(Happy Halloween, guys! Here's a little something to celebrate!)
Short Synopsis: It is Halloween night and Skarloey and Rheneas have to run their slate mine route so Paxton and Diesel take their place. Rusty's ghost story about Proteus inspires Diesel to have the engines running scared. But Paxton helps his friends pay Diesel back which works...with disastrous results!
Moral: work before play/don't let bullies get to you
(Scene starts with a full moon which slides out of view and an owl flying over, hooting)
It was Halloween night on the Island of Sodor. The festivities were long gone over and the children had all went to bed. But the engines were busy with their nighttime deliveries, striving to work hard until first light.
(Thomas whistles and Paxton honks as they meet each other at Maron Station)
Thomas: Good evening, Paxton.
Paxton: Good evening, Thomas. What you up to this evening?
Thomas: Oh, I'm just taking some passengers home from Sir Topham Hatt's Halloween party at Knapford. What about you?
Paxton: I have to head up to the Blue Mountain Quarry with Diesel. Sir Topham Hatt and Mr. Percival have asked us to help the little engines out with their night shift.
Thomas: That's nice, Paxton. (as a vision watches him and slowly sneaks up on him) Anyway, I have to go pick up the flour later on this evening but I'll take a short rest in Tidmouth Sheds first.
Paxton: (as the vision speeds up between the two engines) Good idea, Thomas. Rest your axles for a bit before you get to work. Who knows what you might encounter on a night like this?
Diesel: (sneaking up between the engines) Boo!
(Thomas and Paxton jump in surprise as Diesel laughs and rolls his eyes)
Diesel: Trick or treat, scaredy engines! Because tonight, you'll be getting the biggest scares you've ever had.
Thomas: We're not scaredy engines, Diesel! We just got a little surprised by you, that's all.
Diesel: (sarcastically) Oh, sure. That's what I've seen. (laughs)
Paxton: (firmly) You should be doing your work, Diesel, instead of trying to surprise other engines. It's a distraction to the work that has to be done, you know.
Diesel: It's not 'trying' if the prank actually works, Paxton. Besides, that's what Halloween is all about.
Paxton: Not entirely. Shouldn't we get going to the Blue Mountain Quarry now?
Diesel: I'll get there before you can be start a piston. (honks and rolls away)
Paxton: I'm sorry, Thomas. I'm afraid Diesel's usually like that.
Thomas: (sighs) I know all about Diesel and his devious pranks, Paxton. Better yet, I've even played a few tricks on him myself. Remember last Christmas?
Paxton: Oh, yes. Where we pretended to be the "ghostly Christmas engines." That was fun.
Thomas: I know. I also gave Diesel a scare once by covering myself in flour and pretending to be a ghost. Something Percy taught me after I teased him about believing in ghosts.
Paxton: (chuckles) Funny story, Thomas. But I have to get to the quarry now. The little engines will be waiting for me. (honks and rolls away) Good night, Thomas.
(Thomas whistles after Paxton as he waits for the flour to be loaded. Next scene cuts to the Blue Mountain Quarry)
Up in the hills at the Blue Mountain Quarry, the little engines were also working through their night shift. It was a lot of work to do but they were glad that Diesel and Paxton were coming to help them.
(Duncan shunts truck into a siding and lets off steam. Skarloey rolls up beside him)
Duncan: (sighing) Phew! I never knew that Halloween night would involve so much extra work. Did you, Skarloey?
Skarloey: The workload is bigger tonight, Duncan, because everyone on Sodor was busy with the day's festivities. That's why Rheneas and I have work to do at the slate quarry and you engines have Diesel and Paxton coming to help you.
Duncan: Aye! But no need for a devious Diesel and his tricks. He might all the work delayed even further and get us in some trouble.
Skarloey: (chuckles) Don't worry about Diesel, Duncan. Any engine can keep him in order when the time comes for it. (whistles and chuffs away)
Soon, Diesel and Paxton arrived at the quarry. Paxton could see that there was a lot of work to be done but Diesel had other ideas.
Diesel: This looks a nice place to scare a couple of steamies like the smaller ones here.
