The Long Goodbye 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. #

-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 on to Lot 14 - a beautiful set of glittery fairy wings.

Me! Me!

So, you like this Amber girl, then, do you?

The trouble with dangerous women is they hurt everyone around them.

If you don't like yourself, you can't like those that like you.

-Can we not talk about this?

-Touching a raw nerve, am I?

Giving you too much to think about at your tender age?

It's just, you sound like my little brother and frankly it's creepy.

What!?

-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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