you seem to be preparing for some sort of party.
Sue: Well, Harbin's mother passed away, so people will be coming
over tomorrow.
Charlotte: Oh, my God! I'm-I'm so sorry. We should get out of your
hair.

She and Frasier rise and head for the door.

Sue: Oh, no, please! The company will do us good. I mean, Harbin
really perked up when you came in.
Charlotte: [looking out the door] Really? Because he seems to be crying
in our car.

Sue walks toward the door.

Sue: Excuse me.

She opens the door and shouts to her husband.

Sue: Harbin! For goodness sake, pop the hood!

She shuts the door and sighs with her hand to her head.

Sue: You will have to excuse him. He was very attached to his
mother. A little too attached for my tastes. [Then] Hi, baby!
Hi!

She walks to greet her son, who has entered. Jonathan is dressed in a
"stalker" type outfit of thermal underwear under a short-sleeve shirt.
He has a bald head, walks leaning backward with a sort of "reverse"
hunchback, and is very creepy.

Jonathan: Who are these?

Charlotte and Frasier exchange a glance.

Sue: Their car broke down. This is my son, Jonathan. [She caresses
him.] Isn't he handsome? Jonathan, this is Frasier and
Charlotte.
Jonathan: How do you do?
Frasier: Yes, nice to meet you...

Frasier holds out his hand, but Jonathan walks right past him and
extends his hand to Charlotte, who reluctantly shakes it.

Sue: How is your project today, baby?
Jonathan: [impatiently] Fine, mother. [To Charlotte] You want a
butterscotch?

He reaches inside his pocket.

Charlotte: No, I-I'm good. I'm good. So, what are you making?

A long b*at.

Sue: Art. He won't let any of us see it until it's finished.

Harbin re-enters.

Frasier: Oh. So, uh, how's our car? Can we just scoot right away from
here?
Harbin: No. I'll-I'll have to drive to town tomorrow for the parts.
So, what happened?
Frasier: Well, we were just, uh, driving along the highway, and then
suddenly the engine just d*ed.
Harbin: [sobbing] Excuse me.

He walks out of the kitchen and exits to the living room, crying.

Sue: Excuse me.

She follows her husband. Jonathan looks on from the doorway.
Frasier and Charlotte are increasingly uncomfortable.

Sue: [o.s.] Will you please cut out the hangdog bit, Mr. Welcome
Wagon? We've got company! Get in there, show them some
manners. Offer them a place to stay for the night.
Jonathan: You're not going to like it here.

Harbin and Sue re-enter.

Harbin: Of course, uh, of course you'll have to spend the night.
Frasier: We couldn't.
Charlotte: No, we really, really couldn't. There must be a hotel
in town.

They start to exit.

Jonathan: What does this look like, Lancaster?

Sue laughs. Frasier and Charlotte look at each other in horror.

Sue: It's no problem. You could bunk with Jonathan, and
Charlotte, you could have the fold-out.
Jonathan: [suggestively] I'll help make up your bed...
Charlotte: No, that's OK! We'll-we'll stay together.
Frasier: Yes, that's right, together.
Sue: Oh, well, are you married? Because we don't want to set a
bad example for... [motions with her head toward Jonathan]
Frasier: Oh yes, yes.
Charlotte: We're married!
Frasier: Yes, married.
Sue: For how long?
Frasier/Charlotte: [simultaneously] Oh, two years./Eighteen months.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT I

ACT II

Scene 6 - Frasier's apartment
Martin is speaking on the phone.

Martin: Hey, Ronee. It's me. Uh, I've got to interview a new
physical therapist to fill in for Daph, so pick me up
fifteen minutes later, OK? [Pause] Just have a drink.
[Pause] Well, have another one. [Pause, concerned look]
Really? Maybe I'll pick you up.

He hangs up.

CUT to Niles in the elevator, also on the phone.

Niles: [stiltedly] Frasier? You're too busy to answer the phone –
but I'm just about to interview this... stripper, and I have
no idea what to ask.

He exits the elevator and heads toward the apartment.

Niles: I just hope Dad doesn't walk in and spoil the surprise. I'm
Already developing some sort of aversion-based mouth dryness
as we speak. [Then] This is Niles, by the way.

He enters the apartment. Martin emerges from the kitchen.

Martin: Hey, Niles!
Niles: [nervous] Oh!
Martin: What's up?
Niles: [stilted again] Frasier is going to split a case of oloroso
with me because we both like oloroso, but he's not here, so
I'll stop bothering you. Nice chatting.

He blocks his nostril and sniffs, his characteristic "nosebleed of
untruth" about to set in. He exits. Martin looks after him with
puzzlement.

Reset to: Hall
In the hall, Niles runs into a young woman (Becky) wearing a sweat
outfit, and carrying a manila folder.

Niles: Oh! Are you here for the interview?
Becky: Yes. Crane, right?
Niles: Um, yes. [He gasps a bit with mouth dryness.] Um, the place is
a mess. Do you - do you mind if we talk in the lobby?
Becky: I guess that's okay.

He escorts her into the elevator. As it starts to go down, she smiles
a bit uncomfortably. Niles becomes very stilted now.

