American Rhetoric: Movie Speech

"Jerry Maguire" (1996)

Jerry Maguire: 'Flipper' Speech

Audio mp3 delivered by Tom Cruise & Renee Zellweger

Jerry: Well, don't worry. Don't worry.  I'm not gonna to do what you all think I'm gonna to do, which is just FLIP OUT! But let me just, let me just say, as I ease out of the office I helped build -- I'm sorry, but it's a FACT! -- that there is such a thing as manners, a way of treating people.

[Noticing the fish tank nearby]

These fish have manners. These fish have manners. In fact, they're coming with me. I'm starting a new company, and the fish will come with me. You can call me sentimental. The fish -- they're coming with me.

[Grabs a fire-tailed Peruvian beauty fish with a cup and dumps the fish inside a baggie]

Okay. If anybody else wants to come with me, this moment will be the moment of something real, and FUN, and inspiring in this god-forsaken business, and we will do it together. Who's comin' with me? Who's coming with me? Who's coming with me besides "Flipper," here?

Dorothy: I will go with you.

Jerry: Dorothy Boyd, thank you! We'll see you all again. Sleep tight.