Babies Suck/Exploited 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 me now I will win some day. #

And then...

you add the warm, oozing, melted chocolate, stirring gently...

You're not allowed to bake on Sunday!

Thank you, goody two shoes!

Carry on.

Pour the chocolate-butter mixture into a baking tin and lick the bowl... Mmm.

Stop, it's torture!

Bake in a hot oven until the smell of hot chocolate brownies drives you ma-a-ad!

I want chocolate brownies!

Wait a minute! I know how we can persuade Duke to let us bake!

I'm a chef and I have to make stuff!

Isn't he cute? What are you going to make, Marco?

He can help you make sandwiches for lunch.

-I want to make chocolate brownies!

-We'll help!

Hold on! Nice try, boys, but no baking on Sundays. Out.

Marco, get off!

I've looked in the laundry basket and the dryer!

-Dad and Carrie will be here any minute!

-You've got other jeans.

But Carrie bought me those! I want to look special.

You don't need to impress Carrie. She already thinks a lot of you.

They've just got to ask me soon to come home for good!

PHONE RINGS Hello?

It's your dad.

OK, why are you late?

But you didn't come last week either.

What's wrong with her?

If she's too tired, come on your own and take me out.

Well, then, pick me up and we can spend the day at home.

Why not? You and Carrie are together all the time. What about me? I'm not being selfish!

You and Carrie are the selfish ones, NOT ME!

-What's the matter with her?

-Her dad has just cancelled taking her out.

-83!

-84! 85... Whoa!

Hey!

We were gonna beat the world record!

Maybe your dad and Carrie have a good reason for not taking you out today.

-Yeah - her bad temper!

-Tracy!

Well, look at her.

Don't.

-I was kidding myself about going home.

-Don't jump to conclusions.

-Carrie's on her way over.

-I don't want to speak to her!

She just wants to explain something.

-That they're happier without me hanging around!

-Don't be silly.

Why not get changed and welcome Carrie with a lovely smile?

-Why don't you make her a cup of tea?

-Good idea.

And some cakes - she'd be really impressed.

-There's not much time.

-Chocolate brownies don't take long.

Yeah! Everyone loves brownies.

I'm no good at cooking.

This is your lucky day. I am an excellent cook.

Hey! What's going on in here?!

Get out of the way! We need to make brownies!

Those boys put you up to this, didn't they? No cooking today!

-It's an emergency!

-We're in a hurry!

Right, put all that back!

I'm telling Shelley! Shelley!

-What's the problem?

-I said no baking!

It's all right. I gave them permission.

Oh, fine, very good(!)

Didn't occur to you to ask me first?!

-Whoa! How come they're allowed to cook and we can't?!

-Ask Shelley.

If they're cooking, we're cooking!

All right, everyone!

That's enough! No!

-Give me that NOW!

-OK.

He said give it to him.

Everybody except Tracy, Justine and Jackie, out of the kitchen, now.

Get on with it. You haven't got much time.

Ow!

So, you approve of cooking now, do you?

Touch one of these and you're history.

They're for Justine's stepmother.

Bouncer!

-Stick 'em up!

-Get lost, Marco.

Tell them they have to!

Go on. I can't stand to see a cowboy cry.

-Oi! Marco! Come back here!

-Hey!

I've touched it now.

-Mmm-mmm, delicious.

-Thank you. If I say so myself, they're my best yet.

We did all the work! You just bossed!

And now it's time for your best clean-up.

It's not my mess. Like she said, I was just supervising.

I have to get ready!

Look what Justine made for you.

-Er, thank you...lovely.

-Sit down.

-Let's go to your room. There's something I want to tell you.

-No!

I mean, not until you have your tea first.

-Have one. They're delicious.

-I'm not very hungry.

-We'll have them!

-I made them specially. You have to have one.

-Please! They're making me sick.

-My cooking makes you sick?!

No! I didn't mean that...

No-o-o!

I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. It's chocolate.

I can't stand the taste or the smell of it.

Chocolate makes you sick? That's seriously weird.

-I haven't been feeling well.

-I know why you came round here! Why don't you just tell the truth?!

I came here because I wanted to tell you myself.

I...

We... Your dad and me... We're going to have a baby.

BURP!

-Don't you dare tell me everything will be all right, cos I know it won't!

-It might be.

Didn't you hear her? She's having a baby of her own!

