FanFic:The Sodor Engines Episode 41: Bossy Boiler

"Bossy Boiler" is the 41st episode of the television series The Sodor Engines.

Next Episode: Episode 42: The Other Railway

Previous Episode: Episode 40: One More Try

Plot

James has to work at the quarry with a railway traction engine named Fergus. James is annoyed by Fergus' perfectionist manner, and rebels, with bad results . . .

Script

Narrator: It was a beautiful summer morning on Sodor. James was having a washdown. The workmen brushed his boiler till it shone, and polished his dome until it gleamed like gold. He was enjoying himself immensly, and was trying to take a nap when Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

Sir Topham Hatt: James!

James: (Startled) What? What? Oh. Yes, Sir?

Sir Topham Hatt: You must help out with a special job at the quarry.

Narrator: James groaned. He didn't want to get dirty.

James: But Sir, my paint-

Sir Topham Hatt: Really useful engines do as they are told! Coincedently, so do slaves, but that's not important! Anyway, you'll be working with a new engine. His name is Fergus. I expect you to a good job. So get to it!

Narrator: Disgusted, James puffed away from the washdown, headed for the quarry.

(James is steaming through the countryside. He meets Emily at a crossing)

Emily: Hello. James. Where are you going?

James: (Sighs) I have to go to the quarry to work with the new engine, Fergus.

Emily: Oh! I hear Fergus is really bossy.

James: Bossier than you?

(Emily glowers at him)

James: (Worried) Just kidding, just kidding. (Proud and indignant) Well, if this Fergus really is boossy, I'll show him who the real pride of the railway is!

(He steams away)

Emily: (Calling to him) I thought we were all the pride of the railway!

James: (Shouting) Sorry! Can't hear you!

(Cut to the quarry)

Narrator: As he pulled in, James caught sight of Fergus. He was small, and had a large flywheel on one side of his boiler. His paint was a royal blue color.

Fegus: You must be James.

James: (thinking) I hope Emily isn't right. (Spoken, proudly) Yes I am.

Fergus: Right then. See those trucks over there? (Indicates a long line of trucks) Shunt them to the other side of the quarry.

Narrator: James was annoyed by Fergus's bossy manner. He buffrered up to the trucks and started to push them. Just then, Fergus steamed by, looking cross.

Fergus: Stop! Quarry rule #46 states that you can't push more than five trucks at a time for safety reasons. Do it right!

James: It'll take me forever to shunt them five by five across the quarry!

Fergus: Well, the sooner you start, the sooner you'll finish!

Narrator: This made James very cross indeed. When the job was finally done, he was exhausted. James let off a loud wheesh of steam.

(Fergus steams up)

Fergus: No! Quarry rule #23 forbids loud wheeshing! You could start an avalanche! Do it right!

Narrator: By now James was furious. He steamed over to his next line, where Fergus was waiting.

Fergus: You'll have to take the long way around the excavation pitss. The line that runs along the edge is unsafe.

Narrator: James groaned. The other line was very, very long. But then James noticed that Fergus had puffed away to work somewhere else.

(James buffers up to the trucks)

James: (muttering) I'll show that bossy engine! He lives by his precious rules, but anyone can see that the other line's safe!

Narrator: James puffed onto the edge line. The tracks felt frim enough. James took a cautious puff forwards. Nothing happened. James started down the line, feeling vindicated. He was about halfway across when he felt a slight wobble. It got worse as he steamed forwards.

James: (thinking) Maybe I should head back.

Narrator: But it was too late. The tracks were already slowly sliding towards the edge of the pit. James pumped his pistons and charged forwards as fast as he could. Sand slid down the side fo the pit, and ther rails had noticeably moved. The trucks were being pulled over the edge. With one final effort, James raced forward. He reached the safe line just as the edge of the pit collapsed and the trakcs collapsed. The trucks were pulled downward, but fortunately James' tender coupling broke, leaving him safely on solid ground.

(Fergus steams over)

Fergus: What were you thinking? You're lucky to be unhurt!

James: Sorry.

Narrator: James helped to clean up the mess, and continued work. But something seemed different. He did do things right. He obeyed all the rules, and finished the job safe and sound.

(James shunts the last few trucks into place)

Narrator: He backed down beside Fergus.

James: I'm sorry I disobeyed the rules. I think I get why they closed the line. (Smiles)

Fergus: Maybe I was a little too bossy. Next time I'll try to be nicer.

James: Friends?

Fergus: Friends.

Narrator: And from then on, James and Fergus got along perfectly.

Characters

• James
• Fergus
• Sir Topham Hatt
• Workmen