Paxton: (as the two diesels arrive at the main station) You shouldn't be doing any more scaring tonight, Diesel. We have a lot of work to do here.
Diesel: Pah! Nothing we modern diesels can't manage.
Then Mr. Percival arrived. He was happy to see them.
Mr. Percival: Ah, Paxton, Diesel, you're both here. Splendid. Sir Topham was lucky to be able to spare you two since there wasn't much work to be done at the DieselWorks but Rheneas and Skarloey are doing the night shift at the slate quarry so I need you two to help my engines out with the night shift up here.
Paxton: You can count on us, Mr. Percival, sir.
(Diesel rolls his eyes and looks away)
Mr. Percival: Great! I know I could rely on you two. Rheneas and Skarloey will be leaving after the break but it's best that you two get a head start on the work that needs to be done. I need to head back to my office. Good luck.
Paxton: Thank you, Mr. Percival. Come on, Diesel. (honks and rolls away. Diesel snorts and honks as he rolls after Paxton)
The little engines were happy to see their old friend.
Paxton: (honking) Hello, everyone.
Narrow
Gauge (whistling) Hello, Paxton!
Engines:
Peter Sam: (whistling) Happy Halloween!
Diesel: (deviously) Ha! Happy Halloween indeed!
Rusty: Oh, hello there, Diesel.
Diesel: Are you saying hello to yourself, Rusty? An attention seeker, eh?
Rusty: (stops in wonder) What's with him?
Paxton: Don't mind him, Rusty. Diesel's always making fun of other engines.
Rusty: I understand very much, Paxton. (honks and carries on with his work)
With Paxton around, much of the work seemed to be done and the little engines were very pleased with his help. But Diesel, on the other hand, was up to his old tricks. As Sir Handel backed up to collect some trucks of gravel, Diesel snuck up from behind and surprised him.
Diesel: Boo! (chuckles) Trick or treat!
Sir Handel: What is the matter with you, Diesel? Don't you know there's work to be done?
Diesel: Well, I'm quite aware of it, Sir Handel, and that's why Paxton and I came to this quarry to improve it. We are revolutionary.
Sir Handel: (cheekily) Well, you're not really proving that by scaring others, are you? (whistles and chuffs away with his gravel trucks)
Diesel felt insulted and began making a devious plan to get back at the little engines.
(Diesel reverses and rolls away.)
Next, Diesel saw Luke taking trucks of stone from out of the tunnel and he stopped at the station.
Diesel: (to himself) That silly little green engine is going to get the surprise of his life. (reverse and changes tracks through the switched points then speeds up behind Luke until he makes it up beside him) Boo!
Luke: (rolls his eyes in surprise) Sandboxes and stone trucks! Diesel!
Diesel: (laughs) Trick or treat, small wheels!
Luke: (firmly) You should not be messing around in a time like this, Diesel! YOU should be doing work or Mr. Percival will see to it otherwise!
Diesel: Oh, please. I'm not worried about your worthy thin controller. This is a night for me to go around and surprise everybody. And nobody can stop me.
(Luke rolls his eyes and chuffs away)
The little engines have had it with Diesel's tricks and the news soon spread about it across the quarry. Meanwhile, Peter Sam was taking trucks that have just been loaded down from the upper platform.
Peter Sam: (whistling) Thank you, Owen.
Owen: You're welcome, Peter Sam.
(Peter Sam chuffs away and meets Rusty at a level crossing)
Peter Sam: Evening, Rusty.
Rusty: Good evening, Peter Sam. Say, haven't you heard how much trouble Diesel's been causing around our quarry?
Peter Sam: Why, yes. Sir Handel told me that he spooked him back at the gravel hopper.
Rusty: Yes. And Luke told me that he spooked him back at the station by the tunnel.
Peter Sam: What are we to do with him, Rusty?
Rusty: I don't know if there's anything we can do besides tell Mr. Percival. But he has a busy night as well catching up on the paperwork he missed during the day. That's why I've decided to tell Devious Diesel a story that will make his boiler quiver.
