All language subtitles for UN JOKE

[instrumental music]

♪ Fair Eastside
by Thy side we'll stand ♪

♪ And always
praise Thy name ♪

♪ And ever lend our hearts
and hands ♪

♪ To help increase Thy fame ♪

♪ The honor
of old Eastside High ♪

♪ Brings forth our loyalty ♪

♪ So cheer
for dear old Eastside High ♪

♪ Lead on to victory ♪♪

(Joe)
'As the tension mounts
throughout the free world.'

'The ladies have jumped off
to a surprising'

'fifteen to nothing lead
over the boys.'

Now, next question,
bonus question for 20 points.

What is the origin
of our civil rights?

[ding]

The magna carta.

No, Tom, no.

- Ellen, take it.
- English common law.

English common law,
20 point bonus.

The boys lose 10 points
for ringing the bell

without knowing the answer.
It's a ten point loss.

Alright, the magna carta it was
a document guaranteeing rights

but the rights of whom?
Uh, Stacey.

- The aristocracy.
- The aristocracy.

Ten point bonus for the girls.

The aristocracy
vis-a-vis the king.

The people, the people got
their
rights from the common well.

The common well. Hence..
Come on, come on, who knows?

- I know.
- Uh, Anthony.

- Common wealth?
- Common wealth.

Ten point bonus for the boys.

Alright, that's good,
but, guys, watch out.

The girls have a 45-0 lead over
you. You're not doing too well.

Okay, next two.
Come on. Let's go, quickly.

Alright. Here we go.
Bonus question for ten points.

Define the word, "Imbrue."

Aha. I'll spell it for you.

I-M-B-R-U-E.
Imbrue.

[knock on door]

Mr. Clark, could your class

do without you
for a minute or two?

Surely. Kids,
take your seats. Quickly.

'Come on. Quickly.'

Take out your pencils.
Write this down.

Imbrue, to taint, to stain.

The cancer of racism

imbrues our national character.

It stains the spirit

taints the soul.

It is a blot

a shameful, greasy spot

on the fabric
of our national conscience.

Imbrue

to taint, to stain.

30 words tomorrow. Test.

[indistinct chatter]

What's the matter?

They're holding a meeting

of the union executive board.

- Without us?
- They didn't tell me,
either.

Frank, I told you, I told you
we couldn't trust them.

- Keep it down.
- Keep it down?

Those no-good bastards
sell us out

out of a union we got started?

Betray us like
a bunch of Judases?

Well, then I got to crucify me.

No, sir, no. I got
the hammer and the nails.

I'm not gonna be
anybody's
martyr, Frank. Nobody's.

- Okay. You..
- Now, don't contradict me,
man.

I am sick
and tired of weasels

and spineless
gutless jellyfish!

Okay, okay, save it
for the meeting.

Why, man? I got plenty.

I'm the Rockefeller
of outrage.

What the hell are
you people doing?

- We're having a meeting here.
- You're selling us out, Lott.

Joe, nobody's selling you--

We cannot have
an effective voice
here.

Now, say in
our own curriculum

be anything but impotent
if we're gonna sell out

every time they threaten us.

Now, if you're gonna talk
about this, call me in.

We have to stick together!

What we have to do
is pay our bills.

You want to carry picket signs,
get your picture in the paper.

Well, we just want to work.

We are tired of the agitation.

The-the posturing of crazy--

Posturing? How the hell can you
talk about posturing, Lott?

When you're all
the time bent
over

kissing posteriors
down at the school
board?

Who the hell do you think
you're talkin' to?

You want to step outside?
Come on, come on.

If you had any nerve at all,
you'd be fightin' on my side.

(male #1)
'Mr. Clark, I'm afraid
that's a moot point.'

Now, we just found out
ourselves
that the board of education

has decided to grant us
our salary increments

if we agree
to accept their condition

'that you be transferred
to school six..'

...and we agreed.

God bless you, man.

Pay your bills.

- Joe?
- They can go to hell.

Come on, Joe.

This place deserves
exactly what it gets.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

♪ Welcome to the jungle ♪

♪ We got fun and games ♪

♪ We got everything you want
honey we know the names ♪

♪ We are the people
that can find ♪

♪ Whatever you may need ♪

♪ If you've got
the money honey ♪

♪ We got your disease
in the jungle ♪

♪ Welcome to the jungle ♪

♪ Want to bring you to your
shun
na-na-na-na knees knees ♪

♪ I want to watch you bleed ♪

♪ Welcome to the jungle ♪

♪ We take it day by day ♪

♪ And if you want it
you're gonna bleed ♪

♪ But this
is the price you pay ♪

[indistinct yelling]

[screaming]

It's alright.
Shh. It's alright.

It's alright.
It's alright.

What are you doing?
Go back to your class.

[screaming]
Leave me alone!

♪ Welcome to the jungle
it gets worse here every day ♪

♪ Learn to live like an animal ♪

♪ In the jungle where we play ♪

♪ You got to remember
what you see ♪

♪ You'll take it eventually ♪

♪ You can have
anything you want ♪

♪ But you better not
take it from me ♪

♪ In the jungle
welcome to the jungle ♪

♪ Want to bring you to your
na-na-na-na knees knees ♪

What's up, Brian?

♪ I'm gonna watch you bleed ♪

[music continues]

♪ When you're high you never ♪

♪ Ever want to come down ♪

♪ So down so down ♪

♪ So down ♪

♪ Yeah oh ♪

[music continues]

Yo! Yo! Where's my money?

I said where's my money?

Where's my money?

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Stop it, stop it, stop it.

[grunting]

[clamoring]

♪ In the jungle,
welcome to the jungle ♪

♪ Want to bring you to your
na-na-na-na knees knees ♪

♪ In the jungle
welcome to the jungle ♪

♪ Want to bring you to your
it's gonna bring you down ♪

♪ Huh ♪

Hey,
why you fightin' us, man.

[indistinct]

- Get in the locker.
- Come on, man.

You're messin' up
my books, man.

- I'm gonna tell--
- Markus, what are you doing?

Come on let's go.

- Let him out.
- What are you sayin'?
He'sfine.

He lives in there. He likes it.

[rattling]

Somebody!

Somebody, help!
Somebody, help!

[indistinct yelling]

(Sams)
'Help somebody, please.'

'Help!'

'Somebody help!'

'Please, let me out!'

'Let me out, please! Help!'

'Somebody let me out!'

'I can't breathe!'

[banging]

'Somebody let me out, please!'

'I can't breathe.
Somebody help me, please!'

'I can't breathe!
Somebody open up the door!'

'Open the door, please!
Somebody let me out!'

I don't believe it.
I just don't goddamn believe
it.

I-I've got
an election coming up

and you hit me with this now?

Well, sir, the state report
came in from Trenton just now.

And we.. Well, actually,
they ranked the schools

and we were last in the state.

Oh, that's a crock.

They can't just
take
my schools away.

Sir, uh, you're quite right.

That's what I thought.

But, well, no, see, now,
actually, they can.

You see, the house passed
a bill last week.

Seventy-five percent
of high school students

must pass the minimum
basic skills test

or the state takes control
by the end of the school
year.

Well, how many passed last year?

About 38%.

Thirty-eight percent?

What in God's name
are they doing

down there at Eastside?

They were
your appointees, Don.

Eh, now, wait a minute.
Don't try to pin all this on
me.

You're the
superintendent
of schools, remember?

Now, look, I'm not
goin' down the
tubes

just because those
kids
can't pass some test.

It's a can of worms, Don.

The only person
who would take this job

is someone with nothing
to lose and then

the question becomes
what do we want with him?

I'm sitting here
racking my brain trying--

You're sitting there
settin' me up, Frank.

Look, I know you like a book.

No, wait a minute.

No!

No, no, no, no,
no.
Not that nut. No!

No way!

He's the only guy
I can think of.

Oh, Lord, help us.

Shift.. Derrick, Derrick,
Derrick, slow down, now.

- I am, Mr. Clark.
- Atta boy.

- Slow down!
- Bye, Mr. Clark.

- Bye, bye, baby.
- Bye, Mr. Clark.

- So long, kids.
- Hey, Joe.

Am I in some kind of trouble?
You gotta bring your lawyer?

- Nah!
- Rosenberg.

Hey, Joe. Hot for October.

- Oh, you're telling me.
- How's it goin' over here?

Okay. Same old, same old.
What brings you down here?

We just came from
the mayor's office.

Seems they need a new principal
at Eastside High.

Gotta get those test scores up.

He specifically thought of you.

Sure.

Okay. I thought of you.

All this time
I've been stuck down here

and you come
and ask me now, Frank?

I'm not a miracle worker, Joe.

Hello, Dr. Napier. I just
saw
your wife the other day.

Mr. Clark, before you go,
the girls still need that
room.

They've got their baking class.

And you know, we continue
to find chewing gum

under the desks.

I will make an announcement
in the morning

Mrs. Hamilton.
Will that satisfy you?

Mrs. Hamilton,
you know Mr. Rosenberg

the school board attorney.

Oh, yes. How are you,
Mr. Rosenberg?

Excuse us, Mrs. Hamilton.

Dr. Napier wants
to inspect our new
sandbox.

Our sandbox? Oh, well,
I didn't mean to interrupt.

It's-it's good
to see you, Dr. Napier.

Yes, yes.

Uh, Joe, I want you to forget

about what happened before.

This is a chance for us
to make some changes

stop blowin' smoke up
each other's butts

go in and see if we can turn
this thing around.

You mean nobody else wants
the job?

Well, nobody I'd want.

Well, you add my name
to the list.

You know what?
You're bullshit.

Frank, you're bullshit.

Don't talk to me
about savin' those kids.

The mayor wants
to save his budget

and you want
to save your ass.

Well, so what?

You want the truth, Joe?

Yeah, Frank.
Let's have some truth.