Niles: Um, so, um, how – uh - how long have you been doing what you
do?
Becky: Oh, years now. At first I just did it for friends, but then I
thought, "Why am I giving this away when I can make money at
it?"

Niles nods nervously. She hands him a paper.

Becky: Here are my references.
Niles: Oh, uh, I – ahem - didn't know you people had references. Let
alone... the mayor?
Becky: Yeah. I started with him, and now I do most of the city
council.

Niles again gasps a bit with the mouth dryness, and hands her back the
list.

Niles: Well...uh, that--that's good enough for me. You're hired.
Becky: Shouldn't your dad meet me before you decide?
Niles: Oh, no, no. We--we don't want him to see you till you're
taking off your clothes.
Becky: What are you talking about? And why are you sweating so much?
Niles: I'm sorry. I'm just--I'm just a little ill-at-ease around...
Becky: What?
Niles: [fighting the mouth dryness mightily and finally stammering]
Sex workers.
Becky: Ew! Get away from me, you freak!

The elevator reaches the lobby, and she rushes out. Daphne is waiting.
Niles sees her and immediately tries to compose himself.

Niles: Hi.
Daphne: [not expecting to see him] Hi. What are you doing here and
why are you so sweaty?
Niles: [sniffing again] I was talking to Dad about my case of
oloroso.
Daphne: Oh. Well, if it doesn't clear up by tomorrow, you should call
a doctor.
Niles: I will.

[N.B. Oloroso – a variety of sherry.]

He rushes away, holding the nostril tightly. Daphne enters the
elevator, talking on her cell phone.

Daphne: Oh! Hello, Kathy? Yeah, it's Daphne Crane. Listen, I'm
going to be up in 1901, and I was wondering if we could
finally meet. Oh, that's wonderful! Don't even call it an
interview. Everyone says you're the best nanny in Seattle.
Good, I'll see you up there then.

The door closes. Upon her arrival, Daphne exits to find Amber waiting
at the door.

Daphne: Oh, wow, that was fast. Come on in.
Amber: [confused] All right, what happened to Dr. Crane?
Daphne: He's not feeling well.

They enter.

Daphne: Thanks for coming. I know you're busy. Please, have a seat.
Amber: Oh, thanks. Teah, right after this I have to go pick up a new
teddy.
Daphne: Oh, that's so sweet.

They both giggle as they sit down.

Daphne: Well, I'll make this quick then. We're not expecting anything
fancy. Just the basic burping, diapering, and so forth.
Amber: O-kay, I guess I'm game for that.
Daphne: Oh, wonderful! Why don't I make some tea and we can talk.

She rises and moves toward the kitchen.

Amber: Great! Uh, did you want me to wear something special?
Daphne: Oh! Since you asked, I've always been partial to a simple
white nurse's uniform.
Amber: It's a classic.

She exits. Martin emerges from the rear.

Martin: Oh, hi, I thought I heard some talking out here! I'm Marty
Crane.
Amber: Hi.
Martin: How you doing?
Amber: Great.

She rises to shake his hand.

Martin: So, Daphne give you the third degree?
Amber: Oh, not really.
Martin: Oh, well, that's good. I think she's a little sensitive,
you know, about being replaced. She's been doing me for
ten years.
Amber: Oh! But then she got pregnant.
Martin: Right, right. But you know, lately, she's been having me up
on the table. I like it better on the floor. The floor all
right with you?
Amber: It's your dime.
Martin: Well, uh, maybe you could show me your stuff.
Amber: Oh...
Martin: I'll, uh, never hear the end of it if I don't take you out for
a spin.
Amber: Oh, sure. I just need to change.
Martin: Oh, yeah, the powder room's right there.
Amber: Here? Okay.

She goes in the room to change. Daphne re-enters.

Daphne: Where did she go? You didn't drive her off, did you?
Martin: No, not at all. I like her. What do you think about her?
Daphne: I like her a lot.
Martin: Good. Of course, we won't really know until we see her in
action.

Amber now enters, wearing a red lingerie outfit and posing.

Amber: Ta-da!
Martin: [grinning broadly] You're hired!

FADE TO:

Scene 7 - The country home
Charlotte is seated at the table with Sue and Jonathan. Frasier enters
with Harbin, carrying Charlotte’s suitcase.

Charlotte: [desperately, forcing a smile] Hi, sweetie! You've been
gone for twenty minutes!
Frasier: Yes. Well, uh, Harbin was just giving me a tour of my
engine.
Harbin: You've got either a blown rod bearing or a loose pin. If we
had a stethoscope, I'm sure we could tell the difference.
Frasier: Yes, well, you know, I'm so hopeless with cars. I know I
would just misdiagnose it.
Harbin: Wouldn't be the first misdiagnosis that ever happened.

He exits to the living room.

Jonathan: Friend Charlotte. Where's your ring?
Charlotte: Excuse me?
Jonathan: I thought most married women wore a ring, yet your hand is
bare and white.

She takes Frasier's hand, looking up at him pleadingly for help.

