The Big Race/Good as Gold 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...

-No! No!

# Believe me now I will win some day. #

-My point!

-What?!

-Well, you never hit the ball back.

-What's the date?

-The 22nd.

-So tomorrow's the...

-Er, 23rd? Usually.

-It's from her grandpa, about a race.

5km?! He wants me to run with him in a charity race. No way!

-You could run 5km in your sleep.

-OK. Don't panic. We'll help.

-I'll get people to sponsor you.

-Yeah, but I'm still panicking...

And I'll help you train, with my cutting-edge approach to coaching.

I can't let him down.

It's important to warm up properly.

-I have warmed up.

-Great, let's go!

-Aren't you going to warm up?

Nah. Can't be bothered. Come on!

HE SHOUTS ORDERS

-It's no picnic being a donkey.

-Oh, please!

-It's no picnic being here!

-Right!

-Donkeys should do sponsored beach rides for us!

-Poor you(!) You're worse off than a donkey?

-No, but you are.

-Why?

Cos you look like one!

No way her Grandpa'll make it. He won a medal in the Stone Age, but...

-You only cough up if he finishes.

-Your serve.

-If he doesn't,

-I'll pay you for whatever you signed for.

-Wait a minute.

-If Jackie's old crumbly Grandpa can't finish, you pay us?

-Mm-hm!

-ARGH!

-Hamstring. Told you, you should've warmed up.

It's fine, really!

ARGH!

Poor things.

-Nathan?

-No way.

-I don't believe in donkey racing.

-No. It's people racing FOR donkeys.

Oh, right. Why didn't you say?

Shelley?

I'm not sure.

People give more money to animal charities than, well, people.

-It can get sentimental. No offence.

-It's for Jackie and her grandpa!

Yes, and should he put himself through that at his age?

I'm sorry, but that's how I feel.

Easy now, keep your rhythm...

Slow it down a bit...

-Not that slow, obviously.

-I think it's you, going faster!

-Everything's under control... Whoa!

-The brake!

-Good idea, where is it?

-ARGH!

-CRASH!

Ouch!

-Maybe you should sit this one out.

-Don't worry, I've got a plan.

This way I can keep on at you. OK, a couple of laps round the pond.

Go!

Remember, weight on the balls of your feet, over.

-These are great! Where'd you get 'em?

-Found 'em on a bench.

-Lucky, eh!

-'That definitely feels better. How do I look? Over.'

Keep your head up, even strides, that's it... Over.

'Now, lads, it was a mistake, OK? Just put me down... ARGH!'

-SPLASH!

-Crash? Crash?!

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Ah, changed your mind, eh?

Hello, Tracy.

Oh, you. Funny, I thought I said I never wanted to see you again.

-I thought you might calm down...

-What do you want?!

-Writing a sequel?!

-Tracy.

-I'm still stuck here. Just like you wrote.

-Look, I told you, Trudy wasn't...

-Trudy wasn't me, I know.

-You must think I'm really stupid!

-No, of course I don't!

-I'm not here for ideas. I want us to be friends.

-You know your way out.

-Oh, and before you go...

-Yeah?

Jackie's in a race and needs sponsors. You can sign up.

Sure. Of course.

More than that! You're a big hot-shot writer now!

-For the book, I'm really not getting that much.

-Till it sells a million.

-Showing no signs of it at the moment. Tracy, please...

-Thank you.

PA: 'Would all runners collect their race numbers now, please?'

-What d'you mean? I did enter!

-We received your application too late.

-Her grandpa's a bit...forgetful.

-There's nothing I can do!

-You can give me a number!

-Rules are rules.

-Anyone can be late.

-There's a kids' fun-run. Perhaps you'd like to enter that.

-No way!

Right, Jackie, Lol, Bouncer. ..Nice car.

-Eh?

-Only, they scratch so easily, don't they...?

Actually, we might have a spare number here somewhere...

Hi! I finally found you. Thought I'd come and see the big race!

This would make a great chapter(!)

-And have a last go at saying I'm sorry.

-"Plucky care kid wins race!"

-I don't know what else to do.

-Give me my life back.

I never took it away! The book's out there. I can't bring it back!

I'm so sad you feel like this, but you know where I am if you need me.

-PA:

-'Runners, take your positions now, please...'

Right, on your marks,

get set...

KLAXON SOUNDS CROWD: Come on! You can do it...!

-He'll never make it.

-Yes, he will!

-You'd better hope so, or else!

