TEXT: Act 1 THE RING Scene 1 - A Jewelry Store Fade in. Niles, Frasier and Martin enter the store. Frasier: Niles, are you sure you want to do this without Daphne? You know, when Lilith and I got engaged, she insisted on being involved with the ring selection process. Niles: I appreciate your concern, Frasier, but I want to surprise her. Martin: [pointing] How 'bout this one? It's nice and sparkly. Niles: [looking] That's an earring, Dad. Martin: Huh? Oh, I guess I better put on my glasses. Frasier: Niles, prepare to relinquish your breath. Niles: Which one? Frasier: That one right there. Niles: Next to the gaudy one? Frasier looks guilty. Niles: The GAUDY one? Frasier: All right, all right, which one do you like? Niles: I was thinking of something more along the lines of that one, with the feathered band. What do you think? Frasier: I think it's a good thing I'm here to talk you out of it. Niles: I'm think I'm starting to regret bringing you along at all. Frasier: I think it's a... A clerk comes up as they bicker. Clerk: Gentlemen, gentlemen, I'm sure we can find something that will bring you both a lifetime of happiness. Martin: [laughing] Oh, no! They're not a couple! My son Niles is here to pick out an engagement ring for his girlfriend Daphne. And Frasier, who's been married twice, just came along to help him. Clerk: I'm very sorry, I'll come back when you've had more time to look around. He walks away. Niles: Where did that come from? Frasier: I mean, REALLY! To just assume something like that, out of the blue... Both: Latent! Martin: Well you gotta admit, it wasn't such a big leap, given the situation. Frasier: And just what is that supposed to...? He stops and points at
SUMMARY:
Niles is planning to propose to Daphne, and he wants everything to be just perfect. Frasier helps him to choose a ring; Roz advises him on what (and what not) to say; and even Martin takes part in the wine-tasting, although after several glasses he discovers why, when Niles asks him to take Daphne's mother out for the evening. He reluctantly agrees, and has to spend the evening fending off Gertrude's amorous advances. Meanwhile, while Frasier and Niles are arranging everything at Niles' apartment, and Wolfgang Puck is preparing dinner for them, Daphne arrives in a terrible state and announces that she has the flu . Suddenly, Frasier has to smuggle numerous participants out of the apartment unseen, but Niles soon realises that the event itself need not be postponed. Ultimately, Niles proposes to Daphne and she accepts, and they both spend time together despite her being ill.