Work/Big Fight 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

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

But you must see this... this won't do!

Poor marks, poor class work and as for attendance...

I do try, Elaine. All that sitting around... It's just so boring!

Education isn't just about sitting around in the classroom.

It's about getting good qualifications and a good job.

-Then sitting around in an office?

-Yes! No, I mean...

Look, there's a special work placement project coming up

and it's a chance for you to show what you can do.

I've sorted out some placements for you and I think you'll be pleased.

Amber, you'll work in a florist's,

and Bouncer, you'll go to the tax office.

As if anyone would want to work for anyone else!

I plan to be an entrepreneur.

-Entra what?

-A crook!

-So you'll be a millionaire by the age of 25?

-I won't leave it that long.

-I'll do something to get rich.

-When you find it, put in a word for me.

-What about your fashion course?

I could just do with more cash. My Saturday job don't pay much.

I'd HATE to work in a shop. Like being a slave!

-I'll work with dolphins or be a bus driver!

-I'll be an air hostess.

That's just a waitress with wings on! I'll have a fantastic career.

-What's up?

-It's Elaine. She's making me get a job.

No way! Is that legal?

You're only 13. You shouldn't have to earn your own living.

I know they're underfunded, but even so. She's mad, that Elaine.

It's work experience. She wants me to go to a tax office!

Why don't you get a job, then she can't make you do work experience?

Like what?

-Distribution and delivery executive in the information industry.

-Huh?

Thanks for letting me share your office, Jenny.

KNOCK AT DOOR Could I have a word,

please, Elaine...? In private.

-What's up?

-I can't work in a florist's.

-Why not?

-Um...

-Do you have a pollen allergy?

That's EXACTLY what I have! Just the thought of all those flowers...

-I'll find you something else.

-Thanks, Elaine.

A paper boy? You can't get up in the morning!

-There's money involved.

-How much?

-Elaine! There you are! I need a job.

-Whatever for?

-For money.

-Tracy, you're too young.

-How come Bouncer gets...?

-He's older than you.

-That's not fair!

It's the law and it applies to everyone, even Tracy Beaker.

How can I earn money if I can't work? ..What are you grinning at?

A squirt like you getting a job? What as? A garden gnome?

-You'll see! I'll get a job.

-I bet you don't.

-How much?

-Slave for a day.

-You're on.

THEY GROWL

No, I can't pay you to help me.

Why are you in such a rush to work? It's no picnic.

Pay cheque every week, no-one telling you what to do.

-It must be hell(!)

-You have to get up early EVERY morning,

iron your shirt, find matching socks. Nightmare!

-You don't do any of that!

-Would you like an assistant gardener?

-Next spring, I'll need all the help I can get.

-I can't wait that long.

Amber, I've just spoken to a friend who's got a friend...

To cut a long story short, your work placement's sorted.

It'll be in a hairdresser's. You'll make cups of tea, sweep the floor.

-They might let you shampoo the customers' hair!

-Hmm!

See you.

-KNOCK AT DOOR Come in.

-Jenny!

-I was just wondering - do you need any help?

-I'm fine, thanks.

You always complain about being behind on the paperwork.

-It's not the kind of thing you can help me with, but thanks.

-Filing!

-That always needs done.

-Have you broken something?

-No. I just want to help... and earn some money.

-Right, out!

OK, OK, I'm going!

But my rates are very reasonable!

WHISTLING >

SHE PRETENDS TO SOB

Amber? What's up?

Hey, it can't be that bad.

It's...it's... It's the hairdresser's!

The hairdresser's?

My mum used to take me every week.

It was our special thing and I miss her so much!

Ssh, it's all right. I'll have a word with Elaine.

-Elaine!

-What now?

-About this job...

-The law hasn't changed in an hour.

-You still can't get a job.

-Yes,

but there's nothing to stop us coming to a private agreement.

-I can help with your trickier clients.

-Elaine, a word?

-Yes, absolutely.

-But what about my job?

-You've no chance of getting a job. Get ready to slave!

-Just watch me!

I'll get tons of money!

She really is very upset.

I had no idea. I'll cancel the hairdresser's first thing tomorrow.

I think it'll be best. LAUGHS

She'd better accept her next placement.

ALARM RINGS

Bouncer...

Get some sleep, Bouncer!

