After another summer's night, the sun began to rise the next morning at Tidmouth Sheds. Thomas and Emily were the first ones to wake up and yawn together. They looked to each other and smiled good morning. Then they remembered just what they had talked about the night before concerning Bill and Ben. Thomas saw Emily look down to her buffers and hum lowly to herself.
"Emily?" Thomas inquired. "What is it?"
"Bill and Ben, Thomas," she answered. "Everything you told me last night hasn't left my funnel. It's still fresh in my head. Now that morning has come, I'm wondering what will happen if they really are let out soon."
"Well, Emily," Thomas remarked. "Whatever happens, I assure you, Bill and Ben's heroics from long ago and recently are most notable, and you can count on that."
"Yes, I know," said Emily. "That being said, we can't let dwelling on them hold us back from today's work. Our passengers will be arriving soon."
"Yes, Emily. They will be," said Thomas. "We'd best make our way to Knapford."
And so they did. When they arrived at Knapford Station, Thomas collected Annie and Clarabel, and Emily collected three of her coaches. They lined up at Platforms 1 and 2, and at that moment, they saw the Fat Controller come out of his office with a brisk pace. Thomas wondered what he was up to and suddenly saw a chance to inquire about Bill and Ben if he could. He gave a wink to Emily, then spoke up.
"Good morning, sir," said Thomas.
"Ah. Good morning, Thomas and Emily," said the Fat Controller.
"Is something going on, sir?" Thomas asked. "You seem in a bit of a hurry."
"As a matter of fact, Thomas, there is something going on," said the Fat Controller. "I have been awake for some time last night, thinking and thinking."
"About Bill and Ben, sir?" Thomas asked almost right away.
The Fat Controller looked up at Thomas with a mildly surprised face. Thomas and Emily watched and waited for his response.
"Why, yes, Thomas. How ever did you know?" he asked.
"It's been on his mind for a few days now, sir," said Emily. "Thomas has been thinking about all that happened with our close slide and how he saved me from that rockslide, no thanks to Bill and Ben's most affronting behavior, followed by them being held in their shed for three weeks now."
"Hmm. Were you now?" the Fat Controller pondered. "So you've been thinking too, Thomas?"
"Yes, sir," said Thomas. "May I ask exactly what your thoughts were last night?"
"Well, Thomas...as it so happens, it's curious that you two have turned up at this moment," said the Fat Controller.
"Why is it curious, sir?" Emily asked, beginning to suspect a few things herself.
"Well, Emily," said the Fat Controller. "I think it's right to tell you both...I came to a decision last night. After three weeks since your close slide, and after much consideration on my part last night...I've decided that Bill and Ben will come out of their sheds today."
Thomas and Emily's hearts jumped as they exchanged a glance to each other, feeling surprised, unsure and concerned all at once. Some of their speculations were now confirmed. Bill and Ben would be let out again after three whole weeks, and things would start happening with them again.
"L-letting them out, sir? Today?" Thomas asked. "They're returning to work?"
"Yes, Thomas," the Fat Controller nodded. "It wasn't easy, but I've decided that enough time has gone by for them. They indeed caused both of you great trouble, but with this summer building up to be busier than ever, we do need all the engines we have to pull their weight."
"Well, my goodness," Emily remarked. "They're being let out again after so long...it looks like Thomas' wonders are coming true."
"What do you mean, Emily?" the Fat Controller asked.
"As it happens, Thomas and I were talking last night," Emily explained. "I told him not to waste his thoughts on Bill and Ben. But then he brought up something I couldn't believe about the two of them."
"And what is that, Emily?" the Fat Controller asked.
"From what Thomas told me, Bill and Ben were considered heroes after they saved all the workmen from a massive rockslide many years ago. I had no idea that was part of their lineup until now, and it made me start to wonder if they're not quite the little demons most of the engines build them up to be."
"Hmm. I see," the Fat Controller pondered. "A most impressive day that was for them, indeed."
Emily swallowed and felt her cheeks turn a little pink as she spoke again.
"And to think that in the midst of everything that's been going on overtime, I'd nearly forgotten about the time Bill and Ben rescued Thomas from that other landslide at the Clay Pits when he found that dinosaur footprint...right before Percy fell into the most difficult phase of his life."
"Of course, of course," said the Fat Controller. "In the midst of their tricks and mischief, that particular act of heroism can't be overlooked in the least."
