Episode 3 The Story of Tracy Beaker

# I can make my world come true All my dreams will see me through

-# It doesn't matter What may come my way...

-No! No!

# Believe it now I will win some day. #

Yes!

-Louise! I've found this cool quiz for best mates to do together!

-Bye.

Fine! I don't care! I'll play with Elaine.

-Well, I...

-As if!

-Tracy, I've got some really good news for you.

-You're leaving!

You've been chosen to appear

in a "Child of the Week" newspaper ad.

Let's go buy some new clothes now!

It's not about looks, it's more about personality.

Good job they didn't choose YOU.

-This is about vegetables?

-Jenny says you should eat more. What do you say?

-But we only like fries.

-True.

Jenny wants us to explore vegetables that come in a colour...like green!

ALL: Ugh!

That's great news! The newspaper has offered us extra space.

-Louise can have one too.

-I object to "buy one, get one free" approaches.

-They're children, not special offers.

-They need foster parents!

-Let's not forget that!

-Working here, it's hardly likely!

-Tracy will be upset if she's not the only one.

-She'll be fine...

-once she sees the ad.

-You've done it without talking to her?

I can't believe the only vegetables you can come up with are baked beans.

Sorry, Duke - could I borrow Louise?

What's wrong with baked beans?

-They make you...

-Thank you, Maxy! They're not green and they're tinned.

Duke's right. Why don't you make broccoli or cabbage?

-I told you she was wacko!

-Why d'you want to eat stuff like that?

-I don't.

I won't be here. I'm Child of the Week.

My ad will be so brilliant,

that there'll be a flood of people desperate to foster me.

I'll choose the richest, handsomest, spoil-me-most parents.

There'll be so many of them, they'll bribe me with flashy presents.

They'll have to lay on counsellors for the people I turn down.

They'll be so upset because they'll all be dying to take me home.

Then racing to bring you back again, just like the last time.

BURP!

I'd hate to live in a strange house with...well...strangers.

Lucky they picked me and not you, then, Weed.

Elaine - the glorious pain - is in there telling Louise.

-She's not even thought about Tracy.

-We better be ready with bandages.

You're what?! I'M Child of the Week!

You're not meant to tell us stuff, then change your mind!

You ARE Child of the Week! Louise is too.

Then I'm not Child of the Week! It's children - any thicko knows that!

Stop whingeing. It's only a stupid ad no-one cares about.

You would care if YOU were Child of the Week.

-I don't need to be - I've got a dad.

-Tracy has a mum!

-But my dad visits,

-unlike her invisible mum.

-She not invisible!

-That's enough, Tracy.

-She started it.

Why are THEY getting all the fuss?

Cos we're special and you're not! ..Coming, Louise?

Here's how we should play it. These kids are grinning.

So we should look sad - a sort of puppy-in-a-pet-shop look.

-All the foster parents will want to come and rescue us!

-Dead clever.

Ta-da!

Looks like an explosion in a bogey factory!

-Gross!

-This from the girl who asked for broccoli!

Give them a try - you might like them.

(Tracy...

(I can't!)

Mmm, Duke, you're right! They're delicious!

Told you!

So...Duke, how d'you make them?

Chop them into sticks, dip them in batter and then fry them.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-So, how are we doing in here?

-Fine!

-My courgette chips have gone down a storm.

-Great.

-Tracy, the photographer's here.

-Must dash - the press hate to wait.

-You know what we're after, don't you?

-Sure, I do this stuff all the time.

Ah, Tracy, say hello to Brian.

Hello, sweetheart. What's your name?

I hope you pay more attention to my photo. I'm Tracy, Elaine just said!

-Tracy!

-There! She did it again.

Right, well... let's give it a go, then, shall we?

Tracy, you want to get fostered, not apply for a job as an undertaker!

Do you want the full Justine make-over, or just a bit of gloss?

-Nothing.

-Are you sure? It makes your lips look better when you smile.

-I'm not going to smile.

-Don't you want to get fostered?

-Course, I do.

-We have a plan.

-You're going along with a Tracy plan? Have you lost it?

-What are you doing?

-Disposing of the evidence!

PLOP! PLOP! That's enough!

-We need somewhere else.

-Flush!

I've been here ages and he still can't get it right.

-It's hard to take a decent photo of a kid who refuses to smile.

-OK!

-Now, let's try again, shall we?

-Right, Tracy...

Watch the birdy!

CUCKOO! CUCKOO!

Fine. We'll go with what we've got.

-You're done. Send Louise in.

-When are we going to write my ad?

-I've already written it.

-What? You're a social worker, not a writer!

You'll like it. Listen...

"Tracy is a lively, healthy, chatty, ten-year-old

"who's been in care for a few years.

"She has a few behavioural problems and needs a long-term foster home."

-Is that the best you can say - healthy?!

-I say "lively", too.

