ACT TWO

SLUG TITLE CARD READS: THERES NO BYE IN TEAM

FADE IN: INT. FRASIERS LIVING ROOM - DAY - DAY /3 (FRASIER, MARTIN, DAPHNE, EDDIE, TIM (V.O.), ELISABETH (V.O.), WHOOPI (V.O)) FRASIER ENTERS HUMMING AND IN A CHEERFUL MOOD. MARTIN IS IN HIS CHAIR WATCHING TV WITH EDDIE IN HIS LAP AND DAPHNE IS BRINGING IN BREAKFAST. FRASIER Good day everyone, isnt it just a splendid morning? MARTIN It sure is son. Did you sleep well?

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER No thank you Daphne, Im going to try and go into work a little early today and Ill just grab a bite on the way. A SMILING MARTIN STANDS TO INTERCEPT FRASIER. MARTIN Oh cmon Fras. Have breakfast with your old man. Its been a while since weve sat down and ate together. FRASIER Well, if you insist Dad. MARTIN I do. I do.

DAPHNE Morning Dr. Crane. Your usual?

Final Draft 8 Demo

DAPHNE Why arent you two just getting along swimmingly. Its like two peas in a pod all of the sudden. MARTIN After yesterday Daph, I swear...

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

2.

DAPHNE Hey, isnt that a picture Matt on the telly? EVERYONES ATTENTION TURNS TO THE TV. MARTIN Youre right. His brother is talking about him. Let me turn it up and see what their talking about. FRASIER His brother? MARTIN Yeah, his brother used to play too. Hes on the NFL show that comes on ESPN everyday. He must be talking about the game on Sunday. Hold on. MARTIN PICKS UP THE REMOTE AND INCREASES THE VOLUME. TIM (V.O.) I cant understand for the life of me why he would be so irresponsible. To miss practice without permission is inexcusable. Even if he is my brother you dont make irrational decisions like this before the NFC Championship Game! There are 51 other people that are counting on him. Not to mention a city full of shocked and disappointed people.

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

EVERYONE IS IN SHOCK AND SLOWLY MARTIN BEGINS TO CUT FRASIER A HARD LOOK AS FRASIER GLANCES QUICKLY OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYES. TIM (V.O.) I talked to his wife Sarah earlier and she said some radio quack told him to go fly a kite and he bought it. Now he cant be reasoned with. Im flabbergasted.

Final Draft 8 Demo

MARTIN TURNS DOWN THE VOLUME WITH THE REMOTE. HE HANDS THE REMOTE TO DAPHNE IN DISGUST. SHE CHANGES THE CHANNEL. MARTIN Please turn that Daphne! Hes not the only one whos pissed. See what you did Fras!

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

3.

DAPHNE What happened? Why are you blaming Dr. Crane? MARTIN Didnt you hear his show yesterday? DAPHNE Uhh, no I didnt. Since you were gone too I thought I would enjoy my afternoon for a change with some peace and quiet. MARTIN Well Dr. Feelgood here told Matt to screw the team the and go fly a kite with his kids at the playground! FRASIER I said no such thing! A mere moment ago you were treating me like I was a saint! You were there yesterday and heard what I said. Tell me what did I say that you wouldnt have in the same situation?

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

MARTIN Well, I guess I would have just phrased it differently so the guy wouldnt have abandoned us. FRASIER Us? Who is this us? You rabid fanatics that would want him to ignore his own children for the sake of a silly game! MARTIN Its not some silly game. It may not be opera but means something to me and a lot of other people around here.

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER Look Dad, I know its important to you. But I couldnt help but think of how much I regret not being more involved Fredericks life. You heard him yesterday. The both of us can relate to what hes going through. Do you remember missing Me and Niles recitals? How about the science fairs? It was always just Mom alone!

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

4.

MARTIN IS VISIBLY STUNG BY FRASIERS COMMENTS AND FRASIER RETREATS. FRASIER (CONTD) Look Dad, I didnt mean to hurt your feelings but I meant what I said yesterday and Im sure its just a coincidence that Matt is now unaccounted for. Im sure hell be back soon and this will all be forgotten. Now let me get to work and just to make sure there wasnt any miscommunication I will see if I can get in contact with him. MARTIN You reach him when his brother couldnt? Yeah right. Well, I hope youre right Fras. For your sake and the teams. DAPHNE Hey you two, dont look now but theres a picture of Matt on The View too! DAPHNE POINTS THE REMOTE AT THE TV AND TURNS UP THE VOLUME AS EVERYONES ATTENTION AGAIN TURNS TOWARD THE TV. ELISABETH (V.O.) So I tried to tell Sarah not to let Matt listen to these liberal blowhards with their matchbook degrees on pyschobabble. But you know how those borderline hippies are up in Seattle. FRASIER Oh for Pete's sake, I went to Harvard! This is really getting out of control! DAPHNE It sure is Dr. Crane. I cant stand that Elisabeth Hasselbeck either. Shes such a blowhard and a snob!

