Sent Packing
Two weeks had passed since Samantha had her accident at the quarry. It was taking a long time to repair Samantha's tender, as well as the part of her cab that had hit it.
While this went on, Amanda had taken Samantha's role at the quarry. This was what made Amanda happy. Now that she was the main switcher, she could work on getting rid of Josh and Spike. Over the last two weeks, she had tried to do things that would get them in trouble. However, whenever she tried, the manager or a quarry worker was nearby, so she had to stop.
"How hard is it to get rid of two old steamers" she asked herself. And with each failed plan, she became more and more angry.
She tried to act nice to Spike and Josh, but sometimes her anger got the better of her. One day she was pushing cars to the chute, when Spike reversed behind her. The driver didn't see her, so they hit Amanda and pushed her under the chute. Dust flew down all over her.
"Opps, sorry Amanda; didn't see you there" said Spike. "Neither did I" said the driver.
"UGH" said Amanda, looking at herself. "WATCH WHERE YOUR GOING YOU OLD STEAM POT" she screamed.
"Whoa Amanda, no need to get angry" said Spike.
"HARD NOT TO" said Amanda, and he left to get clean.
Later, Amanda apologized, but she was only doing it so Spike would be on her side, for now. Truth be told, the only engine that Amanda was truly nice to was Russel. He was the only other diesel at the quarry, and Amanda was always nice when she was around him. But it wasn't like when she was around Spike and Josh. When she was around Russel, she seemed truly nice; it didn't seem like an act.
"Good Morning Russel, how are you doing" she would ask every morning.
"Oh, very nice Amanda, and how about you" he would say in return. The two would then have a quick conversation, before Russel went to do his work.
"It's almost weird how nice she is to me" said Russel one night.
"She doesn't treat us the same way, but maybe she treats other diesels better than steam engines. But I'm sure she still likes us" said Spike.
While this went on, Amanda, although not nearby, was thinking about how she could get rid of Spike and Josh.
Samantha was miserable; she had been in the works for two weeks, and she longed to be back in the quarry. The back of her cab had been fixed, but she was still waiting on her tender. And since there wasn't a spare one to use, she had to wait.
"When will my tender be ready" she asked a workman.
"It'll be done when it's done" he said, and walked away.
Samantha sighed "This isn't good. I know Amanda did something about this, and now she's doing my job. Who knows what she'll do to Spike, Josh, and Russel" she said.
That night, Samantha was talking to Seamus, who had been brought in for matinence.
"I know that diesel has it out for me. Now, I'm worried about the others at the quarry" she said.
"It does seem hard to believe an engine has it out for you. However, all of what you've said does make it seem that way" said Seamus.
"So what should I do" asked Samantha?
"I'm afraid I don't know Samantha. But if she is out for you, then I'd watch it when you're around her" said Seamus.
Then a workman came over to the two. "Samantha, good news; your tender is fixed. You can leave tomorrow morning" he said.
"Good, now I can get back to the quarry and keep an eye on that diesel" said Samantha.
"Just be careful Samantha; don't do something you'll regret" said Seamus.
In the morning, Samantha arrived at the quarry. Her tender looked as good as new, and she was ready to work. As she puffed to the turntable, Russel rolled over to her.
"Hello Samantha, welcome back. How are you" he asked.
"I'm doing well Russel; it feels so nice to be back in the dust and hills" said Samantha. "So, how has Amanda been doing" she asked.
"Very good actually, she's really nice to. She gets my cars ready really quick and says hello to me every morning" said Russel.
"Really" asked Samantha; she was surprised. Something was definitely going on. Why was Amanda so nice to Russel, but mean to her?
"Well, I've got a train to take, bye Samantha" said Russel, and he hummed away.
Samantha was still thinking about Amanda, when.
"Hello Old Girl" said a voice.
Samantha stopped thinking and looked. On the other side of the turntable, was Amanda.
Samantha gave and angry face "Hello Amanda, happy to see me" she asked.
"Why, of course I'm not. I was hoping Mr. Copper had decided to give you a different job, or better yet, scrap you" said Amanda with an evil smile.
"Look Amanda, I know you want to get rid of me, and let me tell you; it's not going to happen" said Samantha angrily.
"Ha, we'll see about that" said Amanda, and she rolled away.
"Oh, I really hate her" said Samantha.
That night, Samantha was back in her place at Ramsey sheds. The engines had all given her a good welcome back. However, Samantha was more concerned about Amanda.
Sam could see this "Are you okay Samantha" he asked.
"No Sam, I'm not okay. It's that new switcher Amanda. He's out to get me. She tried doing it two weeks ago, but it didn't work. Now I'm shure she's going to try something else" said Samantha angrily.
"Wait, are you saying she's the reason you were sent to the works" asked Jake.