The truth is that
for all your talkin'

and all your
crazy Joe
routine

what have you ever done?
Nothing!

You're nothing
but an insignificant
man!

It's like
you were never
born.

Your life hasn't
made one bit of
difference

and neither has mine.

Want to take
that
to the grave?

[instrumental music]

We want to, uh, welcome
Mr. Clark to Eastside.

'We've heard
so much about you.'

A-and to tell you what we have
done in anticipation

of your arrival, uh,
uh, Ms. Levias

your other vice principal,
and I have appointed

an executive committee
to oversee certain areas

where we have noted
a need for improvement.

Uh, Mr. Zirella for example--

You may sit down,
Mr. O'Malley.

You think you can
run this school?

If you could, then I
wouldn't
be here, would I?

No one talks in my meetings.

No one!

You take out your
pencils and write.

I want the names
of every hoodlum

drug dealer, and miscreant

who's done nothing
but take this place apart

on my desk by noon today.

- Reverend Slappy.
- 'Yes, sir.'

You are now the chief
custodian,
Reverend Slappy.

You will scour
this building clean.

Graffiti goes up, it's off
the next day. Is that clear?

Yes, sir.
The very next
day.

Detention students
can help you.

Let them scrub
this place for a while.

And tear down those cages
in the cafeteria.

You treat them like animals

that's exactly
how they'll behave.

This is my new dean
of security

Mr. William Wright.

He will be my avenging angel

as you teachers
reclaim the halls.

This is an institution of
learning, ladies and
gentlemen.

If you can't control it,
how can you teach?

Discipline is not the enemy
of enthusiasm.

- Mr. Zirella.
- Yes, sir?

Mr. Zirella, you are now
my new head football
coach.

Mr. Darnell.
Stand up, Mr.
Darnell.

Mr. Darnell will
be
your assistant.

You know why you're being
demoted, Mr. Darnell?

Because I'm sick and
tired
of our football team

getting pushed all over
the field. Thank you. Sit
down.

I want precision.
I want a weight program.

And if you don't like it,
Mr. Darnell, you can quit.

'Same goes for the rest of ya.'

You've tried it your way
for years.

And your students
can't even get past

a minimum basic skills test.

That means they can hardly read!

They've given me
less than one year

one school year
to turn this place around.

To get those test scores up

so the state
will not take us over

to perform the task
which you have failed to do.

To educate our children!

Forget about the way
it used to be.

This is not a damn democracy.

We are in a state
of emergency

and my word is law!

There's only one boss
in this place

and that's me, the H-N-I-C.

Are there any questions?

Mr. Wright.

The H-N-I-C?

The Head Nigger In Charge.

Everybody, right up here,
right here.

Check this out.

[beatboxing]

♪ When I want the mic ♪

George, Brian, Sams?
They want you onstage.

Let's go. Right now.

- Mrs. Santos, what about us?
- What about us?

What about you?
What about me, huh?

Sit down.
I said sit
down.

- What do they want us for?
- I don't know. Go. Go.

What you got
to do around here

to get picked
for somethin'?

- Maria, sit down.
- You dirtbag!

♪ Get down ♪

♪ Get down ♪

♪ Some guys are lame
they want my fame ♪

♪ I got a girl with juice ♪

♪ Her name is Deluce
check it out ♪

Hey, check it out,
look at Chita, Holmes.

Hey, man.
Let her check me out,
man.

What's wrong with you, man? What
are you afraid of the girlies?

Go flash some cash, boy.

You want some?
I'll give you some.

Go buy her some stupid gold.

Man, step off, man.

Ah, you're a chump.

[indistinct chatter]

[clamoring]

- Is this normal?
- I'm afraid it is.

Is everybody
on the list up on the stage?

Yes, sir, I-I gave their names

to all the homeroom teachers.

♪ All the ladies in the house ♪

♪ Ladies with the crabs ♪

♪ Let me hear you say yeah ♪

♪ Who's got the crabs ♪

- Mr. Clark!
- Oh, hello.

Don't you remember me?
Kaneesha.

Kaneesha,
how are you, baby?

- Hey, you know him?
- Yeah.

- Oh, we go way back.
- Fifth grade.

Yeah. How are things going?

- Well, okay.
- Just okay?

Listen, you have any problems

I mean any problems,
you come and see me.

I'm in my office every morning
at 6 o'clock, okay?

Okay. Good to see ya.

He was my elementary
school principal.

[clamoring]

Alright, people.
Settle down now.

You people, get down
off the seats.

Settle down.

Settle down, boys and girls.
Settle down.

May I have your attention?

Quiet!

Quiet down. Take your seats.

You people, sit down! Sit down!

Quiet down.

I am your new principal.

My name is Joe Clark.

I want you to be quiet!

I want you to listen!

From here out, there will be
no smoking in this school!

All of you who are smoking,

put out your cigarettes
on the soles of your shoes.

Put the butts
in your pockets. Now!

You, there. You.

Put out your cigarette.

I'm going to ask
the people onstage

to open with our school song.

Mr. Roland.

(male #2)
'Do you believe this guy?'

Suck my dick!

Yo! You sing the song.
You sing it.

[indistinct chatter]

(Joe)
'Alright. That's enough,
Mr. Roland. That's enough.'

I want all of you
to take a good look

at these people
on the risers behind me.

These people have been here
up to five years

and done absolutely nothing.

These people are
drug dealers and drug users.

They have taken up space.

They have disrupted this school.

They have harassed
your teachers

and they have
intimidated you.

Well, times are about to change.

You will not be bothered
in Joe Clark's school.

- Yeah!
- Shh!

These people are incorrigible

and since none of them
could graduate anyway

you are all expurgated.

[indistinct chatter]

You are dismissed.

You are out of here forever.

- I wish you well.
- Oh, shit.

Mr. Wright.

[clamoring]

I don't need your school.

I'm goin' in the air force, man.

Know what I'm sayin'?

[indistinct]

You know what I'm sayin'?

I told you, man.

You ain't nobody.
You ain't nobody, man.

I'm gonna get you, man.
You ain't nobody, money.

[indistinct chatter]

Next time it may be you.

If you do no better
than they did

next time it will be you.

They said this school was dead

'like the cemetery
it's built on'

but we call our Eastside teams
Ghosts, don't we?

And what are ghosts?

Ghosts are spirits
that rise from the dead.

I want you to be my ghosts.

You are going to lead
our resurrection

'by defying the expectation'

that all of us
are doomed to failure.

My motto is simple.

If you do not succeed in life

I don't want you
to blame your parents.

'I don't want you
to blame the white man.'

I want you
to blame yourselves.

The responsibility is yours!

In two weeks,
we have a practice exam

and the minimum basic
skills test on April 13th.

That's a 110 school days
from now.

But it's not just about
those test scores.

If you do not have
these basic skills

you will find yourselves
locked out

'locked out
of that American dream'

that you see
advertised on TV

that they tell you
is so easy to get.

You are here for one reason

one reason only

to learn

to work for what you want.

The alternative
is to waste your time

and to fall into the trap

of crime, drugs, and death.

Does everyone understand that?

Do all of you understand me?

Then welcome
to the new Eastside High.

Mr. Clark don't play.

What happened this mornin'
is an outrage.

My boy's no criminal.

He and those
children
belong in school

not back out
on the street.

- 'You're a fascist, Clark!'
- Our kids don't deserve
this!

Some of those
children
are smart.

They're just discouraged about

what chances
they got out
there.

What kind of jobs
they got waitin' for
them.

Now, what kind
of chance do they
have?

He insulted the
black
football coach.

- Oh, sit down!
- The man's gone crazy.

He's declared war
on his own people.

May I remind you Ms. Barrett

that Mr. Clark
was nice enough

to come to this
emergency meeting.

- After a very trying day.
- That's what he gets paid
for.

I think we owe him
a chance to respond.

[cheering and booing]

They say, "One bad apple
spoils the bunch."

(male #3)
'My son ain't no bad apple!'

Well, what about 300?

Rotten to the core.

Now, you're right, Mrs. Barrett.

'This is a war.'

It's a war to save
2700 other students

most of whom don't have
the basic skills

to pass the state exam.

Now, if you want
to help us, fine.

Sit down with your kids
and make 'em study at night.

Go get your families
off welfare.

How dare you talk to these
people about welfare!

Give our
children
some pride.

Let 'em get
their
priorities
straight.

When Dr. Napier came
to me offering this job

I saw the lightning flash.

- 'Alright!'
- I heard the thunder roll.

I felt breakers crashing,
swamping my soul.

We are not in church,
Mr. Clark!

I fell down on my knees

and I cried, "My God!

Why has Thou forsaken me?"

Tell 'em about it.

And the Lord said, "Joe..

...you're no damn good."

No, no. I mean this

more than you realize.

"You're no earthly good at all

"unless you take
this opportunity

and do whatever you have to."

And he didn't say,
"Joe, be polite."

Do whatever you have to
to transform

and transmogrify this school
into a special place

where the hearts
and souls and minds

of the young can rise

where they can grow tall
and blossom

out from under the shadows
of the past

where the minds
of the young are set free.

That's right!

And I gave my word to God.

And that's why
I threw those bastards out.

And that's all I'm going to say.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

Mr. Clark, I wanted
to talk to you

about those kids
you threw out yesterday.

Well, what about them?

Well, I was one of 'em

but you made
some kinda mistake.

- Mistake?
- Yes, sir.

What's your name, son?

Sams. Thomas Sams.

Thomas Sams. Thomas Sams.

- You're a freshman?
- Yes, sir.

Cutting class
and smoking crack, Mr.
Sams.

There's no mistake.

No, sir. It wasn't me, sir.

I swear it wasn't.

- It wasn't you, huh?
- No.

Do you think
I'm stupid,
son?

No, sir.

Yes, you do.

You're tryin' to
con
a con man.

