[9.4]The Return of Martin Crane
The Return of Martin Crane Written by Dan O'Shannon
& Bob Daily
Directed by David Lee
=====================================================================
Production Code: 9.4
Episode Number In Production Order: 197
Episode Filmed On: 26th September 2001
Original Airdate on NBC: 9th October 2001
Transcript written on 10th October 2001
Transcript revised on 24th April 2004
Transcript {Mike Lee}
ACT ONE
Scene One - KACL
Frasier is doing his show. In Roz's booth, Kenny is hovering over her
anxiously.
Roz: We have Tom on the phone from Woodenville.
Frasier: [presses button] Hello, Tom. I'm listening.
Tom: [v.o.; anxious, speaking rapidly] Thank God, I thought I'd
never get through. Dr. Crane, I'm-I have a problem, and I
don't know what to do. I'm supposed to get married soon,
but I'm having second thoughts. Do you think it's just cold
feet, or-or what?
Frasier: All right, Tom, just calm down, let's work through this thing
together, you and I. Are you in love with this girl?
Tom: Of course - yes - I, I think.
Frasier: Now remember, Tom, this is the person with whom you'll be
spending the rest of your life. That is a long time.
Tom: It is, isn't it?
Frasier: Yes. In fact, getting married is probably the biggest decision
you will ever make in your life. It requires time, temperance,
and thought.
From Tom's end comes the sound of the “Wedding March” being played.
Frasier: Tom, what's that music?
Tom: Sorry, Dr. Crane, no time to talk, I have to tell Monica the
bad news.
Frasier: Wait, wait, wait, Tom, no!
But he's hung up. Frasier cuts off the dial tone.
Frasier: Oh, dear. Well, if anyone out there happens to know Monica,
just tell her to call in on Monday and I'll move her right
to the head of the line. Um, meanwhile, this is Dr. Frasier
Crane, saying good day, and good mental health.
He goes off the air and sighs.
Kenny: Please, Roz!
Roz: [half-laughing] No way!
Kenny: Come on! I wouldn't be asking you if it wasn't an emergency!
Frasier: [coming in] Is everything OK?
Kenny: [quickly] Yeah, fine, good, everything's good. [sighs]
I'm supposed to stop on the way home and pick up some
new... underthings for my wife.
Frasier: So?
Kenny: So? Every time I'm in one of those places I start thinking
about... you know... man-and-wife stuff. I turn all red,
I start to sweat, I hyperventilate. Try getting somebody
to wait on you when you look like that.
Roz: Well, sorry, Kenny, but I am not going to Victoria's Secret
for you.
Kenny: Victoria's Secret? Whoa, whoa, Rockefeller, I'm talking
Kmart!
Roz: No.
Kenny: Before you say no, let me remind you that employee evaluation
season's-
Frasier: Kenny! Roz Doyle is no gofer, she is a producer. And if she
should earn a promotion - which she richly deserves - it will
be based on her merits as a producer!
Kenny: Fine. I'll go myself. Why do they have those mannequins so
damn sexy?
Kenny leaves. A deliveryman (Joe) comes in.
Joe: Dr. Crane?
Frasier: Yes.
Joe: Your cake's ready.
Frasier: Oh, splendid! Well, let's just have a look here. [opens the
box; reading] "Congrats"? It's supposed to say,
"Congratulations, Dad."
Joe: There wasn't room.
Frasier: People have written the Declaration of Independence on a
grain of rice!
Joe: Not with frosting.
Frasier: Listen, my father's starting a new job this evening. This cake
is meant to show him how proud we are, how much we care, and
that we believe in him, all right? It has to be special.
Joe: If it was so special, how come you ordered the smallest one?
Beat.
Frasier: We're also having ice cream, if you must know!
Joe: [takes it back] Fine, you can pick it up in half an hour.
Frasier: Thank you. [Joe leaves] Oh, wait! I haven't got half an hour
to- [but he's gone; sweetly] Roz?
Roz: [unsurprised] You want me to pick up the cake?
Frasier: Oh, bless you. Oh, and listen, could you pick up some ice
cream on your way over, too?
Roz: Sure.
Frasier: [hurrying out] That's a love, bye!
