Spare Dad/Operation Careworker 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. #

Crash, it's only natural to be worried.

-Is it?

-Yes, and we wouldn't let your dad see you

if we hadn't had positive reports from his probation officer and...

Everyone deserves another chance.

I haven't seen him in years. He doesn't even know me.

-You don't have to see him if it'll upset you.

-No, I'm ready for him.

-Shut up!

-Coaches use whistles to get attention and motivate people.

How would you like to swallow that whistle, Coach?

Listen! Since we didn't to camp, I thought we'd have a meeting...

How about a nice quiet note under our doors?

-Or you just ask us nicely.

-Yeah.

Wait!

Crash's dad is coming to visit.

-Crash's loser dad is coming.

-What's that got to do with us?

It's gonna be a really rough day for Crash.

Like I said, what's that got to do with us?

It's a really important visit. They have lots of issues to sort out.

They have to learn to bond again, start the healing process.

What?

Just checking - I thought Elaine the pain got herself cloned.

-All I'm saying is make sure you give Crash the space he needs.

-Wait -

you dragged us away from minding our own business

-to tell us to mind your own business?!

-Tragic.

I don't know why you're wasting your time.

-Crash's dad will only let him down.

-You don't know that!

I think I know a bit more than you do about hopeless-dad syndrome!

-Just butt out and give them a chance!

-You butt out!

-No you!

-No you!

-No, YOU.

Just want you to know I'm here for you.

Thanks.

That's very nice of you, Jackie, but Crash needs a bit of privacy.

I've already sorted that out. You'll have all the privacy you need.

-(Jackie, it's time you went.)

-He's here.

-It's all right.

-No, it's not. I can't do this!

-Crash! Jackie, give him some space!

Crash?

Come in.

You OK?

-Is he gone?

-No, Shelley's still got him trapped in the office.

I didn't think he'd get to me like this.

I know it's tough, but what are you going to do? He won't wait forever.

CREAK!

Well, Justine? What d'you think I should do?

He's a loser, tell him to get lost.

-No!

-What? Look how worried Crash is.

-He might be different now!

-A few anger management classes

-and he's an angel?

-If he leaves now, Crash will never know!

-Shut up!

I've got enough of that going on inside my head!

-See? You're just making things worse!

-You're the one making things worse!

-No, it's you!

-No, it's you!

-No, it's you.

-No, it's you!

I'm going to talk to Crash. I can't keep Theo in the office much longer.

I wouldn't interfere, Shelley. The kid needs to make his own mind up.

-No, you!

-No, you!

-No, you!

-No, you!

What do you know about it anyway?

I know Crash better than you do and now he's...gone!

Why don't you stay?

You haven't had the grand tour, and it's a very interesting building.

Please don't go, Dad.

Why don't you two go to the garden for a while?

It's nice and PRIVATE out there.

OK. No more interfering, either of us.

-It's a deal. We leave them in peace to talk.

-Deal.

And if they want to get back together again, then that's great.

Or not. Whatever they decide.

It wouldn't be interfering just to have a little look, though, would it?

-You've grown...

-How far did you...?

-Sorry, you first.

-No, it's OK.

I was just saying you've grown.

Nearly a man.

It's funny, you look smaller.

What are you gawking at?

Nothing.

-I don't believe it!

-They're supposed to be exploring their relationship

and working on their attachment disorder, not playing football!

-What?

-First me, then you. Elaine's been cloning us in our sleep!

What a horrible thought.

Yeah, but you're right.

What if they don't ever get round to talking?!

It'll be a disaster.

How can we not help them?

We didn't do enough of this, did we?

No, we didn't.

Nice shot. WHISTLE BLOWS

Oops, you'll never get it back now! She's a kleptomaniac.

You two having a nice chat?

-They mates of yours?

-Yeah. Good mates.

They're there for me.

-Unlike me, right?

-No. That's not what I meant.

Liam...

-Dad, they call me Crash here.

-Crash?!

Yeah.

I smash things when I'm angry.

Liam, I'm sor...

-What's up?

-Mike promised he'd fix it.

-He's been busy. He'll get round to it.

-I need it today!

-I know a bit about bikes. Let's have a look.

-Great!

Nice one, Jackie.

-What is it now, Elaine-i-kins?

-What part of "leave them alone"

-don't your brother understand?!

-He's bothering Crash!

-Not as much as you're bothering me.

-We'll stop him!

Nobody stops me or my brother doing anything, got it?!

Got it.

-We'll just pop off, then.

-Yeah, pop off!

Nice bike.

-But you really need to take better care of it.

-How?