You're not even
learning
anything

on the streets, are you?

You come with me.

What are you
doin'?
What's up here?

Now, let me
tell you something.

The trouble
with being a teenager

is you don't know nothin'.

The problem with teenagers is
you think you're smarter

than people
who've already been down

the road you're travelin'.

You know what I'm tryin'
to say to you, boy?

- Do you?
- Yes, sir.

Did you tell your father
I threw you out of school?

- Look at me, damn it!
- No, sir.

Why not? No guts, huh?

Afraid of what he's gonna say
to you, aren't ya?

My father doesn't live
with us anymore, sir.

Oh, is that
what you're doin', now?

Goin' around feeling sorry

for yourself, boy, huh?

Go on, get outta here!
You're wastin' my time!

Please let me back, sir.

[sobbing]
I have to get back at
school.

I can't go home
and tell my mama

I got kicked outta school.

Now, why should I let you
back into my school, Sams?

[sobbing]
'Cause I'm gonna
do better, sir.

How?

- By doin' my work.
- What else?

And stayin' out of trouble.

What have you been thinkin'
about all this time?

Why should I believe you now?

Because I changed my ways.

I don't believe you, Sams.

I don't think you've changed
a thing. Go on, jump!

- No. I don't wanna jump.
- Yes, you do!

You smoke crack, don't you?

You smoke crack,
don't you?

Look at me, boy!
Don't you smoke crack?

Y-y-yes, sir.

You know what
that does to ya, huh?

No, sir.

It kills your brain cells, son.

It kills your brain cells.

Now, when you're destroying
your brain cells

you're doing the same thing
as killing yourself

you're just doing it slower!

Now, as to if you want
to kill yourself

don't fuck around with it,
go on and do it expeditiously!

Now, go on and jump! Jump.

No. I don't
want
to kill myself,
sir.

You're quite sure
about this, are ya?

Yes, sir.

Alright, Sams,
I'll tell you what I'm gonna
do.

I'm gonna go back on my own word
just this once

and let you back into
my school

'cause you're still a baby,
and you don't know shit.

But you understand this, boy.

You're not gonna get
a moment's rest.

I'm gonna be on your case
every minute.

You mess up just once

and you're outta here.

Now, you understand me?

Do you understand me?

Yes, sir.

[siren wailing in distance]

Now, go on back downstairs.

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

Alright, people.
Let's settle down in here.

Now, settle down. Quiet down.

Let those who are trying
to eat their lunch digest.

Robert, boy, get outta
here, you had lunch

at fourth period. Go on.

If Mr. O'Malley didn't
do anything

Mr. Clark
isn't gonna do anything.

Louisa, you're lookin'
mighty good today.

Gonna have to tell
these boys to watch out.

You kids
having any problems?

Yeah. I mean, she is.

- Tell him.
- Louisa?

Well, Mr. Clark, why do
I have to take Home Ec?

I wanna take auto shop.

I have brothers and sisters.
My mother works.

I have been cooking
for 11 years.

Does it look
like I don't cook?

I want you to take this
to Mr. O'Malley.

You know how much
auto mechanics make?

Seventeen dollars an hour.

(male #4)
'That girl right there,
man.'

[indistinct chatter]

Yo, sweetheart. Right here.
I got hunger pains, baby.

You could be my lunch.
Just come on over. Ah! Ah!

Boy, get off this table!
Sit down.

- Get your hormones together!
- No hormones.

This ain't no hormones.
She's fly, man. She's a fox.

Didn't I just see you downstairs
with your arms around Clarisse?

- Clarisse?
- Clarisse.

You honked out
with that
skeezer?

No, no, no, no, no. I
never..
Check it out.

Check it out, check it out.
It was only one time.

- One time.
- Chill out, man!

- Richard, Richard.
- Yes, sir.

Listen, for your first job
as class president

I want to build us an atrium.

You come and track me down
tomorrow

and we'll talk about it, okay?

Alright, don't worry
about it, Mr. Clark.

- Hey, hi, Mr. Clark. What's
up?
- Hey, how you doin', brother?

Good to see you. Alright.
Oh, you? Hey!

- Yes, Mr. Clark?
- What's your name, son?

- Kid Ray. How you doin'?
- Kid Ray, huh? Nice suit.

Hey, just like
you,
Mr. Clark.

Gotta look the part.
Gotta have the juice.

Ha! These kids
don't
understand that.

- Hey! What are you--
- Sams!

Put it back! Put it back!

How many times have
I told you, boy? Put that
down.

Put something in your
head
and not on it.

Pull your pants up!

Show some kind of dignity!

Have some sense!

What's he doin' hangin' out
with
you boys. You're all seniors?

You're providing
a deleterious influence here.

Uh, Mr. Clark, he's my cousin.

We was just goin' over music.

Music, huh?

Come here.

Let me have your attention.
Everyone quiet down!

I want all radios off
instantaneously.

All radios off.

I want all of you
to look at this..

...slovenly, sloppy boy here..

[all laughing]

...as an example
of how not to dress.

'Now, if you look like this'

'when you look in your mirrors
in the morning'

find something else to put on.

Self-respect permeates
every aspect of your lives.

If you don't have it
for yourselves

you're not gonna get it
from anywhere.

Now, to prove their self-respect

Mr. Sams and his friends here.
You boys stand up.

- Shit, man.
- I'm gonna pound him.

Mr. Sams and his friends
are going to sing

our school song.

I want absolute silence.

No one is permitted to move

during the singing
of the school song.

Alright. Let's hear it.

♪ Fair Eastside by the road ♪

Mr. Darnell, no one is
permitted
to move during

the singing of the song!

I was picking up
a piece of trash.

Report to my office!
Immediately!

- Woo!
- Quiet! Quiet in here!

[laughing]

Alright. Continue.

♪ So cheer for.. ♪

You boys are on detention.
Three days each.

You will learn this song
or next time

you'll be suspended.

This goes for everybody!

You will sing
the school song upon demand

or you will suffer
dire consequences!

Mr. Wright, take this riffraff
to my office.

♪ Hit the road Jack
and don't you come back ♪

♪ No more no more
no more no more ♪

♪ Hit the road Jack ♪

♪ And don't you
come back no more ♪

♪ What you say? ♪

♪ O o glorious ♪

♪ Is Thy name ♪

♪ O mighty Lord ♪

♪ Glorious is Thy name ♪

People, what are you..
Can I help you, Mr. Clark?

Yes, you may, Mrs. Elliott.

I want everyone in Eastside
High
to learn the school song

and to sing it on
demand
or be suspended.

- Now, can you see to that?
- Yes. Certainly, Mr. Clark.

Alright, everyone from the top--

Mrs. Elliott, may I see
you
in the hall, please?

- Now?
- Yes, now!

Mrs. Powers, will you please see

if you can get
these people
together?

Mm-hmm.

If you sing like that
in New York

we will not be invited back.

Mrs. Elliot, I don't like
being ignored like that.

I'm sorry, Mr. Clark, if you
weren't getting enough
attention

but I'm trying
to train a
chorus.

And you don't think the school
song is important enough

to warrant a little
interruption, is that right?

The school song is fine,
but we were doing Mozart.

I was right in the
middle
of a difficult part.

If you would like us
to respect your work

you could try
to appreciate
ours.

Who do you think
you're talkin' to?

A man who seems to be threatened
when any other adult

in this school does
something
that the children like.

Mrs. Powers, I want it
quiet
in here right now!

I would love
to chat, Mr.
Clark

but I have a concert
next week in New York

and I would like to be prepared.

- What?
- Prepared.

You do know
what that
means.

It means capable,
ready,
and up to your job.

- What concert, Mrs. Elliot?
- The one at Lincoln Center.

- We do it every year.
- Until now.

Your concert is canceled.

- What?
- Cancelled!

You do know what canceled
means, don't you, Ms.
Elliot?

Over, finished, terminated!

Why? These children
have worked too hard!

For not telling
me
for one thing.

Oh, I filed a form
in your office! Why don't
you--

And for rank insubordination!

You've questioned my judgment

my competence, my intelligence!

You're the one who comes
around here to bother me.

You're a bully, a despicable
man! I've nothing to say to
you.

Alright. Let's accommodate
that,
Mrs. Elliot. You're fired!

- You need a psychiatrist!
- Get out! Right now!

Fine! Fine. Fired? Fired.
You will hear from my lawyer!

[phone ringing]

- Mr. Clark.
- Ms. Levias.

These miscreants don't know
the school song.

They've got
three days detention.

Mr. Darnell, into my office.

Okay, fellas, come on up.

Mr. Clark,
just what was that all about?

I distinctly said no one move

during the singing
of the school song.

Now, if you
can't
understand that

find yourself another
place
to work.

I was picking up
a piece of paper!

You contradicted me
in front of my
students!

They're my students too!

They are my
students,
Mr. Darnell!

Just what are you tryin'
to prove?

I'm workin'
my ass off for you.

Took the demotion.
I'm doing my job!

Now, you're just
getting your rocks
off

by treating me like trash.

No, sir. That's what
you were picking up.

Goddamn it!

You give me the goddamn respect

you would damn well want
yourself

or I will kick
your black ass!

You are suspended,
sir, as of right
now!

Get out!

Ah!

[door slams]

- Oh, my God!
- What is going on?

Mr. Darnell is suspended,
indefinitely.

You don't have the power
to suspend a teacher!

Then I can recommend.
Ms. Ruiz, get me the forms.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Clark, please.

Mr. Darnell is more
than just a football coach.

- He teaches English!
- Not anymore.

But the state practice test
is tomorrow.

Do you have to do this now?

- Ms. Levias, if I said--
- Mr. Clark?

What do you want? What?

Uh-uh, it could wait.

Mr. Clark,
do you have any idea

of the chaos you have
caused around here?

Nobody knows what you're doing!

That's exactly
the way I like it!