FADE OUT
BEWARE
LOLLYGAGGING MESSENGERS
Scene Two(a) - Apartment
Daphne opens the door to Niles.
Daphne: Hello, honey. [they hug and kiss]
Niles: [as he hangs up his coat] I have a surprise for you.
Daphne: I have a surprise for you, too.
Simultaneously they produce ticket envelopes. Laughing, they exchange
and open them.
Daphne: [thrilled] Oh my God, tickets to the Billy Joel concert!
Niles: Yes... tickets to the Mongolian Music Festival? [looks up,
no less thrilled] That's four solid hours of throat singing!
They hug.
Daphne: How in the world did you get these?
Niles: Oh well, I know a guy who knows a guy who has a friend that
was able to pull a few strings. How did you get these?
Daphne: I called the box office.
Niles: Oh!
Daphne: [hugs him again] Oh, thank you so much!
Niles: No, no, thank you.
Both: Oh, when is it? [laughs, then] Tonight.
And they realize they are at an impasse.
Both: Oh...
Daphne: Wow...
Niles: So, em, which one shall we attend?
Daphne: Well, it's always been a dream of mine to see Billy Joel live.
Niles: Yes... but has it been a lifelong dream, like my dream of
seeing Mongolian throat-singers?
[N.B. Try to say this once without laughing, then try it three times
fast. It's impossible.]
Daphne: Yes, but didn't we just do a "you" thing last week when we
went to the opera?
Niles: Yes, but you're forgetting that the next night, we rented
“Mrs. Doubtfire,” which was definitely a "you" movie.
Daphne: Except they didn't have it, so we rented “Tampopo,” which I
believe we found in the "you" section. And we listened to
NPR on the way there and on the way back, don't think
I didn't notice that.
Niles: Well, perhaps I have been a bit piggish lately. We'll see
Billy Joel! [she starts to hug him] But-but-but, I am not
going in any mosh pit.
Daphne: OK! [hugs him]
Martin comes out, dressed in a security guard's uniform and carrying
a handful of neckties.
Daphne: Well, look at you, Mr. Security Guard.
Niles: Yes, beware, criminals - Martin Crane is back on the streets.
Martin: Yeah. Actually, Martin Crane is sitting on his butt in a
fancy lobby, staring at a bunch of monitors. [holds out ties]
Daph, are any of these navy blue?
Niles: Here, I can help you with that, Dad. Daphne, would you-
would you get us some coffee?
Daphne: Sure.
She goes to the kitchen.
Niles: Dad, uh, are you, uh - you ready for all this, you know?
Going back to work?
Martin: Niles, we talked about this, it's only three nights a week.
Niles: Oh, I know, I know, but, uh...
They sit down, Martin in his Armchair and Niles on the coffee table.
Throughout the following conversation, Niles becomes a living revue
of tics, fidgets, and shuffles.
Niles: You're going through your old routine. Putting on the badge,
going back on duty, you're even going to be working with some
of your old friends from the force. Just be aware, it, uh,
it might bring up buried memories.
Martin: Like what?
Niles: Well, the last time you worked, some crazy person pointed a,
uh, a, uh... [makes a gun with his hand] you know, at you, and
you were almost, uh... [starts shifting in his seat] you ended
up in the, uh, the, uh... [starts flicking his ear with his
finger] Well, you could've, uh, could've, uh, you could have
actually... well, I just - probably you're going to have a lot
of issues. [stops fidgeting]
Martin: Well, thanks for being concerned, Niles, but, trust me,
I don't have any buried memories. I remember every detail
of that day.
As Martin speaks, the scene DISSOLVES to a flashback sequence:
An unmarked car pulls into the parking lot outside a convenience
store.
Martin: [v.o.] Frank and I were near the end of our shift. He wanted
to get a drink. I said no, but he was thirsty. So we go to
a convenience store. There was a robbery in progress. I got
shot.
Martin, wearing plainclothes, gets out of the car and walks into the
store.
CUT BACK to the Present:
Martin: It was a hell of a thing.
Niles: Sure was.
Martin: Well, I got to get going. A few of the guys are taking me
out for dinner before my first shift.
