Episode 33

A/N If an engine's referenced in the title of the episode in my country's dub, they tell the story, so Percy's the teller in this one. I'm not British, they are, so respect my English here.

Hey, it's me, Percy and this is about a time I thought I found a backing signal because Gordon and James tricked me after I was cheeky to them.

I worked in the yard at the big station. I loved playing jokes, but they could get me into trouble. Like many of my tank engine friends, I quite like to be cheeky.

One morning I was very cheeky indeed. Peep! Peep! "Hurry up, Gordon! The train's ready,".

Gordon thought he was late.

"Ha ha ha!" I laughed, and showed him a train of dirty coal trucks.

Gordon thought how to get back at me for teasing him, as I'd soon learn.

Next it was James's turn.

"Stay in the shed today, James. Sir Topham Hatt will come and see you."

"Ah!" thought James. "Sir Topham Hatt knows I'm a fine engine. He wants me to pull a Special Train." I was later told James believed this.

James's driver and fireman could not make him move. The other engines grumbled dreadfully. They had to James's work as well as their own. My fellow engines told me about this.

At least the inspector arrived. "Show a wheel, James. You can't stay here all day."

"Sir Topham Hatt told me to stay here. He sent a message this morning."

"He did not. How could he? He's away for a week."

"Oh!" said James. "Oh! Where's Percy?" I had wisely disappeared!

When Sir Topham Hatt came back, he was cross with James and I for causing so much trouble.

But the very next day I was still being cheeky. "I say, you engines, I'm to take some freight cars to Thomas's junction. Sir Topham Hatt chose me especially. He must know I'm a Really Useful Engine."

"More likely he wants you out of the way," grunted James.

Gordon looked across to James. They were going to play a trick on me. I learned later about this, starting right after they did that. But I didn't know it was a trick until later.

"James and I were just speaking about signals at the Junction. We can't be too careful about signals. But then I needn't say that to a Really Useful Engine like you, Percy."

I felt flattered. Gordon called me Really Useful.

"We had spoken of 'backing signals,'" put in James. "They need extra special care, you know. Would you like me to explain?"

"No thank you, James," I said. "I know all about signals."

I was a little worried. "I wonder what 'backing signals are?" he thought. "Never mind, I'll manage." I puffed crossly to my freight cars and felt better.

I came to a signal. "Bother! It's at 'danger.'"

The signal moved to show 'line clear.' Its arm moved up instead of down. I had never seen that sort of signal before.

"Down means 'go' and up means 'stop,' so upper still must mean 'go back.' I know! It's one of those 'backing signals' that Gordon told me about.

"Come on, Percy," said Driver, "off we go. Stop! You're going the wrong way."

"But it's a backing signal," I protested and told him about Gordon and James. Driver laughed and explained.

"Oh dear!" I said. "Let's start quickly before they see us."

I was too late. Gordon saw everything.

That night the big engines talked about signals. They thought the subject was funny! I thought they were being very silly! They pulled a joke on me, so I felt that way.

A/N Review, but don't flame. Respect my Thomasverse.