♪ Never made first period
for one year straight ♪

♪ Forget a diploma
it's education I hate ♪

♪ I feel like grabbin' my
books
and just drapin' it ♪

♪ Cause the way I'm feelin'
I ain't makin' it ♪

♪ I ain't makin' it ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ School's a place
I don't really want to be in
♪

♪ The day I quit
that's it I'm leavin ♪

♪ When people tell me
about gettin' grades up ♪

♪ My reply
am I gettin' paid or what? ♪

♪ Right in the mornin'
my alarm awakes me ♪

♪ My moms won't
she's a witch she hates me ♪

♪ Failin' all my classes
I don't give a damn ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ Success I ain't makin' it ♪

Stay to your right.

You know where your classes are,
now, get to them.

Alright, people, come on, now.

We got 20 seconds to the bell.
Let's go.

Sams. Sams? Come here.

- Where you going?
- Lunch.

- Huh?
- Lunch.

Alright, now, listen
try
to eat some
vegetables

for a change, okay?
Lay off those
muffins.

Alright, I'll see you later,
Mr. Clark.

Alright, now, don't bunch up
down there, people.

That doesn't concern you, now.

We'll tell you about it later.

[bell ringing]

Alright, Richard.
It's all yours.

We have two groups
we'd like to thank today.

The Black and Hispanic
alumni groups

for giving us
the sofas and the armchairs.

It kind of makes the school
seem, as Mr. Clark would say

a home away from home.

- We'd also like to thank--
- Having fun?

As a matter of fact I am.

The fact of the matter is
I haven't heard a word

about those test scores.

They'll send them
as they've processed--

Send them how,
by Pony Express?

Am I supposed
to wait for them?

Why don't you get yourself
down to Trenton

where they're probably
rotting on some desk.

Bring them back here
where they can do some good.

...the town, but didn't live
quite long enough to regret
it.

But now, ladies and gentlemen,
for the grand finale

Ms. Levias, if you would..

Our very own
Passaic River Falls.

[applauding]

Good job.
You're doin' very well, son.

- I'm very proud of you.
- 'Mr. Clark!'

Mr. Clark, come
to the cafeteria quick!

Some guy
beatin' up Kid Ray!

[instrumental music]

Hey, stop it! Stop it!

Come on, old man.
I been waitin' for this.

Come on. Come on.

[all gasping]

Get this disgrace
to his race out of
here!

You already threw
this disgrace out once.

Then what's he doing
back,
Mr. Wright?

Someone musta let him in
from the inside.

[indistinct chatter]

I want every
door
in this school

chained and locked.

- All of 'em!
- Yes, sir.

[applauding]

[instrumental music]

Hi, Mr. Clark.

Oh, hi, kids.
How ya doin'?

- Hi.
- Fine.

Hi, Mr. Clark.
What's up?

Hi, Nathalee.

Kaneesha?

What's the matter, doll?

Kaneesha?

Now, I told you
if you have any
problems

you come and see me.

Come on, now. I've known
you
more than half your life.

What's the matter?

How are your grades?

- Hmm.
- They're not too good.

Well, why not?
You're a smart
girl.

You shouldn't
be having any
problems.

I don't have
no place to live.

Well, where's your mother?

She don't want me
no more.

Now, here.
Come with me. Come on.

I'll see
what I can do about this.

Come on.

Ms. Levias? You know
Kaneesha Carter here.

You go on into Ms. Ruiz.

- Is he alright?
- He'll survive.

Kaneesha here is havin'
a problem at home.

I want you to pull her file

talk to her,
and then get back to me.

Okay.
Come on, Kaneesha.

[instrumental music]

♪ Because it ♪

♪ Never made a difference ♪

♪ I never paid attention ♪

♪ To the sound ♪

♪ Of my own despair ♪

♪ There was ♪

♪ Never no feelin' ♪

♪ Never not needing that child ♪

♪ Even though ♪

♪ I couldn't always be there ♪

♪ And time don't wait on love ♪

♪ Now ♪

♪ Life don't wait ♪

♪ For a break in the weather ♪

♪ What if I'm left ♪

♪ With no love at all? ♪

♪ No love at all? ♪

[door knocking]

Who's there?

(Levias)
'Mrs. Carter?'

Mrs. Carter
doesn't live here.

(Kaneesha)
'Mama, it's me.'

(Levias)
'Mrs. Carter,
it's Joan Levias from
Eastside.'

'I'm here
with Mr. Clark.'

♪ 'Cause time
don't wait on love, ♪

♪ Now ♪

♪ And life don't send you ♪

♪ An invitation ♪

Been a long time,
Mrs. Carter.

Please.

Come in.

♪ No love at all ♪♪

I've been meaning to come by
and talk to you.

Mind if I try and act
civilized for a moment?

Offered you two a seat.

Mrs. Carter, I ran into
Kaneesha in the halls.

Talkin' about her grades.

'She says you don't want
her around anymore.'

I don't expect your sympathy,
but I ruined my life.

I know that's my business
to deal with that.

It's been hard enough.

(Joe)
'When Kaneesha
was in the fifth grade,'

you were one of my most
active parents.

You were always at
school
helping out. I don't--

We don't mean
to pry, Mrs. Carter

but...Kaneesha has a gift.

She has that spark
and we have to look after her.

Why would she think
you wouldn't want her?

I had Kaneesha when I was 15.

I didn't want no welfare
so I quit school

worked,
came home at night

didn't have no life.

So, when she was old enough
to take care of herself

so I thought
I ran out and got one. Facts.

Is that what
you're doing now?

I'm just now getting back
on my feet, you know?

As I get clean..

...I see myself
for what I am..

...and I hate it..

...and I don't want her
to see me like this no more.

So, when the people from
the foster home came by

I thought it was
the right thing to do.

Why would I want
to get rid of her?

I love her..

'...more than myself.'

Mrs. Carter..

...if we helped
you
find a job

a...better place to live..

Would that help?

Because,
frankly,
I don't see

Kaneesha makin'
it
without you.

Do you understand?

Yeah.

Good.

Thanks, Bob.
We'll talk
tomorrow.

- What was that all about?
- Chains on the doors.

Thought you people
didn't like chains.

You see this yet?

'You know, all of your shit
comes down on my head.'

Oh, Frank, look.
This is --

Let me talk.

It's like you're a big bird
with radar.

And I'm tired of getting hit.

Is this my fault?

This is nothing!

I've got union lawyers
threatening me.

- And there's talk of a
walkout.
- Well, let 'em!

They're not teachin'
anything down there
anyway!

Then it's your job
to do something about it!

Not one of 'em has
a personal stake in that
school!

Frank, not one!

The fire chief was just here

he says
it's illegal to bar those
doors.

Mrs. Barrett is organizing
a parents' group

to try to get you removed

since you insulted them
at that meeting the other
night

when you just suggested
that they get off welfare!

Oh, I didn't mean it.

Because the fact is
quite a few of them need it.

Look, I wasn't talking
to all of 'em, Frank.

Now, look, you came
and recruited me,
man.

You disappoint me, brother.

You disappoint me.

The disappointment here
is you!

- Me?
- Yes!

Look, you know who I am.
You've known me 30 years.

You knew what I would do?
You know how I operate--

Nigger, can you keep quiet?

The fact is
you're screwin' up!

You're alienating everybody!

Look at you,
you have no life.

Your wife left you. I ought to
walk out on you myself!

Well, go ahead,
bail the hell on
out!

But said I said
I'd back you up!

That's what you said,
Frank!
That's what you said.

Brother, I'll go
through the fire with you

but you are not
taking care of business.

This shit you're pulling now

you've just gone plain loco!

And you suspend Darnell!
What the hell was that?

Darnell is symptomatic
of the disciplinary--

He is a good, strong,
young black teacher!

So, he dumped that desk
right on top of your head.

Well, right on.
Good for him.

You will reinstate that man!
You hear?

And then you fire
Mrs. Elliott. Why?

'Cause she didn't want
to kiss your ass.

Well, I wouldn't either!
How 'bout that?

Mrs. Elliott
has an ego problem.

Yeah, well, you lost
the best teacher we had!

We couldn't get her back now
if we wanted to--

I don't have time
for
Mrs. Elliott's
problem!

Then you better make time!

We're being
crucified
by a process

that's turning blacks into a
permanent underclass here, Frank

a permanent underclass.

No, oh, see? Nobody wants
to talk about that!
Nobody.

Mrs. Elliott's
missionary zeal about
Mozart

has nothing to do
with our problem!
Nothin'!

What good is Mozart gonna do
to a bunch of children

who can't go
out
and get a job?

Joe..

...your personal battles
are gonna cost us the war.

Worry about the test scores.

What the hell you think
I'm worried about,
Frank!

End of discussion!
Debate is over!

You will write a formal apology.

- I will what?
- A formal apology.

For your treatment
of Mrs. Elliott and Darnell

and for your vicious
and thoughtless insult

to the women of this community!

You will kowtow,
you will step and fetch.

- Frank, if you think you--
- Get used to it!

It's the way of the world!

If you're so hot on discipline

then, goddammit
start by accepting mine

'cause contrary
to popular opinion

I am the head nigger
in charge!

Come on. Let's get
somethin' to eat.

You really think
you bad, don't
you?

You're all in violation
of the fire code!

And you cannot prevent me
from going into this
building.

Look, how many times
do I have to tell
you.

You're not getting
in,
and that's that.

You have no right
to lock these doors.

I have a duty to respect
this plant.

This is not a plant,
Chief Gaines. This is my
school.

If you wanna get in here
you'll apply for a pass

just like everyone else.
You and your TV friends
here.

- What the hell is the bat
for?
- Yeah?

They used to call me
crazy Joe.

Well, now they can call me
a batman.

I got thugs, drug dealers
and business of all kinds

trying to get into my school.

You might be one.
I don't know.

