[Niles looks confused] You only pretend that she does because she's a canine substitute for Maris! Niles answers the door to Frasier. The door buzzer sounds, causing Baby to squawk and dig her claws into Niles's shoulder. Let go of my shoulder! One of my neighbours got my mail by mistake. Niles: Well, it just shows how essential it is to make a good impression when moving into a new building, which is why I'm throwing a dinner party Friday night for a few select residents. Not a husband, ex-wife. [leaves]
Frasier: As will I. GET A GRIP
[SCENE_BREAK]
Scene One - The Montana In his apartment, Niles is setting the table with Baby on his shoulder. He hands the phone to Niles who holds it next to his head and tries to get the bird to perch on the aerial. Frasier is surprised. I have six dinner guests arriving in exactly... Stephanie: Hello. Niles: Well, he thinks she was traumatized by the fire and she had a shock. Stephanie: I didn't realise that you were going to play host all night. Niles: This is such a relief. Good evening!
Plan: A: Niles; Q: Who is moving into a new apartment building? A: an exclusive new apartment building; Q: What is The Montana? A: a good impression; Q: What does Niles want to make when he moves into The Montana? A: his new neighbours; Q: Who does Niles plan to throw a dinner party for? A: Stephanie; Q: Who is the young woman who has taken a shine to Frasier? A: Maris; Q: Who is the whippet a substitute for? A: a cockatoo called Baby; Q: What does Niles acquire after being forced to part with his whippet? A: Baby; Q: What is the name of the cockatoo that Niles acquires? A: sharp noises; Q: What is Baby easily startled by? A: the doorbell; Q: What is Baby's favorite sound? A: the dinner party; Q: What event does Baby cause problems for Niles? A: the fire; Q: What does Frasier light that traumatizes Baby? A: her claws; Q: What does Baby use to dig into Niles' scalp? A: host; Q: What role does Frasier have to play at the dinner party? A: little time; Q: How much time does Frasier have to talk to Stephanie? Summary: Niles is moving into an exclusive new apartment building: The Montana. Anxious to make a good impression, he plans to throw a dinner party for his new neighbours, one of whom is a young woman (Stephanie) who has taken a shine to Frasier. After being forced to part with his whippet , who he finally realises was essentially a canine substitute for his ex-wife Maris , Niles acquires a cockatoo called Baby. The bird is easily startled by sharp noises, such as the doorbell. This starts to cause problems on the evening of the dinner party, when she is traumatised by Frasier lighting the fire, and digs her claws into Niles' scalp. She subsequently refuses to let go, and grips tighter every time the doorbell sounds as the guests arrive. Frasier is compelled to play host, leaving little time to talk to Stephanie.