When Grace asks Sir Topmen hat for a job on the railway, he challenges her with a difficult task, if she could work with Thomas for a week without any accidents he would give her a full-time job. But Grace soon discovers its harder than it looks and that her chances at working on the Isle of Sodor's Rail-Way is limited. It becomes even more difficult when she figures out that Topmen hat only gave her three tries, if she gets three strikes, she's out…for good.

Before she entered Sir Topmen Hat's office, Grace took in a deep breath and tried to relax her shoulders, but as she reached for the door handle a sound whistle snapped her out of her thoughts. Grace turned on her heels to see that her friend Thomas with Annie and Clarabelle behind him.

"Hello, Grace!" He smiled cheerfully. "What brings you here to Knapford?"

"Oh, hey there, Thomas," Grace said as she placed her hands behind her back. "Nothing really, I'm just here to ask the Fat Controller for a job."

"A job?"

"Yep."

"Well, good luck with that," Thomas pointed out, causing Grace to feel worse.

"What do you mean by that?" Grace asked worriedly walking away from the green door.

"Well, Sir Topmen Hat expects the best from his workers," Thomas admitted, but before he could explain anything else he then realized how nervous Grace was. "But-but you're really useful and reliable, Grace! Of course, he would hire you."

Grace didn't feel any better she only felt worse, and that she could run away at any moment, Grace looked away as her mind became overwhelmed with worry and fear.

"Grace!" Thomas shouted, snapping Grace out of her thoughts. "You'll be okay, I promise."

After Thomas' passengers boarded Annie and Clarabelle the conductor blew his whistle signaled with his arm to tell Thomas that he could go forward.

"Good luck, Grace," Thomas smiled before he tooted his whistle and chuffed away, leaving the former circus performer behind.

"I'm going to need it," Grace whispered to herself.

Later:

"Please sit down, Grace," Topmen offered before sitting in his own chair behind his desk. "Before we begin our discussion would you like some tea?"

"Oh, uh, yes please…sir," Grace said as she took a seat. "Thank you, sir."

Sir Topmen hat poured the brown tea into china cup and placed it in front of Grace, before picking up a small container of sugar cubes.

"Sugar?" he offered, but Grace quickly denied.

"No thank you, sir," she said, nervously.

After a few moments passed Sir Topmen Hat looked up at the young woman and asked:

"So, tell me, Grace, why should you work for me and my railroad?"

"Well, um…since I don't work for the circus anymore, I thought it over and then figured out I needed a job." Grace explained "I still work at the stables, but I only volunteer there during the weekends."

"I see," Sir Topmen Hat nodded his head. "But to work for me, I need to know that you can do your best and to avoid confusion and delay. Do you understand, Grace?"

Grace nodded her head in agreement before she took a sip of her tea and placed it back down onto the desk.

"I do sir," Grace assured as she straightened her back. "I'll do my best."

"Good, I'm glad to hear that," Sir Topmen smiled, before his face turned stern. "But we need to make an agreement."

"An 'agreement'?" Grace repeated, nervously.

"Yes, I'll give you three strikes, Grace," Sir Topmen Hat explained, placing his hands into the table. "If you get all three strikes I will release you from your duty."

"Oh, uh, yes, sir." Grace gulped.

After Grace's meeting with Sir Topmen Hat was over Grace was relieved she was able to work with Thomas. What could possibly go wrong?