That's grownup code for "difficult".

And you put "behavioural problems"! Your ad stinks and I hate it!

-Only mad people will want me and it'll all be your fault!

-Tracy...!

Wait!

Elaine's written cruddy stuff in my ad!

Tell her to change it!

I'm sorry, she's your social worker. It's up to her what gets written.

Agh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!

"Louise" - that's a pretty name.

Bet you've got a pretty smile! Oh, no! Not another one who won't smile!

Come on, sweetheart, you can do better than that! Fantastic!

All right, Mike.

Maxy's in there. Courgettes.

You all right in there? TOILET FLUSHES

Yo, Beaker! What's going on?

Elaine's written cruddy stuff for my Child-of-the-Week ad,

so I'm redoing it. How many Ls in "brilliant"?

Two.

-I wish I had a decent photo to go with it.

-Why not take your own?

I would, if I had a camera.

-Where you going? You only just got here.

-Do you want a camera or not?

-I want to see Tracy's ad. She's very upset about it.

-I can't think why.

It's on your desk. I'm dropping Brian off. We'll talk when I get back.

By the way, your toilet seems to be blocked.

-I've written a new ad.

-We're going with the one I've written.

You'll like it once you see the pictures written with the words.

LAUGHTER

WATER SPLASHING

-Next time you do courgettes, make them flush friendly?

-They haven't?!

Louise Govan! You traitor!

Look at this.

We had a pact to look sad so people would want to rescue us.

It's not doing you any favours, but it's your ad.

-Shall we?

-You've got one! Where from?

D'you wanna talk or take photos? You're going for the smile!

Yeah. You're right. This is the look that's gonna get me fostered.

People around the world will be desperate to foster me

when they see my new advert.

-What are you doing?

-Do you wanna eat more slimy, green stuff?

Thanks, guys!

Hand them over, Zac - we'll have them for tea.

I was going to do pizza and chips, but if you'd rather have these...

Shall I fry them, roast them, stew them or stuff them down the toilet?

-Sorry, Duke.

-We did try to tell you.

We'll call it quits, but if you pick vegetables again without permission,

I'll boil them for a week and make you suck the mush up through a straw!

Just passing through, are we, Tracy?

-What are you doing with that?

-It's right now!

"Have you a place in your hearts for dear Tracy?

"This sweet girl needs a loving home. Very rich parents preferred

"as poor Tracy needs lots of presents to make up for her tragic past."

You've ruined it! What have you done to poor Louise?

"Who wants Louise? She's very shy, but could be rewarding."

Tracy Beaker, you're a one-off.

Of course, I am. I'm not just Child of the Week, I'm Child of the Year!

Yeah, what a star!

But on with my show.

Today I finally get rid of that bad Beaker stink from my bedroom.

-How are you gonna do that?

-My dad is the best dad in the world

and he's given me money to redecorate your yucky walls.

It'll be like you were never there.

-Thank you.

-Oi!

-This will cover the pocket-money advances you've had.

You'll be pig-sick when you see how great MY room is next to yours.

When I paint MY room, it'll be a million times better than yours.

Everyone tries to steal my ideas. I'll have zebra-print curtains.

A film-star dressing table with special features.

And a beautiful glittering mirror ball.

Why can Justine paint her room and I can't?

Justine's dad gave her money for the materials and your room's not scheduled for a redec.

My room's scrottier than Justine's!

Tracy, there's nothing I can do.

-Why not help Justine?

-I'd rather skip naked through the town centre.

ONLOOKERS GASP

This is gonna be like one of those TV makeover programmes, only better.

Steady. ..Be careful with the paint.

Maxy! Put the hammer down.

-Can you keep it down a bit?

-Adele! We could use your artistic skills.

-It won't work.

-What?

-Flattery. I'm not helping.

-Who says I need help?

Your face and these kids.

-Please.

-Don't beg, Mike. It's tragic. Anyway, I've got this project to do.

You're on your own, pal.

No! No!

Right, I want shelves over there and a built-in unit over there.

Hang on a second. We can't do built-in units and...

-Hi, Trace! Have you come to help?

-No, I've come to see Louise.

-Fancy coming down the shops?

-I can't. I'm helping Justine.

-Louise!

-What do you think of this colour?

-Sorry, Trace.

Hey, Peter! Fancy a kickabout?

I can't. I'm on fabrics. Why don't you help?

-This is just someone's old rubbish!

-Temper!

-You'll be stuck in the naughty corner.

-Careful or I'll...stick YOU!

-Justine Littlewood, you think you're so big!

-Can you get us a cup of tea?

Get your own tea! I hate you all!

Ah, it's going well.

HAMMERING AND SHOUTING

Ben, it's Beaker. Meet me by the shed.

But I want zebra-print curtains and a film-star dressing table.

Justine, the budget won't stretch that far. ..Ryan, cut that out!

