2 broke girls and the reality check

Present

PRESENT

Dr. Frasier Crane

"Frasier, I'm not sure if this patient is presenting so much of challenge for you, as it is a cry out for help perhaps?"

"A cry out for what Niles?" Frasier retorts, swerving aggresively in front on a red, Dodge Charger, "Why on God's green Earth, is Uptown traffic so congested at 8pm on a Wednesday night!"

Frasier presses down harder on the gas pedal and swerves again, this avoiding a crash with a Hummer stretch Limosine by only the paint of his car. The limosine driver lays on his horn, and when Frasier looks into his rear view, he can see the driver holding up a not so friendly sign for him to see. The rational, professional, part of Doctor Frasier Crane (M.D. is Psychology, PhD in Psychiatry- with a focus on Freudian theory) feels bad for his curt behavior and impatient demeanor. This isn't like him. To be rude, to swerve and to cut people off. But the panicked side of Frasier ensures him that he is justified in his current behavior, so he simply flicks the bird right back at the limosine driver.

"Can't you see I'm having an emergency you idiot!"

"Calm down Frasier. There's no need to get so upset, I don't need you going out and geting yourself hurt," Niles replies in a much milder tone. Frasier knows that Niles is aggravated with him- probably has been for weeks now. Ever since Frasier first began confiding in Niles about his client Deke. Who, for confidentiality purposes, Frasier refers to as Dee when conversing with Niles.

"My God, I'm sorry Niles but I this is an emergency. I have to make it down to that diner before Deke gets there. It's a matter of life or death!"

"But Frasier, if you feel that there is a chance that Dee could kill his wife soon, why not get the police involved?"

"You of all people should know the answer to that Niles," Frasier said resentfully.

It was true though, Niles did know the answer. He knew the stigma that psychologists faced when they leaked out information to the police about their clients. As psychologists, that had a commitment to uphold the privacy of their clients. It was of the utmost importance being that, by the very nature of the job, people would come in and share their inner-most secrets and feelings. So, yes, Niles did know why his brother had chosent not to go to the police thus far. But he asked anyways because he needed to find a way to calm Frasier down. And maybe by reminding Frasier that there were professionals, who were trained to handle maniacs like Dee, he would calm down and not put himself and others at risk of a deadly car accident.

"You're right Frasier, I do understand. But I just want you to take into consideration, what if you're wrong about what Dee meant in the voicemail? What if this is all some big misunderstanding and you're rushing to Brooklyn for no reason? I mean, it wouldn't be the first time."

"No Niles. I'm not wrong. I don't think I'm wrong. Dee said that he was going to end it all. He's been very depressed lately. And I remember him saying before that if he ever ended his life, he was taking his wife out with him. I just can't run that risk. I need to talk to her and make sure she is okay... God, why is she not answering her phone!"

"I'm sure she's okay."

"Thanks for nothing Niles". Frasier really didn't mean to take his frustration out of his younger brother. It was a classic case of displacement if he ever saw one but how could he be expected to handle things properly at a time like this. "Niles... Niles, I'm sorry. It's just this situation is uh..."

"You don't even have to explain it to me Frasier. I understand. I'm going to continue to call the number for the diner and see if everything is okay. I'll call you back if I hear something."

"Thanks Niles. Sincerely. I owe you one".

"Don't worry about it Frasier," Niles said and hung up the phone.

Twenty minutes later Frasier sat in stand still traffic on the FDR drive in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He had been calling the diner and the dessert bar every five minutes and he still hadn't heard from Max. Neither had Niles called him and updated him about anything. Frasier wondered if Niles had really tried to call in the first place. He figured that if he hadn't, he couldn't be made it him. Frasier had been increasingly, putting Niles in tougher and tougher positions since the beginning of this mess.

Frasier just didn't understand. How could a man so seemingly kind as Deke was be plagued with so many disturbing thoughts and ideas. Frasier had been a practicing psychiatrist for many years now, but the human mind still never failed to amaze him. Here Deke was, a man that was utterly blessed in so many areas: born into a wealthy family, a renowed pastry chef, with handsome looks, and a hot wife. And this same man still had the nerve, week after week, to come into Frasier's cramped office and complain of the horrible hand that he had been dealt. So many times Frasier had wanted to forego all of his professional training and slap some sense into Deke. To tell him that his life wasn't as bad as he wanted it to be. To tell him that he was faking his victimhood. And that there were many others out there who would be happy to have half of what he had. But yet Frasier sat there, in his ornately embroidered Kathy Kuo seating chair, and doodled pictures of plants and airplanes while Deke droned on and on about the unfortunate situation that was his life.

It was only about a month prior though that Frasier had become truly concerned. He was used to Deke's narcissism. Comfortable with it even. Had made himself comfortable with the idea that Deke was comfortable with his own narcissism and was never going to change. And, thus, Frasier only had to sit there and collect a paycheck because Deke would continue to come back so long as he had a willing ear with which to share his exploits. But then, there was the rabbit's foot. Deke had brought it to one of their Thursday evening sessions and Frasier had known something terribly wrong was amiss.

The way that Deke had rubbed the small foot, soft as feathers, across his face as he talked sent shivers down Frasier's spine. But he had held his composure and tried to probe Deke for more information. Why, out of nowhere, had Deke brought this rabbit's foot to their meeting? Where did he get it from? And, why was he rubbing it over his body as he was? With each answer, Frasier became more and more afraid for his safety. Even now, sitting in the cool comfort of his Mercedes SLX, his body began to perspire.

"Incoming call from Brother. Niles. Crane", the car's technology system began to say. Frasier was immediatly jolted out his train of thought. He hesitated before pushing the talk button on the touch screen embedded in the car's console.

"Hello. Niles?" Frasier said, hoping that his younger brother could set his mind at ease.

"Frasier... Frasier. I think you may need to pull over," Niles replied, and Frasier knew that his wish was not going to be granted.