Niles: Oh, uh, Dad, you can't leave yet. We're having a little send-
off party. Frasier's on his way with the cake.
Daphne comes out.
Daphne: Here's your coffee, Mr. Crane.
Martin: Thanks, Daph.
Martin stares into his cup...
Waitress: [v.o.] Here's your coffee, Marty.
The scene DISSOLVES to another flashback:
Scene Three - Diner
Earlier that fatal day, Martin and his partner Frank are sat eating
lunch. A goldfish in a plastic bag of water sits between them.
Martin has just gotten his coffee.
Martin: Thanks, doll.
Frank: [lifting the bag] You going to carry that fish around all day?
Martin: Hey, he has a name. [takes the bag] That's Eddie.
Frank: Why don't you get yourself a real pet? You know, like a-
like a dog?
Martin: Ah, I'm not really a dog person. I just wanted someone in
the family I could get along with. Did I tell you Frasier's
not coming home for Thanksgiving?
Frank: [many, many times] Yeah, you did.
Martin: And have I told you about my weekly Sunday brunch with Niles
and Maris?
Frank: Yeah, you have.
Martin: Ah, I'd rather be at church. I'd get more to eat.
Niles sticks his head in the door.
[N.B. David Hyde Pierce had to wear a hairpiece to look like the
full-headed Niles of earlier seasons.]
Frank: Hey, speaking of Niles, isn't that him?
Martin turns around. Niles beckons to him. Martin motions Niles in,
but Niles shakes his head, obviously looking down his nose at the place.
Martin motions him in again. Niles wrinkles his nose and comes in.
Frank: Hey, Niles. [motions to the seat] Take a load off.
Niles pulls out his handkerchief.
Martin: What's up?
Niles: [as he wipes the chair] You know very well what's up.
Maris just called me. You booted her car. [throws the
hankie on the table]
Martin: Oh, yeah, I remember having a car booted earlier. It was
parked kind of close to a hydrant. Was that hers?
Niles: The license plate says "Maris"!
Martin: Well, it's a very common name, isn't it, Frank?
Frank: My mother's name is Maris.
Niles starts to say something, but just glares at Frank, narrow-eyed.
Niles: Dad, Maris is very upset, and so am I. I can't believe you
booted her.
Martin: Hey, I wouldn't be upset if you booted her.
Frank laughs and slaps Martin's hand under the table. Niles stands up
in a huff.
Martin: Niles, she's loaded. She'll probably just ditch it and go
buy another one.
Niles: That's not the point! I think you owe her an apology.
[to Frank] Good day... [disdainfully] Frank.
Niles leaves.
Frank: You booted a car just to irritate your kid? Now that's a lot
of trouble.
Martin: No, the real trouble was getting four guys to lift it and
move it closer to the hydrant. [they laugh]
SMASH CUT TO:
Scene Two(b) - Apartment
A flashbulb goes off, snapping Martin out of his reverie. Niles has
just taken his picture. Daphne brings his lunchbox and thermos.
Daphne: Here you are.
Martin: Oh, thanks.
Daphne: Honey, get a picture of your father with his thermos.
Martin: Oh, enough with the pictures! People didn't make this much
fuss when I shipped off to Korea!
But he raises the thermos and smiles gamely for the camera.
Frasier comes in the door.
Frasier: Well, Dad! Very snappy.
Martin: Uh-huh. Where's the cake?
Frasier: Roz'll be bringing it by in a minute.
Niles: Hey, Frasier, if you're interested, I have two tickets to
tonight's throat singing concert.
Frasier: Don't toy with me, Niles!
Niles holds out the tickets. Frasier takes them ecstatically.
Martin: What the hell is throat singing?
Frasier: Oh, Dad, it's an extraordinary technique where a single
vocalist can actually produce two distinct tones
simultaneously, allowing him to harmonize with himself!
Martin: Kind of like the Everly Brothers.
Frasier and Niles trade another one of their "Did he actually just SAY
that?" looks.
Frasier: If they shared a throat and came from Mongolia, yes. [trades
another look] Niles, why aren't you going?
Daphne: He's taking me to see Billy Joel.
Frasier: [aghast] Billy Joel?!
Niles: [putting the best face on it] He's the "Piano Man."
