"It's not fair!" I fume, biffing the trucks as hard as I could. They grumble and grouse at me, but I ignore them.
I've got bigger coals to burn- such as how unfair my punishment is. Especially since Duke dealt it to me!
"What a fuddy duddy!" I complain loudly to my driver in annoyance.
"Look, Falcon, I know you hate it- but there's nothing you can do," My driver tells me. "Need I remind you that you caused severe damage, nearly cost us our jobs and could have hurt innocent people?"
I scowl- I've been told this repeatedly by my crew whenever I complain about the punishment Duke gave me, and to be grateful that it was milder than the alternative.
To be honest, I'd have preferred to have been sent back home to England. I doubt anyone would actually want me back...but at least I wouldn't have to deal with that horrid old fusspot!
I suddenly hear a loud wheesh from nearby- a loud, annoyed and therefore annoying one.
"Falcon - look at the mess you've made!" He scolds me, and I look down the line.
"So what, fusspot?" I ask rudely, not caring about what would happen should I insult him- or about the mess I made, either. If this railway expects me to work my hardest- let alone work-, then they are making a huge mistake!
I continue to remain vociferous on my protestations of shunting in the yard whenever Duke tries to tell me that this sort of behaviour would 'never suit his Grace'.
"I'd prefer to pull coaches!" I tell him, smugly. "I hate working with the trucks!"
"Well, like it or not, youngster, you are shunting trucks in the yard, and that's that," Duke tells me. "Besides, I doubt the manager would trust you with a passenger train! This is not a large railway, and it doesn't need your rambunctious behaviour to destroy our surroundings or bumping passenger coaches to add to our expenses!" He hisses.
I say nothing- I just blow steam, smoke and cinders at him. He angrily calls me 'an impertinent scallywag' and then trundles away to shunt his own trucks, leaving me to seethe.
"Falcon!" My fireman gasps in horror. "That was a horrible way to behave!"
"Well, Duke wasn't being any better!" I protest, but he shakes his head at me.
"You're terribly rude, you have a sloppy work ethic, and your ego's bigger than your common sense." He tells me sternly. "I know you don't like Duke or his ways, but he is your only hope out of this mess- and you're not being wise about your actions so far."
I just scoff at him- I'm not a wise engine, am I? Besides, who does he think he's talking to?
"I don't give half a cylinder!" I snap. "That old timer can't tell me what to do- I'm my own engine!" I boast proudly.
"Very well- suit yourself, Falcon," Says my fireman, shrugging nonchalantly. "But when you get in trouble with Duke or the manager again, don't come complaining to us!"
"Well, fine then- I wouldn't!" I retort- though I know I will. I mean, complaining about work is what I do best!
...
For the rest of the day, Duke just hovers around the yard, keeping an eye on me when he's not working.
Somehow, he just manages to get all his work done- and disapprove of mine!
"No, no, no, Falcon! That will never suit His Grace!" He tells me, every time I make a mistake. "You're as stubborn as a mule, and make no mistake- but I've dealt with worse." He says, darkly.
"Oh really- who might that be?" I challenge.
But before he can answer, the manager (whose name is Gilbert French, for those bothered to know) comes running in. "Duke, I require you to take some schoolchildren on a trip up to the battlefields near King Orry's Bridge." He says.
"I can't, sir," Duke answers, with a curt politeness that makes me gag. "I have to pull the Picnic train soon."
"Oh, of course- dash it all! The only engine that's available is"- then, he sighs. "Oh, drat! It's you," He tells me, grumpily. "I'm still not happy with you after the last incident."
"Sir, please!" I beg. I can't stand the idea of working with trucks any longer!
"But, sir- these are schoolchildren! Falcon shows no respect for anyone but himself- they could get hurt!" Duke protests in horror, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence!" I retort sarcastically, earning a glare from both Mr. French and Duke.
"Well, I know, Duke- I'm reluctant, too- but you can't take both trains, and I don't have enough help!" Mr. French huffs in annoyance. "I'll need another engine- but we can't afford one currently. There's only one option- Falcon, you'll have to take the schoolchildren." He says, with great resign.
"Really- oh thank you sir!" I beam happily. Finally- the chance to get away from those annoying, mischievous, pesky trucks!
"But," Mr. French continues, "If you cause one accident, Falcon, I'm restricting you to the yard. Is that clear?"
"Oh yes sir!" I say enthusiastically, eager to finally pull coaches!
I'll ensure I wouldn't go back to the trucks again!