"Yes, I'm shure of it" said Samantha.
"Well then why don't you tell Mr. Copper or the quarry manager about it" asked Roku.
"Because without any proof, they'll just think I'm making it up. I have to find a way to let them know, but how" she asked.
The others each gave a way she could, but none of them seemed to sound right.
The next day, Samantha was doing her normal shunting duties. While she was doing this, she kept thinking about how to prove Amanda wanted her gone.
Russel reversed alongside her to collect a train of empty cars. When he saw Samantha, he saw that she was thinking.
"What are you doing Samantha" he asked.
Samantha snapped out of her thoughts and looked over. "Oh, hello Russel. I was just thinking" she said.
"What about" asked Russel.
"Oh, well, you see, I…I was thinking about how I can prove Amanda wants me gone" she said nervously.
Russel looked confused "What makes you think she wants you gone" he asked.
"Have you not been paying attention. She's rude to me, blames me for her mistakes, and caused that accident I had two weeks ago" said Samantha angrily.
"Do you have any proof that she caused your accident" asked Russel.
"Uh, actually…no" said Samantha, embarrassed.
"Then you don't have anything to say. Besides, she's been really nice to me. I'm shure you're just upset about being gone for so long, and you're trying to make it seem like it wasn't your fault" said Russel.
"FINE, DON'T BELIEVE ME! I'M SHURE YOU'LL BELIEVE ME WHEN I'M GONE" screamed Samantha, and she quickly rolled away. Russel didn't say anything, and he didn't move.
That evening, Samantha was finishing up her work for the day. But just as she finished, Russel rolled over to her. "Samantha" he said.
"What" asked Samantha angrily?
Russel sighed "I want to help you" he said.
Samantha was puzzled "Help me with what" she asked.
"I want to help you find out if Amanda really is what you say she is" said Russel.
Samantha was surprised "Wait a minute; you said that Amanda wasn't bad. Why are you suddenly changing your mind" she asked.
"Because after something thinking, I realized that if your right and she is bad, then she shouldn't be here. And also, if your wrong and she's nice, then no harm done" said Russel.
Samantha smiled "Alright then" she said happily.
"So, what's your plan" asked Russel.
"Okay, so here's what I've got" said Samantha, and she explained her plan to Russel.
The next morning, Amanda was up early. She had to arrange a train of cars to be loaded and taken to the yards. As she did this, Russel pulled into the quarry.
"Good Morning Russel; how are you today" asked Amanda.
"Good Morning Amanda, and I'm doing very well. And I must say, you are looking particularly bright this morning" said Russel.
"Uh, but there's slate dust all over me" said Amanda.
"I'm not talking about your appearance; I'm talking about you" said Russel with a smug smile.
Amanda eyes opened and she blushed red. "Oh, really, well, thank you Russel. No other engine has told me that" she said.
"I don't see how they couldn't. You are one amazing engine" said Russel, and he rolled away to start his job.
"Whatever's changed with Russel; I like it" said Amanda smiling.
Later, Russel was helping Amanda shunt cars. The two were talking, when Samantha rolled over to them. Russel gave a smug smile.
"Oh look, it's the worn out old girl" he said smugly.
Amanda was surprised; she had never seen Russel insult a steam engine. She really liked the new him.
"You should be put in a museum before it's too late" he said. Samantha huffed, and then rolled away.
"Nice insult Russel" said Amanda.
"Oh, that was nothing. If she had stayed around, I could have done more" he said happily.
"Oh, I wish she had to" said Amanda, but her cheeks were turning red again.
Over the week, Russel spent a lot of his time with Amanda. They chattered on and on about things. And Russel always gave an insult to the steamies whenever Amanda was around.
Amanda was very happy; she had a diesel that was just like her. And, she began to get new feelings about him.
Then the important day came; the day when Mr. Copper assessed the two engines work, and decide whether they get to stay or not.
Until Mr. Copper arrived, the engines were to do their normal jobs. Amanda and Russel were pushing cars into place and talking.
"So todays it; we'll either get sent away, or get to work here" said Amanda.
"Ya, I just hope that I can bear working with those steam engines" said Russel.
"I know, wish they would all get lost" said Amanda.
"You know, I was thinking that I could figure out a way to get them sent away" said Russel.
"Really, that's great. Maybe I could help you; I want them gone to" said Amanda happily.
"You, please, you don't have the knowledge to get an engine in trouble" said Russel smugly.
Amanda showed an angry face "Yes I do, I've tried and nearly succeeded one time" she said.
"Really, when" asked Russel, in unconvincing voice.
"Three weeks ago, I shunted cars behind Samantha, and caused her tender to derail" said Amanda with a self-pride smile.
"Whoa, so Amanda's accident was caused by you" said Russel, surprised.