Are you crazy?
Are you nuts?

I got all day, Chief
Gaines.
How much time do you have?

I'll be back, Clark.
I'll be back!

[indistinct chatter]

Thanks, Mr. Darnell.
Good to have you back.

Mr. Clark, you shouldn't have
fired me in the first place.

Well, you're right,
but don't get used to
it.

Mr. Clark, why did you
lock the school?

Aren't you concerned
about your students' safety?

Get these people
back to their classes.

Yes sir. Alright, kids, please.

Come on honey, get back
to your class.

You're playing right
into his hands.

That was the fire chief.

You know what he's saying
right now?

"Black bastard
can't throw me out!"

Do you know
where he's saying it?

Out in the parking lot.

Mr. Clark, a baseball bat?

Is that the image
you wanna project?

If they'd got me
those emergency doors

that sound an alarm
when you open them up

like the ones
the white schools have

I wouldn't have to chain 'em.

Those doors cost a fortune.

We don't have enough
money for books.

Well, tell the mayor that!

Call the Federal Government
and tell me get me more money.

Never mind what I'm doing.

Why don't you do
what I ask you to do?

Where are those test scores
I asked you to get me?

'Hey, Mr. Clark.'

- Hi, kid. How you doing?
- Alright.

Where 've you been
the last couple of days?

- I was sick.
- Sick, huh?

- Hi Mr. Clark.
- Hi, Eric.

What was that
altercation about?

Alteration?
What, are my pants too
tight?

The fight you had
in the cafeteria.

Now, come on, son.
Don't get cute with me.

Mr. Clark, I've already had
enough shit from this. Okay?

Well, why did he come after you?

You dealing drugs in my school?

Mr. Clark, we don't
need
to get into this.

I just came here
to tell you
something.

I don't think I'm cut out for
this, you know, school and
all.

I just came
to say
goodbye.

Droppin' out on me, huh?

I'm not droppin' out.
I'm movin' on. I got--

You'll be dead in a year, son.

You hear what I'm sayin'?

You'll be dead in a year.

Mr. Clark, I gotta go.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

You know, baby, I look at you

and I want to do
the hootchie-cootchie.

Hootchie-cootchie,
that's what I'm doing, baby.

You know, sometime, baby..

Oh, come on, fellas.
Not again.

Come on.

Sams, freeze.

Where are you running off to?

And why don't you have
a book in your hand?

I got lunch and gym
and the teachers--

Why did I let
you
back in here?

To get an education, sir.

How you gonna get an education
if you don't read?

I read.

When do you get
your report
card?

Next week. Ms. James says
I'm gettin' a B.

- I knew you were smart.
- I know it, too, huh.

See you later, okay, Mr. Clark.

Nice tie.

Sams? Get back here.

Let's see what you got in here.

You don't wanna go
in there, Mr. Clark. It
stinks.

[indistinct chatter]

My, my, my.

Aren't you my little
songbirds
from the cafeteria?

Weren't they with you?

Who, these guys? Heh-heh.

Well, I'm sure you've learned
the school song by now.

You better know it

because this time
if you don't get it
right

you're suspended
for 10 days each.

Now, is that clear?

- Is that clear?
- Yes, sir.

Alright, then, the school song

let me hear it.

Alright, fellas,
let him hear it.

♪ Fair Eastside ♪

♪ Fair Eastsi-i-ide ♪

♪ Fair Eastside ♪

♪ By thy side ♪

♪ We'll stand ♪

♪ And always ♪

♪ Praise thy name ♪

♪ Praise thy name
praise thy name ♪

♪ To heaven yeah ♪

♪ Lend our hearts ♪

♪ And hands ♪

♪ To help increase ♪

♪ Thy fame ♪

♪ Ooh Lord ♪

♪ The honor yeah ♪

♪ Of old Eastside High ♪

♪ Calls forth ♪

♪ Our loyalty ♪

♪ Loyalty loyalty ♪

♪ So cheer.. ♪♪

Alright, alright!

Who taught you that?

Answer me!

I know
you didn't do it yourselves.

- Sams!
- What?

Who taught you this song?

Speak up!

Mrs. Powers.

Mrs. Powers, eh?

'Come with me. All of you.'

[sighs]

♪ Out this world ♪

♪ Gonna shoulder up
my cross ♪

♪ Gonna take it home
to my Jesus ♪

♪ Ain't that good news?

♪ I got a savior
in that kingdom ♪

♪ Ain't that good news?

♪ I got a savior
in that kingdom ♪

♪ Ain't that good news?

No, no, no, people.
Oh, no, no, no.

Now, you must remember

we need intonation

phonation, accuracy, and pitch!

Now, this is your note.

[piano music]

- Mrs. Powers.
- Yes, sir.

These hoodlums have told me
something I can't believe.

Are you the one who changed
the school song like that?

- Mrs. Powers--
- Let her answer.

Well, sir,
the children thought

the song was a bit boring.

Boring, huh?

Mrs. Powers, I have never heard
a school song like that.

And I certainly never
authorized
you to change it.

Did I?

Did I?

No, you didn't.

I want everyone in this
school
to learn that song

in English and Spanish.
Immediately.

Take a bow, Mrs. Powers.
You've rewritten our Alma
Mater.

[all cheering]

♪ The honor ♪

♪ Of old Eastside High ♪

♪ Brings forth
our loyalty ♪

♪ Loyalty loyalty ♪

♪ So cheer for dear ♪

♪ Old Eastside.. ♪

How's it going?

What you got in there, Malachi?

- My future.
- Alright.

♪ All aboard Eastside ♪

♪ All aboard all aboard ♪

♪ Yes Eastside ♪

♪ All aboard all aboard ♪

How's it going,
Mr. Darnell?

Good, good, good.
That's great.

♪ High ♪

♪ Ge-e-et ♪

Hi.

♪ Fellas? ♪

♪ On ♪

♪ That ♪

♪ Train ♪

♪ Train ♪

♪ Train ♪♪

Ms. Levias..

- Hi, Mr. Clark.
- Hi, kids.

I just heard something
you would not believe.

You would not believe.

- Uh, Mr. Clark,
- Mr. Clark.

Mr. O'Malley just brought
this
from Trenton.

The school's practice test.

I had to wait
all this time for this?

Next time I order you
to go get something

you better damn well
go get it yourself!

- Oh, no.
- Oh, my God.

[whistling]

Alright, gimme your
attention
up here, everyone.

Settle down.

First three rows
take 4 steps
forward.

Right now! Come on!

One, two, three, four.

Okay, that's good.
Turn around.

Hold it, Mr. O'Malley!

What's your excuse?

I, I had this big stack of
forms
I was filling out

I, I looked up,
I didn't know what time it
was.

Mr. Clark, what can you do?

This is a prime example
of the kind of

inefficiency and apathy

that is destroying
this school, people.

Mr. O'Malley, I can't believe
you as bad as you seem.

So, I'm going to give you a
chance to revitalize your
image.

I want you to set up
a student-peer tutoring
program.

Yes, sir.

We'll see if the students
can't help themselves.

Lord knows you teachers
aren't doing the job.

- Ms. Levias.
- Yes, sir.

I want remedial reading
on Saturdays.

Yes, Mr. Clark.

We'll have to ask
for volunteers at regular pay

because we can't afford
overtime.

- Mr. Clark.
- Yes, Mrs. Santos?

The problem isn't our pay.

What is the problem
as you see it, Mrs. Santos?

How to get the students
in on Saturday, sir.

You hear that, people?

Mrs. Santos asked
how do we get the students

in on Saturdays
for remedial reading?

Well, I'll tell you how.

We'll go to their homes.

We will talk to their folks.

If their folks can't read

they can come in too.

The only way
we're going to get anything
done

is to get everyone involved.

And that goes for all of you!

It's time to get involved.

Everyone in this section

put both your hands
above your heads.

Raise your hands!

Put 'em up!

You people represent
the 70 percent of our students

who just failed
the practice exam.

Seventy percent!

But that is not their failure.

'I don't blame them.'

The failure is yours.

That's right, yours.

How many hours do you spend
preparing your lesson plans?

How often do you stay
after school

to give those children,
the ones you know need it

the extra help
that they require?

Keep your hands up.

Now you are getting a hint

of the kind of hopelessness
and shame

that makes those
failing students

throw up their hands
at the thought of facing a
world

for which
you have not prepared them.

You are getting the merest
inkling of the despair

they feel when left to the
mercy
of the streets.

Keep your hands up high.

Now, look around
at yourselves.

Turn and look at yourselves!

Because you are failing
to educate them

this is the posture that many
of our students will wind up
in

only they'll be staring
down the barrel of a gun!

[instrumental music]

♪ Ooh yeah yeah ♪

♪ Ahh ha ha ♪

♪ If a man is born
in luxury ♪

♪ It proves to me
through history ♪

♪ He is somebody ♪

♪ If a man is born
in poverty ♪

♪ Privation and misery ♪

♪ He is nobody ♪

♪ Everybody is somebody ♪

♪ Nobody is nobody ♪

♪ I mean apart
from all the wealthy ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Everybody is somebody ♪

♪ Oh yeah ♪

♪ So look at me here man ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Oh yeah ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Poverty is what
what it takes ♪

♪ It makes such dangerous ♪

♪ Mistakes about who ♪

♪ Who is somebody ♪

♪ When a woman
has a child ♪

♪ Before that child
is born ♪

♪ She she is somebody ♪

♪ Everybody is somebody ♪

♪ Nobody is nobody ♪

♪ I mean apart from
all the wealthy ♪

♪ Doo doo doo doo doo ♪
♪ Everybody is somebody ♪

♪ Everybody is somebody ♪

♪ Yeah oh yeah ♪

♪ Everybody is somebody.. ♪

[indistinct singing]

[indistinct chanting]

Alright, you guys.
Forget it, forget it.