Frasier: Yes, it-it is. That's because this is the hand that I fell in
love with. A hand too... too perfect for, uh... the profanity
of gold or-or platinum. [He sits, looking at her face.] After
all, what diamond could possibly rival the sparkle in those
eyes?

During this speech, it is very clear the most of the sentiments he
expresses are real, and not just spoken for Jonathan's benefit.
Charlotte's flattered response to his words is also natural.

The moment they share is very brief, but palpable. Harbin suddenly
enters.

Harbin: I'll take my coffee in the living room, you don't mind!

He returns there.

Sue: If that will make you happy, Harbin. Shall we?

Sue and Jonathan follow to the living room. Frasier and Charlotte
share a look of great trepidation. They follow... and stop dead in
their tracks when they see a coffin in the living room.

Jonathan: [presenting the coffin, matter-of-factly] This is Grandma.
Frasier: We... had no idea.
Sue: We... are having the wake here tomorrow.
Harbin: [sobbing] Mama... loved to party.

He collapses in tears on a chair. Sue rolls her eyes.

Sue: Excuse me again.

She returns to the kitchen.

Sue: [o.s.] Yeah, she loved to party all right. With me as her
personal sl*ve and handmaiden, doing all the cooking and the
cleaning and the wiping her sorry... [re-entering, changing
her tone] Sugar?
Frasier: You know, we're a bit tired, really. Maybe we could just turn
in?
Harbin: Well, help me get the cushions off the fold-up. We'll make up
the bed.

He and Jonathan begin to remove the cushions from the couch in that
room.

Frasier: You mean we're-we're sleeping in here?
Sue: [deadpan] Well, there's Mama's bed. [then] But that's in our
room.
Frasier: This'll be fine.

Charlotte nods her agreement.

FADE TO:

Scene 8 - Later that night
Frasier and Charlotte are in the hide-a-bed. Frasier has dozed.
Charlotte is sitting up, staring at the casket. Then she hears
an electric buzzing sound from somewhere in the house.

Charlotte: Did you hear that?
Frasier: [waking] What?

The buzzing again.

Charlotte: That! What do you think he's doing down there?
Frasier: Well, how should I know, he's your friend.
Charlotte: Shh!

But they chuckle. Despite everything that’s happened to them that day,
they are still easy enough with each other to laugh about it.

Footsteps are heard approaching the room. They assume a sleeping
position and close their eyes. Jonathan enters and checks that
they are asleep. Then he opens the casket. Frasier and Charlotte,
watching him, are both horrified and amused.

Jonathan: [sotto voce] Grandma? It's Jonathan. I just wanted to tell
you that our little secret is still safe.

He closes the casket softly. Frasier and Charlotte again feign sleep
as Jonathan checks them again, then exits. They then sit up.

Charlotte: Well, this tops anything that would have happened at the
Portland Radisson.

They begin to laugh again. Footsteps are again heard, and they re-
assume the sleeping position. Harbin enters, and opens the casket.

Harbin: [voice breaking] Hi, Mama! I can't believe I'm not going to
get one more hug. [leans in] What's that? One more? Ohhhhh...

He picks up the corpse and embraces it. Frasier and Charlotte can
barely contain themselves, quivering in bed and desperately muffling
their laughter. He glances their way and they "sleep" again.

Harbin: I better go, Mama. I'm sorry I scraped your head with my
watch.

He closes the lid, then kisses his fingers and puts them on the coffin.
Frasier and Charlotte exchange another look, then resume their position
before Harbin exits. After he is gone, they break out in unrestrained,
but quiet laughter.

Frasier: You know... he said the same thing to my engine when he opened
the hood.

Charlotte laughs. Frasier joins her. The mood between them is very
playful and comfortable. They lie facing each other.

Frasier: Charlotte... I'm afraid we're making a terrible mistake.
Charlotte: Frasier, I'm not switching sides again.
Frasier: No. I mean writing off these three weeks just 'cause you're
moving. I had a great time with you today, and with somebody
else it would have been a disaster.
Charlotte: With somebody else, I would have been in Portland.
Frasier: Come on, you know what I'm talking about. We have a lot of
Fun together. And why deny ourselves the chance to have even
more? I know the sensible thing would be to just end it now,
and walk away. And normally that's what I would do, but...
I don't want to be sensible.
Charlotte: [with emotion] But we'd only have three weeks.
Frasier: I know. It'd be like a summer fling.
Charlotte: But wouldn't we be sad when it ended?
Frasier: Of course we would. That's what happens. You-you're sad
When summer's over. [then] Well, I... never was. I always
looked forward to the new school year, when I would buy my
books...

She puts a hand to his mouth.

Charlotte: [lovingly] Are you going to talk all summer?

They start to kiss. The buzzing is heard again, and they sit up,
smiling.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT II

Credits:

It is morning. Frasier and Charlotte are asleep. Sue enters the room
carrying a breakfast tray. She sets it down and opens the casket.
She looks at the corpse, and laughs gleefully. Frasier and Charlotte
wake up and watch as Sue tauntingly waves goodbye to the corpse and
dances with joy. She closes the casket and brings the tray to them as
they "wake up."