-She won't want me in the way.

-But your dad...

-He'll just do what Carrie wants, and she doesn't want me!

-You don't know that.

-Don't I?

What happened to you when your foster parents had a new baby?

You got dumped back in the Dumping Ground!

-Sorry, I didn't mean it.

-No, you're right. Babies suck.

-I'm going to talk to her.

-Give her a few minutes. I'll make you tea.

I can't stomach tea either, or coffee.

My sister-in-law was like that. She could only eat olives and crackers.

-Craved them.

-Ice cream, me. Could eat it by the gallon.

Ah, ice cream. No problem.

How could you do such a terrible thing to Justine?!

-I don't know what you're talking about.

-How dumb are you?

-That's enough, Tracy!

-No, it's all right.

-What is it I have done?

-You made her dream stupid dreams about going home,

-and now you're going to dump her for some new baby!

-Is that what she thinks?

That's what will happen. Everyone knows it.

I'm having a baby too!

You're right! There's a baby in the big, tough cowboy's tummy.

I have to have lots of ice cream... now!

Now, why didn't I see that one coming?

Go away! I don't want to hear your stupid excuses!

I just wanted to show you something.

The ultrasound picture.

You're showing it off already? How gross is that?

This isn't any old baby.

It's Justine Littlewood's little brother or sister.

This baby connects us all - you, your dad, me.

It makes us a family. And as soon as we get things properly organised,

we want you to come home and stay with us for good.

That's what I really came to tell you.

Chocolate brownies - double quantity!

Told you there was nothing to worry about.

-It looks like an alien.

-That's normal.

-I think it's going to look like you.

It's not every day I get told I've got a face like a baby's bum!

You've done Goldilocks, you've seen Cinderella,

but there's no-one quite like Beaker.

-Stop it.

-Stop what?!

Well?

Da-da! My book...with my name on the cover. My dream come true.

-How cool is this?

-It's mine.

-Says who?

-You'll all get your copies at the book launch tomorrow - personally signed by the author.

-Oh, get her!

Want to hear my other news? Local TV are coming here to film it.

-No way!

-Really?

-Yeah. ..Where are you going?

-I've got to read this before tomorrow.

-Why?

-Keep up, Cam. The TV people will want to interview me.

OK, just remember, it's fiction - not your life story.

-How is SHE gonna read 300 pages before her bedtime?

-Just watch me!

No!

LOUD KNOCK ON DOOR Open up, Justine!

-Gimme my book back!

-Don't know what you're talking about.

When I woke up this morning, my bedroom ponged of that bog water

you call perfume. ..New hair... and even more lip gloss than usual.

-So?

-You're after hogging the limelight.

You know what TV's like. They'll be looking for one of the gorgeous kids to interview. C'est moi.

Think again, spewbrain. They'll be interviewing me - the star - Trudy.

-Says who?

-Um, sorry, what letters does her name begin with?

-T and R - like, um, Tracy.

-Is that the best you can do?

-Trudy's a tough kid, who's Queen of the Scammers. Who else could it be?

-Even in the last chapter?

-Course.

-You should have gone to the end like I always do. Because if you had, you'd know...

So you did nick my book!

Let's set up downstairs to start with - then later on today, we'll have the shot of the building.

-Great. Yeah.

-Get the stuff, OK?

-It's him!

-Oh, yeah! ..Who?

-The bloke who interviewed Paula Radcliffe on the telly.

-So?

He met Paula. The champion runner!

I haven't met her. He has. He actually met her! He was...

You made your point.

Cuckoo, cuckoo.

-You missed breakfast.

-Um, I overslept.

-This book is about me.

-Maybe a little.

-Definitely a lottle. You haven't read it.

I know this is exciting - everyone is hyped up - but it's Cam's day,

-so no muscling in.

-Oh...me?

-Oh, fantastic equipment!

-Hi. I wondered if you'd mind...

-Oi! Fingers off!

-It's OK. I know my way around a camera.

-Can I be your assistant?

-Too busy, sonny.

-Sonny(?)

-I wondered...

-Listen, Charlie Keane has work to do. Run along, kids.

Sonny(?) Meet the guy who put the P in patronising.

I'm Cam and I am confident.

I will not give in to nerves.

I'm Cam and I am confident. I will not give in to...

-NERVES! Oh!

-Might I suggest some lip gloss?

-What?