Frasier: Well, seeing as how you're otherwise occupied, I'll guess
I'll try to just wrangle myself a date. [picks up the phone]
Martin: Hey, wait a minute! Who's going to walk Eddie? I told you
he has to be walked every night at ten.
Frasier: Yes, yes, of course, Dad, of course, Dad. Uh, well, you
know, customarily this would fall under the description of,
uh... Daphne's job.
Daphne: [piqued] Customarily, Dr. Crane, it's not my job. I do it
as a favor for your father.
Frasier: Will you do it as a favor for me?
Daphne: No.
Niles: [checks his watch] You know, Frasier, you could catch the
first two hours of throat singing and still get back in time
to walk Eddie.
Frasier: Oh, Niles, you know damn well their throats are just starting
to warm up after two hours!
Daphne: Well, I'm not missing Billy Joel.
Martin: [gets up] Gee, I hate to put you all out like this.
Frasier: Dad, I'm sorry. Don't worry, we'll work this out, I promise.
Martin goes to the kitchen.
Frasier: Say, what about that nice Mrs. Curdsman who lives right across
the hall?
Daphne: She's ninety-four - someone comes to walk her everyday!
Frasier: There's got to be somebody on God's green earth that can
walk this dog.
The doorbell rings. Frasier opens the door to Roz, carrying the cake.
I love this shot: Roz's P.O.V. - Frasier, Niles, and Daphne all
looking at her with delighted, transparently self-concerned smiles.
All: Roz!
She comes in.
Roz: Hi, cake's here.
Frasier: [takes it] Yes. You know, Roz, we were just talking about
you - say, listen, are you busy this evening?
Roz: No.
Frasier: Oh, that's terrific news! Well then, you won't mind coming
by and walking Eddie about ten o'clock?
Roz: [had enough] Forget it, Frasier. I am not your assistant,
I am a producer. A producer does not give up her evenings
to walk a dog.
Frasier: Would a senior producer walk a dog? [she doesn't even answer
that one] Well, someone has got to walk this damn dog.
Martin: [coming out] All right, that's enough. You all said you'd
be supportive if I went back to work.
Everyone starts to protest - "No"; "We ARE supportive," etc.
Martin: Yeah, for the first two or three seconds until it gets
inconvenient, then all you think about is yourself.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm not in a party mood.
He heads for his room, but stops to pick up the cake and take it with
him.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
SHE HAS BIG ONES, TOO
Scene Four - Martin's Room
Martin is tying his tie in the mirror. Someone knocks on his door.
Martin: What do you want?
Roz: [o.s.] It's me, Roz.
Martin: Oh, come on in.
As Roz opens the door:
Frasier: [o.s.] Are you people insane? How can paper beat a rock!
They roll their eyes together. Roz comes in and closes the door.
Martin: Well, I'm really looking forward to getting out of the house.
Roz: Well, I didn't want you to go before I had a chance to give
you this. [gives him a small jewelry box]
Martin: Oh, you didn't have to do that! [opens it] Oh, a tie pin!
Oh, look at the little handcuffs!
Roz: Well, we don't want that tie to escape.
As they laugh, Roz takes the pin and affixes it to his shirt.
Martin: Thanks, Roz.
Roz: So it's a big day, isn't it?
Martin: Mmm-hmm.
Roz: You feeling good?
Martin: Oh, I feel better than that; I feel useful. It's been a long
time. You know, when I was a cop, we used to make fun of
security guards. I guess now I'm going to have to make
fun of crossing guards.
The phone rings.
Roz: Who do crossing guards make fun of?
Martin: I don't know. Uh, kids, I guess.
They laugh again. As Roz sits on the bed, Martin answers the phone.
Martin: Hello? Oh, hey, Frank. Yup, got my W-4. Uh, listen, I want
to thank you again, for getting me in, you know. I know you
had to push, what with my hip and all... No, I'm just thanking
you again, that's all. That's not mushy! Huh? Oh, that's
too bad. OK, well, maybe next time. Bye. [hangs up]
Roz: What's too bad?
Martin: Well, a bunch of us are going out for dinner, but one guy
can't make it. Evidently he got called to check on a possible
perv at the Kmart.