Peter Sam: What makes you think that would work?
Duncan: (whistling) For loss sakes, Peter Sam. It eventually worked on me when yer driver as well as mine gave me a spook, remember?
Rusty
And (honking and whistling) Yes, Duncan. We remember.
Peter Sam:
(All three of them laugh as they continue with their work. Next scene cuts to Paxton, Diesel and the narrow gauge engines gathered together around the turntable)
Later, during the workmen's break, Paxton and Diesel gathered with the little engines around the turntable. Rusty was going to tell them a story about Proteus the magic engine.
Skarloey: Please make it quick, Rusty.
Rheneas: Why, yes. We have work to do at the slate quarry after this.
Rusty: All in good time, you two.
Diesel: Pah! I bet this story won't be worth your while. Just another one of those rubbish ghost stories that aren't true in reality.
Duncan: Shh! Hush, ya wee oily wheels!
(Diesel gives an insulted look)
And so Rusty's story began.
Rusty: Long ago, in the high hills of Sodor, there was a little engine called Proteus. (flashback of Proteus traveling through the hills at night) Legend has it that Proteus had a magic lamp that could grant wishes whenever one came across it. (Diesel rolls his eyes in misbelief) Anyway, that wasn't the only redeeming quality that Proteus retained. He also had the ability to magically transform himself in a ghost engine. (all the engines look scared by Proteus' description, except for Skarloey and Rheneas who look at each other and smile and for Diesel who just gives an expression of irritation) Legend has it that on Halloween night, Proteus would venture across the whole island, looking for an engine to spook as a consequence of misbelief in him. (flashback of Proteus looming across as a ghost engine, letting off white steam) And it all started up here at the Blue Mountain Quarry when old Proteus himself had a little accident on Blondin' Bridge. (Blondin Bridge collapse as Proteus rushes across and he falls to the ground with the remains of the bridge toppling down after him) And it was that very Halloween night long ago when it happened. It took quite a bit of time for the bridge to be repaired but Proteus was never seen again. Legend has it that he used his magic lamp to grant himself a wish and disappear from the accident. It worked but it also resulted in his disappearance and his ability to transform into a ghost engine. His legend carried on to this very day and there's even a statue of him up in the hills. But the legend states that on every Halloween night, Proteus would roam the Island of Sodor, looking for an engine to spook and believe in him. He would roll up beside the engine and shout out "Boo! Trick or treat!" because that would be how he would call at engines who don't believe in him and threaten an even bigger prank if they didn't start believing in him either. And that is the story of Proteus the magic engine, also known as Proteus the ghost engine and how his legend carried on from the very night he disappeared. (looks across at Diesel and smiles)
(All the narrow gauge cheer and whistle and so does Paxton)
Rusty: So what do you think of THAT story, Diesel?
Diesel: Complete nonsense if you ask me! In fact, you're all silly for believing in this "legendary GHOST engine!" I, for a fact, know that there is no such as ghosts.
Paxton: (teasingly) But you didn't always know that fact, Diesel.
Diesel: What are you talking about, Paxton?
Paxton: (teasingly) Oh, you know, last Christmas when Thomas and I played a trick on you...
Diesel: (embarrassedly) Oh, that, that, that. Alright, story time is over! Time for me to get back to work!
(Diesel rolls away in embarrassment. The narrow gauge engines laugh and so does Paxton)
Skarloey: (chuckles) Great story, Rusty. But Rheneas and I best be going now. (whistles and chuffs away with Rheneas doing the same after him)
Luke: Rusty, you don't think Proteus will come to get us tonight, do you?
Rusty: Oh, of course not, Luke. It's just silly make-believe of a story and I just came up with it to scare Diesel. Maybe then he would learn to be a little more respectful.
Duncan: Aye, but it mightn't of worked, Rusty. He still believes in no ghosts. (whistles and gets back to work)
Soon the engines were back to work around the quarry. Paxton was making great progress in helping his friends but Diesel remembered Rusty's story very well and now had a plan to scare the little engines and make them believe in the legend of Proteus.