Clean the chain, oil it now and then.

-Nobody told me I had to do that.

-Look after it or you'll lose it.

Believe me, I should know.

Thanks.

Crash...

Your dad's OK.

Looks like a good set-up here.

It's OK.

So...you're happy?

Yeah, I always dreamed of spending my childhood in a care home.

I'm sorry, Liam.

For everything.

I couldn't have messed up more if I'd tried.

You hurt me.

I'm really sorry.

If I didn't love you...

..I might have got over what you did to me,

but I haven't.

I'm still angry with the whole world, and it's your fault.

I know.

And I wouldn't blame you if you never forgave me.

I didn't say never.

What's up, face-ache?

Crash's dad...

mended my bike.

And that's bad?

You don't need a stupid dad.

You've got me.

And I've got you.

We're each other's support system when the world gets big and scary.

BOTH: A-a-a-a-a-a-aaaargh!

At last, they're talking. Now they might get somewhere.

I thought you didn't want them to get together.

Maybe a hopeless dad's better than no dad.

Liam, I came to tell you I'm sorting my life out.

-I've got a job.

-Good.

-A few weeks, I'll be able to get a flat.

-Great.

We can take it easy at first. You can visit me, then stay the weekend...

-Dad, wait...

-You can paint your room...

-No!

-No, too messy.

-Stop it!

-What?

-You're trying to control my life.

-No, I'm trying to do what's best for you.

-That's the problem, isn't it?

You don't know what's best for me. You thought you'd fix everything!

-We can't be fixed like that!

-I didn't mean to rush you.

This is never going to work. Just go.

-No! Don't go! He didn't mean it.

-Hold that. ..Justine!

I've had enough of you not listening to me. It's none of your business,

so let the staff...

Face it, Mike, what do you know about being a kid in care?

Point taken. Oh...

WHISTLE BLASTS

I over-reacted.

A little.

-I'm no better at all this than he is.

-Don't be so hard on yourself.

He'll never come back now.

Yes, I will.

On one condition.

You call the shots for a while.

Thanks.

Can we start with a movie?

I'd like that.

Uh, Mike, I think it's time to butt out now.

Yeah! "Give the guy some space."

Oi, you! Stick around there's more Beaker to come.

Why can't we help choose the new head care worker?

It wouldn't be appropriate.

-Head office is sending us their top three candidates.

-What do they know?

We live here - we should have a say.

-What do you think, Mike?

-I'm staying out of this one, kids.

Look, you can greet the candidates and show them to the office.

Gee, thanks, Shelley. You're all heart.

CHILDREN CALL OUT TO EACH OTHER

-Crash, on your head.

-I don't believe you lot!

-Things are being turned upside down and you're playing!

-Crash is right.

Shelley's leaving, we're getting a new head care worker,

and no-one's even asked us how we feel about it!

What difference will it make? We're just care kids.

That attitude will land us another Elaine. Is that what you want?

-What do you suggest, Bob Geldof?

-I don't know,

that's why I'm talking to you guys.

I've got it.

We can put the candidates through the dumping ground test.

-Since when has there been a dumping ground test?

-There isn't one...yet.

-What do we want from our care worker?

-Who cares? They'll be rubbish.

Milly and I have got a fancy-dress party, and we haven't got any hats,

so they need to be able to make costume hats, good ones.

Number one.

Must be creative.

Someone who could shoot some hoops might be good.

Number two - a sporty person.

That's good. Keep 'em coming.

Someone who knows cool things, like the name of Johnny Depp's wife!

Number three - popular knowledge.

-Anything else?

-Well, I've got a good sense about people.

I can see auras sometimes. It's like a sixth sense.

Fair enough, they must be able to pass the Alice test.

Everybody happy?

Great. So we're gonna have some arty-farty, beefy know-it-all,

with a special aura. Sounds realistic(!)

ALL: Shut up, Roxy!

Well, hello there.

I'm Mr Willis. It's a pleasure to meet you.

-This way, please.

-My very own guides - splendid.

What a fascinating staircase. Great feature.

These old houses really do have it all, don't they? Fascinating stuff.

Fascinating. Right...

Oh, Mr Willis, come in.

Oh, yes!

Cheer up, mate. It might never happen.

You've not met Mr Willis.

I don't even know why Shelley wants to leave.

Um, number one - constant food fighting.

Number two - constant pranks. Number three... Need I go on?

You won't be laughing with some old dinosaur breathing down your neck!

Hopefully Duke'll be back by then, and he can do the dinosaur taming!

Mike, I think you need to accept that Duke's not coming back.

You're just like us.

