﻿_NN1 "_PUQ Dad_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP want_VVB to_TO0 learn_VVI how_AVQ to_TO0 play_VVI the_AT0 drums_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP knew_VVD this_DT0 was_VBD coming_VVG ._SENT 
There_AV0 stood_VVD my_DPS eight-year-old_AJ0 daughter_NN1 ,_PUN Harper_NP0 ,_PUN staring_VVG at_PRP me_PNP with_PRP her_DPS big_AJ0 brown_AJ0 eyes_NN2 like_PRP Cindy_NP0 Lou_NP0 Who_PNQ from_PRP How_AVQ the_AT0 Grinch_NN1 Stole_VVD Christmas_NN1 ,_PUN nervously_AV0 holding_VVG a_AT0 pair_NN0 of_PRF my_DPS splintered_AJ0 drumsticks_NN2 in_PRP her_DPS tiny_AJ0 little_AJ0 hands_NN2 ._SENT My_DPS middle_AJ0 child_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS mini-me_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS daughter_NN1 who_PNQ physically_AV0 resembles_VVZ me_PNP the_AT0 most_DT0 ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD always_AV0 known_VVN that_CJT she_PNP would_VM0 someday_AV0 have_VHI an_AT0 interest_NN1 in_PRP music_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC ..._PUN drums_NN2 ?_SENT Talk_VVB about_PRP an_AT0 end-of-the-trough_AJ0 ,_PUN entry-level_AJ0 mailroom_NN1 position_NN1 !_SENT 
"_PUQ Drums_NN2 ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP replied_VVD with_PRP eyebrows_NN2 aloft_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Yeah_ITJ !_SENT "_PUQ she_PNP squeaked_VVD through_PRP her_DPS toothy_AJ0 grin_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP took_VVD a_AT0 moment_NN1 to_TO0 think_VVI ,_PUN and_CJC as_CJS the_AT0 sentimental_AJ0 lump_NN1 began_VVD to_PRP balloon_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS throat_NN1 I_PNP asked_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Okay_AV0 ..._PUN and_CJC you_PNP want_VVB me_PNP to_TO0 teach_VVI you_PNP ?_SENT "_PUQ Shifting_VVG in_PRP her_DPS checkered_AJ0 Vans_NN2 sneakers_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP shyly_AV0 nodded_VVD and_CJC said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Uh-huh_ITJ ,_PUN "_PUQ and_CJC a_AT0 wave_NN1 of_PRF fatherly_AJ0 pride_NN1 instantly_AV0 washed_VVN over_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN along_AVP with_PRP an_AT0 enormous_AJ0 smile_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP hugged_VVD and_CJC headed_VVD hand_NN1 in_PRP hand_NN1 upstairs_AV0 to_PRP the_AT0 old_AJ0 drum_NN1 set_VVN in_PRP my_DPS office_NN1 ._SENT Like_PRP a_AT0 weepy_AJ0 Hallmark_NN1 moment_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 kind_NN1 those_DT0 hyperemotional_AJ0 Super_AJ0 Bowl_NN1 commercials_NN2 are_VBB made_VVN of_PRF (_PUL the_AT0 ones_NN2 that_CJT would_VM0 leave_VVI even_AV0 the_AT0 hardest_AJS monster_NN1 truck_NN1 enthusiast_NN1 crying_VVG in_PRP their_DPS buffalo_NN1 chicken_NN1 dip_NN1 )_PUR ,_PUN this_DT0 is_VBZ a_AT0 memory_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP will_VM0 cherish_VVI forever_AV0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 moment_NN1 we_PNP entered_VVD my_DPS office_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP remembered_VVD that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD never_AV0 taken_VVN any_DT0 formal_AJ0 lessons_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC therefore_AV0 I_PNP had_VHD no_AT0 idea_NN1 how_AVQ to_TO0 teach_VVI someone_PNI to_TO0 play_VVI the_AT0 drums_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 closest_AJS I_PNP had_VHD ever_AV0 come_VVN to_PRP any_DT0 structured_AJ0 music_NN1 instruction_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 few_DT0 hours_NN2 with_PRP an_AT0 extraordinary_AJ0 jazz_NN1 drummer_NN1 by_PRP the_AT0 name_NN1 of_PRF Lenny_NP0 Robinson_NP0 who_PNQ I_PNP used_VVD to_TO0 watch_VVI perform_VVI every_AT0 Sunday_NP0 afternoon_NN1 at_PRP a_AT0 local_AJ0 Washington_NP0 ,_PUN DC_NP0 ,_PUN jazz_NN1 joint_NN1 called_VVD One_CRD Step_NN1 Down_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 tiny_AJ0 old_AJ0 club_NN1 on_PRP Pennsylvania_NP0 Avenue_NP0 just_AV0 outside_AV0 of_PRF Georgetown_NP0 ,_PUN One_CRD Step_VVB Down_AVP not_XX0 only_AV0 was_VBD a_AT0 hotspot_NN1 for_PRP established_AJ0 touring_AJ0 acts_NN2 but_CJC also_AV0 hosted_VVD a_AT0 jazz_NN1 workshop_NN1 every_AT0 weekend_NN1 where_AVQ the_AT0 house_NN1 band_NN1 (_PUL led_VVN by_PRP DC_NP0 jazz_NN1 legend_NN1 Lawrence_NP0 Wheatley_NP0 )_PUR would_VM0 perform_VVI a_AT0 few_DT0 sets_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 dark_AJ0 ,_PUN crowded_AJ0 room_NN1 and_CJC then_AV0 invite_VVB up-and-coming_AJ0 musicians_NN2 to_TO0 jam_VVI with_PRP them_PNP onstage_AJ0 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 teenager_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 eighties_CRD ,_PUN those_DT0 workshops_NN2 became_VVD a_AT0 Sunday_NP0 ritual_NN1 for_PRP my_DPS mother_NN1 and_CJC me_PNP ._SENT We_PNP would_VM0 sit_VVI at_PRP a_AT0 small_AJ0 table_NN1 ordering_VVG drinks_NN2 and_CJC appetizers_NN2 while_CJS watching_VVG these_DT0 musical_AJ0 masters_NN2 play_VVB for_PRP hours_NN2 ,_PUN reeling_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 gorgeous_AJ0 ,_PUN improvisational_AJ0 freedom_NN1 of_PRF traditional_AJ0 jazz_NN1 ._SENT You_PNP never_AV0 knew_VVD what_DTQ to_TO0 expect_VVI within_PRP those_DT0 bare_AJ0 brick_NN1 walls_NN2 ,_PUN smoke_NN1 hanging_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 air_NN1 ,_PUN songs_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 small_AJ0 stage_NN1 the_AT0 only_AJ0 sound_NN1 (_PUL talking_NN1 was_VBD strictly_AV0 forbidden_VVN )_PUR ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD fifteen_CRD years_NN2 old_AJ0 and_CJC deep_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 throes_NN2 of_PRF my_DPS punk_NN1 rock_NN1 obsession_NN1 ,_PUN listening_VVG to_PRP only_AV0 the_AT0 fastest_AJS ,_PUN noisiest_AJS music_NN1 I_PNP could_VM0 find_VVI ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP somehow_AV0 connected_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 emotional_AJ0 elements_NN2 of_PRF jazz_NN1 ._SENT Unlike_PRP the_AT0 convention_NN1 of_PRF modern_AJ0 pop_NN1 (_PUL which_DTQ at_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 I_PNP recoiled_VVD from_PRP ,_PUN just_AV0 like_PRP the_AT0 kid_NN1 from_PRP The_AT0 Omen_NN1 in_PRP church_NN1 )_PUR ,_PUN there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 beauty_NN1 and_CJC dynamic_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 chaotic_AJ0 tapestry_NN1 of_PRF jazz_NN1 composition_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP appreciated_VVD ._SENT Sometimes_AV0 structured_AJ0 ,_PUN sometimes_AV0 not_XX0 ._SENT But_CJC ,_PUN most_DT0 of_PRF all_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP loved_VVD Lenny_NP0 Robinson_NP0 's_POS drumming_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD something_PNI I_PNP had_VHD never_AV0 seen_VVN before_AV0 at_PRP a_AT0 punk_NN1 rock_NN1 show_NN1 ._SENT Thunderous_AJ0 expression_NN1 with_PRP graceful_AJ0 precision_NN1 ;_PUN he_PNP made_VVD it_PNP all_DT0 look_VVB so_AV0 easy_AJ0 (_PUL I_PNP now_AV0 know_VVB it_PNP 's_VBZ not_XX0 )_PUR ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 sort_NN1 of_PRF musical_AJ0 awakening_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP ._SENT Having_VHG taught_VVN myself_PNX to_TO0 play_VVI the_AT0 drums_NN2 by_PRP ear_NN1 on_PRP dirty_AJ0 pillows_NN2 in_PRP my_DPS bedroom_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VHD never_AV0 had_VHN anyone_PNI standing_VVG over_PRP me_PNP to_TO0 tell_VVI me_PNP what_DTQ was_VBD "_PUQ right_AJ0 "_PUQ or_CJC "_PUQ wrong_AJ0 ,_PUN "_PUQ so_CJS my_DPS drumming_NN1 was_VBD wild_AJ0 with_PRP inconsistency_NN1 and_CJC feral_AJ0 habits_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP WAS_VBD ANIMAL_NN1 FROM_PRP THE_AT0 MUPPETS_NN2 ,_PUN WITHOUT_PRP THE_AT0 CHOPS_NN2 ._SENT Lenny_NP0 was_VBD obviously_AV0 somewhat_AV0 trained_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP was_VBD in_PRP awe_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS feel_NN1 and_CJC control_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS "_PUQ teachers_NN2 "_PUQ back_AVP then_AV0 were_VBD my_DPS punk_NN1 rock_NN1 records_NN2 :_PUN fast_AJ0 ,_PUN dissonant_AJ0 ,_PUN screaming_AJ0 slabs_NN2 of_PRF noisy_AJ0 vinyl_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP drummers_NN2 who_PNQ most_AV0 would_VM0 not_XX0 consider_VVI traditional_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC their_DPS crude_AJ0 brilliance_NN1 was_VBD undeniable_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP will_VM0 always_AV0 owe_VVI so_AV0 much_AV0 to_PRP these_DT0 unsung_AJ0 heroes_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 underground_AJ0 punk_NN1 rock_NN1 scene_NN1 ._SENT Drummers_NN2 like_PRP Ivor_NP0 Hanson_NP0 ,_PUN Earl_NP0 Hudson_NP0 ,_PUN Jeff_NP0 Nelson_NP0 ,_PUN Bill_NP0 Stevenson_NP0 ,_PUN Reed_NP0 Mullin_NP0 ,_PUN D_NP0 ._SENT H_ZZ0 ._SENT Peligro_NP0 ,_PUN John_NP0 Wright_NP0 ..._PUN (_PUL the_AT0 list_NN1 is_VBZ painfully_AV0 long_AJ0 )_PUR ._SENT To_PRP this_DT0 day_NN1 you_PNP can_VM0 hear_VVI echoes_NN2 of_PRF their_DPS work_NN1 in_PRP mine_PNP ,_PUN with_PRP their_DPS indelible_AJ0 impression_NN1 making_VVG its_DPS way_NN1 into_PRP tunes_NN2 like_PRP "_PUQ Song_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 Dead_AJ0 "_PUQ by_PRP Queens_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Stone_NN1 Age_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Monkey_NP0 Wrench_NP0 "_PUQ by_PRP Foo_NP0 Fighters_NN2 ,_PUN or_CJC even_AV0 Nirvana_NP0 's_POS "_PUQ Smells_NN2 Like_PRP Teen_NN1 Spirit_NN1 "_PUQ (_PUL just_AV0 to_TO0 name_VVI a_AT0 few_DT0 )_PUR ._SENT All_DT0 those_DT0 musicians_NN2 were_VBD seemingly_AV0 worlds_NN2 away_AV0 from_PRP Lenny_NP0 's_POS scene_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC one_CRD thing_NN1 that_CJT they_PNP all_AV0 had_VHD in_PRP common_AJ0 was_VBD that_CJT same_DT0 feeling_NN1 of_PRF beautiful_AJ0 ,_PUN structured_AJ0 chaos_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP loved_VVD each_DT0 Sunday_NP0 at_PRP One_CRD Step_NN1 Down_AVP ._SENT And_CJC that_DT0 's_VBZ what_DTQ I_PNP strove_VVD to_TO0 achieve_VVI ._SENT 