Alright, man.
Uh.. I got one. I got one.

Who's this?
Who's this?

Alright, people,
move to the right of the
halls.

Move expeditiously.
How you doin'?

Francesca, darling.
Come on over here.

How you doin'?
Good to see you.

- Fine, Mr. Clark.
- How's your sister doin'?

Oh, not so good, Mr. Clark.
I think she broke her leg.

She broke her leg?
That's good. That's good.
Yeah.

Listen, uh, you have any
problem
whatsoever

you come to my office.
You understand?

- I'm gonna give you the key.
- Ooh, your office?

Ooh, that ain't the key.

[kids laughing]

Sams, Sams. Where's Sams?
Anybody see Sams? Sams?

- Pull your pants up, son.
- Stop, stop, stop..

I tell you, put somethin'
in your..

Clarence, come here. Get your
hormones under control, boy.

Let, let me feel your butt.
Turn around.

Clarence.

Clarence, just what do you
think
you're doing?

I was just..

I was just, um..
Oh, I was..

Francesca, come here.

What is he doing?
Is that me?

Can he do me?
Does he have the
juice?

No way, Mr. Clark.

Clarence, you
report
to my office.

Yo, Mr. Clark,
I was just foolin' around.

Got ya.

[all laughing]

♪ How do you learn
the alphabet ♪

♪ Be on time.. ♪

Come on, Sams!
You can do it.

♪ He's on time ♪

♪ J-O-E C-L-A.. ♪

Don't give up!

♪ Fall in together ♪

♪ Going how do you like
the weather? ♪

♪ Going how do you
learn the alphabet? ♪

♪ Be on time ♪

♪ School bell ring
at a quarter to 9:00 ♪

(Joe)
That's it, Sams!

Stay with it, boy!
Don't give up, son.

Don't give up!

♪ How do you spell Eastside ♪

♪ Eastside High? ♪

♪ How do you spell Joe Clark? ♪

♪ He's on time ♪

♪ J-O-E C-L.. ♪

Oh, Holy cow!

I'm outta here.

Clark can't even get them
past that test.

Look, I thought
we'd settled this.

And now with the doors
chained over there

that school is a firetrap.

And your fire chief agrees.

Son of bitch
is laughin' at us,
Don.

Don, the man has
a legitimate problem.

How does he keep drug pushers
out of his school

if their buddies can
just push open the exit doors

and let 'em walk on in?

He's got a point, sir.

Rosenberg,
this doesn't concern you.

Look, Don. The county
needs some months.

We can both go to jail.

By statute,
we are legally
responsible.

If a fire broke out
and a kid got hurt..

Oh, Christ. They're going
to get trampled.

They're a bunch
of savages down there anyway.

- Savages?
- 'Let's get out of here.'

(Frank)
'Don, can't you
control your men?'

Uh, ladies and gentlemen,
I'm gonna have to ask all of
you

to please leave me alone now
with Mrs. Barrett.

Come on, Don. I want
to talk to you.

(Don)
'I'll call you later
at your office, okay?'

Thank you very much.
Thank you, Frank.

Close the door, eh?

I want to apologize for
the chief's use of language.

I don't like
none of you people.

Oh, well, then in that case
why don't we

cut right through
the formalities.

Eh, what do you want?

- Clark!
- Just like that, huh?

Head on a platter.

You think
I got an attitude.

Well, let me just tell you
what I think.

I know why you like Clark.

He's a guard dog

Does your dirty work,
keeps the black folk in
line.

That's fine, but you got
to get re-elected.

I got enough folks
lined up with me

to give you a damn hard time,
and I will get more.

I will organize,
I will beat the streets.

Unless I do what?

Appoint me
to the school board

so we can vote Clark out.

Otherwise we'll just have
to vote you out.

Vote me out.

You know it's always a
pleasure
to see citizens

avail themselves of
the democratic process.

My job's gonna be easy.

You're not too popular
these days, are you?

Alright, I'll sic
the fire chief on Clark.

- Will that satisfy you?
- Yes.

And then I'll get
the school board to dismiss
him.

And then you'll come out
publicly for me.

It'll be my pleasure,
Mr. Mayor.

[water gushing]

That Barrett
is a bitch on wheels, huh?

Smart. She's smart.

Yeah. She got your number.

When am I supposed to do this?

[grunts]

Now we'd just disrupt things.

Give him another week
to prepare for that test.

Then we'll catch him
with those chains on the
doors.

Heh-heh.

We nail him
and we make her happy.

Politics.

'What a business.'

Ah, it's just like
yours,
puttin' out fires.

[instrumental music]

The Mayor's gonna nail me, huh?

What do I always say, Bob?

He says he's got the hammer
and nails himself.

I believe it.

Rosenberg, these are some
of my white students.

Ah...Frankie, Bernard,
Steve.

Boys, this is Mr. Rosenberg,
school attorney.

I want to let him hear
the school song.

- Come on, Mr. Clark.
- Come on, now. Let me hear
it.

♪ Fair Eastside ♪
♪ Fair Eastside ♪

♪ By thy side ♪
♪ By thy side? ♪

♪ We'll stand ♪
♪ We'll stand ♪

♪ And always ♪

♪ Praise thy name ♪

Alright! Alright!
I can't stand this.

Needs work, fellas.
Needs work.

Some things
you just can't
teach.

Bad singing is not genetic.

- How's your mother comin'?
- Oh, she got that job.

- She's feelin' good.
- Good, good.

Why aren't you girls studying?
Lily, what are you doing?

The phone's broken.
My baby's sick.

- I gotta call my mother.
- Well, come with me.

You can make your call
from the guidance office.

When are you girls ever gonna
learn?

Mr. Clark, I ain't
ashamed about my baby.

You know what? Nobody's saying
you should be ashamed.

And she ain't ashamed of me.

Whenever she look up at
me,
Mr. Clark

she don't see no wrong.

Okay. Go on
and make your call.

- Mr. Vanzetti?
- Yes, sir.

Let these girls
make
a phone call.

- Hey, Mr. Clark.
- How you doin'?

Alright.

Now, we can't let them know
who told you.

- Why not?
- Why not?

Mr. Clark,
we got us a problem.

Alright, I'm listening.

How come you always
leave us out?

Everything's always
for the black kids.

- That's right. Everything.
- Yeah.

The gospel chorus is
for the blacks.

Football for the blacks.
Basketball, blacks.

Look at me, I'm short.
Can I play basketball?

No. The point is,
you're ignoring us

and we're getting really
ticked off.

You know,
with a mouth like yours

you ought to study law.

- Really?
- Really.

You kids wait for me in my
office. We'll talk about
this.

If you're gonna all
talk at me at one time

I'm not gonna be
able to do anything.

Markus, I know your problem.
Now, sit down.

I'll be with you ladies
in a minute.

Boss, I think you
and Mr. Rosenberg

better wait for me out here.

Now, Ms. Louise.
Ms. Lynn?

- 'Yes.'
- Give Markus a pass.

- Levias, is everyone here?
- Yes, sir.

- Everyone you asked for.
- Good. Sit down please.

Let me have your attention.

With the help of my
ubiquitous,
clandestine informants

I have learned that the mayor
has told the fire chief

to catch me with those chains
on the doors.

'They want to prosecute me and
get me the hell outta here!'

Now, the security guards are
our first line of defense.

If you see the fire chief
coming, stop him at the gates!

Get on your walkie-talkies,
call in code ten, got that?

- Code ten.
- Yes, sir.

We will repeat code ten
on the P.A. system.

All teachers and guards
have keys to the exit doors.

So, when you hear code ten,
you will proceed

expeditiously to your assigned
door and remove the chains.

- Is that understood? Good.
- Yes, sir.

Guards, resume your posts.
Ms. Levias, take over.

Louise, tell those kids in my
office they have to go back

to class. I'll meet 'em here
at seventh period.

- Yes, sir.
- How did it go?

I think we got it under control.

- Mr. Clark?
- Yes, Ms. Levias.

I have the progress
report
on the reading program.

- Good.
- We're running out of time.

I thought you might
like to hear it.

I would like to hear it,
Ms. Levias.

I would also like to hear
the kids in my office

and Mr. Rosenberg
and Dr. Napier.

But I can't be in ten
different
places at the same time.

Can I?

So, maybe my
vice principal can do

something without me
for once!

- Uh, Mr. Clark.
- Kids, seventh period.

I'll help you at seventh
period,
okay?

[exhales]

- Excuse me.
- Yeah.

Excuse me.

[instrumental music]

- Goodnight, Mr. Clark.
- Goodnight.

- Mr. Clark?
- Yes, Ms. Levias.

May I talk to you
for a minute,
please?

- What do you want?
- I want you to transfer me.

- To where?
- Out of here.

You know, this doesn't
surprise
me one bit, Ms. Levias.

I have sensed resistance in
you
since our very first meeting.

You're an egomaniacal windbag.

- Who you talkin' to?
- I'm talkin' to you!

You like to whip
people
who can't fight back.

I thought I could take it
because I had a father in
the

same kind of pain that makes you
such a bastard but I was wrong.

Life is much too short. I
will
not endure you any
longer!

You will not endure me?

The only reason
I haven't walked
out

and half the
staff
along with me

is because those
children
need us here.

You're so busy
talking
discipline

you forget to educate!

- Is that so?
- Yes, that's so.

Then what the hell
do you think

I've been doing here
all this time?

So you cleaned it up.

- That was the easy part.
- That's the easy part?

Those children
want to be
helped.

They have worked their
hearts
out for you, Joe.

Done everything we've asked and
believe what we've told them.

But I feel sorry for them.

They're not ready
to take that test.

What the hell
you talkin' about?

I have done everything.
Everything--

I, I! It is always I.

There are 300
teachers
on the faculty here.

You don't do it all alone.

I don't have to stay here and
listen to these accusations.

You will listen!