He tastes a finger-full of frosting from the cake, and goes to the
mirror again.
Martin: I got to tell you, Roz, hanging out with a bunch of guys
again is - well, something I've really missed.
Roz: Oh... [comes up behind him] well, I am happy for you, Martin.
[kisses his cheek]
Martin: Thanks, Roz.
Roz opens the door:
Daphne: [o.s.] Let's just all leave now and then Roz will have to
walk him.
Roz: Hey!
She rushes out. Martin shakes his head, and closes the door. As he
pins on his name badge, he stares into the mirror...
Frank: [v.o.] Hey, Marty, we've got a Code-9 over here on the right.
DISSOLVE TO:
Scene Five - Police Car
Martin is driving with Frank beside him. Frank is snacking heavily
on a bag of chips.
Martin: Are you blind? She's a Code-7 at best.
Frank: Oh. Am I mistaken, or is she swerving?
Martin: I'm not pulling her over, Frank. Last time I did that,
you ended up in divorce court.
Frank: Ah...
Martin: Did I tell you Frasier's not coming home for Thanksgiving?
Frank: Yeah, you did.
Martin: Means I'll have to spend it with Maris and Niles. Last time
she didn't even eat anything, she just sucked air through a
rice cake. Boy, he sure picked a winner.
Frank: Marty, you sound like a broken record. You know, I get it:
you can't stand your kids.
Martin: No! No, no; they can't stand me.
Frank: Well, maybe you've got to be the one that takes the first
step. You know, reach out. And most importantly, listen.
Not just with your ears, but with your heart.
Martin: What the hell are you talking about?
Frank: I'm seeing a court-appointed family therapist. I have to
admit, it's only been a few sessions, but... she is hot!
Martin: You've come a long way.
Frank: I think it's making me a better dad, you know? I'm getting
involved with their school stuff, I talk to them at the end
of the day; I make sure I kiss them goodbye before I go to
work.
Martin: Hmm... You really do that?
Frank: Yup. According to Dr. Hottie, you have to make an effort.
Martin: [thinks, then smiles] You know what I should do?
Frank: What?
Martin: I ought to just call Frasier out of the blue and see how he's
doing. Niles, too. They'd probably think I was dying or
something.
Frank: You should.
Martin: Yeah. That's what I'm gonna do. I'll do it tonight when I
get home.
Frank: Good for you, Marty. [looks out the window] Hey, can we stop?
I need to get another Slushie.
Martin: You just got that one!
Frank: I got rinds in it.
Martin: All right, but I'll go in and get it. You stay here and
clean this mess up.
As before, the car pulls into the parking lot. Martin gets out of
the car and walks into the store.
CUT TO:
Scene Six - Martin's Room
Martin is strapping on his belt. Frasier opens the door.
Frasier: Good news, Dad! We worked it out.
Martin: You did?
Frasier: Yes. Listen, Dad, I'm sorry. I hope our little tiff didn't
spoil the occasion. We're all so proud of you, I want you
to know that.
Martin: Thanks, son. So who's walking Eddie?
Frasier: I am. I figured if I just take him out right now, I still
have time to make it to the concert, and he'll be OK until
I come back around midnight.
Martin: I told you, he's got to be walked around ten o'clock, that's
his routine!
Frasier: Well, can't his routine just bend a little?
Martin: Fine, then I hope your Berber carpet is waterproof.
Niles, Daphne, and Roz come in.
Niles: What's wrong?
Frasier: Apparently, His Nibs will explode if he doesn't go out
around ten!
Niles: OK, OK, OK, OK, how's this: I will stay and walk Eddie.
Frasier: Really?
Daphne: You just don't want to see Billy Joel.
Niles: That is patently untrue. I'm just trying to help my father.
Roz: If he isn't going, can I?
Niles: Well, that would work perfectly.
Frasier: But since you're free, Niles, I've got this extra ticket for
the throat singing concert!
Niles: [excited] Oh?!
Frasier: Well, then it's settled!
Everyone starts to leave.
Martin: Ed-die.
Frasier: Oh, dear. All right, OK, OK, we will work this out, Dad.
They go out the door.
Daphne: So what happens when your nibs explode?