"Yes, sir," Thomas added. "I reminded Emily about that more recent event, to which you gathered us in the yards to cheer for Bill and Ben. This is why I've begun to wonder...if Bill and Ben could rise to that peak again."
"Part of me might beg to differ, but Thomas does have a point," said Emily. "Since he's been on Sodor almost as long as Bill and Ben, he does know more about them than me. As such, I too have been wondering if they could truly learn all the traits you and David ordered them to think about."
"Hmm...Most interesting," the Fat Controller murmured before looking up again. "It would be remarkable if they could bring themselves to that level of usefulness again."
"It would be indeed, sir," Thomas agreed. "But just how could they reach that level again?"
"And how can we be sure Bill and Ben will make their effort to be truly useful again...so I could see it for myself?" Emily asked.
"You leave that to me, Thomas and Emily," said the Fat Controller. "I must go to the Clay Pits and give Bill and Ben their schedule for today. Meanwhile, you and the rest of the engines have much to do today. This summer is about to get even busier soon enough."
And the Fat Controller went right to his car and set off at once. Soon afterwards, Thomas and Emily's passengers arrived and boarded their trains. Then the guard blew his whistle, and Thomas and Emily set off for another summer day's work, wondering just what would happen with the two Tank Engine twins. Soon enough, the rest of the Island would hear the news, and Bill and Ben's new motives would be set in motion.
At the Clay Pits, Bill and Ben were starting to wake up themselves. They saw the sun creeping up over the quarry walls and felt a great emptiness in their boilers yet again. They felt for sure they would be in for yet another day of idling and shame in their shed with nothing to do. They gradually remembered their little conversation the night before and looked to each other.
"Oh, Ben. What's to do?" Bill asked blankly. "Two mischievous miscreants for so long. We can't display any such behavior if we expect to be let out again."
"Mmm...if only the Fat Controller would come along, we could form a plan of some kind," said Ben. "At least we could get started again."
"And once we do get started again, we really must make sure our mischief is more fantasy than fact," said Ben.
"I know that to be true, Ben," said Bill. "But you and I have both done such a long term with that sort of behavior all these years. Any changes we do make won't happen all in one day. And with the whole Island knowing what we put upon Thomas and Emily, it's going to be a tricky road."
"Speaking of tricky roads, I don't see anyone coming to give us any schedule," said Ben. "It may just be another day in here for us, just as it's been for three we-"
Bill was suddenly cut off when he and Ben heard the sound of a car. Their eyes slowly trailed out to the distance as the sound came closer. They looked, and sure enough, there was that distinctive blue car everyone knew. Bill and Ben didn't move a muscle in their faces and kept very still as their eyes followed the Fat Controller's car driving into the Clay Pit grounds. Then the car stopped, and out came the Fat Controller. Bill and Ben felt their wheels start shaking with swelling anticipation. They had not seen the Fat Controller since they were both locked away three weeks past. Why did he come back? What did he have to tell them? Were they about to be let out at long last? These questions and wonders flooded Bill and Ben's minds as the Fat Controller came walking toward their shed with a solid look on his face, keeping his eyes on both twins until he stopped just a few yards away. Bill and Ben listened and waited for anything to be said.
"Well, then. Here we are," the Fat Controller said at last. "Bill and Ben the Tank Engine Twins. Such a long while it's been."
"...Morning...sir," Bill said lowly. "We...we didn't think you'd be coming."
"Three weeks since we saw you last," said Ben. "When we behaved most outlandishly and shamefully. May we know what you're doing here?"
The Fat Controller regarded Bill and Ben for a moment with a curious expression, then spoke up.
"Well, Bill and Ben. It has indeed been quite a while. Three whole weeks have gone by with both of you withheld in your shed. I hope you are both very sorry, and that you realize just what your past behavior caused for everyone involved, including yourselves. You both gave the Clay Pits, Thomas and especially Emily a great deal of trouble when they came here to help you, and the rest of the island is very unhappy with the behavior you displayed for them both. And I did tell you that before you would venture out of your shed again, I wanted you both to think about what it means to be trustworthy, disciplined, honest, mature, responsible and reliable engines."
"Yes, sir," Bill answered meekly, as he had done three weeks prior.
"Now that three weeks have gone by, I must ask," said the Fat Controller. "Have you given thought to what it means to be all those qualities?"
