Drumline

Quotes: « Dr. Lee: What was that? Why do we rehearse? Why… do we rehearse? You're out there showboating for five minutes. If I wasn't able to signal a drum major to back you up, you'd still be out there beating your damn drum! » « Sean: Dr. Lee, sir, maybe there's an explanation. Devon… » « Dr. Lee: Do I look like I need you to explain anything right now? » « Sean: No, sir. » « Dr. Lee: I don't know what the beef is, but you better grill it up and eat it. Because it is my a** that is on the line. » « President Wagner: Now that is a new beginning. That's exactly what I'm talking about. » [shakes Devon's hand] « President Wagner: Great job, son. You are something. You are something special. » « Devon: Thank you, sir. » « President Wagner: Great job, all of you. Now let's see Morris Brown top that! » [band cheers] « President Wagner: Some alumni wanna speak with you. There they are. Don't keep them waiting. New beginning! NEW BEGINNING! » « Dr. Lee: Sean, I want you to polish the drums tonight. And I'd better be able to see myself in the surface. » « Sean: Yes sir. » « Devon: I left the polisher on the bottom shelf. » « Sean: You're the best, Devon! But when we're on the field, nobody hears you! They hear the band. » « Dr. Lee: You lied in your application, you lied at the audition where you play the required piece, and you lied to me. » « Devon: I didn't think it was that big a deal. » « Dr. Lee: [hands some sheet music to Devon] Play that. » [sits down] « Dr. Lee: That's the music for next week's game and you can't read it. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a very big deal. » [compiles some paper and puts it back in his drawer] « Dr. Lee: I'm enrolling you in an applied percussion course. » « Devon: But that gives me five classes! » « Dr. Lee: Damn right it gives you five classes, it oughta be ten. Especially if you plan on getting back on the line anytime soon. » « Devon: What do you mean, "get back on the line"? » « Dr. Lee: I mean now, you're a P4. If you cannot read music, you cannot be on my field. » « Devon: But you can't take me off the line, I'm the best drummer you've got! And can't no class teach me how to do me? » « Dr. Lee: Excuse me? » « Devon: Doing me is what got me down here in the first place. » « Dr. Lee: No, lying… is what got you down here. And if you don't have the honor and discipline to learn your craft, then quite frankly Devon, you don't deserve to be here. »