Courtesy_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 author_NN1 's_POS personal_AJ0 archives_NN2 
One_CRD humid_AJ0 summer_NN1 afternoon_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS mother_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP decided_VVD to_TO0 celebrate_VVI her_DPS birthday_NN1 by_PRP taking_VVG in_PRP another_DT0 weekly_AJ0 jazz_NN1 workshop_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 club_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP had_VHD quickly_AV0 become_VVN our_DPS "_PUQ thing_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ one_PNI that_CJT I_PNP still_AV0 look_VVB back_AVP on_PRP today_AV0 with_PRP fond_AJ0 memories_NN2 ._SENT None_PNI of_PRF my_DPS other_AJ0 friends_NN2 actually_AV0 hung_VVD out_AVP with_PRP their_DPS parents_NN2 ,_PUN especially_AV0 not_XX0 at_PRP a_AT0 fucking_AJ0 jazz_NN1 club_NN1 in_PRP downtown_AJ0 DC_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS it_PNP made_VVD me_PNP think_VVB she_PNP was_VBD intrinsically_AV0 cool_AJ0 and_CJC this_DT0 was_VBD another_DT0 way_NN1 of_PRF strengthening_VVG our_DPS bond_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 age_NN1 of_PRF Generation_NN1 X_ZZ0 ,_PUN of_PRF divorce_NN1 and_CJC dysfunction_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP were_VBD actually_AV0 friends_NN2 ._SENT Still_AV0 are_VBB !_SENT That_DT0 particular_AJ0 day_NN1 ,_PUN after_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 baskets_NN2 of_PRF fries_NN2 and_CJC a_AT0 few_DT0 sets_NN2 from_PRP Lawrence_NP0 Wheatley_NP0 's_POS quartet_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS mother_NN1 turned_VVD to_PRP me_PNP and_CJC asked_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ David_NP0 ,_PUN would_VM0 you_PNP go_VVI up_AVP and_CJC sit_VVB in_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 band_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 birthday_NN1 present_AJ0 to_PRP me_PNP ?_SENT "_PUQ Now_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 remember_VVI exactly_AV0 what_DTQ my_DPS initial_AJ0 response_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP 'm_VBB pretty_AV0 sure_AJ0 it_PNP was_VBD something_PNI along_PRP the_AT0 lines_NN2 of_PRF "_PUQ ARE_VBB YOU_PNP OUT_AVP OF_PRF YOUR_DPS FUCKING_AJ0 MIND_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP mean_VVB ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD only_AV0 been_VBN playing_VVG the_AT0 drums_NN2 (_PUL pillows_NN2 )_PUR for_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 years_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC having_VHG learned_VVN from_PRP the_AT0 old_AJ0 ,_PUN scratched_AJ0 punk_NN1 rock_NN1 records_NN2 in_PRP my_DPS collection_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 anywhere_AV0 NEAR_AV0 ready_AJ0 to_TO0 step_VVI up_AVP and_CJC play_VVI JAZZ_NN1 with_PRP these_DT0 badasses_NN2 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 fantastically_AV0 