Bill and Ben looked down to their buffers, then back up again.
"Well, firstly, sir, not one word you and David said has left our funnels for one instant," Bill began.
"It's been fresh in our boilers for all three weeks, sir," said Ben. "And we've both been left to wonder how we couldn't see what Emily offered us as the No. 12 Safety Engine. We should have learned our lesson with Fergus' rockslide incident. Bill and I may be twins who quarrel, play around and get into mischief...but even in the midst of our worst state with Thomas and Emily, I assure you, we never wanted to bring that danger upon them."
"Hm. Of course you didn't," the Fat Controller replied. "No one ever means for these things to happen. But it did happen nonetheless. Which is why it's so very imperative that you two actually learn a lesson and hold onto it this time. It's high time both of you start pulling your weight and thinking clearly."
"And so we will, sir," Bill answered. "That is if you would allow it. And yes, Ben and I have been thinking clearly for quite some time now."
"Indeed, sir. You were right all along; Bill and I were both complete crooks," said Ben. "Three weeks ago, that was indeed the case. We acknowledge that we've been difficult, stubborn, out of hand, spoiled, and absolutely atrocious, with arguably the worst manners Sodor could ever see from us. After so much time here in our sheds, we are both painfully ashamed of how far we went."
"Mm-hmm," the Fat Controller nodded. "Indeed you are. For you to admit all of this is considerably notable."
"And as the word gets around," said Bill. "The whole island knows of what we brought upon Thomas and Emily...which would make it difficult for them to see past what we did."
"To hear us talk, sir, I think we've had enough of being mischievous and naughty for a very, VERY long time," Ben added. "I think we ought to think of Thomas and Emily and what they'd think of our effort to climb out of the hole we got into."
"Discipline, honesty, maturity, responsibility and reliability," said Bill. "I know neither of us have taken those traits much to heart, and bringing them to light will feel new for both of us. Making up for what we did to them will not be easy for the rest of the island to believe, but Ben and I can't go on like this much longer. Therefore, for all that we did three weeks ago..."
Bill looked to Ben, who gave a tiny nod. Then they spoke together in perfect unison.
"We're really, really sorry."
There it was. Bill and Ben had spoken their share and came out with a genuine sense of acceptance for the seriousness of what they had both done. The Fat Controller heard everything and thought for quite some time. Bill and Ben waited and hoped for what felt like quite a few minutes. At last the Fat Controller looked to the twins again and straightened his hat with a nod.
"Alright, then. Well, Bill and Ben, that sets the matter clear," he spoke. "Your explanations are notable, and I can see you're both sorry, and that you both want to make things better again. It will surely prove to be a little tricky for the island to open their eyes to your efforts, but with summer being so immensely busy for all of us, we do need all the engines we can get, and I know you two can't carry on like this indefinitely. As such...I will let you both return to work."
Bill and Ben's hearts jumped and beat steadily, and they felt a strong smile draw to their faces. They were now free to leave their shed after so, so long. They could finally return to work.
"However," the Fat Controller added. "You owe a huge favor to the Clay Pits and the entire Railway for that matter. That favor being that I expect you both to be on your absolute best behavior you can possibly display. I encourage, urge and even hope that you may see a need for change. I believe you must both work yourselves up again after hitting an astonishingly low point three weeks ago. But ONLY if you prove yourselves to be trustworthy, disciplined, honest, mature, responsible and reliable engines. Now I ask you: Are we agreed?"
Bill and Ben had heard everything and didn't ignore a single word. They looked to each other for a moment, processing everything that had been spoken. After a few moments, they looked to the Fat Controller again.
"We are agreed, sir," they said together. "Whatever time it takes, we shall do our very best, and we do truly mean that."
"Very well," said the Fat Controller. "Now that we have that all sorted, it's time for both of you to get back to work. Now, there are a great deal of trucks that need to be filled with lots and lots of clay. Marion has been kept busy with all the digging, and Timothy can only manage so much of the work himself. So, throughout today, I'd like you both to gather all the trucks you can, fill them with clay, and take them to Brendam Docks until all the clay is delivered. Timothy and Marion are going to need you pulling your weight as best you can."
"Yes, sir," said Bill.
"Right away, sir," said Ben.
"Good. Now, I must be on my way myself," said the Fat Controller. "Be quick, you two."
