Prodigy

This is a transcript of the film, included for screen readers and the visually impaired.

Narrator: Two roads. Hanging over the Mississippi.

Gotta take you in and outta New Orleans.

Been there long. Since it was the old New Orleans.

Right there. That was our bitchin' ride.

Company car was part of my old man's perk package.

And that's me. Back when I didn't have a hairbrush.

And there's Isiah Sr., my daddy.

To a boy's eyes - a captain of industry.

Isiah Sr: Come on. No, take it.

Narrator: After work every night, father and son would hit the executive gym for a workout.

Isiah Sr: He's looking. He's looking at the basket! Throw it up there!

Narrator: And then it was a commute to the 'burbs.

Neighborhood included: 'round the clock security. On-site pharmacy.

Isiah Sr: Come on Isiah.

Narrator: And architectural homes built for the most discerning of customers.

And there's my father's father- Reginald Tividell Goodwin.

After my mother passed, he took over the kitchen. Whether my stomach liked it or not.

Isiah Jr: What day is it?

Reginald: Eh?

Isiah Jr: What day is it?

Just a Wednesday, like any other Wednesday.

Or maybe not. What have we here?

Happy Birthday, Is! Hehe.

Isiah Jr: What is it?!

It's a gift from God.

Hombre played every night at Preservation Hall.

Wow.

One day you're going to play at Carnegie Hall with it.

[strained notes]

[strained notes]

Remember, method on those higher notes.

Narrator: And that's how it was.

Day in.

Day out.

Drill- after drill.

After drill.

Two generations.

[trumpet playing]

Trying their damnedestÖ

just to hope thing may be a little different- for the third.

[basketball announcer calling game]

My old man- he called me a prodigy.

[trumpet playing]

His old man didn't disagree for once.

[jazz band playing]

Pass that salad.

Hey look man, this is the way it went. I grew up on a bridge between two far off islands.

Pass the salad.

Their only common ground seemed to be-

Your future.

That's what we care about at Baylor University.

Look, you're a great athlete. I know you're going to get a lot of other offers.

But we think Baylor is a special institution. And we think our athletic scholarship-

At Duke-

To be the most comprehensive in the country.

Our department is unlike any other program out there.

Completely different from the rest.

Now, I have to say, we take great pride in the fact that we are 100% unique.

I think you'll find we're the best, simply put.

Well let me spell it out for you, son: You're not going to find any other program out there like ours.

You don't say.

Do youÖ uhh. Do you have a music program?

A what?

Nevermind that.

Continue.

We're the Big Ten, son. The Boilmakers.

And I think you'd be asset to our team.

What do you say, gentlemen? Can we sign him up today?

[jazz music playing]

Is this what you want? My life- cleaning up after other people.

Is it Isiah?

All those scouts will be at States tomorrow to watch you play.

You.

Please son,

put this out of your head.

When your father was your age

he had a thing for Pam Grier.

[chuckle] He thought he was real clever

hiding her pin-up in a shoebox in his closet.

Well, he wasn't clever.

And he still isn't.

Announcer: The state championship where the Owls are taking on the undefeated Bullets.

We're just seconds away from tip-off and let me tell you-

Narrator: Look, I get there's a real smart choice to make.

Isiah! You in here?!

Announcer: Wait a minute, there's been a change in the Owls lineup.

I guess I also understand there's real dumb one, too.

Announcer: Where the heck is this kid?

Excuse me. Are you with the Music Conservatory?

Yes.

Hey, I'm Isiah Goodwin and I'm here for the auditions.

Are you referring to the auditions that took place 2 hours ago?

Please sir, let me audition. My team went to the state finals. A lot of stuff happened, but I'm here now-

Young man- if you can't even be on time for the auditionÖ

Please sir, please just allow me to audition.

Please! It will take one minute of your time.

[trumpet playing]