Dean: Who's next?
Cory: Uh... Renita.
Dean: She's cute.
Cory: Yeah. [clears throat] [on the phone with a nasal voice] Hello. Can you tell me what kind of tree fits in your hand?
Renita: [laughing] Is this Cory? You're so funny.
Cory: [normal voice] Yeah, you know, I'm just making these prank calls with Dean.
Renita: Who?
Cory: You know, Dean Williams. He got that big ol' afro and he wear the glasses.
Renita: In seventh grade?
Cory: Yes, he's in our grade.

Adult Dean: Dang! But thankfully there was someplace where I was the man. People talk about the dog-eat-dog world of school sports, but let me tell you, the band room is survival of the fittest, just like on the African savanna. Everyone is gun for the alpha male, the top dog... the first chair.
[footage of a lion roaring and birds fleeing]
Adult Dean: But no one would dare challenge me. That was, until today.
Mr. Mason: What is it, Craig?
Craig: Um, I'd like to challenge Dean for first chair.
Adult Dean: Oh, this white boy can't be serious.
Mr. Mason: Sure, Craig, that is your right as second chair. But, of course, we need to offer Dean one week to prepare for the challenge. Dean?
Craig: Oh, no, I don't need it. I'm ready now. Unless, of course, Craig needs the time.
[cut to Craig playing saxophone:]
Adult Dean: Craig did not need more time.

Adult Dean: Whenever I saw my dad's shadow outside my bedroom door, I knew I needed to play perfectly. If I made a mistake, he'd come inside, and that meant another hour of practice without a break. It was like Black Groundhog's Day.
Bill: Now, I know you can play better than that.
Dean: What do you mean? I hit every note.
Bill: You sounded like you were sitting wrong.
Adult Dean: Sitting wrong?
Bill: Here, let me see. [sighs] [plays saxophone]
Adult Dean: It's as if Jesus came back as a saxophone.

Kim: Get out.
Dean: Why do you get to relax and do whatever you want while I have to sit and practice all night? It's not fair.
Kim: Hold on a second. Why do you think I really play the cello? [Dean scoffs] 'Cause Dad can't play anything with a bow. You're the dummy that wanted to be like him, and now you're paying the price. [back on the phone] Girl, it was nothing. I thought I heard a dog outside. Mm-hmm.

Adult Dean: After practicing for what felt like the entire night, I was finally ready to return to my rightful place as first chair. Craig won't know what hit him.
Mr. Mason: What is it, Teddy?
Teddy: I'd like to challenge Dean for second chair, please.
Adult Dean: What the...? Uh-oh. There was blood in the water, and everybody in the savanna knew it.
[footage of a lion whimpering]

Adult Dean: Being bumped to fourth chair was the worst thing that ever happened to me in here. Band Room Dean was so humiliated that Gym Class Dean felt sorry for him.

Adult Dean: Back then, grown folks always made kids come out and say hi to anybody that came over.
Julian: Why ain't we rehearsing at the studio? Put it against the tour money.
Bill: Just 'cause we're making more money doesn't mean we need to spend more money.
Washboard: Dean, don't you think your daddy would look good in one of these?
Bill: Washboard, I told you, the car I have drives fine.
Washboard: [scoffs] Fine for Montgomery. Not "go on tour" fine.
Bum: That's the same thing he tried to convince me about my wife. [laughter]

Washboard: You coming, little man? Wouldn't be the same down there without you watching us jam.
Dean: I-I can't. My dad's making me practice more. I, um, lost first chair in band.
Washboard: Well, he's kinda right. You won't get good without practice, practice, and more practice.
Dean: Is that how you got so good at the piano?
Washboard: Nah. Music always came real easy to me. Just took to it. Sorry. But, hey, don't feel bad. Nothing wrong with second chair.
Dean: Fourth.
Washboard: What?!
Dean: Yeah, uh, today, I got bumped to fourth chair, and I haven't told my dad yet.
Washboard: [sighs] Damn! I'm going to miss you, Dean. Sorry, again. But you know something? Your old man might just surprise you. I bet he'll actually respect you for being honest about what happened. And trust me on this... Your dad ain't all that scary.
Bill: [o.s.] Washboard, get down here!
Dean: Mm. [groans] Coming!

Adult Dean: Washboard was right. It was time for me to talk to my father, man to man. After all, musicians understand these things.
Bill: I do not understand. That has never happened to anyone I've ever known. Fourth chair? You might as well play from the parking lot!
Dean: I wasn't expecting so many challenges. I choked.
Bill: I'm disappointed in you, Dean.
Adult Dean: Those were the words I dreaded the most. I'd rather he just spank me.
Bill: If you're choking at school, how ever are you gonna play in front of all those people at the Fair? I do not want to hear any more excuses. Tomorrow, after school, you come straight to my office so we can go through this piece, note by note.
Dean: But tomorrow's Fair Day. I'm supposed to meet my friends.
Bill: Well, you can forget about that. The concert's the next day. Is riding a bunch of dumb rides gonna help you play a packed house?
Lillian: Bill.
Bill: All right, just have your narrow behind in my office by 4:00.

Dean: I do got to meet my dad at his office pretty soon.
Brad: Can't you skip practice... Just this once?
Cory: No, he definitely needs to practice. I mean, I played better than him, and I'm terrible, right?
Keisa: But I'm too scared to ride by myself. Won't you ride with me?
Adult Dean: My dad was gonna kill me, but at least I'd have a smile on my face in my coffin.