Tenders and Turntables
The next few days were getting worst and worst; Henry and Gordon really missed Thomas very much, Lady and Tramp sometimes missed their son, but they were still very proud of him for what he's doing.
But the big engines didn't like to have to fetch their own coaches they thought they were too important to do that.
Edward sometimes did odd jobs and so did James, but soon James grumble too.
Henry, Gordon, and James: We get no rest, we get no rest!
But the coaches laughed.
Coaches: You're lazy and slack, you're lazy and slack.
The dogs couldn't help but to chuckled at that sometimes, but their grumbling was causing both the dogs and the Fat Controller a great deal of trouble.
The big station at both ends of the line each have a turntable, the Fat Controller had made them so that the tender engines can be turned around, because it is dangerous for them to go fast backwards.
Tank engines, like Thomas, don't need turntables, they can go just as well backwards, as forwards, but if were to hear Gordon talk, would have thought that the Fat Controller had given him a tender, just to show how important he was.
Scamp: I don't see what the big deal is; we have to get our coaches before we start work and its fun, because we get a head start before the real work begins.
Gordon: You don't understand you two, we tender engines have a position to keep up.
Thomas: A position?
Gordon: Yes, you don't have a tender and you are very little, that makes a big difference. You have your own railway, so it doesn't matter where you guys go, but we are important.
Scamp: Important, how?
Gordon: Well for starters I pull the express, that's the most important job and we tender engines need our rest before we start, so to have the Fat Controller make us shunt trucks, fetch coaches, and go on some of those dirty sidings, its, its…
Tramp: It's not the proper thing. Honestly I don't remember you being this sulky when I worked with you before.
Gordon said nothing and left with Tramp, while Thomas and Scamp just chuckled and went off with the coaches and Scamp's sisters.
Scamp (Thinking): Wait until Angel hears about this.
Gordon came to platform and was being uncoupled.
Gordon: Disgraceful!
He ran backwards to the turntable.
The turntable was in a windy place close to the sea, it was only big enough for Gordon, and if he was not on it just right he'd put out of balanced and made it difficult to turn.
Today Gordon was in a bad tempered and the wind was blowing fiercely, his driver tried to stop him at the right place, but Gordon wasn't trying.
Gordon's Driver: Alright, I give up; try turning the table.
The fireman tried to the turn the handle, but Gordon's weight and the strong winds prevent him to move, some pipe layers came and helped out, but it was no good.
Gordon's Fireman: It's no good; your tender unsets the balances, if you were a nice tank engine you'd be alright.
Tramp: Oh dear, you know what this means Gordon; you'll have to pull the next train backwards.
Gordon couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Gordon: I won't I'll stay here!
Tramp: Okay, then I'll tell my son that he's more important than you and your little perfect position will be ruined.
Gordon (Grumbling): Me and my big mouth.
Boys: Look there's a new tank engine, what a swish; it's only Gordon backed at front.
Gordon felt embarrassed, while Tramp only laughed.
He soon arrived at the junction and Scamp and his sisters laughed and laughed.
Thomas: Hello, playing tank engines?
Scamp: Or maybe he's learning to be one, I say dads doing a great job teaching him?
Tramp (Laugh): You think so; I think he's learning well without me.
Thomas: Sensible engine; take my advice, scrap your tender and get a nice bunker.
Gordon said nothing; even James and Jock laughed when they saw him.
Gordon: Take care; you might stick too.
James (Chuckling): No fear; I'm not as fat as you.
Jock: Be careful James; Gordon could be right.
James (Thinking): I mustn't stick.
He stopped at just the right place to balanced the table, he could now swing easily.
Jock: Whoa, hey what's going on!
James turned much too easily, the wind puffed him around like a top, he couldn't stop!
At the last the wind died down, and Jock felt like he was goanna throw up. Suddenly they saw Gordon and Tramp laughing and watching the whole thing.
Gordon: Well, well; are you two playing roundabouts?
Tramp helped Jock to the shed for some rest, while James, who was feeling quite giddy, rolled off to the shed without a word.
That evening Tramp was with Jock and Pongo for dinner, before they went home.
Pongo: I don't know about you guys, but his week was awful.
Tramp and Jock nodded in agreement.
Jock: Now I feel bad for the wee engines, but I think they're taking this a bit too far.
Tramp: Agreed; Gordon may be a bit of an airhead, but he's never talked that bad about shunting before.
Pongo: Henry is still sulking about Dumbo whooshing him.
Jock: James is still cross from the turntable.
Tramp: And Gordon's upset because he had to go backwards and people kept mistaking him for a tank engine, I'd felt a bit sorry for him later.
Pongo: Sometimes needs to be done about this; I wouldn't like to think about what would happen if this continues.
Tramp: Agreed; I'll talk to the Fat Controller first thing tomorrow. Hopefully things won't get any worst.