[3.5] Kisses Sweeter Than Wine




Kisses Sweeter Than Wine         Written by Anne Flett-Giordano
                                 Directed by Philip Charles Mackenzie
=====================================================================
Production Code: 3.5.
Original Airdate on NBC: 7th November 1995
Transcript written on 6th August 1999


Quotes & Scene Summary {nick hartley}

Act One.

Scene One - Radio Station.
Frasier is nearing the end of his show when he gets another caller.

Frasier: Roz, who's our last caller?
    Roz: On line two we have Marylin. She's feeling a little home 
         sick.
Frasier: Go ahead Marylin.
Marylin: [v.o:] Well, I like living in Seattle but, I don't know, I 
         grew up in this little town in Wisconsin and I really miss 
         that life.
Frasier: Well, you're not the only one. My producer, Roz, has 
         regailed me with many stories of the great dairy state.
Marylin: [v.o:] You're from Wisconsin, Roz. What part?
    Roz: Blumer.
Marylin: [v.o:] [surprised] Oh my God, I'm from Monomeney.
    Roz: No way. [surprised] You're from Monomeney? My cousins are 
         from Monomeney, do you the Rayburns?

By this time Frasier is getting a bit irritated however he plays 
along.

Marylin: [v.o:] Billy Rayburn is your cousin? I used to work with him 
         at Bell's frozen custard!
Frasier: [bored:] Of course she did.
    Roz: Do you remember that guy that used the run the store. With 
         all the moles?
Marylin: [v.o:] [with Roz] Mr. Sneedy.
Frasier: Ladies, as fascinating as this is, I'm afraid we're out of 
         time.
Marylin: [v.o:] [with Roz:] Oh!
    Roz: That's okay Marylin, you can call back tomorrow.
Frasier: Make sure you all tune in tomorrow for part 2 in of series, 
         "Women of the cheese belt". Goodbye for now and good mental 
         health. 
As Frasier signs off air Roz enters his booth with some notes.

    Roz: These messages came for you earlier, your wines are ready.
Frasier: Oh excellent, I'm hosting a tasting tonight for the wine 
         club Niles and I belong to. I'm hoping they name me the 
         Maitre d'Chai. It's a long standing dream of mine to wear 
         that silver cup around my neck.
    Roz: You know, back in Wisconsin if a guy wore a cup around his 
         neck it meant he'd ticked off the gym teacher.
Frasier: Fine! Make sport, but this does happen to be important to 
         me.
    Roz: Since when? You used to say that club was nothing but a 
         bunch of arrogant cork sniffing snobs. 
Frasier: Well that was before I got in.
    Roz: Well, when I'm handing out Balogne sandwiches this weekend 
         at the homeless shelter it will do me heart good to know 
         that a bunch of wealthy men are swishing two hundred dollar 
         bottles of wine and spitting it into silver buckets!
Frasier: [upset:] It's not like we don't recycle the bottles.

