TEXT: ACT ONE Scene One - Apartment The scene opens with Daphne sitting at the table eating her breakfast. Martin is sitting in a chair against the door. Frasier enters from the direction of the bedrooms. Frasier: Morning Daphne, Dad. Daphne: Shhh! [re: Martin] You'll ruin his concentration! He's on a stakeout to catch whoever's been pinching our newspaper. He's been at it for over an hour! I must say, I can see why he was such a good policeman. Frasier walks over towards his father to investigate. Loud snoring soon becomes apparent. Frasier: Yes, very impressive, isn't he? When he wakes up you must get him to tell you about his stint as security coordinator for Jimmy Hoffa! Doorbell rings. Frasier wakes up Martin. Frasier: Dad, come on, rise and shine. Martin: [waking up] Huh? Frasier: You fell asleep. [he opens the door] Oh, good morning, Niles! Niles: Hello. Frasier: [looking for the paper] Ah yes, I see our newspaper thief has struck again! Martin: Damn, he's good! Martin crosses to sit by Daphne at the table. Frasier moves the chair back to where it should be. Niles follows him over to the table. Frasier: [to Niles] Come on in. Niles: This morning, for the first time since our separation, Maris actually picked up the phone and called me! She needs a favour. Frasier: Well Niles, I think that's hardly cause to celebrate. She called you just because she wants something? Niles: No, no, not "wants," Frasier; "needs." This is my chance to show her how necessary I really am to her, and all I have to do is fix one small problem! Martin: What's the problem? Niles: Uh, she's wanted by the police. Apparently, she was driving past a shoe store last week, when she spotted a stunning pair of Ferragamo pumps. Well, I need not remind you what effect
SUMMARY:
Niles brings news of Maris' legal troubles: she has had a minor road accident, but while the police were filing the report, they came across a heap of unpaid parking tickets. Niles initially asks Martin to exert his influence, but his father refuses on principle. Roz, however, informs Niles of a man named Jerome Belasco, who "makes wishes come true". When Niles and Frasier meet Jerome, he quickly resolves the issue, and Niles is so happy that he promises to help Jerome "any time". Jerome requests that Frasier persuade his reluctant fiancée to set a wedding date; Frasier meets the fiancée, learns of her unhappiness in the relationship, and advises against the marriage.