(Owen unloads trucks of gravel down the hopper to Paxton)
Owen: There you go, Paxton. Fully loaded with gravel.
Paxton: Thank you, Owen.
And Paxton chuffed away to make the delivery to the site. But there was someone else lurking in his shadow.
(Diesel watches Paxton and begins to noisily chuff back and forth, in a similar fashion to 'Arry and Bert from season 8's Halloween. Paxton stops at the first station)
Paxton stopped when he heard the rattling.
Paxton: Who's there?
Nobody replied.
Paxton: Diesel? Is that you playing a trick on me?
But there was still no reply.
Paxton: Duncan?
Then Diesel stopped. Paxton still had no idea what was going on. Quickly, he chuffed away when Diesel built up chuff and raced speedily behind him.
Diesel: Boo! (startles Paxton who begins to roll his eyes around in shock, and then Diesel laughs) Trick or treat, scaredy engine! Afraid of a little rattling, are you?
Paxton: (sternly) You're not helping at all, Diesel. You almost made me biff and bash my gravel trucks. You need to be careful...
Diesel: (rolls his eyes) Stop being such a fuddy-duddy, Paxton. I've done a few deliveries of stone trucks myself.
Paxton: Still, you mustn't be messing around like this when there's work to be done. (honks and chuffs away as Diesel watches deviously after him)
But Diesel wasn't going to stop scaring his fellow engines. It was Halloween night and he was ready to play the most devious trick yet. Then he heard a whistle.
(Luke whistles and hums as he exits the tunnel)
Luke was returning from the stone quarry with trucks of stone. Diesel was going to plan his most sinister prank yet on the little green engine.
(Diesel chuffs slowly after him. Next scene cuts to the main station)
Luke arrived at the main station so that he could be uncoupled from his trucks and the stone could be unloaded.
(The shunter uncouples Luke and he chuffs away, whistling. Diesel laughs as he chuffs into the station by the trucks)
Diesel: That silly little green engine is going to get the biggest scare yet. (slowly sneaks up behind and comes quickly to a stop)
Luke: (stops and looks around timidly) Hello? Who's there?
No one replied. The yard was dark and quiet.
Luke: (trembling) Anybody here?
Diesel: (in a ghostly voice) Woo! Woo! I am the ghost of Proteus.
Luke: (gasps) Ah! Ghost!
(Diesel quietly laughs)
Luke: What do you want from me?
Diesel: (in a ghostly voice) I've heard legendary tales about you and Luke. About the time when you and Victor first arrived to the Island.
Luke: W-w-what tales?
Diesel: (in a ghostly voice) I've heard that you pushed the poor yellow engine into the sea. Is this true?
Luke: W-w-well, n-n-no. I-I-I...
Diesel: (in a ghostly voice) You wanted to get off the ship first, didn't you, Luke? You put yourself before Victor and caused him an accident. It's instances like these that will eventually come back to haunt you forever. Tonight is where that event finally builds up to a consequence, young Luke. What you did to Victor was very self-centered and dishonorable of an engine.
Luke: (shutting his eyes) Get away! Get away!
Diesel: (in a ghostly voice) I've also heard legend that you don't believe in me, young Luke. Tonight, that will also come back to haunt you.
Luke: NO!
(Diesel speeds up and surprises Luke)
Diesel: Boo! (laughs) Trick or treat, little fella!
Luke: Diesel!
Diesel: You actually fell for my trick, didn't you? You scaredy engine.
Luke: I believed in the story, Diesel. I was just scared and...
Diesel: You fell for my greatest prank yet. You really are a scaredy engine. Thinking that Proteus the ghost engine is going to come and haunt you. Ah, well, I think I've had enough scares for one night. Scaring a little green engine like you is quite enough. (honks and rolls away)
Luke felt hurt by what Diesel had said. Paxton came into view.
Paxton: Are you alright, Luke?
Luke: No. Diesel tricked me into thinking he was Proteus. I'd like him to give him a piece of my mind.
