Whistle While You Work

Matt: Cleaning up isn’t kids stuff. Mr. C: Oh, yes. Charming fellow that Schemer. Tanya: He said what we’re doing isn’t important. Mr. C: Nonsense. In this station, there are big things to do, and little things to do. But they’re all important because they’re all help get the job done. Sir Topham Hatt is having a similar problem on the Island of Sodor. He’s having a dreadful time with the big tender engines. Well, you’ll see.

(Cue Henry and the Elephant, which is actually connected to the rest of Troublesome Engines in the new timeline.)

Tanya: What does it mean, “go on strike?” Mr. Conductor: It means they wouldn’t work because they wanted to make a point. Matt: I wish Schemer would go on strike. Mr. C: Not much chance of that I’m afraid. Some people walk in their sleep. Schemer probably runs. Oh, so must I, travelling man that I am.

Mr. C: Has he gone? Matt: He left with Aunt Stacy. Tanya: He didn’t want to get wet again, Mr. Conductor. Mr. C: And I didn’t mean to give him a shower, Tanya. But I didn’t want him to paint over my house, either. Tanya: But couldn’t you use your magic and smash through the posters? Mr. C: I can’t make mussels by magic, Tanya. I’d have been trapped in there, and you would have never have heard of what happened when the engines went on strike.
 * Sir Topham Hatt sat in his office listening to the noise outside. The passengers were angry. The stationmaster came in. There's trouble in the shed, sir. Henry was sulking. There's no train and the passengers are saying this is a bad railway. Indeed. Said Sir Topham Hatt. We cannot allow that.
 * He found Gordon, James and Henry looking very cross. Come along, Henry. It's time your train was ready. Henry's not going! Said Gordon. We won't shunt like little tank engines. That was Thomas' job. We are important tender engines. You fetch our coaches and we will pull them. Tender engines don't shunt. We'll see about that. Said Sir Topham Hatt. No engine on my railway is too important for small jobs. And he hurried away to find Edward. The yard has never been the same since Thomas left to run his branch line. He thought sadly.
 * Edward was shunting. Leave those freight cars please, Edward. Said Sir Topham Hatt. I want you to push coaches for me in the yard. Thank you, sir. That will be a nice change. That's a good engine. Off you go then.
 * So Edward found coaches for the three engines and that day, the train's ran as usual.
 * But next morning, Edward looked unhappy. Gordon came clanking pass hissing rudely. Sir Topham Hatt: Bless me! Said Sir Topham Hatt. What a noise! They all hiss me, Sir. Answered Edward. They say tender engines don't shunt and last night they said I have gray wheels. I haven't have I, sir? No, Edward, you have nice blue ones, and I'm proud of you. Tender engines do shunt, but all the same we do need another tank engine here.
 * He went to the workshop and they showed them all sorts of engines. At last, he saw a smart little green engine with four wheels. That's the one. He thought. If I choose you, will you work hard? Oh sir, yes sir. That's a good engine. I'll call you Percy. Yes sir, thank you sir. And Sir Topham Hatt brought Percy back to the yard. Edward. He called. Here's Percy. Will you show him everything?
 * Percy soon learned what he had to do and they had a happy afternoon. Then Henry came by hissing as usual. Wheesh! Went Percy. Henry jumped and ran back to the shed. How beautifully you wheeshed him! Laughed Edward.
 * Edward: I can't wheesh like that.
 * Percy: Oh.
 * George Carlin: Said Percy.
 * Percy: That's nothing. You should hear them in the workshop. You have to wheesh loudly to make yourself heard.
 * George Carlin: Next morning, Thomas arrived.
 * Thomas: Sir Topham Hatt sent to me. I expect he wants help.
 * George Carlin: He said to Edward.
 * Edward: Sh, sh, here he comes.
 * George Carlin: Replied Edward.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Thomas, you've been quick. Listen, Henry, Gordon and James are sulking they say they won't shunt like little tank engines, so I have shut them up and I want you both to run the line for a while.
 * Thomas: Little tank engines indeed.
 * George Carlin: Snorted Thomas.
 * Thomas: We'll show them.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: And Percy will help too.
 * Percy: Oh sir, yes sir, please sir.
 * George Carlin: Answered Percy.
 * Edward and Thomas worked the main line greeting each other as they pass by. Percy puffed along the branch line. Thomas was anxious about Annie and Clarabel, but both driver and conductor promise to take care of them. They were fewer trains but the passengers didn't mind. They knew the three other engines were having a lesson. Gordon, James and Henry were cold, lonely and miserable. They wish now they haven't been so silly.

Matt: I guess Gordon, James and Henry just think shunting is just a little job. But how else can people get on the train? Mr. C: Precisely. It’s the little things like cleaning that make the big things possible. For example, my bicycle needs exercising. If I don’t ride it everyday, it’s handlebars droop. Bye-bye.