Everyday life with Niles and CC

Smoke gets in your eyes!

It's a new day in New York. CC Babcock is on her way to the Sheffield residence. She's pretty stressed out and is rubbing her tired eyes. This new musical is getting on her nerves. When she finally arrives, it takes an eternity until Niles opens the door for her.

“Finally, Niles! That took an endless long time again. Did you get lost on the way to the door?”
“Remember, this house as a respective size and why don’t you finally get your own key from Mr. Sheffield instead of constantly shooing me to the door?!”
“Dear Niles! I don’t want to put you out of work. In the end you will be fired because your services are no longer needed anymore.”
Niles snorts in derision. But he still notices that CC looks pretty tense.
"You seem a little irritable. Did you sleep poorly? Is it a full moon again?" CC just shoots a venomous look towards and doesn't even bother to respond to his comment. Instead, she comments with a sarcastic undertone.
“You know, this new musical is taking up all my energy. But what do you know about it? As if you know anything about really hard work.”
Niles' mouth twitches dangerously. CC is already on her way to the office when he stops her with a triumphant grin.

“Oh, by the way. I'm supposed to tell you that Mr. Sheffield is out of the house all afternoon and he doesn't know when he'll be at home.”
“Where is Maxwell again?”
“He accompanies Miss Fine and Brighton to Fran's grandmother's retirement home. Miss Fine wants to teach Brighton a lesson.”
"And why on earth does Maxwell have to join them? Is he afraid that Miss Fine might come back without his son? I'm telling you, that woman is totally useless."
"I say the opposite. I think Miss Fine is doing an excellent job. Mr. Sheffield was probably just curious to see what this lesson is like."

“What has…” CC thinks hard. “Well, the boy…”
“You mean Brighton?!” Niles helps her out.
“Right! What has Brighton done now?”
“He received a note from his principal because he was caught smoking.”
“No, that’s terrible!”
"Oh, you think so?" Niles asks her, irritated.
“Of course. Smoking is such a bad habit. For one thing, it ruins your skin and makes you look a lot older.”
“You must know!”
“And then all the health risks. It can damage the heart and cause all kinds of diseases. Smoking reduces life time enormously!”
“You don’t say! Would you like a Cigarette?”
“Thank you, very thoughtful!” CC absentmindedly reaches for the cigarette that Niles holds out to her.
"You need fire?"

Later Maxwell, Brighton and Fran come home. Niles comes towards them curiously.
“And how did it go?”
Brighton immediately disappears upstairs to his room without saying any word. He still looks like he's in shock. Fran, on the other hand, mentions with a broad laugh.
“Well, Niles! I say I don’t have to feel guilty about cashing my paycheck this week.”
Humming cheerfull she makes her way to the kitchen. Niles turns to his boss.
“So that means Miss Fine’s method was successful?”
“Oh yes definitely! Brighton learned his lesson and so did I! Never speak out the word 'babka' when you are surrounded by a bunch of crazy old people!”
Niles doesn't understand the sense of this comment.

While Maxwell disappears into the office, Niles goes to the kitchen and prepares tea for Mr. Sheffield. Fran tells him in all detail about her lesson. Niles reacts amused and regrets not having been there. Just before Fran disappears upstairs, she turns to him again.
“Oh, by the way, Niles, I promised that you would bake two large babkas and sent them to the nursing home, if possible, as soon as possible.”
“Excuse me? I must have misheard!”
“I'm sorry, but that was the only way to get Mr. Sheffield, Brighton and me out of there alive.” Niles stares after her as if she had completely lost her mind.

Meanwhile, in the office. CC and Maxwell listen to tapes of various composers together to find a suitable one for their musical. Maxwell, however, is entirely somewhere else with his thoughts. Niles enters the room. He notices his boss's dreamy look. He glances at CC with mock pity.
“Oh, did Mr. Sheffield fall asleep again before you could make your move?”
CC's lip protrudes dangerously. Meanwhile, Maxwell awakens from his thoughts. He reaches for the cup of tea that Niles is holding out to him.

"You know, Niles, I find it amazing what Miss Fine has accomplished already in such a short time. Brighton seems to really like her. I never thought that one day I would find a nanny who could really get along with him."
“Please, Maxwell!” CC interjects. “Do you seriously think your son likes Miss Fine because she's such an excellent nanny?! Your son is a man and Miss Fine seems to have something about her that drives all men crazy. No matter whether they're ten years old or, like Niles, hundred.” He counters back.
“It's a wonder Miss Fine's charm hasn't rubbed off on you, Mr. Babcock."
"Oh, very funny Niles! Let me tell you, a woman like me is still a lot more masculine than you ever will be! I mean, look at me! I run a business and what are you doing? Cooking, washing and cleaning like a devoted housewife!" She laughs.
“Listen! Being a butler is a recognized profession that goes back to a long tradition. My great-grandfather, my grandfather and my father were all butlers.”
“That doesn't surprise me and one day your son and maybe your grandson will be butlers too. No wait, that can't be! No woman could be crazy enough as to bring a child into this world with you.”

Before Niles can give her the appropriate answer, Max ends their battle.
"Enough! Niles, would you let me and Miss Babcock get back to work and CC, maybe you would be so kind to focus on our musical again."
Niles and CC exchange final glances that say: This isn't over. Maxwell sighs and wonders if things will ever be different between those two.