Family Tree/The Long Goodbye The Story of Tracy Beaker

# I can make my world come true

# All my dreams will see me through

# Doesn't matter what may come my way

# Believe me now, I will win some day... #

Hey!

What idiot sets you lot a family tree project?

I've got some interesting royal ancestors.

-You haven't enough family to fill a phone box.

-I've got my mum.

Well, at least I've got someone.

-And Lou might as well. Mightn't you, Lou?

-Hmm.

< Fostered by this lot? No chance!

-Give it back!

-You can't use them. They're not family.

-Not yet.

But after this picnic, who knows?

They'll turn up all smiley-smiley. By teatime, everyone will hate you.

-The two of you will have something in common.

-Tell us about fostering,

Miss Know It All. The promises, the forevers, then the dumping.

Who was that woman who dumped you back here? Anyway, she's history.

Just like you lot after the picnic. Louise will be alone again.

Just like you were, Tracy.

What did I say?

I'm not alone. I'm not!

-Yes!

-Oi! >

What do you think you're doing?

-We're bored.

-Yeah, B-O-R-D, bored.

You can help with the gardening.

Hello?

Big families are the worst. They'll treat you like a slave.

She'll be fine. You'll see.

Well, if by some miracle she is, that'll be the last you see of her.

-And you've definitely confirmed the time?

-Twice.

I'd have done it at least three times and then...

Look, I know this is my first case, but you can trust me, dude.

Just relax, Elaine.

-Sorry.

-Just relax.

-It'll be just fine.

-Oi, Justine! Coming shopping?

-Yeah, in a bit.

No, now. She's seeing me off.

Need her hand holding, does she?

We'll still be best friends.

-For how long. For ever. Right, Justine?

-Yeah.

For a month. Maybe a week.

She'll walk out the gates and not even remember what you look like.

That's rubbish! Isn't it, Justine?

I'm off. Coming?

-Here we go.

-It'll be fine.

Nathan's got everything sorted out.

-Sure, I've got forms, documents and...

-Louise?

-Come on, Grandad.

-Come on, Dad. Come on, kids.

Louise will be down in a moment.

I'm sure everything's going to be fine.

I'm not going and that's that. They're great people.

Sure. You'd fit in perfectly. >

Just think - a real family.

But what about friends? Justine's my best friend.

At least she was until this stupid foster thing came up. I hate it!

Oi, smiley! Can anyone use these stairs

or are they for a special occasion?

-Sorry. I can't get Louise to go on this picnic.

-Course not.

You're a trainee social worker. Even the trained ones are rubbish.

You need help from a real expert.

-If that's an offer, I'll take it.

-I'm not cheap.

-I can't pay.

-Ice cream?

-Possible.

-Coke?

-Sure.

-And I get to go on this naff old picnic with my client.

-No, I couldn't.

-Suit yourself. I tried.

-Hang on.

-(Bingo!)

-I won't go.

-I don't blame you. Stupid fostering trips!

Only real families matter.

My mum and I ruled over a happy land.

Then one day, the evil social workers invaded.

My mum knew there was only one thing to do.

Since then, I've been on hundreds of useless fostering trips.

-Never again.

-Right.

-Some kids go on these trips for ice cream and Coke.

Imagine that - using people just to get what you want!

And to avoid one of Nathan's corned beef meatball lunches.

-Hey, Tracy...

-Hmm?

-I've got a free day...

-Can't stop. Louise is entering fostering hell.

-I have to protect her interests.

-Don't mess it up for Louise.

It's a fostering. It'll mess up by itself.

-Louise might be luckier.

-Get real!

-You're a PC whizz, aren't you?

-I wouldn't say that.

Our PC crashed and I still have homework to finish when I get back.

Please?

Are you sure it's OK Tracy coming with you?

No problem.

CHILDREN: Bye, Grandad!

-Sure you'll be OK, Dad?

-Yeah.

-You behave!

-They won't know I'm here.

What's this? Computer games? On a day like this?

-There's more to life than computer games.

-Right(!)

-I'd have learned survival skills.

-Hold me back!

Like catching wild animals.

BOTH: Wild animals?

There! Now we just wait.

Yeah, a couple of decades should do it.

What animal's gonna be dumb enough to fall into that?

Aaagh!

I hope you don't take out all your foster kids in these conditions.

All? She's the first one.

I see. They've got a lot to learn, haven't they, Lou?

You have to look after kids like us, spoil us, lots of ice cream,

-Coke, that sort of thing.

-Really?

-Or we could turn ugly.

Believe me, you wouldn't want to see that!

So do you have a regular job?