You will stand there
and you will listen!

Alright, Ms. Levias.
Alright, go ahead and talk.

For the past seven months
you've been flappin' your
mouth

and you haven't heard a thing.

You haven't even seen
what's painfully obvious.

- I'll tell you what I
do--
- No!

I'm talking now.
Let me finish!

Everybody here may not like you
as a person

'but we all applaud
your effort.'

But what you don't understand

is the same people
who support you

are the ones that
you're beating up!

You don't even take the
time
to say, "Thank you."

"Job well done." Nothing.

You just step in their
necks,
constantly abuse them--

Ms. Levias,
what do you want from me?

What the hell do you want?

I want you to
get this
straight.

Most of the teachers are
here
because they care

about those children out
there,
this school, this fight.

They're in it with
you.
They take it home

at night the same as you.

They are part of
those
children's lives.

You are thoughtless and cruel

and it hurts

and none of them deserve it.

They are sick of
it,
and so am I.

- Ms. Levias.
- What's this?

The transfer you asked for.

Alright, people. Here we are.

This is the day.

In one hour

you are going to take an exam
administered by the state

to test your basic skills

and the quality of education
at Eastside High.

And I want to tell you
what the people out there

are saying about you and what
they think about your chances.

They say you are inferior.

[indistinct chatter]

"You are just a bunch of niggers
and spics and poor white trash."

[all yelling]

"Education is wasted on you."

"You cannot learn!"

"You're lost!"

[clamoring]

I mean all of you.

I, I want all the white
students
to stand up.

All my white students,
stand up.

Right now. Stand up.
Come on.

All my white students,
stand up. Stand up.

That's it.
Come on, stand up.

These are my white children

'and they're the same
as all of you.'

They've got no place to go.

If they had they would've
abandoned us a long time ago

like everybody else did,
but they couldn't.

So, here they are
at Eastside High

just like the rest of us.

You can sit down.

Are you getting my point,
people?

Yes.

Is it beginning to sink in?

- Yes!
- Yes!

We sink, we swim

we rise, we fall.

we meet our fate together!

[applauding]

Now...it took the help

of a good, good friend

to make me know
and understand that.

And I do understand it,
and I'm grateful.

[applauding]

I'm eternally grateful.

[all cheering]

And now I've got a message
for those people out there

who've abandoned you
and written you off.

- Can you hear me?
- Yes!

- Can you hear me?
- Yes!

Good!

You are not inferior!

[all cheering]

Your grades may be.

Your school may have been

but you can turn that around

and make liars
out of those bastards

in exactly one hour

when you take that test
and pass it, and win!

[all cheering]

So, here's what I
want you to do.

When you find
your minds wandering

I want you to knuckle back down
and concentrate.

Concentrate!

'Remember what's at stake'

and show them what
Eastside High is all about..

...a spirit that will not die!

[all cheering]

[piano music]

♪ Sometimes in our lives ♪

♪ We all have pain ♪

♪ We all have sorrow ♪

♪ But if we are wise ♪

♪ We know that there's ♪

♪ Always tomorrow ♪

♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ When you're not strong ♪

♪ And I'll be your friend ♪

♪ I'll help you carry on ♪

♪ For it won't be long ♪

♪ Till I'm gonna need ♪

♪ Somebody to lean on ♪

♪ You just call on me brother ♪

♪ When you need a hand ♪

♪ We all need somebody
to lean on ♪

♪ I just might have a problem ♪

♪ That you'll understand ♪

♪ We all need somebody
to lean on ♪

♪ Why don't you lean on me? ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ You can lean on me ♪

♪ If you need a friend ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ You can lean on me ♪

♪ I'll be your friend ♪

♪ Lean on me
you can lean on me ♪

♪ Come on and lean on me ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ You can lean on me ♪

♪ Please won't you
swallow your pride ♪

♪ If I have things ♪

♪ You need to borrow ♪

♪ For no one can fill ♪

♪ Those of your needs ♪

♪ That you won't let go ♪

♪ Why don't you just lean on? ♪

♪ Anytime ♪
♪ Lean on ♪

♪ Come on and lean on ♪

♪ Lean on me
you can lean on me ♪

♪ If you need a friend ♪

♪ Lean on me
you can lean on me ♪

♪ And if you got a problem ♪

♪ Lean on me
you can lean on me ♪

♪ I'm your problem solver ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ You can lean on me ♪

♪ Why don't you lean? ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ Uh-huh ♪
♪ You can lean on me ♪

♪ Come on and lean on me ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ You can lean on me ♪

♪ Call on me brother ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ You can lean on me ♪
♪ Sister give me your hand ♪

♪ Lean on me
you can lean on me ♪

♪ You can you can you can ♪

♪ Lean on me
you can lean on me ♪

♪ Swallow up your pride ♪

♪ Lean on me
you can lean on ♪

♪ Please children people ♪

♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ Whoo ♪

[all cheering]

(all)
Eastside! Eastside! Eastside!
Eastside! Eastside! Eastside!

Eastside! Eastside! Eastside!
Eastside! Eastside! Eastside!

[instrumental music]

♪ Dum dum dum-dum-dum ♪

♪ Dum-dum-dum-dum ♪

♪ Dum-dum-dum dum-dum ♪

♪ Dum-dum d-d-d-dum ♪

♪ Sometime in our lives ♪

♪ We all have pain ♪

♪ We all have sorrow ♪
♪ Dum-dum-dum ♪

♪ But if we are wise ♪

♪ We know that there's
always tomorrow ♪♪

I told you these things
take time.

Don't tell me
these things take
time.

Just how long am I
supposed to wait?

Now, you boys are messing
with the wrong female.

I've been over
there,
he won't let me in.

- Oh, poor little boy.
- What?

Alright, what the hell's
goin' on here?

- Thank God.
- What?

- Would you talk to her?
- I thought we had made a
deal.

You don't have to broadcast it
all over town, do ya?

I have got a school board
meeting tonight

and enough votes
to get Clark kicked out

if I can show some proof
he's got chains on those
doors.

Now, we can still get that
if you move on him today.

Chief Gaines has
already tried
that.

Bullshit!
I've made promises of my own.

I've got people lined up
with me right now

and if I can't deliver
any better than you

my credibility is shot.

And I do not issue
idle threats.

Then don't, huh? Because
I don't want to hear it.

Okay, chief.

Now, Mrs. Barrett here
was
promised some action.

I think it's time
we get a court
order

and get you
past
those guards.

Sounds good to me.

(Lillian)
He ain't worth it.

[Kaneesha sobbing]

- He's a jerk.
- That's right. He's a
jerk.

I told you that.
You don't listen to me.

What are you two ladies
doing in here?

Lillian, aren't you supposed
to be in class?

Huh?

Kaneesha?

What's going on here?

Lillian, what is this?

You'll have to ask
her,
Mr. Clark.

Kaneesha, what's the matter?

I got pregnant.

Please don't be mad at me.

Lillian, let me talk to her
alone for a minute.

Did you tell your mother?

I can't.

Reggie's the father?

He says it's not his,
but I know it is

'cause I've never been
with no other boys.

I never meant
for this to happen.

You girls never do.

So many of you bringin'
babies into this world

just to prove
you can accomplish
something.

And you're doing
so well now,
Kaneesha.

Well, there are
other
alternatives.

I'm scared.
I don't know what to do.

It's alright, I'll
tell you
what we're going to
do.

We're gonna have your mother
come to the school.

Don't worry now. The three of
us
will put our heads together

and...I'm sure we'll be
able
to help you decide

what's best for you to do.

Alright?
Do you trust me?

- Alright, I'm gonna help
you.
- Mr. Clark!

Eight o'clock in the morning
I'll call your mother myself.

- What is it, Mr. Wright?
- The fire chief.

- Where is he?
- He got past the gate.

Code ten!
Code ten, this is Joe Clark!

Get those chains off the
door!
The enemy's here!

(man on radio)
'The doors are all gotten
locked, Mr. Clark.'

Mr. Clark,
you're under arrest.

For what?

Basically for being an asshole

but specifically for conspiracy

to violate the fire code.

I got no problem
with the fire code,
chief.

The only problem here is you.

And your problem is
your mouth.

(recorded message)
'Code ten! Code ten!'

'This is Joe Clark!'

'Get those chains off the
doors!'

'The enemy's here!'

(guard on speaker)
'Doors all gotten locked,
Mr. Clark.'

Cuff him!

Hey, Mr. Clark?
What did they get you for?

What's the charge?
What's this all about?

It's about someone finally
standing up to this man

instead of taking his orders
like a maid.

How dare you speak about
people like that!

- Mrs. Barrett, you think
you--
- Shut up! You're finished!

The school board is gonna
hear this at 7 o'clock

and we are gonna vote
your black ass out.

- Yo, bitch, vote on this!
- Sams, you go to class!

Ms. Levias, you're acting
principal now.

I expect you to perform
as I would.

What, what's goin' on?
What's happening, Mr. Clark?

Mr. Clark, what
happened?
What did you do?

I chained the doors.

Now, you break the law,
you pay the price.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, yo, Mr. Clark,
we still got to go to class?

Yes, you have to go to..
All of you, get back to
class!

Now!

- 'Mr. Clark--'
- Go on!

Who's gonna look after
the school, Mr. Clark?

Go on!
Get back into class!

'I mean it now.'

Get back in there,
all of ya! Go on!

Ms. Levias, they're
your responsibility!

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

(Frank)
'I guess we ought to be
getting out of here, Joe.'

'That school board meeting's
about to begin.'

Do whatever we can.

Have you thought about
a new line of work?

Perhaps an exciting career
in electronics?

It's just a little joke.

I'm going.

I've got no complaints, Joe.

As far as I'm concerned

what you accomplished
down at that school

was a goddamn miracle.

Those kids have a
light
in their eyes now

that was never,
never there
before.