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER Hasselbeck? My God, this family mates like rabbits! FRASIER STORMS OUT AS DAPHNE CONTINUES TO LOOK ATTENTIVELY AT THE TV AND MARTIN SITS AS HE PUTS HIS HEAD IN HIS HAND. EDDIE JUMPS BACK IN HIS LAP.

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

5.

WHOOPI (V.O.) Girllll, I hate to agree with you but this guy sounds like a real piece of work. Probably some New Age phony telling him whatever he wanted to hear. I would bet money hes balding with a baby ponytail. DAPHNE Close enough! You tell her sister!

MARTIN LOOKS UP FOR A BEAT IN RESPONSE TO DAPHNE AND SHAKES HIS HEAD NO AND PUTS IT BACK IN HIS HAND. EDDIE MIMICS THE SAME NO HEAD SHAKE WHILE CONTINUING TO WATCH TV WITH DAPHNE.

Final Draft 8 Demo

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. RADIO STUDIO - DAY - DAY/ 3 (FRASIER, ROZ, KENNY, BULLDOG, MATT (V.O.), MAN 1 (V.O.) WOMAN 1 (V.O.)) A DEPRESSED AND DEFEATED FRASIER ENTERS TO FIND ROZ THUMBING THROUGH THE SEAHAWKS MEDIA GUIDE IN THE CONTROL ROOM. ROZ QUICKLY HIDES THE BOOK WHEN SHE NOTICES FRASIER HAS ARRIVED. HE QUICKLY MAKES HIS WAY TO THE BOOTH AND PUTS ON HIS HEADPHONES. FRASIER Sorry, Roz. I know, I know two minutes. I was in Kennys office seeing if he might know anyone who could get in contact with Matt.

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

Matt? Why? ROZ Did something happen? FRASIER SITS AND CUTS A LOOK AT ROZ. FRASIER Are you trying to tell me you dont know what happened? ROZ Maybe. Maybe not. But I do know what would be a big help to you right now.

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

6.

FRASIER What in the dickens are you talking about Roz? Wait. Do you know where Matt is? ROZ Maybe. Maybe not. But youre going to have to give me that press pass of yours to find out either way.

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER Roz! I cant believe you of all people would blackmail me! If you know something just tell me. ROZ I believe that you New Age people call it bartering. The clock is ticking Fras. One way or another Im going to get it. Im just trying to help you out. FRASIER PULLS THE PASS OUT OF HIS BRIEFCASE AND SHOWS IT TO ROZ.

Final Draft 8 Demo

ROZ Be careful what you wish for. Are you ready for the show? Were on in thirty. FRASIER STRAIGHTENS HIMSELF UP AND CLEARS HIS THROAT AND NODS YES. AFTER A BEAT ROZ COUNTS DOWN WITH HER FINGERS FROM FIVE TO ONE. Two, one. ROZ (CONTD) Youre on.

FRASIER Fine Roz. If thats the way you want it. But you wont get this pass now unless its from my dead clinched fist! Is that clear enough?

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER Greetings Seattle, this is Dr. Frasier Crane. Before we start taking calls I would like to take a moment to clear up some rumors that may be spreading that label me as the cause for things I had nothing to do with. As anyone who was listening yesterday can attest, nothing could be further from the truth. (MORE)

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME" FRASIER (CONT'D) This is simply the perfect example of how a coincidence can be misinterpreted and blown out of proportion in todays world of unreliable media that deals in half truths instead of facts.

7.

ROZ PUTS UP A PIECE OF PAPER UP TO THE WINDOW THAT READS: LAST CHANCE. FRASIER SMIRKS AND TURNS AWAY.

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER (CONTD) It is a truly, truly sad day when things like this show what society has become. But lets see if we can turn that around and make a positive difference and take some calls. Whos our first caller Roz? ROZ We have Matt on line one. thank you for something. He wants to

FRASIER TURNS PALE AS ROZ SMILES FROM THE BOOTH. Hello? there? MATT (V.O.) Frasier? Frasier are you

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER Uh, Im sorry. Do we know each other? FRASIER MAKES THE CUTTING GESTURE WITH HIS FINGER AT HIS THROAT TO ROZ WHO IGNORES IT. MATT (V.O.) Its me doc. Matt Hasselbeck from yesterday. Sorry Im on a cell phone. It might be a little distorted. FRASIER Oh, of course. How can I help you today?

Final Draft 8 Demo

MATT (V.O.) I just wanted to thank you again for you advice yesterday. Mallory couldnt have been happier to see me here today. The look on her face alone makes up for all the flack Im going to catch for missing practice today. But it was worth it.

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

8.

FRASIER As pleased as I am to hear that, I think you misinterpreted my advice somewhat. MATT (V.O.) Really? How so? I thought you said family first and foremost right?