You come in here thinking it's just for a few days,

but it turns into forever.

Well, better go and pick up Mr Fascinating.

Thanks very much.

Absolutely delightful to meet you.

Mr Willis, there are some fascinating, um, period features...

Would you like to see them?

-Oh, really? Yes, please, that would be...

-Fascinating?

Let's play the Weakest Care Worker.

WEAKEST LINK JINGLE

Mr...?

Er, Willis.

Mr Willis, we have certain standards here at the dumping ground.

And we all agree that our new head care worker must be creative.

-I don't understand.

-They have to be able to make things!

Things like fancy dress.

Here are your materials.

Marco and Milly need two costume hats.

You have five minutes.

Your time starts...now.

These are rubbish!

I tried my best.

You are the weakest care worker. ALL: Goodbye.

So, Alice, what did his aura tell you?

Was he a boring man, by any chance?

Wow, Roxy, did you sense it, too?

POP MUSIC ON RADIO

GETS LOUDER

Nice moves.

Well, thank you very much. I'll wait to hear from you.

-This way for the last part of the interview, please.

-No, I've just...

Oh. So, what's all this, then?

We expect our head care worker to know all kinds of cool stuff.

-So we have some questions to test you out on.

-A quiz?

Well, that should be a doddle.

Used to have nightly quizzes in my last home.

The losing team did the dishes.

Ha-ha. Right. Ready when you are.

Your five minutes start...now!

-In The Simpsons, what's the name of the school principal?

-Skinner.

-Who does David Beckham play for?

-Real Madrid.

-What's the name of Gwyneth Paltrow's child?

-Strawberry, peach... Apple!

Mrs Hood, you scored full marks.

Of course I did.

Which means... you leave with nothing.

-What? Why?

-Nobody likes a know-it-all.

-You are the weakest careworker.

-ALL: Goodbye!

Goodbye.

Hmmph!

So, Mystic Meg, what did you learn from your sixth sense this time?

Her aura was very clear. There was a lot to see.

It's not looking good. They've both been hopeless.

And these are the top three.

Chill, the next one's called Lucy. She might be what we're looking for.

Lucy's passed the costume challenge and survived the general knowledge,

but can she go all the way?

It all rests on this final ball.

Aw...

Well, I've always said that nobody's perfect.

She's fantastic.

-There's only one person for the job.

-That's me, right? Glad you think so.

Mike, this is Lucy, our new head care worker. Well, hopefully.

Really? Nice to meet you.

I'd shake your hand, but...

You two should talk. After all, you could be working together. See you.

So the interview went well, then?

Oh, it's the perfect job for me.

-Have you worked in many care homes?

-No. I've just finished university.

Well, don't worry, you'll have plenty of support from me.

I doubt I'll need your help. You fix the bikes, I'll sort out the kids.

Time to reveal who you think is the strongest care worker...

Stop! Wait!

Lucy's aura is really weird. I don't like her.

Don't be silly. Lucy will be great for us.

-I hate to say it, but Alice is right.

-What do you care?

She worked at my old care home, but if you don't want to hear...fine.

-I don't remember her.

-That's because she dyed her hair.

-Oh!

-Come on, Roxy, spill the beans.

-She left a boy in the attic

with no food or water.

He ended up eating his own pet gerbil.

-Yeah, right(!)

-Fine, don't say I didn't warn you.

-I thought she'd be perfect.

-Typical, this is as good as it gets for us.

Mr Fascinating, an over-eager quiz captain

-and the Wicked Witch of the West.

-There's got to be someone else.

Lunch, 15 minutes.

And for dessert, there's ice cream!

Under our noses the whole time.

What?

Lunch smells nice.

Thanks. What are you after?

-We just realised. You fix our bikes.

-Remember our birthdays.

And never lose your temper, no matter how many stunts we pull.

-You could run this place.

-Just doing my job.

No, you really could run this place.

Don't look so surprised.

-We're all agreed that you're the best man for the job.

-Who's we?

ALL: Us!

Wow, thanks.

I'm not so sure it's really me, though, is it?

Sorry, kids.

-I can't believe I got my hopes up there.

-This really sucks.

I know.

Well...I've made a decision.

And I'm really going to miss you all,

but I have no doubt my replacement is going to do a great job.

So give a warm welcome to your new head care worker.

Well, if you want me, you've got me.

CHEERING

Roxy, there's one thing I don't understand.

Lucy said she'd just left university.

she can't have been at your old care home.

I know. I made it up, I didn't like the look of her either.

Don't look at me like that. It doesn't mean I like you.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd - 2005

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