Paxton: Me too. How about we gather the rest of the little engines up in the yard. I have a plan that will get the better of Diesel. (honks and rolls away)
(Luke, feeling better, whistles and chuffs away. Next scene cuts to Diesel rolling away from the station by the tunnel with empty trucks and heading towards the tunnel.
The quarry manager had sent Diesel to the coal mine to collect some coal to bring back for the little engines. The others were left to work in peace.
Next scene cuts and zooms in to Paxton, Luke, Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Rusty and Duncan gathered up in the yard)
Later, the narrow gauge engines gathered in the quarry so that Paxton and Luke could hold an indignation meeting with their friends.
Paxton: Diesel has rarely made any progress with helping us around in this quarry whatsoever. He keeps trying to surprise us.
Luke: He even tricked me in thinking he was Proteus. I think that story has inspired him to cause even more mischief.
Duncan: Aye! I told ya, Rusty, that the story would not be a good idea to teach that old oily wheels a lesson.
Rusty: I thought it wouldn't. But, hey, at least I tried.
Sir Handel: Now we must think of something to show Diesel what it's really like being scared.
Duncan: Aye, yer right, Sir Handel. We must.
Rusty: (firmly) Now, now, you two. Don't you go getting any quick ideas now. There is a little bit more work to be done here first.
Peter Sam: Rusty's right. And plus, it will be a while before Diesel returns from the coal mine so let's get our work done first, shall we?
Paxton: Good idea. (honks and rolls away) But let's be sure to not get in too much trouble either.
(The engines all whistle and go back to work)
The engines got back to work and it wasn't long before they were finished. Diesel, on the other hand, had to wait a while longer for the coal to arrive. Elizabeth had gotten a flat tire and was going to be late. This made Diesel cross. The mine manager came into view.
Diesel: (groans) Isn't there anything else I can do to wait, sir? Maybe I can go back to the quarry until Elizabeth arrives.
Manager: I'm sorry, Diesel. But that can't be arranged and all the work at the quarry is done. Besides, I do have a special job for you. You can shunt all these empty coal trucks into their proper sidings. That way, the yard can stay nice and tidy.
Diesel: But...(owl hoots and Diesel looks up)...it's dark out here and...Paxton and I need to getting back...
Manager: (chuckles) Mr. Percival's sending you and Paxton back together. Now, come on, I need this yard cleared by morning.
(Diesel groans and honks as he rolls away. Next scene cuts to him shunting trucks)
Diesel was starting to get scared by everything that surrounded. Every siding and every corner was dark and misty. Diesel started to believe a bit in Rusty's story.
Diesel: (timidly) I hope that I'll be back with the other engines soon. That way, Paxton and I can go home. (owl hoots and Diesel jumps and gasps) I wanna get out of here! What if Paxton's sent back without me? What if...I meet...Proteus?
Diesel's misbelief in the story about Proteus was beginning to haunt him.
(Scene cuts back to the quarry)
Back at the quarry, the little engines were thinking of how to get back at Diesel.
Rusty: I do hope you all know what you're doing about this.
Duncan: Aye, Rusty. We do. We just need a plan to scare old oily wheels.
Paxton: (honking as he chuffs in) Hey, everybody. I have myself an idea.
Luke: What is it, Paxton?
Paxton: Remember how Diesel scared you, Luke?
Luke: Yes, I do.
Paxton: I've taken a good look at the Proteus statue. We'll need Sir Handel for this trick.
Sir Handel: What for?
Paxton: Oh, you'll see.
And so Paxton explained his plan to the rest of the narrow gauge engines. They immediately agreed and get to work right away.
Paxton: First, we'll need a cartload of lime. But we must hurry before Diesel gets back.
(Scene cuts back to the coal mines)
Eventually, Elizabeth made it with the supply of coal needed for the little engines.
Elizabeth: (sighing) Phew! Sorry I'm late, Diesel. Had a flat tire. What a night for bad luck, eh, chap?
Diesel: Excuses don't make the load on time, Elizabeth. Mind your wheels next time before setting out, will you? (honks and chuffs away, leaving Elizabeth insulted)
Diesel was happy to leave the spooky atmosphere of the coal mines. Now he and Paxton could go home. As soon as he exited the tunnel leading to the quarry, he stopped at the nearest station where he was uncoupled from his train. He was soon ready for another tease.