Then the Fat Controller returned to his car and drove away. Bill and Ben were now jittering with anticipation. Just the feeling of getting out of their sheds and back to work was fascinating. At last, they could start getting somewhere better. Soon afterwards, their crews arrived, having heard the news earlier that morning.
"Well, hello, you two," said Bill's driver. "Long time for you both to be out of work, but now I hear you're both getting back to work today."
"...Yes, sir," Bill answered. "Did you hear..."
"Sir Topham Hatt called us earlier this morning, and by the sound of it, he hopes you two can see a need for change," said Ben's driver.
"And that's what we'll do our best to bring about," said Ben. "We have to get back in motion if we want to make a fresh start."
"Well, we're here now," said Bill's driver. "Let's get to it, then."
And so they did. Soon enough, after three long weeks of no activity, Bill and Ben's fires were started up, their regulators were opened, and at last, they set off out of their sheds. Naturally, they were both very stiff and had to huff around the quarry grounds for several minutes to ease their joints. Soon afterwards, they returned to the main quarry yard and saw Timothy and Marion waiting for them.
"Bill! Ben!" Marion remarked with surprise. "My goodness, you're out and about again."
"Good morning, Marion," said Bill. "Sir Topham Hatt came by...and we're back in business now."
"But after Thomas' close slide with Emily, we're both in disgrace," said Ben. "After three weeks in our shed, we're quite changed indeed."
"Just like Gordon, we be sadder and wiser engines," said Bill.
"Indeed you are, we dearly hope," said Timothy. "As you are both back at work again, you should know that Marion and I have been kept immensely busy in your absence, even with other engines coming and going to help us."
"Yes, Timothy. The Fat Controller says we have loads of shunting and delivering of stone to get underway," said Bill.
"He's absolutely right," said Marion. "If you could shunt all the trucks about and gather the stone throughout today, Timothy and I would be much obliged."
"Very well, Marion. As you wish," the twins replied.
And with that, Bill and Ben whistled together and got right to work. Their first priority was shunting all the trucks they could find before they could be loaded up. But as Bill and Ben worked, they didn't rush about in a playful manner. Rather, they made sure to gather their trucks carefully, making sure not to bump and bounce them about too much. Timothy and Marion watched them working and felt like something was different.
"Hmm. They seem to be working quite differently from what I can recall before," Timothy observed.
"They're certainly quieter. And calmer too," Marion replied.
Bill and Ben were indeed quieter and calmer, but also felt solemn and serious as they looked around the Clay Pits. They found themselves looking along the quarry walls, remembering grimly what had transpired here three weeks earlier, when their outlandish antics lured Thomas and Emily right into that blasting zone which led to that close slide and Thomas' brave rescue for Emily. They were both still feeling very, very low about what their most outlandish behaviour had caused three weeks ago, and they strongly wished they could rise up again somehow.
"Don't dwell on what happened here before, Bill," Ben reminded. "We can't look back on that now. Only look ahead to what we should be doing."
"Of course, brother," Bill murmured.
About an hour later, all the trucks were shunted and arranged into trains of six trucks each. Then Bill and Ben had to bring the trucks to the hopper to load with all the stone Marion had dug up lately. Normally, Bill or Ben would have waited for the hopper to load their trucks, then suddenly pull away and let the stone spill everywhere. But this time, they waited and let each of their trucks be loaded properly. Timothy and Marion noticed this too as they passed by the hopper.
"This is new," Timothy whispered.
"Hmm. I wonder what else they may end up doing today," Marion confided.
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see," Timothy determined.
And indeed, that was exactly what Bill and Ben would have to do while they made their progress. They soon got to arranging their loads of clay at the quarry entrance before they'd be on their way to Brendam. Then once they were on their way, the rest of the island would see the Tank Engine Twins roaming about again, and the process of achieving the need for change would truly begin. Bill and Ben had a considerable ahead of them today, and in the days to come. They knew quite well that the changes made would not happen quickly. Some would probably admire their efforts to be better, and others would surely doubt their efforts. Whatever the rest of Sodor would think, Bill and Ben were set back in motion, and their upward climb to a better image had now begun.
We're getting there, slowly but surely. Again, we're busy with other things, so you guys will have to put up with progress being slow, hence why this chapter was short, so that you guys would finally get something after a few weeks. Anyway, tell us what you thought of this chapter, and as always, stay safe.