Martin closes the door on Frasier's answer. He is now wearing his
jacket, and only his hat remains to be put on. He picks it up...
Frank: [v.o.] You should see it, Marty...
DISSOLVE TO:
Scene Seven - Hospital Room
Martin is lying in a hospital bed. Frank is standing by him.
Frank: They're using your rookie picture on the news.
Martin: Oh, what's all the fuss about? It's only my hip. Ten bucks
says I'll be back on the job in a couple of weeks.
Frank: I just keep thinking, you know, it should have been me.
A young, pretty nurse comes in.
Nurse: Can I do anything to make you more comfortable, Mr. Crane?
Martin: No, I'm fine, thanks.
She smiles and leaves.
Frank: Seriously, it should have been me. [they laugh]
Niles comes in, subdued.
Niles: Hey, Frank. Hello, Dad.
Martin: Niles.
Niles: How-how are you, uh... how are you feeling?
Martin: I think I'm going to be fine.
Niles: Well, thank God.
Silence.
Frank: Well, I'd better get going.
Martin: Oh, no!
Niles: No, no, hey, don't go on my account, Frank.
Frank: Nah, you guys got plenty of things to talk about. [claps
Martin on the shoulder] Listen, I'll never drink another
Slushie again.
Martin: Well, then it was worth it.
Frank: All right. [to Niles] See you.
Frank leaves. Niles pulls up a chair by the bedside.
Niles: I just got off the phone with Frasier. He is flying in.
Martin: Good.
Silence.
Martin: Doc says I'll be out of here in a couple of days.
Niles: Good. They have, uh, they have a great staff here.
Martin: Oh.
Silence.
Niles: I knew this was going to happen some day.
Martin: Hey, it comes with the territory.
Niles: I'll never understand how you can take these risks.
Martin: No, you probably won't.
Niles looks hurt. The nurse sticks her head back in.
Nurse: I'm sorry, visiting hours are over.
Niles: Um, thank you. [beat] Well... [gets up and goes to the door]
I'll be back tomorrow.
Martin: OK.
Niles leaves.
CUT TO:
Scene Eight - Apartment
Frasier, Roz, Daphne, and Niles, are still arguing. Behind them,
Martin walks out in his complete uniform.
Frasier: All right, we're running out of time! I'll tell you what:
I will offer a hundred dollars to anyone who is willing to
walk this dog.
Niles: I'll kick in a hundred!
Frasier: That's two hundred dollars! [towards Roz] That's an awful
lot of money, isn't it, Niles?
Niles: [towards Daphne] It sure is, Frasier!
Frasier: All just to walk a little dog!
Niles: Yes, mmm-hmm.
Daphne: [hits Niles] I can't believe you'd try to buy me off!
Roz: You, too! [hits Frasier]
Frasier: Ow! For God's sake...
Unnoticed by anyone, Martin has picked up his lunchbox and is now
standing by the door.
Martin: I'm leaving! [they continue arguing] SHUT UP!
They stop and look at him.
Martin: You ought to be ashamed, I can't even depend on my own kids.
Frasier: But, Dad...
Martin: You two, come here. [points to his feet]
Frasier and Niles shuffle over to Martin.
Frasier: We're sorry.
Niles: Frasier started it.
Martin: I'm going to work now. I'll be home late. [kisses Frasier
on the cheek] Don't wait up. [kisses Niles on the cheek]
He goes out the door. Another doorway shot shows the boys and girls
cannot believe what just happened.
END OF ACT TWO
Credits:
Eddie is pacing furiously, occasionally stopping to scratch the door.
Outside, Frasier steps off the elevator and opens the door. Eddie runs
past him and onto the elevator. The doors close, leaving Frasier
behind.
Guest Appearances
Special Guest Star
TOM IRWIN as Frank
Co-Starring
BYRNE OFFUTT as Joe
MARY JO MECCA as Waitress
LISA ARNING as Nurse
and
TOM McGOWAN as Kenny
Guest Callers
ANTHONY EDWARDS as Tom
Legal Stuff
This episode capsule is copyright 2001 by Mike Lee. This episode
summary remains property of Frasier, Copyright of Paramount
Productions and NBC. Printed without permission.