Diesel: Yoo-hoo! Scaredy little engines! I've got your dusty coal here for you. It's too bad you can't be a modern engine like me, right? (laughs)
But this time, no one replied. Diesel looked around. The quarry looked empty and quiet.
Diesel: Hello? Is anybody there? Hello?
Diesel ventured slowly further into the quarry, waiting for an engine to reply. Then he heard strange sounds.
?: (in a ghostly voice) Woo! Woo!
Diesel: (stops and gasps) Who's there?
But still, no engine replied.
Diesel: Paxton, is that you?
But still, no answer came. Instead, a faint cloud of white smoke flew by Diesel.
Diesel: Alright, this isn't funny anymore. I know what it feels like being scared. Rusty? Duncan? Luke?
?: (in a ghostly voice) I've come back to haunt you, Diesel.
Diesel: (jumps and trembles) Who said that?! Please! Answer me!
?: (ghostly voice) It is me. Proteus the magic engine. Or the ghost engine as they call me now.
(Diesel looks confused until Sir Handel chuffs up next to him, covered in lime)
Sir Handel: (in a ghostly voice) I've hear great legend that you don't believe in me, Diesel.
Diesel: W-w-what are you talking about?
Sir Handel: (in a ghostly voice) Tonight is the night I roam the whole of Sodor, Diesel, looking for another engine to haunt, unless they believe in my story.
Diesel: I-I-I...
Sir Handel: (in a ghostly voice) Rusty told me everything, Diesel. You don't believe in the tale of how I became a ghost engine, do you?
Paxton: (whispering to the others at the back) More steam will cause more lime to flow.
(Luke lets off steam by the lime rock pile, causing more smoke to flow towards Sir Handel and Diesel)
Diesel: Well, I...well, I...
Sir Handel: (in a ghostly voice) I've not only come to this quarry to confront you about it, Diesel, but to haunt you forever.
(Diesel screams and runs away with Sir Handel and the others laugh after him)
Sir Handel: It's okay, Diesel. It's only me.
But Diesel didn't hear Sir Handel. He wanted to leave the quarry as quick as possible. He was going so fast that he didn't see Skarloey and Rheneas coming his way with a trucks of slate.
Skarloey: Look out, Diesel!
Diesel: (looks ahead) Huh? (panics and reverses)
Skarloey braked hard as Rheneas did the same in front of his long line of slate trucks. The two of them stopped inches before Diesel...just in time.
(Diesel slowly opens his eyes to see Skarloey facing him, slightly glaring. Diesel sighs)
Skarloey: Diesel, what is the meaning of this?
Diesel: There's a ghost behind us.
Rheneas: (confused) A ghost?
Diesel: Yes, yes. It's Proteus. Rusty's story was true.
(Sir Handel whistles as he chuffs up, still covered in lime)
When Rheneas and Skarloey saw Sir Handel covered in lime, they just laughed.
Skarloey: (chuckling) Oh, Diesel. That's no ghost.
Rheneas: No. It's Sir Handel.
Diesel: Oh.
(Paxton and the others chuff up, whistling and honking)
Paxton, Sir Handel,
Peter Sam, Rusty, Trick or treat, Diesel! (all laugh, followed by Skarloey and Rheneas)
Duncan and Luke:
Diesel was relieved that it was just a joke. But he also felt a little foolish.
(Next scene cuts to Mr. Percival and Sir Topham Hatt lining all the engines up, including Diesel and Paxton in the yard)
It was long before Mr. Percival found what had happened and called Sir Topham Hatt to the quarry. They were both very cross.
Peregrine: What is all this racquet I heard about happening in my quarry when I was away in my office. It has not only caused confusion and delay for me, but also for Sir Topham, who took the time to spare two of his engines to help out. I demand an explanation at once.
Sir Topham Hatt eyed Diesel suspiciously.
Topham: Well, Peregrine, how about we start by asking Diesel?
Diesel: M-m-me, sir?