"Sip, Swish, Spit"
Scene Two - Frasier's Apartment. That evening Niles and Frasier are practising for their wine tasting evening. Frasier is wearing his blindfold as he smells and sips a wine. Niles holds a silver bucket. Frasier eventually spits it out however he misses and Niles is forced to weep it up with his tissue. Frasier: Big, full bodied, nicely baked. Essence of truffles, long finish - Chambertan 76'. Niles: Bravo Frasier. If only you aim were as accurate. Daphne: [who is cleaning up:] How is it those same tastebuds can't tell the differece between my pot roast and my flank steak? Frasier: Well, considering you learnt to cook in England it's a wonder I can't tell your flank steak from a braised tennis ball. Niles: Now, now, let's move on to the number seven. Frasier: [smells another glass:] Ah, touch of oak. Hint of current. Whisper of.... Martin enters with Eddie on a leash however Frasier carries on. Frasier: [smelling:] ...what is that? what is that? Oh yes, wet dog! [takes blindfold off and looks at Martin] Martin: You guys still playing that stupid game? Frasier: Dad, wine tasting is not a stupid game - it's a highly refined skill. Martin: Yeah, I just saw a couple of guys on the corner practising out of paper bags. Niles: We're hardly wine-os. Some very distinguished people belong to our club: The mayor, the commissioner of public saftey, the chief of surgery at St. Lukes. Daphne: Oh, just the people I want walking around all liquored up. Could you find room for a school bus driver and a couple of air traffic controllers? Frasier: Well we would if they had impeccable taste. Which reminds me dad, I have a favour to beg. Would you mind if I moved your chair into your room until after the tasting? Martin: Forget it, you might as well ask me to stay in my room. Niles: Which takes care of the second favour. Martin: Oh all right move it. At least I don't have to spend the night watching your society pals getting tanked. Frasier goes to pick it up. Frasier: Okay, Niles, grab an end. Niles: [laughs] Oh you're serious. You know I don't lift. Frasier: Yes, with that stick where it is I'm suprised you can bend. Start hoisting, come on. Niles does this and the two, with much effort and much ad-libbing, manage to carry it upstage. Of course Frasier is holding his end up higher than Niles'. Frasier remarks it weighs a ton. It is not long before Niles wants to put it down. However, Frasier tells him not too. Yet after much quarrelling he drops it right on the upstage flooring. Frasier: Look what you've done? Martin: [worried:] You better be talking about the floor. Frasier: Oh, of course I'm talking about the floor.. Martin: Oh for Pete's sake it's just a little scratch. Get me a yellow magic marker. I'll color it in, no one'll know the difference. Frasier: Dad, you have no idea how critical these people can be: they love finding fault. Daphne: We could put a rug over it. Frasier: A rug? Where a rug doesn't belong? Why don't you just through down a twister mat. Have a few rounds between vintages! Niles: Steady Frasier, there's still hope. I'll bring my contractor by in the morning. The man's a genius. Martin: You know it's time you guys learned, everything dosn't have to be perfect. Frasier: Yes, it's that kind of advice that leads to shag carpetting! Frasier holds his head in his hands as we fade out. Scene Three - Frasier's Apartment. The next morning Frasier and Martin are at the table reading a paper. They have both just got up. Daphne enters from her bedroom in a robe. Frasier: Ah, good morning Daphne - extra pancakes for me this morning! I'm famished! Daphne: Yes, well you should have thought about that last night before you started making cracks about English cooking. I have hung up my spatchela. [exits to kitchen] Martin: Well, you moved my chair, you cut off my pankcake supply, why don't you just back out on Eddie on your way to work and make it a hat trick. [doorbell sounds] Frasier: And a hat trick would be? Martin: It's in hockey where one player... Frasier: Enough said, thank you. Frasier goes to answer the door. Niles is standing there with a seemingly strong and good looking man. Niles: Good morning, Frasier. I'm delivering one miracle worker as promised. Joe DeCarlo, Frasier Crane. Frasier: Pleasure. Niles: And my father, Martin Crane. Martin: Hi Joe. Joe: Where's the scratch? Martin: Oh, you mean you didn't see it? We were going to put some orange cones around it so nobody would fall in it! Frasier and Niles take Joe upstage. He feels the scratch. Frasier: It's right here. Joe: I can get rid of that. Frasier: It has to be done by five. My guests arrive