TEXT: ACT ONE Scene One - Frasier's Apartment. Martin is sat in his chair reading the paper when Niles and Frasier enter. Martin: Hey boys, how was dinner? Niles: Oh, let's just say when I picked my lobster out of the tank I had no idea that he was in for a better evening than I was. Martin: What happened? Frasier: Well, it started off well enough. First they seated us at a superb table, much better than the one next to us - where, unfortunately, they sat Daphne and Donny. Martin: Oh, jeez. Frasier: They were being very affectionate, of course: whispering, laughing, holding hands... Niles: This in a place where people were trying to eat. Frasier: Well, in an attempt to make things better I suggested that Niles and I switch seats so that he could face the other table. Of course, only moments later they seated Maris there with her new boyfriend. Also being affectionate. Niles: Grooming each other like spider monkeys! She was deliberately taunting me, playing the same coquettish games we used to play in restaurants: batting her eyes and coyly hiding behind her breadstick. And then to top it all, the Pouille Foussé we ordered was a grave disappointment. Frasier: Yes, well I urged him to send it back, but no, he didn't want to create a scene in front of Daphne. Niles: Not that she would have even noticed, the way Donny was feeding her forkfuls of risotto, as if she had lost her arms instead of her mind, what is she doing with him?! Martin: Well, some days it doesn't pay to get out of bed. Niles: Well, at the Shangri-La, the highlight of my day is getting out of bed, so I can slam it back up into the wall! Martin: How long are you gonna stay there? You can afford to go back to the Montana now, can't you? Niles: Yes, but thanks to Frasier there's a tenant living there! Frasier: May I remind
SUMMARY:
Niles returns from a miserable meal with Frasier; both Daphne and Maris were seated at the tables next to them in romantic dates with their new boyfriends. He has not moved back into the Montana, as his apartment is currently occupied by a sub-tenant, Dr. MacLowery. MacLowery is an avid tap dancer , and the noise from his routines have infuriated the other residents of the building. As a result, representatives from the building's board of tenants arrive to tell Niles that the board is seriously considering terminating his lease . In order to get the board back on his side, Niles and Frasier organize a drinks gathering for the next meeting in order to persuade them to change their minds, with Roz present to stand-in for the caterers, who cancelled.