ALARM RINGS

ALARMS RING

-Get up!

-Huh?

Come on!

-ALARM RINGS

-Oh, bog off!

Amber, you're sorted. You'll work at Outpatients

-in the General Hospital.

-I faint at the first sight of blood!

-Oh?

OK, forget the hospital. Adele will take you to work with her.

-What?

-She's fixed it up with her supervisor.

-They've kindly said you can go in tomorrow.

-With a clothes shop...

No more arguments. It's either that or the one remaining placement.

-Where's that one?

-On a pig farm.

Bouncer!

-Tracy, you frightened me to death!

-£3.50, Bouncer - as we agreed.

Oh... Yeah.

Thanks. A pleasure doing business with you. Where are you going?

-To hand in my notice. I can't afford this job.

-Wait!

Before you go, sign this.

It looks great. Amber here has one just like it.

Don't you, Amber...? DON'T YOU, Amber? Oink, oink!

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

What do you think?

What's the matter with you? Make yourself useful!

Do some pricing and behave yourself!

-Amber! Are you trying to get me fired?

-I'm bored!

-What do you think?

-I think you're a little squirt who lost a bet

-and has nothing better to do than come here and annoy me!

-Oh, yeah?

"I, Bouncer Plakova, confirm that I have employed Tracy Beaker

-"as a waker-upper."

-Keep going.

-"And paid for her professional services."

-Looks like I won that little bet.

-Where's the money?

-Right here in my pocket.

-Is that all?

That won't pay for a hair band here!

Has this top taken your fancy? My assistant will reserve it for you.

-Is your assistant getting paid?

-Over my dead body!

HORSE NEIGHS

HORSE NEIGHS AND GALLOPS

I'm not sure about the colour.

Get me one in lemon, lilac and sugar pink, will you, slave?

If you work really hard, I might let you borrow this.

What's the difference between Justine and a bucketful of maggots?

The bucket!

-Give me that!

-You had it yesterday! Here we go again!

Great, all the same channels at the same time(!)

Now, what you gonna do?

GUNFIRE

BONES CRACK

BOTH: Aaaagh!

-Are they fighting?

-Hmm. Must be TV time.

So, when are you going to do something about it?

About... < SCREAMS Now!

SHOUTING

-Promise not to attack each other again?

-What are we? Animals?

SHOUTING

Can we just forget about this silly argument?

It isn't silly! Every TV time, you always...

ME? YOU ruin everything!

All this fighting over a silly old channel changer.

I'd NEVER get into a fight over something so trivial.

You're a lonely old loser who has no-one to fight with!

Yes, well...

Here, can we just write some facts about each other?

-Easy.

-No sweat.

-Uh... Nice things.

You know, positive things?

THEY GROAN

-How many positive things?

-Ten.

TEN?

-We'll be here for days.

-Weeks!

Five things, then.

Surely you can manage that.

-THEY WHIMPER

-One thing. One SMALL thing?

Then can we go?

Your hair's nice-ish.

And one thing about Tracy?

Her sensitivity.

Well done.

Stop that or you'll have to complete the list of ten!

You know, maybe Elaine's ideas will work. >

-Tracy and Justine fight.

-It's natural. They always have.

< Always will. So, what's all that about, then?

You're a walking bag of bogeys! If I could, I'd soon sort you out!

How do we fight without fighting?

Champions!

-Champions?

-Have they changed her medication again?

Like in my class project. Knights of old jousting for their princess!

< Jousting? No, no, wrestling!

-We...I mean...

-I

-could do bets. I'll give you great deals.

-And whoever wins...

-Keeps the channel changer for the day.

-Week.

-Done.

-Done. Staff meeting's at four. They won't notice if we're quiet.

Lady Muck, YOU can referee.

I've a champion to find.

-I'm going to have a talk to Lol.

-Oooh(!)

-Will you be my champion?

-Why should I?

-"What's in it for me?"

Honestly! "Me, me, me! I, I, I! Self, self, self!"

It's only Lol. I could cane him myself,

but if you're too yellow, fine.

I'll just find someone else, someone with guts.

Never give a scaredy chicken boy a girl's job.

Hang on! Who said I was scared?

-Lol, we're having a wrestling match.

-If you want.

No!

-I need someone to fight FOR me.