at seven, do it has to be a firm five. Not a five fifteen or a five thirty. Joe: I'll be done by noon. Frasier: Splendid. Niles: I told you he was good. We're talking about a man who has satisfied Maris. Something that's still regrettably on my to-do list! Daphne: Coffee's ready. [enters with coffee, to Frasier:] Of course, I'm sure it'll taste like my old bath water to you. You know, how it gets all grey and scummy around the edges with little flecks of... [notices Joe:] oh hello. Joe: Hi. Daphne: [notices him properly. saucily:] Hello. Daphne and Joe stare each other with longing as Niles tries to stop it. Niles: I'd love some coffee Daphne. [pause] Hmmmm, Daphne? Martin: Er, Daph' this is Joe DeCarlo. Joe, this is Daphne - she helps me out around here. Joe: Smells great. Columbian? Daphne: [laughs:] No, English. [realises:] The coffee - Costa Rican. Would you like a cup? Joe: Thanks. Daphne: I'll be right back. [whispers to Martin:] He's adorable, talk me up. Martin: A plate of pancakes. Daphne: Deal. [exits to kitchen] Martin: You know, Joe. Daphne's a great gal. You know she doesn't always go round in that ratty old bathrobe. She cleans up real cute. Joe: You don't have to convince me. Niles: You know, I think dad's right - you don't need to fix that scratch it adds character. [takes him aside:] Come Joe. Frasier: Niles, forget it! Daphne: [enters from kitchen:] Honeybun? Joe: [as if it was a pet name:] Yes. Daphne: [laughs] He-he, I meant would you like one of these with your coffee. [holds up a honeybun] Joe: Oh, I'd love one. Daphne: Anything. Joe: No. [then:] Sugar? Daphne: [as if it was a pet name:] Yes. Joe: I meant in the coffee. Daphne laughs then exits back to the kitchen. Niles: You know, Maris is quite keen in gutting my library to make more space for her hats. Why don't you come home with me and you can send one of your men over to do this little job. Bruce would be good. The large sweaty gentlemen with the chilli dogs on his breath. Frasier: Niles, Joe is here already and we do have a deadline. Niles: But, don't you think it would be prudent... Frasier: Niles, it's settled. Joe: That's great, because I'm kinda anxious to get at her. [goes upstage] Niles: [angry:] I'll just bet he is, the testosterone is just dripping... Frasier: Niles, Niles, he's talking about the scratch. Niles: [angry still:] I knew that! Only I know that! I mean, watch him! Niles exits out the front door as we fade out. Scene Four - Elevator In Frasier's Building. Later that day Frasier is going up in the elevator with two workmen. He is curious and so begans to chat. Frasier: Someone remodelling? Electrician: No, bad wireing in one of the condos. Frasier: Ah, well I hope you won't be here this evening. I'm entertaining some very important guests and you know how sounds travels in this building. Painter: Ah, can't make any promises. We're here as long as this poor sap is willing to pay us. [laughs] Scene Five - Hallway Outside Frasier's Apartment. They both get off on the same floor. Frasier goes to put his key in the lock and notices the electrician and painter are standing behind him ready to enter his apartment. Scene Six - Frasier's Apartment. Frasier enters his apartment to find sawing and drilling around his fireplace. There are a few cloth sheets on the floor and a hole in the wall. Frasier: What is happening? Joe: Hold on guys. [they all stop:] Er, sorry about this Dr. Crane but I plugged in the sander to start on the floor, you blew a circit. Frasier: So, naturally you're sawing a hole into my wall. Joe: The circit blew - it started a fire. You've got some real bad wiring in here. Frasier: But how long? [they start again] Joe: A couple of hours. Fraiser: A couple is vague, that would mean the big hand would be on the twelve and the little hand would be... Joe: On the four. Frasier: On the four? Oh, the four is okay, fine. Martin: You know the fire, Eddie smelled it first. [exits to room] Frasier: Oh, well he's a regular canary in a coal mine isn't he! Niles: [enters from front door with a case:] My God, what's going on? Frasier: Don't ask Niles. [notices case:] Oh, I see you've got the Romani Containe. Niles: Yes but unfortunately they only had the one bottle. Frasier: That's funny, the importer told me he had two. Niles: Really? [nervous:] How strange. Frasier: You know, if I didn't know you better I would swear you had squirreled one away for yourself. But then we both know that you must be telling the truth because you're such a slave to your ethics that even the slightest transgression would cause your nose to bleed. Niles: Which it isn't! [sniffs up] Frasier: You just