unimaginable_AJ0 request_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD being_VBG thrown_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 lions_NN2 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 disaster_NN1 waiting_VVG to_TO0 happen_VVI ._SENT But_CJC ..._PUN this_DT0 was_VBD also_AV0 my_DPS mom_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC she_PNP had_VHD been_VBN cool_AJ0 enough_AV0 to_TO0 bring_VVI me_PNP here_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD place_NN1 ._SENT So_AV0 ..._PUN 
Reluctantly_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP agreed_VVD to_TO0 do_VDI it_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC slowly_AV0 got_VVN up_AVP from_PRP our_DPS little_AJ0 table_NN1 ,_PUN weaving_VVG through_PRP the_AT0 packed_AJ0 room_NN1 of_PRF jazz_NN1 enthusiasts_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 coffee-stained_AJ0 sign-up_NN1 sheet_NN1 next_ORD to_PRP the_AT0 stage_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP had_VHD two_CRD columns_NN2 :_PUN "_PUQ Name_NN1 "_PUQ and_CJC "_PUQ Instrument_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP read_VVD through_PRP the_AT0 list_NN1 of_PRF other_NN1 seemingly_AV0 accomplished_VVN musicians_NN2 '_POS names_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 list_NN1 and_CJC ,_PUN with_PRP pen_NN1 shaking_VVG in_PRP hand_NN1 ,_PUN quickly_AV0 scribbled_VVD "_PUQ David_NP0 Grohl_NP0 —_PUN drums_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP felt_VVD like_PRP I_PNP was_VBD signing_VVG my_DPS own_DT0 death_NN1 warrant_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP stumbled_VVD back_AVP to_PRP our_DPS table_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 daze_NN1 ,_PUN feeling_VVG all_DT0 eyes_NN2 on_PRP me_PNP as_CJS I_PNP sat_VVD down_AVP and_CJC immediately_AV0 started_VVD sweating_VVG through_PRP my_DPS ripped_AJ0 jeans_NN2 and_CJC punk_NN1 rock_NN1 T-shirt_NN1 ._SENT What_DTQ had_VHD I_PNP just_AV0 done_VDN ?_SENT Nothing_PNI good_AJ0 could_VM0 come_VVI from_PRP this_DT0 !_SENT The_AT0 minutes_NN2 seemed_VVD like_PRP hours_NN2 as_PRP musician_NN1 after_PRP amazing_AJ0 musician_NN1 was_VBD called_VVN up_AVP to_TO0 entertain_VVI those_DT0 hallowed_AJ0 walls_NN2 and_CJC hardened_AJ0 ears_NN2 ._SENT Every_AT0 one_CRD of_PRF them_PNP could_VM0 hang_VVI with_PRP those_DT0 jazz_NN1 cats_NN2 just_AV0 fine_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP became_VVD less_AV0 and_CJC less_AV0 confident_AJ0 with_PRP each_DT0 moment_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS stomach_NN1 was_VBD in_PRP knots_NN2 ,_PUN my_DPS palms_NN2 sweating_VVG ,_PUN my_DPS heart_NN1 racing_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS I_PNP sat_VVD and_CJC tried_VVD my_DPS best_AJS to_TO0 follow_VVI the_AT0 band_NN1 's_POS mind-bending_AJ0 time_NN1 signatures_NN2 ,_PUN wondering_VVG how_AVQ on_PRP earth_NN1 I_PNP could_VM0 possibly_AV0 keep_VVI up_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 skill_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 incredible_AJ0 instrumentalists_NN2 who_PNQ graced_VVD this_DT0 stage_NN1 every_AT0 week_NN1 ._SENT Please_AV0 do_VDB n't_XX0 let_VVI me_PNP be_VBI next_ORD ,_PUN I_PNP thought_VVD ._SENT Please_AV0 ,_PUN god_NN1 ..._PUN 