Topham: Yes, Diesel. You're the usual troublemaker on my railway and I demand an explanation from you.
Diesel: Well, you see, sir, Rusty's told me this story about Proteus the magic engine.
Topham: (confused) Proteus?
Peregrine: (in Topham's ear) A make-believe engine that my engines tell stories about.
Topham: (nodding his head) Hmm. Go on, Diesel.
Diesel: And you see, sir. I didn't believe in it at first but then I was at the coal mine and it had a spooky atmosphere and it reminded of the story. (Sir Topham Hatt eyes him doubtfully) And then I got back here and the little engines played a trick. (Mr. Percival looks sharply at his engines) Sir Handel covered himself in lime and scared me. And then I ran away and Skarloey and Rheneas came down the other way and I reversed and then...
Topham: (sighs) Enough, enough, enough! Thank you, Diesel. Paxton, would you mind explaining this?
Paxton: Yes, sir. In fact...
Peregrine: In fact, Paxton. I think I'll ask my engines first. Just to make sure that Diesel's telling the truth.
Duncan: Aye, sir. We have a lot to tell you.
Rusty: Save it for now, Duncan. I'll tell him. (sighs and then speaks again) Yes, sir. I told the ghost story about Proteus just to rile Diesel up and make sure that he stops teasing us and actually got on with his work.
Topham: Oh. (looks sharply at Diesel, who looks uneasy) Go on, Rusty.
Rusty: Anyway, so the story didn't work and Diesel kept on teasing us so when he was away at the coal mines, we...
Paxton: (sighs) Well, sir, I'll admit it. The Proteus trick was my idea.
Topham: Yours, Paxton?
Paxton: Yes, sir. I asked Sir Handel to cover himself in lime just to be like Proteus and scare Diesel.
Peregrine: (nodding his head) I see.
Paxton: I know it was after the work was finished, sir. But we just wanted to teach Diesel a lesson.
Peregrine: It was brave of you to own up, Paxton. Thank you.
Topham: Yes, indeed. But still, that doesn't make it all right, Paxton. You should never let others jokes get to you, whether if it's bullying or not. You caused considerable confusion for me and Mr. Percival and I am very disappointed in you. And you too, Diesel, for leading the events into display.
(Diesel looks ashamed)
Topham: Now, all of my engines are in their sheds so I guess I will need two engines to deliver the flour tonight. That's where you two come into display. To make up for all the silliness you've caused. (clears his throat and turns away before turning back again) And let me make something clear to all you engines: there is no such thing as ghosts, whether it's considered a legend or not.
Peregrine: Indeed, Sir Topham. I bet my engines could prove themselves more worthy after this incident by shunting all these slate trucks and coal trucks into their sidings at once.
Narrow
Gauge (whistling as they chuff away) Yes, sir.
Engines:
(Sir Topham Hatt looks over at Diesel and Paxton, giving them the signal to go collect the flour. The two of them honk and roll away. Next scene cuts to Paxton at the flour mill)
Paxton was very much aware now that ghosts didn't exist, especially Proteus. But Diesel, still overcoming his fright at the quarry, wasn't so sure.
(Paxton and Diesel at meet at the signal, with Diesel on the next line across from Paxton)
Paxton: (cheekily) Good evening, Diesel. Meet any ghosts yet, tonight?
Diesel: Not quite, Paxton. I know that ghosts don't exist now. (owl hoots and surprises him)
Paxton: (chuckling) Oh, really. (signal turns green) Alright, then, enjoy the rest of the evening. (honks and rolls away, chuckling)
Diesel: Pfft! Ghosts! (owl shrieks and scares him before his signal turns green and he timidly chuffs away, groaning. Scene fades out to white smoke)
Note: I hope you enjoyed this, guys. I know my stories are overly long and I think that the length means that it takes time to read, and therefore, it stalls the feedback I'm hoping from it. Ah, well. Feedback's not all that matters to me. I'm putting as much depth into these stories as I can think of, no matter how long they are. I'll have a short preview of what to expect after this by at least tomorrow. Thanks for viewing!