sniffed. Niles: I didn't sniff, it was a snort of contempt. [sniffs again] Frasier: A snort is out, that was in. Niles: [takes a tissue and holds it to his nose:] Oh, alright - the other bottle's in the car in my bowling bag. Frasier: Thank you. [curious:] You have a bowling bag? Niles: Yes. Maris and I have taken to giving each other gag gifts. I gave her a cook book. Daphne enters from the kitchen with a drink and rushes over to Joe. Daphne: Oh, you-hoo. I noticed how your shirt was [knees turning to jelly:] clinging to you back and... I thought a nice cup of ice tea might hit the spot. Joe: Thanks Daph'. Joe takes the drink from him. At that moment they both shudder. Daphne laughs. Daphne: Ho-ho, I got a spark. Joe: Me too. Niles: [jealous:] That's just static electricity from the carpet - it can happen to anyone. I'll show you. Niles then proceeds to shuffle along the carpet and poke Frasier. He does many times as each time he fails. Frasier gets irritable of the constant poking until after a while: Frasier: [shouting:] Stop poking me! Daphne: [picking up bags:] Should I put these little fingery foods for tonight in the fridge? Frasier: Oh, yes please - the Brie is sweating up a storm. Joe: Let me help you with those. Niles: No, Daphne let me help you. Daphne picks them up and begins to hand a drink to Bruce. However, Niles takes the drink and gives it to Bruce. He feels a spark. Niles: Spark! Spark! Niles follows Daphne into the kitchen as Frasier announces to his workmen. Frasier: I will be back after work at five thirty - I hope I have your word that my apartment will be perfect for then. Joe: Okay. Frasier: Alright, think think before you answer. This is not like marriage vows, or a promise to a dying parent. This really really counts. Joe: You have my word. Frasier: Thank you. Bruce: God, I'm sweating like a pig. I've got to air myself out. [to Frasier:] Hey, hold the elevator will ya? Frasier: I'm sorry, I need this nose tonight, thank you. Frasier exits out the front door. Meanwhile, Niles and Daphne are busy in the kitchen putting the foods away. Niles: You don't have to keep feeding these men. Actually, Maris finds they work faster if you keep them hungry. Daphne: He-he, I don't mind. Of course I probably don't cook as well as their wives or girlfriends. That is if they all have girlfriends. I'm sure Joe's probably mentioned some girl to you. Niles: [honestly:] No. Daphne: Really? Niles: [worried:] That is... not any one girl. Not old "love'em and leave'em" Joe. From what I've heard - he's wrecked more homes than he's fixed. Mimsie Stanshope has him over all the time and I don't just mean to strip her entryway. Daphne: Oh, I see. Niles: I'm sorry Daphne. Daphne: No, it's better I should know now before I get my hopes up. Thank you for being honest with me. Daphne exits as Niles pulls out of the fridge. He stands for ages against the fridge holding a tissue to his nose as if to stop it bleeding. End Of Act One. (Time: 12:20) Act Two.
"THE CLOT THICKENS"
Scene One - Hallway Outside Frasier's Apartment. It's half past five when Frasier gets off the lift and realises there is no sound. It is as if all the workers have gone home. However, just as he puts the key in the door he hears all the commotion. Scene Two - Frasier's Apartment. Frasier enters his apartment only to hit the door on his mantlepiece which has been taken off the fire and stuck near the door. Now, all the furniture has been either covered by dust sheets or moved to other corners of the room. There is a vast amount of dust soaring through the apartment and there is no scaffolding around the fire on which a man stands. Also, many people are scurrying around in the room including Joe and Bruce. Martin and Eddie are sat at the table. Frasier: [conspicuous:] Joe! Joe: Dr. Crane, don't panic, I can explain everything. Frasier: Wonderful. Perhaps you can explain [points to man on scaffolding:] these legs. Joe: That's Cecil. He's the best ceiling guy in Seattle. We were lucky to get him. When we opened up the wall to get to the faulty wireing. We found that the gas pipes leading to your fire place were cracked. Had to be fixed. Frasier: Tonight? Martin: I okay'ed it. It just seemed wiser to do it before the explosion. Martin gives a smug smile as Niles tries to enter. However, he bangs against the mantle piece. Niles: Frasier, the club members arrive in forty five minutes. Have you lost your... [notices legs and waves upwards:] Cecil! Frasier: Niles, don't yell at me. If you were able to lift anything heavier than an emery board we wouldn't be in this position. Martin: Maybe next time you'll listen to