-No worries. Grr!

-Not you. Muscles!

No way! He's a dedicated pacifist.

He won't take part in violence of any kind.

No matter what he or his manager are offered!

Free snacks and drinks all weekend.

Might not be enough.

-He's difficult to persuade.

-What do you want?

-You running about for us all day.

-Deal.

Seconds away, Beaker... Round One.

Which idiot's got the channel changer?

When I find out who's got it...

That is such a nice outfit. Give us a twirl.

Oh, I can't.

I've...got to...uh...

um...kiss a few frogs.

-Beaker, fancy a flutter?

-Bog off, Dog Breath!

I'll give you 10/1 on Ben.

-If I bet £1 on Ben and he wins, I get 10 back?

-Is it a deal?

I'll take whatever you've got.

-Better still, just give me my winnings now.

-Winnings?

Do you think Ben can beat Bouncer?

Bouncer?

-What are you doing?

-A warm-up, a swim, a sauna and I'm ready.

You need an intense exercise and diet programme.

I'm only fighting that Plakova kid.

I AM only fighting that Plakova kid?

Of course you are.

CHEERING

CHEERING

Come on! Do you think Plakova's relaxing? Bouncer Plakova, that is!

BOUNCER?!

Justine!

-What?

-Can you pass my personal stereo?

Aren't you forgetting something?

-A little word beginning with P?

-Popcorn! Three bags.

We're best friends, aren't we? Of course.

So lend us some money. What for?

Bouncer's going to be my champion, so I must buy Lol anything he wants.

So?

I'll... I mean, WE'LL get the channel changer all week.

And when we don't want it, we can rent it out...for cash.

And I still get Elaine back?

I suppose so.

Don't look.

What's all these? IOUs?

Who's had my money?

"I O U £1." Justine!

I'll pay you back. Promise!

What are you doing?

It should be square and the grown-ups will see, you squirt!

-If you had any money, you could bet on Ben. Great odds.

-I've got £5.

-Why didn't you say? Where is it?

-It's in my bank book.

GIGGLING

-Hey, Adele!

-Not now. I'm going to the fight.

-I could do with a laugh.

-I've got a deal.

-I've had enough of Amber's deals.

-This isn't betting.

You haven't got anything I'd be interested in.

-"They'll never show up," you said.

-Yeah, but...

"He'll be too scared to show up." That's what you said!

OK, I made a slight miscalculation.

-Slight? I don't want to fight.

-Just bluff it out. He's terrified!

-Trust me.

-Step back unless you want to be splattered by his blood!

When I, the fair lady, drop my hanky, this battle will commence.

Come on, mash him!

ALL SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT

Will Ben be all right...?

SIREN WAILS

Whatever happens, I'll look after him.

-SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

-Grrr!

BOUNCER GROWLS

Aaaaagh!

Lovely peaceful day. No rows, no aggro.

-Modern discipline...

-Carry on as if I'm not here.

-No-one ever pays me attention anyway.

-Tracy, what's going on?

-Nothing. Where's the first-aid kid?

-What?

-What have you done?

-Nothing.

But don't believe little innocent Tracy.

Get the lie detector, truth drugs,

-thumb screws...

-Tracy!

Typical! I'm not doing anything.

Every other kid could be involved in armed revolution,

but who gets shouted at? Me!

Armed revolution?!

< SHOUTING

You can't stop it. There's bets on.

-I prefer to thumb-wrestle.

-Me, too. Ringmaster 3.

-I've got 4.

-It's not out yet!

Got an American cousin. Want a game?

-Wicked!

-What about the fight?

-Finished! Bets off! I keep the money.

-No way!

-Yes, way!

I want my money back now! Not unless you give me the changer.

-She can't...cos I've got it.

-OI!

-ALL SHOUT AT ONCE

-Please stop this. Please!

ALL SHOUT AND ARGUE

Get them to write down ten nice things they like about each other.

-Calm down! Changer, please.

-Don't give it to her.

-Goody-goody!

-Louise!

-Didn't you hear what we said?

Disgraceful! There's only one person who deserves this.

-Tracy...?

-Thanks.

-Tracy Beaker?

-I'd love to stay, but wrestling's on!

Tracy Beaker!

Subtitles by Karin Anderson BBC Broadcast 2003

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