-KERCHING!

-Come on, Jackie!

Easy! Now remember, always save the best till the last.

Always keep a surprise up your sleeve until the very end!

-Come on,

-Jackie! Go on! I take it all back. He's amazing!

Let me see!

Tracy?

What did she want? Fishing for new book ideas? Only reason she's here.

-Yeah?

-She told us she wished she'd never written the first one.

-What?

-She's gutted about you!

-She's scared you'll never be mates again.

-No, she's, she's just...

I don't think so. ..Come on.

-How do you wish you'd never written it!?

-What?

-Best thing you ever did!

-You want to write for crummy newspapers?

-I thought you hated it?

-Just the end. The rest is great.

-It doesn't have to be your ending.

-No, maybe not.

-Besides, you don't know what happens in the sequel.

-So you are working on a sequel!

-No! But, you know, I have some ideas.

Thank goodness you talked to me.

The first thing to do is to get Trudy out of that boring care home.

Maybe she becomes an international pop star, or maybe an astronaut.

-We've been here before! You don't give up, do you?

-Grandpa!

-Stand back, please! Give him some room.

-Grandpa.

-I'm OK.

It's just a stitch.

-Feel like a Christmas turkey!

-Take it easy.

-Jackie, I don't think I can finish, darling...

-It's all right.

-No, it's not. I want you to finish for me.

-No.

-Yeah! Yeah!

I'm fine. Go on!

Go on.

GRANDPA: 'Always remember, save... your best till the last.

'Keep a surprise up your sleeve until the very end...'

CROWD APPLAUDS AND CHEERS

-Where'd you find that finish?! Your time was awesome!

-How's Grandpa?

He gone back to the nursing home. A doctor's just checking him over.

Grandpa?

Grandpa...?

Gave you a bit of a scare, eh? Don't think I'll try that again!

-Did you finish it?

-I didn't win, or anything.

Don't matter.

I came in the first three.

I'm proud of you!

-You see, that training paid off.

-Yeah...

Hi. How is he?

-Very tired. Tough, though, isn't he?

-Yep.

-THEY ALL CHEER

-It's all there. Every penny.

-But, Grandpa didn't finish.

-Right!

-That's exactly what I...

-Yes, he did. Didn't he?

-YEAH!

-Thanks.

I'm letting you off training tomorrow. You need time to recover.

Well done, Jackie.

Hey, you! Don't move a muscle!

She's not doing it right! She'll ruin everything.

Keep calm, Justine! Here.

Yeah, it'll be a fantastic party - Justine's leaving forever! Woo-hoo!

You're jealous cos you're the only one of the old crowd left.

I've had heaps of fostering offers. I'm just waiting for the right one.

Don't you mean heaps of failures?

Your dad and Carrie only want you home to baby-sit!

-Can't you two just be nice to each other for once?

-No!

-OK.

Come on, Lou.

Don't be upset, Tracy.

The right person is out there, waiting to foster you.

-You could be in for a surprise.

-You, too.

Come on, Jackie, your grandpa's waiting to come to the party.

My grandpa waiting around? I don't think so.

Is the fastest grandpa in the country ready?

-He doesn't need a wheelchair!

-He does for now, love.

-No!

His legs need a workout, that's all. He needs to get back in training!

Sling 'em.

-I know how to do it. Let me have a go.

-Uh-uh!

I am chief when Duke's not here.

-Can't I even help?

-It's flammable.

We need a responsible adult in charge.

-How are you feeling?

-Fantastic.

Except for swollen ankles, bad back, indigestion and heat rash!

I'd love a ginger tea, love. Dad's got the teabags.

-The doctor thinks it's going to be a big baby.

-I was big, wasn't I?

Yes, love. Hurry up with the tea, Carrie's tum is a bit...you know.

It's just baby, baby, baby, isn't it?

-Um, how do you feel about...?

-Pick a card.

It's the...

-ten of diamonds.

-Sorry, five of spades.

-I meant five of spades.

-Cheat!

-How do you feel about Justine leaving?

-Wow! Look who's here!

-I didn't know you were coming!

-Yeah, Elaine invited us.

-Watch out.

Elaine never invites people unless she's got big plans for them.

-I wonder what big plans Elaine's got for you, Dad.

-Hey, ssh!

-Want to introduce me to your friends?

-I'll be back in a minute.

Hi. I'm Cam. Tracy's probably mentioned me.

Um, no.

Is there a special reason you asked Jake's dad here today?