your old man. Frasier: Thank you dad. You know I was just considering whether I should go shave or slit my wrists. You made my choice a little easier. Joe: Don't worry. We are gonna make it. Only... about that shaving. We had to shut the water off to replace a valve. Frasier: Oh, well, that explosion idea's sounding better and better. [phone rings:] Could someone at least move that mantle piece away from the door! [answers phone:] Hello? [can't hear him:] Just hold on will ya'. Frasier moves over to upstage to take the call as Martin talks to Joe. Martin: Hey Joe, you know, you're going to be through by seven? It gives you plenty of time for [points at Daphne who has now entered:] a dinner and a movie. Joe goes over to ask Daphne out. However, the noise is so intense neither we or Daphne can hear him. Daphne keeps asking what he said and she eventually lip reads his question. She answers however now he nor we can hear her. Joe asks everyone to quieten down and all of a sudden the following erupts: Daphne: I said, I don't want to go out with you! Joe: [embarrased turns to colleagues:] What ya' looking at? Get back to work! [to Martin:] Thanks a lot! Martin: [turns to Niles:] Why would she do that? She's crazy about him! Niles however is stood looking up at the ceiling. You can tell that he is trying to hold the blood in his nose. Martin realises this. Martin: Niles, is your nose bleeding? Niles: No, no, I was just admiring Cecil's handywork. Niles exits to the powder room as Frasier puts the phone back on the recieving and tells Martin who it was. Frasier: That was the mayor on the phone. Apparantly his wife can't make it tonight so he has invited [mad:] Senator Adler. Can anything else possibly go wrong? Martin: Take a look at that. [points to floor] Frasier: Oh dear God. Is that blood on my floor? [walks along a trail:] And another drop. Frasier crosses to the powder room and opens the door. We see Niles sitting on the toilet holding a tissue back on his nose. Frasier: Niles! Scene Three - Frasier's Powder Room. The scene continues as Frasier enters the powder room and closes the door behind him. Frasier: Well? Niles: Is it terribly wrong to mislead someone even if it is for his or her own good? Frasier: What did you tell Daphne? Niles: I made up a story that Joe seduces all the women he works for so she wouldn't go out with him. Frasier: [angry yet calm:] Oh Niles, how could you be so selfish? Niles: I didn't do it for me, I did it for her. She deserves a doctor, or a lawyer - someone for whom a T-shirt is an undergarment. Frasier: God, I don't know what sort of twisted fantasy you've concocted about you and Daphne. I suppose it involves a comet hitting the earth and you and she having to rebuild the species! But trust me, Niles, it is not going to happen. She needs a man who can do more for her than just smell her hair. [opens door and calls:] Daphne! Niles: What are you going to do? Frasier: You are going to fix this? Niles: What am I going to tell her? Frasier: Tell her the truth. Only the truth shall make you clot. Daphne: [enters:] Yes Dr. Crane? Frasier: Yes Daphne, er, Niles has something he wishes to discuss with you. Frasier exits and closes the door behind him. Daphne: What is it Dr. Crane? [points at tie:] Oh look, you have a spot on your tie. Niles explains to Daphne whilst she mops up the blood that has fallen to his tie. Niles: Well, earlier, what I said about Joe - I made a mistake. He doesn't sleep around, he hasn't wrecked any homes, and the business about Mimsie Stanshope... Bruce: [enters:] Oh sorry, is there a john around here to air out my paddle? Niles: You can use the master bedroom. [to Daphne:] Joe never worked for Mimsie Stanshoe.. Bruce: He sure didn't. I do all the work at Mimsie's. She is one tough lady to satisfy. Daphne: It's you? Bruce: I'm the only guy that can make her happy, everyone knows that. Jeez. [exits] Daphne: [realising:] So, that was the mistake you heard. Those stories you heard weren't about Joe, they were about Bruce? Niles: Hard to believe isn't it. But you know, when society women go slumming they go all the way! So, you can tell Joe that you've changed your mind about going out with him. Daphne: Oh no, I couldn't. What would I say? Niles: Just tell him the truth. Tell him that I heard stories that he... [nose starts bleeding:] No, bad idea! Here. You, [cleans toilet seat with tissue:] wait here. Daphne sits down as Niles exits. Scene Four - Frasier's Apartment. Niles walks over to Joe calling him. Niles: Joe. Joe: Yep. Niles: [goes over to him] You have to ask Daphne out again. Joe: Are you nuts? You heard what she