Sunshine
Adapted from the episode by Gloria Tors
The 1920s – Bigg City Port in the state of New Jersey was the biggest harbour in the world. It was a time of change and great opportunities. Nobody knew it better than the hardworking tugs, whose strength and big hearts made them popular with everybody from tramp steamers to ocean liners. Important jobs in the port often kept them working night and day. My tugs, the Star Fleet, were no exception. I owned three harbour tugs – an old paddle steamer called Otis Jones (we called him O.J. for short), Warrior and Big Mac; a railway tug – Top Hat; one little switcher – Ten Cents; and Hercules – my ocean-going tug. They were a good crew, striving to be the best in the port. Not always succeeding, but proud of their work!
I remember the day we got our first big break. It started with the morning briefing.
"Good morning, Star Fleet," I called through my megaphone, "Today, I've chartered another switcher from Up River to help with the extra work. Ten Cents, she'll be working with you. Show her the ropes."
"Right, Captain Star," replied Ten Cents. "'Ere, what's her name?"
"Sunshine."
"Sunshine!" Top Hat retorted. "Only good for 'day work', is she?"
"Might brighten you up a bit, Top Hat!" Ten Cents said cheekily, prompting the other Stars to laugh.
"I resent that!" Top Hat said in annoyance.
"Settle down!" I said. "Give Sunshine a chance. Now, for the really good news! After a lot of hard bargaining, it looks like I've managed to land the 'ocean liner' contract with White Star Lines… for one of the biggest liners around! The Duchess!"
The Star Tugs blew their whistles in excitement. White Star was one of the biggest liner companies back in the day and the Duchess was the pride of the fleet and had helped the company's reputation after the sinking of Titanic in 1912.
"When she arrives this afternoon," I continued, "the Star Fleet will bring her into dock. But first, we've got to prove ourselves! O.J, you're in charge…"
"Aye-aye, sir!"
"Big Mac?"
"Sir," responded Big Mac.
"You're leading."
"Right."
"Top Hat, Warrior, you're on the side push."
"Not you, Ten Cents," sneered Top Hat. "This is no job for switchers."
"Yeah, alright..." Ten Cents muttered sadly.
"Yeah, that's right!" added Warrior. "Big tugs only, Ten Cents!"
"Make sure you don't bump into her, Warrior, hehe!"
"On your way, Ten Cents!" I said. "Show Sunshine how to get the work done and fast!"
"Yeah, right! Okay then, Sir!" replied Ten Cents.
"Now, the rest of you," I said to the rest of his fleet, "I want you all finished early so you can get yourselves looking spic and span for the Duchess this afternoon!"
"Oh, glorious!" replied Top Hat, who always liked to look his best.
What we had failed to notice was two maroon harbour tugs with black stacks spying on them. Their names were Zorran and Zak who worked for the devious Captain Sean Zero, owner of the Z-Stacks. The Z-Stacks were our biggest rivals in those days and they were always looking for ways to undermine the Star Fleet. Zorran was the devious leader of the Z-Stacks and Zak was his right-hand tug, who secretly had ambitions to be the Z-Stacks' leader himself.
"So the Stars are about to get the White Star contract, eh?" Zorran grumbled. "Captain Zero is not going to be pleased."
The two tugs returned to the Zero Docks where the two Zero switchers, Zipporah (or Zip as she preferred) and Zug were waiting. The Zeros' other harbour tug, Zebedee, was undergoing maintenance that day. Needless to say, Captain Zero was furious when he found out about the Duchess, knowing how valuable the contract was.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" Captain Zero shouted through his megaphone. "THE STAR FLEET ARE ABOUT TO GET THE WHITE STAR CONTRACT!"
"We're not smiling, Captain Zero!" replied Zorran.
"I'm glad you don't find it funny, Zorran. Now I want that contract and you are going to get it for me." But Zip was confused.
"Yeah, but how?" she asked. "I thought that..."
"I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO THINK!" shouted Captain Zero. "You're a team! The best! The better looking! The more powerful! And dare I say more devious!"
"I like that bit about better-looking!" Zak commented.
"Yeah, but what's devious?" asked Zip.
"What's devious is what's necessary to make an honest living in these days of corruption and bad business ethics!" snapped Captain Zero. "Now fire up your boilers and get that White Star contract! There's no time to lose!"
"No problem!" Zorran said confidently. "That bunch of clap-trapped sardine cans are gonna find they missed the boat or my name's not Zorran!"
"But it is Zorran… isn't it?" Zip asked, still confused.
In the morning, Hercules had an important contract up the coast, so I was to lose his great strength on the very day I was to need it most. The ocean-going tug was refuelling at the coaling depot when Ten Cents pulled up alongside.
"Oi, Hercules!" the Switcher called. "The Duchess is coming this afternoon. Ah, it's a pity you won't be there."
"I know," replied Hercules in his smooth way. "I really hate to disappoint the Duchess."
Then Ten Cents remembered Sunshine.
"'Ere, I'm looking for a switcher called Sunshine. You ain't seen her?"
"'Fraid not, old darling."
"Hmmm, well, she'd better show soon. I've a lot of work to do before this afternoon."
"I'll be back tonight. Oh, and Ten Cents, look after the Duchess for me, won't you?" Hercules said, reversing away from the depot.
"At least someone has faith in me about that," the little switcher said to himself.
Ten Cents continued to look for Sunshine. He came across O.J. at Ballatine's yard.
"Ten Cents! Has that switcher found you yet?" the old paddle steamer called.