-What about a mirror ball?

-That's what Tracy wanted.

-Yeah, but Tracy couldn't afford it.

-Neither can we.

-We paint.

-Is that all?

-It's enough.

My dad would let me have what I wanted! Oh!

Ben!

-Beaker, what's up?

-I'm running away.

They've all turned against me and I never want to see them again.

-Where to?

-Anywhere. You've managed without a roof over YOUR head.

-I want to be just like you.

-So, let's go.

Will you lot keep the noise down? I'm trying to work in here!

HAMMERING

-Show me where you sleep.

-I'll show you my COUNTRY house.

-What happened to your mum and dad?

-Never mind. It's friends that count.

Yeah, friends are good, but...

-I've got a new game on my phone.

-I bet I beat your highest score.

-You're supposed to cut AROUND the petals.

-I was gonna get to that.

Stop!

-What?

-That's not pimento. That's peach.

I hate peach! Put a bit more orange in it.

What is THAT?

-A display unit. What does it look like?

-Not a display unit.

-Looks like rubbish!

-When did you get to be such a DIY expert?

What do you think?

Wow!

JUNGLE CRY

MUCH LOUDER JUNGLE CRY

I've had loads of bedrooms before,

but this is gonna be the best ever.

SQUABBLING AND HAMMERING CONTINUE

Maxy, stop it!

No, no, no.

Take him and hose him down, please.

-I think this colour looks great.

-No, it's too orangey.

What this needs is a bit of yellow.

Stop, stop, stop.

Now, a bit of green.

Stop.

Now...a bit of purple.

Uh-uh-uh.

Easy.

Purple? Are you sure?

Of course. I've watched it on TV hundreds of times.

Stop.

Zac!

-You've ruined it!

-I did exactly what YOU told me to do.

You didn't. You did this on purpose.

Hmm...! Steady, steady, Zac.

Let's get cleaned up and have lunch.

-Watch the paint.

-Where are you going?

-We haven't finished yet.

-I think you'll find we have.

Oh.

We could live here for ever.

Yeah, we don't need adults. They get in the way of having a good time.

Yeah, we don't need ANYBODY.

We'll hunt for food, find wood for a fire. Who needs the Dumping Ground?

Got anything to eat? I'm starving.

There's some chocolate in my bag.

Argh!

-Ben, are you all right?

-I slipped.

Ow!

Ow-w!

-Hope you haven't broken it.

-OW!

We need an ambulance.

-No, Tracy.

-But you've hurt yourself.

-Leave me alone. I'm fine.

-You don't look it. I'm going to get help.

-No!

TV: 'This red paint does actually dry...'

-Is your room finished, then?

-Yeah - as in wrecked.

Good. I can get on with my project in peace.

Argh!

That's a bad sprain, but I don't think it's broken.

Tracy, get your stuff. ..Where do you live?

67 Abercorn Road.

I know it. Can you stand up? Uh-huh.

Come on, then.

There we go.

Aren't you glad I went to get help?

Wow! Did you see that house? It's huge.

Bet it has a swimming pool. Are you staying in a squat at the moment?

Is there room for me?

-# I got an attitude... #

-I'd love it in a squat!

# ..I know my destiny That's in my fantasy

# There'll be a better place... #

Don't worry. We'll look out for each other.

Oi, Justine! Adele wants you.

-What does she want?

-Come and ask her yourself!

-What's going on?

-Open your eyes.

# Da-dah! #

Justine, our designers arranged this transformation in under two hours.

-What do you think?

-I love it.

That can't be those grey bits of wood. They're beautiful.

-That was Handy Ryan.

-Adele, tell us how much you had to spend.

I had £20, some willing helpers and my best buy were spray paints.

-You did this on 20 quid?

-Yeah, so you still owe me the pocket money advances.

-What you doing?

Taking pictures of my college design project. I should ace it.

All right? Here we go.

Why are we stopping here?

Ben?

What happened to you? I'm fine, Mum.

Mum?

- Mum, this is my friend Tracy. - He fell out of a tree.

I think it's only a sprain.

-Thank you for bringing him home.

-This is your mum?!

Tracy, would you and your dad like some tea?

I don't want your stinking tea! And HE is not my dad!

Had a good laugh in your fancy house with your fancy mum? I hate you!

I should, er...go.

Thanks again for bringing him home. Mind your ankle.

-What was that all about?

-Nothing.

How could she think you were my dad?

You're not nearly good-looking enough.

Are you all right?

Yeah. Be better after one of Duke's double cheeseburger specials.

Take me home.

# Believe me now I will win some day

# I can make my world come true All my dreams will see me through

-# And the fight won't get me down

-No! No!

# My dreams will turn things All around

# With a smile upon my face I can see a better place

-# It doesn't matter What may come my way...

-No! No!

# Believe it now I will win some day. #