-Seven days a week.

-And wages?

-Excellent.

-How much?

-Two-fifty.

-250,000 a year?

And we only get a tiny bit of cake?

-£2.50 an hour.

-That's rubbish money!

Other paper rounds only pay two quid.

No-one's taking this fostering thing seriously.

Oh, some of us are.

We only fire it away from the buildings, OK?

-Of course.

-How perfectly sensible!

With any weapon, the key words are discipline and safety. Got that?

-Yeah, discipline and safety.

-Try that tree over there, Bounce.

No, only fire it the other way!

I bet he can't hit it.

-Me? I was the best shot in our street.

-I bet he could hit it.

-No chance.

-Which tree?

-That one over there behind the summer house.

-Just you watch!

GLASS SMASHES

Lou won't move in with people I don't know. You could be monsters.

-That's us.

-This might be just a big laugh for you,

but not for me and Lou. Imagine being in a kids' home!

-You've got no idea what it's like.

-I know exactly what it's like.

That's why I've always wanted a house full of kids. Happy kids.

Like her.

-Oh.

-So, do we get your approval?

Don't rush me. I'll let you know.

-What else can you show us?

-There's starting a fire.

-Yeah!

-No, I'd better not.

-OK, see you.

-Yeah, this survival stuff yawns!

-Yeah.

Hang on. I mean, I shouldn't.

It could be. You might... Let's find a couple of sticks.

CRACKLING SOUND

Go on, you're good at this. Go on!

CLEARS THROAT

Hi, Duke.

How's the garden?

Oh, it's fine. It's in great shape.

Considering!

STIFLED LAUGHTER

-What happened? Is everyone OK?

-Yeah, all back safely.

-Really?

-It was wicked.

Nathan, I told you everything would be OK.

-Bye!

-Bye!

-Oi!

-Wait!

-Grampy! Give me the GameBoy back!

-Have you got a GameBoy?

-Yeah.

-Justine!

-I'm not here!

So...had a nice time?

Yeah, it was perfect.

Well, nearly. They had this great cake with cream.

But they only let us have one piece each. So I saved mine for you.

We'll still be mates, won't we?

Half each?

I was promised two ice creams. I got one and had to share it!

-Family life!

-You can keep it.

-Hear, hear!

-Still, Louise deserves some love.

-Yeah, we all do.

That's true.

Now I've fixed the PC, you could finish your homework.

Oh, thanks a million(!)

Do remember, viewers - watching TV gives you square eyes.

NOT!

-Won't you miss us?

-No, Justine,

because you'll visit all the time.

But it won't be the same.

No, it'll be better. We'll be friends because we want to be.

-Not just because we've no-one else.

-Yeah, but...

-Hiya.

-No-one sensible, anyway. ..Hiya, Dolly.

-Can I have this?

-Yeah, no problem.

-But

-I

-got you that...

when my dad took me to the fair.

Justine, it's only things. Old Dumping Ground things I won't need.

Well, call me sentimental but I preferred it when bikers were scary.

Oh, oh, God, she's just beautiful.

I don't know how to thank you. Just take care - she's my baby.

She does nought to ten in half an hour.

She's a demon.

I hope that monstrosity isn't taking up space

when Louise's new family arrive.

Monstrosity! I'm on a diet.

She's not very good with grown-ups.

Can I have a go...please?

I'll be careful, I promise.

-Sure, Tracy.

-Yes.

Just show me your driving licence and we'll be away.

Ah-ha. Mick Duke, King of Comedy.

Um, so, Amber's being thrown out?

No, Bouncer, it's a meeting to review Amber's position.

-But we've still got lots of work to do with her.

-It's not your problem.

Hello, Bouncer. Are we ready? Mmm.

-And I thought you were nice.

-Shall we?

Ah, Jenny, Elaine -

I've been expecting you.

Look Amber, I'm fully prepared to admit that it's partly my fault.

I thought we'd be able to make a difference. Maybe I was wrong.

I thought we could help you help yourself. Maybe I was wrong.

You thought you were good at your job. Maybe you WERE wrong.

It's just that we don't think you've been trying to get on with people.

Chocolate thief.

Go, play in the traffic.

You two can stop spying on me too.

I don't know what you mean.

All we're saying is maybe you'd be happier elsewhere.

I'll think about it.

DOOR SLAMS

Is it me or has this room become very cold?

Typical! They don't even have the courage to make a simple decision.

-Somewhere else I'd get treated like a grown-up.

-A grown-up criminal.

I know. They want ME to give THEM a good reason for throwing me out.

Well, I won't disappoint anybody.