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER Uh, yes I did but we must also take our responsibilities to others in account as well. It is truly a delicate balancing act but we must not ignore our many other vital commitments in life because in the end that too is a exercise in selfishness. Do you understand what I mean Matt? MATT (V.O.) Yeah. I think so Frasier. I hadnt really looked at it like that. I have some people to apologize to.

FRASIER LOOKS PLEASED AND STICKS HIS TONGUE OUT TO ROZ.

Final Draft 8 Demo

Exactly. FRASIER Now were on the same page. MATT (V.O.) Annabelle and Henry deserve some time and attention too. I cant just focus on Mallory. Youre right again doc! Dont worry Anabelles got a school play tomorrow and Henrys got a concert on Saturday. I can just skip practice a couple of more times and still make the game on Sunday. Thanks Frasier wait till I tell them! FRASIER No! No! Thats not what I meant! was talking about the team! I

SFX: A DIAL TONE

Final Draft 8 Demo

ROZ Wow, Ive never seen this before but the entire board is lit up. Looks like we have a caller on every line. Ready for your next call Frasier?

FRASIER SITS PARALYZED IN SHOCK UNTIL ROZ KNOCKS ON THE GLASS AND STARTLES HIM.

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

9.

ENRAGED, FRASIER GRABS THE MICROPHONE. FRASIER Does this thing even work! ROZ Ill just take that as a yes. Next up we have Travis from Renton on line three. Hes got a problem with, well its with you actually. FRASIER With, with me? I think we should go to another call. MAN (V.O.) Hello, am I on? Dr. Crane are you there? Yes. FRASIER How can I help you today Travis? on! Im a and I just everyone you.

Final Draft 8 Demo

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER EXHALES AND IS RELIVED. FRASIER Thats good to hear. MAN (V.O.) Yeah, after that last bit the entire Pacific Northwest is gonna want your hide! And if I ever see you, man Im grab you by your. SFX: DIAL TONE FRASIER IS NOW MORTIFIED AND COVERING HIS MOUTH WITH HIS HAND.

MAN (V.O.) Oh wow, I cant believe Im longtime listener Dr. Crane wanted to let you know that in Seattle isnt out to get

Final Draft 8 Demo

ROZ Dont worry Fras. I got rid of that one for you. Kinda scary wasnt it. I guess you should be careful what you say these days. And what you wish for. Our next caller is Flo from Cottage Lake she has a issue with her mistrust of men.

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME"

10.

FRASIER Finally, a real issue. Yes, Flo? This is Dr. Frasier Crane and Im... WOMAN (V.O.) Listening? I hope you are listening you putz! You just cost us a chance at the championship idiot! I used to like you too! The chick on The View said you were a bleeding heart well Im going to catch the next train into downtown and see if shes right! Then Im going to...

Final Draft 8 Demo

SFX: DIAL TONE KENNY RUSHES INTO THE CONTROL ROOM WITH ROZ. KENNY Go to commercial! Go to commercial! ROZ PUSHES A BUTTON. ROZ Were off. Getting kind of ugly there! I dont know how many more of those calls well get today. KENNY None. Im pulling the show. Cmon lets go tell doc. Now! FRASIER

Final Draft 8 Demo

ROZ AND KENNY CROSS INTO THE RECORDING BOOTH. STANDS. FRASIER Did you hear all that Kenny? Everyones lost their minds! KENNY Were pulling the show Doc. Sorry but its for your own good. I dont want you getting hurt just for giving bad advice. Until you hear otherwise, Im giving you a emergency vacation.

Final Draft 8 Demo

ROZ LOOKS AT HER WATCH AND THEN THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF THE STUDIO SEEMINGLY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE. FRASIER AND KENNY DONT NOTICE. FRASIER But you cant do that Kenny! havent done anything wrong! (MORE) I

FRASIER - "THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME" FRASIER (CONT'D) Just because every miscreant in the city seems to want to threaten me doesnt mean theyll follow through. Im not going to live in fear! Ill going to go clear all this up right now.

11.

FRASIER OPENS THE DOOR TO THE BOOTH BULLDOG RUSHES IN FROM THE HALL WITHOUT WARNING AND TACKLES FRASIER TO THE GROUND MID-SENTENCE.

Final Draft 8 Demo

FRASIER (CONTD) Ahhh! Help!! ROZ Damn hippies. When will they ever learn?

AS KENNY TRIES TO BREAK THEM UP ON THE FLOOR. ROZ STEPS OVER THEM BOTH AND GRABS THE PRESS PASS OFF THE DESK.

ROZ EXITS OUT OF THE OPEN BOOTH DOOR AS KENNY CONTINUES TO TRY AND PULL BULLDOG AND FRASIER APART.

Final Draft 8 Demo

END OF ACT TWO

FADE OUT.

Final Draft 8 Demo