-Absolutely essential if you're on camera.

-Cam, why has your face gone a funny colour?

Because all the blood in her body has drained to her feet. She's clearly crippled with nerves.

Wouldn't be surprised... if they turn that camera on... and Cam's completely struck dumb.

Thanks, Crash(!)

-KNOCK AT DOOR Yes?

-So...?

-So?

-Well, what did you think?

Loved every single word.

Great. That's a weight off my mind.

And you were OK about the ending?

-Best part of the book.

-Brilliant.

-Tell you the truth, I was worried you wouldn't like it.

-As if.

But I'm hungry.

-In a minute.

-But...

-In a minute!

My spag bol's on life-support. When are we sitting these kids down?

Sorry. I didn't realise it took so long to set everything up.

Or for Mr Big Shot to do his hair!

The TV crew are ONLY interviewing Cam and I.

But if you pay me the ridiculously small amount of 50p each,

-I'll get you featured.

-If I pay you a pound, can I go on twice?

-It's not even definite they'll interview YOU.

-Nice hat, Justine.

Still haven't read the last chapter then, Beaker?

Yeah, nice! OK, clear it.

I suggest we do my interview first, so Cam can see there's nothing to worry about.

-Your interview?

-Me being the inspiration for the book.

-Who are you exactly?

-Tracy.

T-r-a-c-y. Without an E. You might want to subtitle that underneath me.

You're a riot. But I'm here to interview the writer, no-one else.

-We'll have you and all the kids on camera for the book signing.

-I don't DO walk-ons.

-..Like the hat.

-You go first in the queue.

-..Hey, Beaker, look who the main attraction is now?

-Mr Keane, how was Paula Radcliffe?

-What?

-When you interviewed her?

Sorry, Charlie Keane's working. You go to the back of the group.

And...action.

This is the place where my book

The Dumping Ground Kids is set.

Cut!

Action!

And action!

OK. This care home, and the children in it, inspired me...

Cut! CUT!

Sorry. We limit her contact with humans.

-Please. Bribe her. Lock her in a cupboard. But keep her out of my hair!

-That's easier said than done.

-Tracy is very...persistent.

-I'm running out of time. I may have to drop this item.

Don't do that. My publishers will go spare.

An idea. Just very quickly...

-interview Tracy.

-Look, I don't need anything but a chat with YOU. The kids are just colour.

You wouldn't have to run it.

OK, deal.

OK, Tracy, very briefly, what's the story behind the book?

-Well...

-Tell them about the last chapter!

Cut!

Er, help!

What's going on?

-Tracy hasn't even finished your book.

-You said you'd read it.

I have! Nearly.

-Just got the last chapter to finish. Give me 10 minutes. I'll read it.

-Maybe that's not a great idea.

No, no, the kid's right. The book is based on her.

You read it. Good idea. Now, run along.

OK, Cam, let's get this in the can.

What're you planning to write next?

The sequel to The Dumping Ground Kids.

-Great. That's you done...and me.

-Shall I get Tracy?

-No, job done.

-You said you'd talk to her.

-And you said we didn't have to run it.

I am never gonna speak to you again!

-Sorry.

-You do realise I am going to sue.

-Tracy, please...

-I hate you!

Your book makes me a laughing stock.

-That's just not true.

-(This is juicy. Keep rolling.)

-Cut.

-You've made me out to be a lonely saddo.

-That's Trudy.

-But Trudy's me!

No. She's made-up.

Trudy's not real. I need her still living in a kids' home, so she can star in the next book.

You've written about me. You think I'm gonna be here till I'm 16.

-No-one's going to foster me.

-Of course they will.

So, now you've stolen my life story, you're off?

Goodbye, Cam. Now you're nearly famous, you won't be coming back.

-Have a nice life, Cam.

-Oh, Tracy!

What happened to the spag bol?

Sorry, mate, the spag bol gave up the ghost hours ago. It's mush.

Mr Keane! Can I have a chat with you about Paula?

-What is wrong with you?

-A picture would do.

-How many times do I have to say this? Charlie Keane is working.

-Oi!

All she wants is a chat. How much can that hurt?

Nearly finished. I'll be glad to get out of this MAD house.

Don't worry, Jackie. I'll get you a picture.

Oi, Charlie!

BOTH: Aw!

Gotcha!

# I can make my world come true All my dreams will see my 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 me now I will win some day. #