Before_AV0 long_AV0 ,_PUN Lawrence_NP0 Wheatley_NP0 's_POS deep_AJ0 baritone_NN1 drawl_NN1 came_VVD booming_AJ0 over_PRP the_AT0 PA_NN1 speakers_NN2 and_CJC announced_VVD the_AT0 dreaded_AJ0 words_NN2 that_CJT still_AV0 haunt_VVB me_PNP to_PRP this_DT0 day_NN1 :_PUN "_PUQ Ladies_NN2 and_CJC gentlemen_NN2 ,_PUN please_AV0 welcome_AJ0 ..._PUN on_PRP the_AT0 drums_NN2 ..._PUN David_NP0 Grohl_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP tentatively_AV0 stood_VVD to_PRP a_AT0 smattering_NN1 of_PRF applause_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ quickly_AV0 dissipated_VVD once_AV0 the_AT0 people_NN0 saw_VVD that_CJT I_PNP was_VBD clearly_AV0 not_XX0 a_AT0 seasoned_AJ0 jazz_NN1 legend_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC rather_AV0 a_AT0 skinny_AJ0 suburban_AJ0 punk_NN1 with_PRP funny_AJ0 hair_NN1 ,_PUN dirty_AJ0 Converse_NN1 Chucks_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 T-shirt_NN1 that_CJT read_VVD KILLING_VVG JOKE_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 horror_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 band_NN1 's_POS faces_NN2 as_CJS I_PNP walked_VVD to_PRP the_AT0 stage_NN1 made_VVD it_PNP look_VVB as_CJS if_CJS the_AT0 Grim_AJ0 Reaper_NN1 himself_PNX were_VBD approaching_VVG ._SENT I_PNP stepped_VVD onstage_AJ0 ,_PUN the_AT0 great_AJ0 Lenny_NP0 Robinson_NP0 handed_VVD me_PNP his_DPS sticks_NN2 as_CJS I_PNP reluctantly_AV0 sat_VVD on_PRP his_DPS throne_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD time_NN1 I_PNP saw_VVD the_AT0 room_NN1 from_PRP his_DPS perspective_NN1 ._SENT No_AT0 longer_AV0 sheltered_AJ0 behind_PRP the_AT0 safety_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS mother_NN1 's_POS table_NN1 full_AJ0 of_PRF snacks_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD now_AV0 literally_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 hot_AJ0 seat_NN1 ,_PUN frozen_VVN under_PRP the_AT0 stage_NN1 lights_NN2 with_PRP the_AT0 eyes_NN2 of_PRF every_AT0 audience_NN1 member_NN1 bearing_VVG down_AVP on_PRP me_PNP as_CJS if_CJS to_TO0 say_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ Okay_AV0 ,_PUN kid_NN1 ..._PUN show_VVB us_PNP what_DTQ you_PNP 've_VHB got_VVN ._SENT "_PUQ With_PRP a_AT0 simple_AJ0 count_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 band_NN1 kicked_VVN into_PRP something_PNI I_PNP had_VHD never_AV0 played_VVN before_PRP (_PUL i.e._AV0 ,_PUN any_DT0 jazz_NN1 song_NN1 ever_AV0 )_PUR ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP did_VDD my_DPS best_AJS to_TO0 just_AV0 keep_VVI time_NN1 without_PRP fainting_VVG in_PRP a_AT0 pool_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS own_DT0 vomit_NN1 ._SENT No_AT0 solo_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 flash_NN1 ,_PUN just_AV0 hold_VVB down_AVP the_AT0 tempo_NN1 and_CJC do_VDB n't_XX0 fuck_VVI it_PNP up_AVP ._SENT Thankfully_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP went_VVD by_AVP in_PRP a_AT0 flash_NN1 (_PUL sans_NN2 vomit_NN1 )_PUR and_CJC without_PRP incident_NN1 ._SENT Unlike_PRP most_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 other_AJ0 musicians_NN2 who_PNQ had_VHD performed_VVN that_DT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 song_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD surprisingly_AV0 short_AJ0 (_PUL though_CJS certainly_AV0 not_XX0 unintentionally_AV0 )_PUR ._SENT Imagine_VVB that_DT0 !