Thanks, boss.

You know, I'm always
tryin' to teach my kids

to stay outta jail.

Look at me.

You go on.
Do what you gotta do.

He has failed
at his professional task.

We brought him in
to save our school

from a takeover from the state.

That was the mandate
from our mayor.

But the test scores
on the practice exam

were 35 percent below passing.

Now, maybe if we dump him now

and get a new principal
ourselves

show the state that
we are doing something

'we can pre-empt the takeover,
but only if we get him out'

'before those final test
scores
come back.'

After that,
it'll be too late.

This board won't have any power.

It'll be nothing
but a rubber stamp.

[indistinct chatter]

Mrs. Arthur,
those are the facts.

Now, I appreciate your
personal
loyalty to Mr. Clark

but he has let
our children down

and our loyalty
should be to them.

Our loyalty should be
to the man we hired.

[yelling]

(Frank)
'Order! Order!'

[indistinct yelling]

[students chanting]
'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!

Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr. Clark!

Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr. Clark!

Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!

Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr.
Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!

(Frank)
'Order, ladies and gentlemen.'

'Order! Order, please!'

'We cannot continue this
meeting
with this kind of chaos here!'

- 'Please! Sit down!'
- 'Is this thing on?'

- 'Come to order, please!'
- Dr. Napier.

Dr. Napier, I think you
should
call the question now.

(Frank)
'I cannot call the
question.'

(Don)
'All points of view
seem to have been'

'exhausted here.'

'No further purpose is going
to be served by this.'

Why don't you have someone
on the board--

Mr. Mayor, it seems
that
Mr. Clark's students

have assembled outside
in an exercise

of their first amendment rights.

- How many?
- It looks like all of
them.

[students chanting]
'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr. Clark!

'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

We're in a tough spot here

'and I have to
ask your help, Joe.'

'Uh, it's not for me.
It's for those kids out
there.'

Now, they're very emotional.
They're-they're all jacked
up.

You have to send them home.

I don't have to do nothin'
but stay black and die.

Oh, for cryin' out loud.

[students chanting]
'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

'Free Mr. Clark!'

Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!

Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr. Clark!

People, before this
gets out of hand

'listen, for your own
safety,
listen to me!'

[students chanting]
'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

Alright, Joe.
Let me put it this
way.

First, I wanted you to succeed.

Now, don't think that
I ever wanted anything else.

But you're a realist,
Joe,
just like me.

And I want you to think
what would happen

if there was a riot out there

and cops had to go in
and clear that square, huh?

I'd have law and order
on my side

and the only people
who'd
be hurt would be your
kids.

[students chanting]
Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr.
Clark!
Free Mr. Clark! Free Mr.

Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!

Listen to me!

People, please!

You must all disperse
and return to your homes!

Your presence here
is helping no one.

Why don't you use your brains
and listen?

[students chanting]
'Free Mr. Clark!
Free Mr. Clark!'

- 'Free Mr. Clark!'
- 'Woo!'

Thank you.
Everybody, just, come on.

Come on. Everybody, listen up.
Listen up.

Now, let's just settle down.
Give her a chance to talk.

She might actually
have something to say.

So, everybody just chill.
Settle down.

Let's listen to the old
loudmouth wench.

[all cheering]

Here you go, Barrett.

You can call me what you want

but the simple fact is
Mr. Clark has broken the laws

of this state

and exposed you all
to grave danger.

[students booing]

His behavior is irresponsible.

Chaining those doors
was a criminal act.

Why do you think
they call him "Crazy Joe?"

'Cause y'all don't
understand him.

(female #1)
'Yeah. That's right!'

He chained those doors
to keep out the drug dealers.

To make us all feel safe.

Now, you talk about the law

but you're twisting the law.

The laws are made
to protect the people

'and that's what
he's doin' for us.'

- Yes!
- Yes!

The thing that
you don't understand

is that Mr. Clark
believes in us.

- He--
- He doesn't believe in you!

'Cause you don't take care
of your responsibility!

[cheering]

(Leonna)
'Despite what he
himself may believe'

Mr. Clark is not Eastside High!

Mr. Clark is not only
Eastside High.

Mr. Clark is like a father,
he's the only father

that some of us
who don't have fathers know.

You don't know a thing
about Mr. Clark!

(Leonna)
'People! People, just hear
me!'

The school board
is meeting right now

and I promise you
we will give you

what Eastside High deserves,
a good principal.

We don't want a good principal!

We want Mr. Clark!

[all cheering]

You may think you know
what you want

but the question is
what is best for you

'best for Eastside High
and best for..'

This thing's getting
out of hand.

Talk to them, please.

(Leonna)
'...common interest tonight.'

To see that this gets resolved

so that you can continue
your education.

- Free Mr. Clark!
- I am requesting you..

- Free Mr. Clark!
- Free Mr. Clark!

People! People..

[all cheering]

Yay! Yay!

Alright!

[cheering continues]

I wonder why I can't get this
kind of turnout for study
hall.

[all laughing]

Alright, now.

Kids, this is all very nice

but now I'm going to insist
that you all go home

and let the laws
of the land prevail.

- 'No!'
- 'No!'

[all chanting]
No! No! No! No!

Now, listen. Listen.

If I've taught you anything

I have tried to give you
respect for the law.

Now, I want you all to go home

'in an orderly fashion!'

[all chanting]
No! No! No! No!

(Joe)
'Your voices have been heard!'

[all chanting]
No! No! No! No!

(Joe)
'I appreciate your concern
for me.'

[all chanting]
No! No! No! No!

But now is the time to go home.

[all chanting]
No! No! No! No!

Kids, listen. You're not
helping the matters any.

Listen to me. You're not
helping
our cause if you stay here!

- No! No!
- Mr. Clark.

I thought I left you
in charge of these students.

You've got to read this.

Is this what you call taking
care of your responsibility?

Read this! Read it!

[all chanting]
No! No! No! No!

Boss.

[all chanting]
'No! No! No! No!'

Dr. Napier, it is my duty

it is my privilege
and my honor to report to you

that the students of
Eastside High

have passed the minimum
basic skills test!

[all cheering]

- Mr. Mayor?
- 'Yeah! Alright!'

(male #5)
'Alright, yeah!'

Mr. Mayor,
on behalf of myself

and on behalf of the students
of Eastside High

you can tell the state
to go to hell.

[all cheering]

I told you. You should not
have
brought him here..

Joe Louis Clark
is not goin' anywhere.

[all cheering]

Are you ready, my ghosts?

- Yes!
- Let me hear it.

One, two, three!

♪ Fair Eastside ♪

♪ By thy side we'll stand ♪

♪ And always praise thy name ♪

♪ To ever lend our hearts
and hands ♪

Congratulations.

Come on, son.

♪ The honor of old
Eastside High ♪

♪ Brings forth our loyalty ♪

♪ So cheer for dear old
Eastside High ♪

♪ Lead on to victory ♪

♪ So cheer for dear old
Eastside High ♪

♪ Lead on to victory ♪♪

♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ When you're not strong ♪

♪ And I'll be your friend ♪

♪ I'll help you carry on ♪

♪ For I know ♪

♪ That it won't be long ♪

♪ Till I'm gonna need ♪

♪ Somebody to lean on ♪

♪ You just call on me brother ♪
♪ Call me ♪

♪ If you feel you need a hand ♪

♪ 'Cause we all need somebody ♪

♪ Just to lean on ♪

♪ Oh I just might
have a problem ♪

♪ You'll understand ♪

♪ We all need somebody ♪

♪ To lean on ♪

♪ Oh oh yeah ♪

♪ Listen now ♪

♪ If there is a load ♪

♪ You have to bear ♪

♪ That you can't carry ♪

♪ Just remember I'm
I'm right up the road ♪

♪ I'll share your load ♪

♪ If you just call on me ♪
♪ Call on me ♪

♪ You have to call me ♪

♪ Call me ♪

♪ Whenever you're in trouble ♪

♪ Call me ♪

♪ I'll understand ♪

♪ Call me ♪

♪ We all have pain ♪

♪ Call me ♪

♪ We all have sorrow ♪

♪ Call me ♪

♪ Hey hey hey ♪♪

♪ Just lean on me ♪

♪ Lean ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ Lean on ♪

♪ J-just lean on me ♪

♪ Lean ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ Lean on me ♪
♪ Just just just ♪

♪ Lean on him?
Yes yes why? ♪

♪ Things are better and we're
finally workin' together ♪

♪ In unity
and you're soon to see ♪

♪ Eastside High
as a better place to be ♪

♪ The students the pupils
have morals and scruples ♪

♪ Our learning ability
has increased quadruple ♪

♪ And we're off
to a brand-new start ♪

♪ I played my part
to prove that you're smart? ♪

♪ And it's proven
but I ain't movin' ♪

♪ I won't be goin' I'm here ♪

♪ When you need someone
to lean on ♪

♪ So take heed to this
as a blessing and remember ♪

♪ Ain't no half steppin'
get it in full gear ♪

♪ I'm sure that you'll care
in the long run ♪

♪ When you got full gear
that means authority ♪

♪ Positivity ♪
♪ Word ♪

♪ So let knowledge uproot ya ♪

♪ Go for yours
'cause we're the future ♪

♪ The ones who rise
to supremacy ♪

♪ And if you ever need a hand ♪

♪ Just lean on me ♪

♪ J-j-j-just ♪

♪ Lean ♪
♪ J-j-just just ♪

♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ Lean ♪
♪ J-j-j-just ♪

♪ Just lean on me ♪

♪ Lean ♪
♪ J-j-j-just ♪

♪ Lean ♪
♪ Just lean on me ♪

♪ J-j-j-just ♪
♪ Lean ♪

♪ Just just lean on me ♪

♪ Lean ♪
♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ Lean ♪

♪ Lean on me ♪

♪ Lean lean lean ♪

♪ Lean on ♪♪