"Yep, I want her gone so much, and that almost worked. Unfortunately Mr. Copper was too stupid to realize that I was much better, and she was repaired and sent back" said Amanda, annoyed.
"So to recap, you want the Steamies gone, and you caused Samantha's accident, hoping it would get her sent away" said Russel.
"Correct" said Amanda proudly.
"Thanks, that's all I needed to hear" said Russel happily.
"What do you mean 'That's all I needed to hear'" asked Amanda.
"I think I should let these two explain that" said Russel. Then his cab doors opened, and out stepped Mr. Johnathan (The quarry Manager), and Mr. Copper.
The color left Amanda's face, which was in one of shock. "Mr. Johnathan, Mr. Copper, uh, I, I didn't know you were there" she said very nervously.
"And I didn't know you caused Samantha's accident. Nor did I know that you wanted Spike and Josh gone as well" said Mr. Copper angrily.
"I can't believe this Amanda; sabotaging other engines. I am downright ashamed" said the manager.
"Oh, you really believed what I said. I was just joking. Ha, Ha, Ha, see, just a joke" said Amanda, smiling nervously.
"Really, sounded pretty real to me" said Russel.
"And with your words, and Samantha's, everything falls into place" said Mr. Copper.
"But I thought you weren't going to arrive till later" said Amanda.
"Oh, that was just said so the plan would fall into place. Samantha told me about it, and I agreed. So Russel came to the station early this morning, collected me, and came to the quarry as usual" said Mr. Copper.
Amanda looked at Russel "You were a part of this" she asked, sadly shocked.
"Yep, I planned this out with Samantha" said Russel.
"YOU SET ME UP" said Amanda angrily.
"Of course we did; it was a simple matter. Either Samantha was wrong and nothing happened, or she was right and we get a confession out of you" said Russel.
"And that confession has helped me make my decision. Amanda, I am sending you back to GE Transportation. Maybe they can fix all the bugs in you, and I'm not talking about your engine" said Mr. Copper sternly.
"But, but" said Amanda.
"No buts, now go" said the manager.
"Oh, fine, but first I have a question" said Amanda angrily. She looked over at Russel, and frowned. "Was everything you said over the last week an act" she asked.
"Well, mostly" said Russel.
Amanda eyes widened, but then she looked down, and rolled away. But as she neared the exit, she met Samantha. She was sitting nearby, smiling.
"Bye Bye Amanda, hope you enjoyed your time here" she said happily.
Amanda growled "I'd watch out if I was you. Times are changing old timer. Diesels are coming, and soon you clamped out tea pots will be a thing of the past. We are stronger, faster, and more efficient than you. Mr. Copper knows that, and soon others will to. The end of steam has begun, and soon the end will come. Keep that in mind" she said, and then she left the quarry.
Samantha sat there silently; Amanda's words didn't feel like a threat, it felt like a warning; a thing of the future.
Meanwhile, Mr. Copper was talking to Russel.
"Well Russel, after reviewing your work and talking with Mr. Johnathan, I have made my decision" he said.
Russel held his breath and waited.
"I have decided to buy you. And as of now, you will work here at the quarry" said Mr. Copper.
Russel smiled brightly "THANK YOU SIR" he screamed.
"Yes yes, now I hope to hear that you are doing a good job. With Amanda gone, Samantha needs help with the shunting, and Spike needs help with the trains" said Mr. Copper.
"I'll make shure he keeps busy" said the manager.
"Good, now Russel, off to work" said Mr. Copper.
"Yes sir" said Russel, and he hummed away.
That evening, Samantha was getting ready to go to Ramsey Sheds. But first she went to talk to Russel.
"Thank you for helping me Russel. I couldn't have done it without you" said Samantha.
"Oh it was nothing Samantha. So how was Amanda when she left" asked Russel.
That's when Samantha looked a little sad. "Well, that's the thing. When she left, she gave me, what I think was a…warning".
"What do you mean a warning" asked Russel.
"Before she left, she told me to watch out. That diesels were coming, and the end of steam has begun" said Samantha "What do you think"?
Russel sighed, then said "I don't know exactly. I will admit that people are getting interested in diesels. But truth be told, is it really efficient to buy a whole new fleet of engines, and get rid of another" he asked.
Samantha smiled "ya, your right. We're not going anywhere, and the end of steam isn't even in our sight. We're going to push on and continue to work" she said.
"That's the spirit; never give up, and prove them wrong" said Russel.
"Right, well I'm heading home. Goodbye Russel, and welcome to the crew" said Samantha as she left.
"Thank You" Russel called as he watched Samantha leave.
But what Samantha didn't know was that she was wrong. The end had begun, and it's only going to get worse from here. But I shouldn't say anymore, or it will ruin future parts.