_SENT Done_VDN and_CJC dusted_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP walked_VVD away_AV0 with_PRP the_AT0 relief_NN1 one_PNI feels_VVZ at_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF root_NN1 canal_NN1 surgery_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP stood_VVD and_CJC thanked_VVD the_AT0 band_NN1 ,_PUN mouth_NN1 dry_AJ0 ,_PUN with_PRP a_AT0 nervous_AJ0 smile_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC took_VVD an_AT0 awkward_AJ0 bow_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS the_AT0 band_NN1 had_VHD only_AV0 known_VVN my_DPS intention_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI understood_VVN such_DT0 a_AT0 desperate_AJ0 act_NN1 of_PRF foolishness_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP every_AT0 ounce_NN1 of_PRF charity_NN1 in_PRP these_DT0 poor_AJ0 musicians_NN2 '_POS hearts_NN2 ,_PUN they_PNP had_VHD unknowingly_AV0 allowed_VVN me_PNP to_TO0 give_VVI my_DPS mother_NN1 a_AT0 birthday_NN1 gift_NN1 that_CJT she_PNP would_VM0 never_AV0 forget_VVI (_PUL to_PRP the_AT0 dismay_NN1 of_PRF about_AV0 seventy-five_CRD paying_AJ0 customers_NN2 )_PUR ,_PUN which_DTQ meant_VVD more_AV0 to_PRP me_PNP than_CJS any_DT0 standing_AJ0 ovation_NN1 I_PNP could_VM0 have_VHI wished_VVN for_PRP ._SENT Humbled_VVN ,_PUN I_PNP walked_VVD back_AVP to_PRP our_DPS little_AJ0 table_NN1 of_PRF hors_NN2 d'oeuvres_NN2 in_PRP shame_NN1 ,_PUN thinking_VVG that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 long_AJ0 ,_PUN long_AJ0 way_NN1 to_TO0 go_VVI before_CJS I_PNP could_VM0 ever_AV0 consider_VVI myself_PNX a_AT0 real_AJ0 drummer_NN1 ._SENT 
That_DT0 fateful_AJ0 afternoon_NN1 lit_VVD a_AT0 fire_NN1 in_PRP me_PNP ._SENT Inspired_VVN by_PRP failure_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP decided_VVD that_CJT I_PNP needed_VVD to_TO0 learn_VVI how_AVQ to_TO0 play_VVI the_AT0 drums_NN2 from_PRP someone_PNI who_PNQ actually_AV0 knew_VVD what_DTQ they_PNP were_VBD doing_VDG ,_PUN rather_AV0 than_CJS stubbornly_AV0 trying_VVG to_TO0 figure_VVI it_PNP out_AVP all_AV0 by_PRP myself_PNX on_PRP my_DPS bedroom_NN1 floor_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC in_PRP my_DPS mind_NN1 ,_PUN there_EX0 was_VBD only_AV0 one_CRD person_NN1 to_TO0 show_VVI me_PNP how_AVQ :_PUN the_AT0 great_AJ0 Lenny_NP0 Robinson_NP0 ._SENT 
A_AT0 few_DT0 Sundays_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN my_DPS mother_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP returned_VVD to_PRP One_CRD Step_NN1 Down_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC with_PRP my_DPS naive_AJ0 courage_NN1 barely_AV0 summoned_VVN ,_PUN I_PNP cornered_VVD Lenny_NP0 on_PRP his_DPS way_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 bathroom_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Umm_ITJ ..._PUN excuse_VVB me_PNP ,_PUN sir_NN1 ._SENT Do_VDB you_PNP give_VVI lessons_NN2 ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP asked_VVD in_PRP my_DPS best_AJS Brady_NP0 Bunch_NN1 mumble_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Sure_AJ0 ,_PUN man_NN1 ._SENT Thirty_CRD dollars_NN2 an_AT0 hour_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT I_PNP thought_VVD ,_PUN Thirty_CRD dollars_NN2 an_AT0 hour_NN1 ?_SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ six_CRD lawns_NN2 I_PNP 'd_VM0 have_VHI to_TO0 mow_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 suffocating_AJ0 Virginia_NP0 heat_NN1 !_SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ a_AT0 weekend_NN1 's_POS pay_NN1 at_PRP Shakey_NP0 's_POS pizza_NN1 !_SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ an_AT0 eighth_ORD of_PRF an_AT0 ounce_NN1 of_PRF weed_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VM0 have_VHI to_TO0 not_XX0 smoke_VVI this_DT0 week_NN1 ._SENT DEAL_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP exchanged_VVD phone_NN1 numbers_NN2 and_CJC set_VVB a_AT0 date_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD well_AV0 on_PRP my_DPS way_NN1 to_PRP becoming_VVG the_AT0 next_ORD Gene_NP0 Krupa_NP0 !_SENT Or_CJC so_CJS I_PNP hoped_VVD ..._PUN 
Our_DPS thirteen-hundred-square-foot_AJ0 house_NN1 in_PRP Springfield_NP0 was_VBD nowhere_AV0 near_AV0 big_AJ0 enough_AV0 for_PRP a_AT0 full_AJ0 drum_NN1 set_NN1 (_PUL hence_AV0 the_AT0 ad_NN1 hoc_NN1 ,_PUN makeshift_AJ0 pillow_NN1 practice_NN1 set_VVN in_PRP my_DPS tiny_AJ0 bedroom_NN1 )_PUR ,_PUN but_CJC for_PRP this_DT0 special_AJ0 occasion_NN1 I_PNP brought_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 bottom-of-the-line_AJ0 five-piece_AJ0 Tama_NP0 kit_NN1 from_PRP my_DPS band_NN1 Dain_NP0 Bramage_NP0 's_POS practice_NN1 space_NN1 ,_PUN nowhere_AV0 near_PRP Lenny_NP0 's_POS caliber_NN1 of_PRF gear_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP awkwardly_AV0 placed_VVD the_AT0 dirty_AJ0 drums_NN2 in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 living_AJ0 room_NN1 stereo_NN1 and_CJC shined_VVD them_PNP up_AVP with_PRP some_DT0 Windex_NN1 I_PNP found_VVD under_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 sink_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP anxiously_AV0 awaited_VVD his_DPS arrival_NN1 ,_PUN hoping_VVG that_CJT soon_AV0 all_DT0 the_AT0 neighbors_NN2 would_VM0 hear_VVI him_PNP ripping_VVG it_PNP to_PRP shreds_NN2 ..._PUN and_CJC think_VVB that_CJT it_PNP was_VBD me_PNP !_SENT 
"_PUQ He_PNP 's_VBZ here_AV0 !_SENT He_PNP 's_VBZ here_AV0 !_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP exclaimed_VVD as_CJS if_CJS Santa_NP0 Claus_NP0 had_VHD just_AV0 pulled_VVN into_PRP our_DPS driveway_NN1 ._SENT Barely_AV0 containing_VVG myself_PNX ,_PUN I_PNP greeted_VVD him_PNP at_PRP the_AT0 door_NN1 and_CJC invited_VVD him_PNP into_PRP our_DPS little_AJ0 living_NN1 room_NN1 ,_PUN where_AVQ the_AT0 drums_NN2 sat_VVD shining_AJ0 ,_PUN still_AV0 reeking_AJ0 of_PRF barely_AV0 dry_AJ0 glass_NN1 cleaner_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP sat_VVD down_AVP on_PRP the_AT0 stool_NN1 ,_PUN surveyed_VVD the_AT0 instrument_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC proceeded_VVD to_TO0 blaze_VVI those_DT0 same_DT0 impossible_AJ0 riffs_NN2 that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD seen_VVN so_AV0 many_DT0 Sundays_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 jazz_NN1 club_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 blur_NN1 of_PRF hands_NN2 and_CJC sticks_NN2 delivering_VVG machine_NN1 gun_NN1 drumrolls_NN2 in_PRP perfect_AJ0 time_NN1 ._SENT 
