TEXT: Skyline: Red, yellow, and blue balloons fly over the city. ACT ONE Scene One - Frasier's apartment Roz, Martin, and Frasier are gathered around the dining table. Roz: So what's the plan? Are we going to turn off the lights and jump out and yell "surprise!" Frasier: Oh yes, Roz, let's startle a man who just had open-heart surgery. Roz: Sorry, I can't get used to thinking of Niles as "sick." Martin: Oh, Niles is great. All these exercises he's doing, he's going to be just as strong as he ever was. Daphne, Niles, and Gertrude enter the front door. Daphne: Here's the guest of honor. Frasier: Niles, good to see you out and about! Niles embraces Frasier, then Roz. Roz: You look great! Niles: Thank you! Thank you, I tell you it's good to be out after being cooped up in that apartment all week. Hello. [He pets Eddie.] I never thought I'd grow tired of reading Flaubert. Gertrude: Oh please, he's been parked on his ass watching The Young and the Restless. Frasier: Niles! Not the soaps! You can't be serious. Niles: Well, I'm hardly hooked. They fascinate me as-as cultural artifact. I was just telling Gertrude: their use of stock figures is reminiscent of the commedia dell'arte. Yes, uh, Esther is Punchinello, Victor is Flavio, and Nikki - well, she's just the town pump. Frasier laughs warmly. Gertrude: Now do you see why I need my own telly, Daphne. Daphne: [bitingly] You have your own telly in Manchester. Roz brings in a tray. Frasier: Here's champagne and sparkling cider for you, Niles. and help yourself to brunch whenever you're ready. Martin: Word to the wise: stay away from the
SUMMARY:
When Niles was in the hospital and about to undergo his operation, Frasier made a pact with God that, in return for Niles' safe passage, he would cherish all their time together. Niles emerges from hospital with renewed joie de vivre , although persists with his post-operative diet and physical restraint, even after the doctor gives him the all-clear, and this proves frustrating for Daphne. He also spends so much time talking about his near-death experience that it begins to annoy everyone else, particularly Frasier. However, he refuses to get drawn into arguments, fearing the wrath of a vengeful God. Once Frasier discovers that Daphne made a similar pact with God that supersedes his, and is holding up her end, he feels freed to re-engage Niles in their usual verbal sparring. It takes a talking-to from Martin to get Niles to realize that he's been holding back from resuming his normal activities out of fear, and he rushes home to his wife ready to get back to his life. His heart is put to the test when he accidentally climbs into bed with Gertrude, confirming that if he can survive her, he can survive anything.