Maybe. What do you think of him?

-He's perfect! I thought you'd never find someone!

-Me, either.

-But there is someone for everyone.

-For once, Elaine, you're right!

Promise you won't say anything?

OK, I get it. It's Justine's big day.

What are you staring at?

Hi, Mr Hopper.

# Cooking sausages on my barbecue

# This one's for me That one's for you... #

Yo, Duke.

Is everything all right?

I think I can be trusted to cook sausages - it's not rocket science!

Duke!

CIRCUS MUSIC

-Want to do a magic trick with me?

-Yeah!

All right, bro?

-Do you want the baby to be a boy or a girl?

-Who cares?

You can't call a tiny little baby George! Tell him, Justine.

-Whatever.

-I've always wanted a little girl called Rose.

Why not call it Poison Ivy?

CIRCUS MUSIC

-Abracadabra!

-Hey!

-Let the flip-flops fly!

Higher and higher.

Let's send these up, too.

Oh, no, you don't - we're both getting up for the night feeding!

-Everything all right?

-It's too warm for Carrie outside.

-Not long now, eh?

-What?

-The baby.

-They're usually about 50 centimetres, I've heard.

Oh, I see. Not long. Very good.

-Justine's been really excited, haven't you, Justine?

-Ecstatic.

Did you know one baby can create more washing than ten adults?

WHISPERS: Baby. Baby. Baby. Baby.

A-A-A-Aaah!

Would you just stop talking about the stupid baby?!

I'm sick of baby, baby, baby!

You were excited about the baby.

-If you're going to keep saying that word, go away!

-What, baby?

Your dad and Carrie are really happy you're going home with them.

Yeah, so I can help them look after the ba...the you-know-what.

-I didn't mean that, I...

-Get lost.

It might be fun, having a sister or brother.

Well, you'll never know, will you?

Wrong. Jake's going to be my foster brother. It's official. Elaine said.

Isn't that fantastic? They seem so cool. She'll be so happy.

This is supposed to be MY party!

He'll be OK.

He's still a champion. And no-one can take that away from him.

Grandpa's tired. He wants to go back.

-What is going on here?

-What?

I just saw you and him playing tonsil tennis!

-Keep your voice down!

-I'll shout as loud as I want, dad-snatcher!

-Tracy...

-You're supposed to find me parents, not yourself a boyfriend!

You're going to have to choose - me or her!

-Tracy, what are you talking about?

-You were going to foster Tracy?

-Tracy, you and I need to chat.

-Without even telling me?

I was going to tell you.

OK, no fighting over me! Only one of you can foster me.

Tom, will you give up Elaine?

Tracy, I have no intention of fostering anyone.

I'm sorry.

I guess you won me, then.

You could have pretended you wanted her, just until I left.

KNOCK ON DOOR Go away.

Come to gloat?

No.

I wish Tom WAS fostering you.

You deserve someone nice.

I've been zapped onto a planet where the Justinians are friendly.

Stop it! Why can't you be friends with me?!

-You never said you wanted to!

-If I did, you'd be nasty!

No, I wouldn't!

See? We even fight when we're being nice.

Maybe it was just a bad habit, us being mean.

Habits can be broken.

Euergh! That was spooky!

I hate this!

-You don't know how lucky you are.

-Yeah, wish I had wheels.

Quit moping! You've got trophies!

I'll polish them up, and you can remember when you were a champion.

You can't be fastest forever!

Fine, be like that!

Wait!

Come on! Faster, faster! Speed it up!

-We're going as fast as we can!

-Stop!

-That was two seconds faster!

-Again!

-Give us a break!

You want to exercise your puny muscles. Put your backs into it!

Who says I'm not the fastest grandpa in the country?

Pick a card.

-Nine of hearts.

-Yeah!

-Huh?

-You got it.

Yes! I got it!

-I've got the power!

-Are you mad at me?

You take me for granted.

But I'm a glutton for punishment.

Your dad and I were thoughtless, going on about the baby.

-For the rest of the day, there is no baby.

-Ow!

Obviously, someone doesn't... Ow!

..agree with us! Feel.

Wow!

-What do you call this?!

-Well done.

Well done? I could write me name with that!

It's all right, the cavalry's here!

-Yummy.

-Marco, you're magic.

-Yuck.

-Planet gross.

You know, I wouldn't have minded you being my sister.

Just as well I'm staying. Someone's got to look after this lot.

# 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 me now I will win some day. #