It was January on Dotson island. Now all of the mainline and branch line tracks had been cleared. The engines were ready for the railroad to officially open. One morning, John was in a siding at Weston Station, when Mr. Jarrell arrived in Ghost. "Good morning John." Mr. Jarrell said. "Good morning sir." Said John. "You engines need a shed to stay in. I have decided to construct one near the yard. Workmen have already laid the line. So I need you to go to Barkers Bay and pick up a load of bricks and take them to the construction site, the points should be set for you." He said. "I will leave immediately." Said John. Then he chuffed away towards the Bay.
He soon was in Barkers Bay. The bay was busy as normal. Donavan was there, he was next to a large passenger ship. "Hello John!" He called. The he gave his whistle a toot. "Hey Donavan!" He replied. Then Donavan's conductor blew his whistle and Donavan puffed slowly away. As he did John looked over to see a crane unloading bricks into some cars. Next to the tracks was a 1940 ford teal pick-up with an extended bed. John puffed over to couple up with his load. "Hello! Who are you?" Said John happily. The truck looked at him with a frown. "I'm Jessica, and you are?" She said with a rude tone. John was shocked he had never been spoken to like this from a car, especially one that did similar jobs as him. "My name is John. What's wrong, you seem angry?" John replied. "I'm not angry!" She snapped. "I just don't enjoy speaking to rotten engines like yourself!" She said with the same tone. John was now becoming upset with Jessica. "There is no need to be rude about it, I was just trying to be friendly." He said. "I think they need to keep the railroad closed, there's no need for them. We cars can handle ourselves just fine." And with that she drove off. John was fuming. He coupled up to his load of bricks and puffed out of the bay.
His driver told him to stay off the main line. There was a line that went from a the main line near Barkerstown to Weston. It passed through a small town called Della. Most of the track followed the road to Della and into Weston. John was still fuming as he traveled down the line. He was pushing his load of bricks. Up ahead he could see Jessica on the road next to the line. "Not reliable." He thought. "I'll show her who's the best, rails not the road." He began to speed up as he thought this. He passed Jessica. She was now mad at John for trying to out due her. The rails now came to a crossing, Jessica tried to speed up and beat John but the crossing had already been set. Jessica honked her horn, loud. But John just puffed on by. Now the road left the rails. They would meat again at a stone bridge, the rails went on the bridge and the road went under. John was satisfied with himself. As he neared the bridge he was no longer thinking of Jessica, until he heard a loud honking noise. Jessica was coming near the bridge. He looked down at the road, ignoring a sign that read- "Danger! Bridge weak, all engines go slow!" But before his driver could apply the breaks Johns front cars were roaring across the bridge. Then John stopped as best he could because he heard a rumbling noise. His front drive wheel had stopped on the bridge. A stone fell on the road. It landed right in front of Jessica, she was shocked. Then another, and another. John puffed quickly to the other side. He made it over just in time, the bridge behind him collapsed in the middle section.
Luckily no one was hurt. But Jessica was covered in dust. She honked her honked her horn at John again. "Stupid engine you should have payed attention!" She yelled. John was angry with her. "My fault! You were the one honking at me while I was about to go across it!" He yelled back. "That's enough you two!" Shouted John's driver. "I agree!" Shouted Jessica's driver. Then John puffed away he didn't have time to argue. He had to get the bricks to the workmen. When he arrived ghost was there, and Mr. Jarrell was talking to the foreman. John puffed up to them. "John!" Mr. Jarrell began. "You have been a very ignorant engine today! Why did you break the bridge and almost crush Jessica!" "We'll sir, Jessica had been very rude to me and had disgraced your railroad. And she was distracting me from the sign." He said. "You should have ignored her! Now look what you caused. You will sit in the siding tomorrow, and stay there until I say otherwise." He boomed. "What about Jessica? Will she be doing my work?" John said. "I have spoken with her employer, she will be repairing the bridge as a punishment, on second thought I am going to have you work with her as a punishment. Halee will be doing your work until the bridge is rebuilt." Said Mr. Jarrell. "Yes sir." Replied John sadly.
The next morning John chuffed into the bay to pick up a load of stones to replace the old ones. Jessica was already there, she was being loaded with equipment for the men to use. The two did not speak to one another, this was the best thing to do. If they spoke to one another they may bring the rest of the bridge down.