-NO!

-Amber!

A fieldmouse - it's a mousie.

Oh, it's horrible, all blood and guts. I feel sick.

-Where? I can't see anything.

-There?

-That's a piece of grass.

Amber, don't you dare!

OK, Amber, very clever. Now, come on, play fair. Don't break it.

I'll take care of it.

Stop - it'll get you in trouble. You'll mess up your hair.

-Ooh, what does this button do?

-AMBER, NO!

STOP!

You can't leave everything behind.

It's like you're pretending you weren't here.

I won't forget the Dumping Ground - every time I have a nightmare.

-What about the good times?

-The fights and people laughing at you

because you wear rubbish clothes

-and live in a stinky children's home with...

-Stinky children.

I don't stink - I smell of cornflakes.

It just, it just came to life like it was invaded by aliens.

It's all right, Bouncer, he knows. What's the verdict, Colin?

No worries. Just call it natural wear and tear.

See, I told you it was nothing serious.

She was just having a bit of fun.

Hi, babe. Yeah, it's me. You best bring me category C tool kit.

Yeah, it's that bad.

See, Amber's a lovely kid deep down,

but if we spend too long on one person, it's not fair on the others.

-But I don't mind.

-Yes, you do - you just don't realise it yet.

Hiya, Seliba. >

-Hiya, Duke.

-Thanks, love.

Amber! Are you trying to get yourself thrown out?

Wow, is it yours? Do I look like a girl?

-Is this yours?

-Mm-hm.

-Oh, wow!

-Fancy a spin?

-Yeah.

-I don't think so.

-Duke, please.

Well, she'll need a helmet.

There's health and safety. She's supposed to be being punished.

That's OK - full of forgiveness, me.

I'll take good care of her, promise.

I really don't think it's a good idea. I mean...look at them!

She has passed her advanced test.

Thanks, Duke.

BEEP-BEEP!

Don't worry, son, she hasn't had an accident for...er...weeks.

I wash my hands of the whole thing.

-Hi, Lou.

-Hi, Tracy. Almost ready to go - can't wait.

Just remembered, Mr and Mrs Morris phoned - they've made a mistake.

They want ME, not you.

Umm...

Never mind, Lou. I know what it's like - the times I've said goodbye,

-they should give me my own revolving door.

-I'm sorry, Tracy.

It's just, I wanted to go without any fuss,

-without anyone getting upset.

-Lou, that was never going to happen.

People get upset when Jude buys the wrong kind of beans.

Make as much fuss as possible.

Is that all your Dumping Ground rubbish?

It's just stuff that reminds me of...stuff.

We should have a ceremony - set fire to it all.

No, better not.

Wait... Yes!

And we come to Lot 12 in the Louise Govan leaving auction.

An exercise book containing some disturbing drawings of the staff.

I'll take charge of that. Thank you, Oliver.

Sold, to the lovely lady in the cheap cardigan.

On to our next item - a monster mask.

I'll have that.

Very nice. I'm afraid this item has suddenly been withdrawn.

-What?

-What? I wanted that.

Just taking my fee.

-And to our last item - a small, battered teddy bear named...

-Tony.

Tony Bear.

You cannot be serious.

What am I bid? Dolly?

He's cute.

-Any advances on cute?

-NO! I mean, I don't want to give him away.

I remember. It was our first Christmas - you cried for hours.

I...I don't want to leave.

Louise!

You're talking like a crazy person.

-You have to leave.

-Yeah, if someone as boring as you can get fostered,

then there's hope for all of us.

Tracy!

-Thanks, that was amazing.

-You're welcome. What's happening here?

One of the kids is leaving - a new family. Goody-two-shoes type.

Type that people miss when they go.

Wouldn't they miss you?

You're not going to forget me, are you?

-Justine, you're coming round for dinner on Sunday.

-Yeah.

-I know you're not going to forget me.

-Stacy, isn't it? Stacy Baxter?

Eh! Are you sure you should be doing that?

-It's Elaine the Pain's car.

-The one who decides if you get sent away?

Do they have children's homes in the North Pole?

Look, Colin, I'm really sorry about the mower.

It's OK, it's as good as new.

Amber.

What's the matter, Tracy? Don't tell me - hay fever.

You know how you always say there's a family out there for everyone

-and the hardest thing is finding them?

-Yes, and you tell me I'm mad.

They look like an ordinary girl with ordinary grown-ups.

But the girl's Amber.

How weird is that?

You know, I think I've just had a brilliant idea.

Honestly, I have to do simply everything around here.

Subtitles by Kate Spence BBC Broadcast 2003

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