said. Niles: Yes, but if you ask her again; she'll say yes. Joe: Hey maybe, I've changed my mind. Niles: Oh, no, you haven't changed your mind. You're just letting masculine vanity and hurt feelings keep you from something that other men can only dream of in their ox blood seatus leather wing back chair with the lights off. Joe: Look, Dr. Crane, I just don't think it'll work out - okay? Niles: No, it's not okay. If you had ever smelt her hair you'd know she's worth at least one more try. She is an angel and she is a goddess and she's waiting for you in the bathroom! Joe: [knocks on powder room door] You got a minute? Niles watches as Daphne and Joe disappear to the bathroom. Scene Five - Frasier's Apartment. Later that evening Frasier enters from the bathroom with bits of blood stuck tissue paper on his face from where he caught himself shaving. He goes over to the table where Martin and Niles are sitting. The phone sounds. Frasier: I'm never going to make it. Daphne, would you please get that? [she does] Martin: Jeez, I though you were jusat going to slit your wrists. It looks like you went for death by a thousand cuts. Frasier: I cut myself because I was shaving without water. And why was there no water? Because I had to move your chair, which gouged the floor, which made me call for Joe, who found bad pipes, who called for Cecil, who ate the cat that killed the rat that lived in the house that Frasier built! Daphne: [to Frasier RE: phone call] That was the doorman. Senator Adler's limosine just pulled up. Frasier: Oh, it's over, it's over. Sing, fat lady sing. Niles: Frasier, what are we going to do? Martin: Will you gimme your cash both of you, come on! Hurry up? Frasier: Why? Martin: Never mind why just hand it to me. Come on, be quick Niles. Niles: [takes money out of wallet:] Oh all right, do you want all seven hundred dollars? Martin: You carry seven hundred dollars in your wallet? Niles: Well, Maris asked me to stop by the drug store later. Martin: Just hand it over. [shouts to workmen:] Okay guys. I've got seven hundred and some odd dollars here. If you can get everything cleared up before Frasier's buddies get here it's yours to split any way you want on your way out. Frasier: Bribery? That's your big plan? However, it does actually work as furniture is replaced quickly and dust sheets are zapped away. Frasier: Oh my God, it's starting to work. Hey, here's another hundred I was holding out on my old man. Martin: Hey! [takes it] Daphne: Dr. Crane. Niles: Yes? Daphne: Joe told me what you did. I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. Thank you. [kisses Niles on cheek and jumps back] Oh. Niles: Did you feel that? We made a spark. Daphne: Oh yes we did. I guess you were right, it is just the carpet! Joe: [shouting:] Okay everybody, come on. Move it, move it, move it. We're out of here. Joe picks up the seven hundred dollars as everyone except Frasier, Niles, Martin, Daphne and Joe hurry out. The room is restored as Joe asks Daphne: Joe: Are you ready? Daphne: [to rest:] Good night. Frasier: Goodnight Daphne, have a good time. Joe and Daphne exit. The room is now in perfection and is seemlessly rid of workmen and any sign of them. Frasier is ecstatic. Frasier: Oh, my God, we did, we actually did it. [Martin begins to exit] Oh dad, please don't leave, I'd like you to stay. I mean you helped me to get this put together tonight. Martin: Oh well thanks Fras'. That makes me feel good. Not good enough to hang around that "bleeding heart softy on crime" Senator Adler but good. [calls:] Come on Eddie, the politicians are coming! Martin exits to his room as Eddie quickly follows him. The doorbell goes and the brothers are excited. Frasier answers the door. The camera goes for a P.O.V from the guests who recieve Frasier's welcome: Frasier: Senator Adler, Mayor. Welcome to my humble abode. Bruce: [pulling up crotch area:] Do you mind if I have a pee in the can? Frasier smiles at his guests covering up for Bruce as we fade out. End Of Act Two. (Time: 21:00) Credits: Scene One - Frasier's Apartment. Frasier and Niles are bringing Martin's chair back into the lounge again. They are upstage at the same point they dropped it before. Niles asks to put it down but he's obviously under strict order not too. He then crashes against the central pole of the lounge and drops the chair before eventually falling on the couch with a hurt back. Frasier then kicks the chair in disgust.

Legal Stuff

 This episode capsule is copyright 1999 by Nick Hartley. This episode
 summary remains property of Frasier, Copyright of Paramount
 Productions and NBC. Printed without permission. 

 1