"No, not yet!" Ten Cents replied.
"Well, she's looking for you!"
"Ah well, I'd better go look for her."
As Ten Cents continued, he didn't notice a white stack moving, just visible over a coal barge. Before Ten Cents knew it, another boat collided with him.
"Oi! Woah there!" Ten Cents exclaimed in shock. Ten Cents looked at the boat. It was a white tugboat with a red cap and she was smaller than him. She too was shocked by the sudden collision.
"Oh! Sorry, sir!" she said sheepishly.
"Yeah, well, watch it in future," Ten Cents replied.
"Ahem, Ah was lookin' for Ten Cents, sir?"
"Yeah, well you just found him!"
"Oh!" the small tug said in surprise. "Ah'm… Sunshine, sir!"
"Ah, it's good to meet you. C'mon, let's get to work. The Star Fleet is docking an ocean liner this afternoon, and if we get a move on, we'll be finished in time to watch."
"Yes, sir!" Sunshine said eagerly.
"Now, now look, Sunshine," Ten Cents replied. "You only call the Captain Star 'sir' – I'm just Ten Cents, okay?"
"Yes, s–" Sunshine began before realising. "Uh, sure thing, Ten Cents!"
Meanwhile, Zorran and Zak were out in the estuary when they came across a tramp steamer that the residents of Bigg City knew too well.
"Well, look what the tide's brought in – Izzy Gomez!"
Izzy was owned by San Juan Bananas in Puerto Rico and was tasked with delivering bananas from there. Known to be very cheap, he would often try to convince tugs to tow him into port for free or at least for a cut-price rate and was not above trying to sneak in against the law if he thought he could get away with it.
"Ay, you guys, I need a tow!" Izzy said
"We don't accept bananas as payment, hehehe!" Zak chuckled.
"Ay, big shots, you towing the Duchess or something?" Izzy asked.
"What do you know about it, you South American heap of junk?"
"What do I know? I sit around, waiting for nobody to tow me. The Duchess comes in this morning. Suddenly, everybody's busy."
Zorran and Zak were surprised.
"But the Duchess isn't due till this afternoon?" Zak gawked.
"Shut up, dingy brain! C'mon!" Zorran snapped.
With that, the two tugs steamed away from Izzy Gomez.
"Ay-ay-ay, what a day. I gotta get a tow and unload these bananas," the tramp steamer muttered.
Zorran and Zak returned to the Zero Dock where they informed Captain Zero.
"You sure about this?" Captain Zero asked
"Seen it with my own eyes!" replied Zorran.
"Yeah, we've both seen it!" added Zak.
"Couldn't be better…!" Captain Zero said devilishly. "Now I want that contract and you're going to get it for me!"
"Yes, sir!" Zorran replied with bravado.
Top Hat had been passing nearby with Frank and Eddie the car floats and was so focused on trying to shut them up that they didn't hear what the Z-Stacks had said.
One of the Star Tugs' jobs was supplying fuel for Sally Seaplane who lived at the Seaplane Hangar. This was next to Lucky's Yard, where all the harbour's boat repairs were made. Ten Cents and Sunshine were on their way at this present moment.
"So, Sunshine, do you belong to a fleet?"
"No, Ah'm owned by a kind man by Nathaniel Mitton who often lends us to all sorts of jobs Up River like the munitions factory where Sea Rogue and his uncle O'Malley work," Sunshine explained, "and to the logging camps where Billy Shoepack delivers dynamite." Her face fell. "Unfortunately, Mr. Mitton was diagnosed with cancer last week."
"How bad?" Ten Cents asked.
"Four months left. And if a new owner isn't found, Ah could be sold for scrap."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Ten Cents said with concern. He wished there was some way to help Sunshine. But Mr. Mitton's illness was at a stage where he couldn't be cured.
Soon, the two switchers arrived at the seaplane hangar where Sally was waiting.
"Hello, Ten Cents," greeted Sally. "Who's your new friend?"
"Sally, meet Sunshine," Ten Cents said. "Sunshine, this is Sally. Her father owns the mine."
"Hello, Sally," Sunshine greeted. "Pleased to meet you."
"You too, Sunshine," Sally replied. "Thanks for the fuel."
"Yeah, we can't wait around though, Sally; this afternoon, the Duchess is coming in. If we finish early, we can watch!" Ten Cents replied.
"Okay, bye, fellas."
"Alright, see you then."
"Well, she was very nice," Sunshine said as the two switchers left.
"For the most part, they're a good lot in this port," Ten Cents replied.
"Uh... what do you mean, 'for the most part'?" Sunshine asked nervously.
"You see those three tugs?" Ten Cents said, noticing Zorran, Zip and Zug. "They belong to our rivals, the Z-Stacks. You see them, you know they're up to no good."
Ten Cents was right. At this moment, Zorran was explaining his plan to Zip and Zug.
"Now listen, Hercules is up the coast out of the way. Big Mac is the strongest Star left. If we knuckle him, we'll grab the liner contract!"
"Yeah, I know, but he's bigger than me–" Zip began, feeling unsure.
"He's towing barges, dummy!" Zorran snapped. "His route is close to the mud-banks, okay?"
"…yeah, so?" Zip said, quietly.
"So, you stuff him onto one! Okay?! Stupid?!"
"You've done it before to yourself, Zip, so you should soon catch on," Zug replied.
"Yeah, I'll catch on, Zorran," Zip replied.
"You'd better! Do it fast and get back fast! Now, get!"
"Devious, man… devious…" Zip said to herself as she and Zug departed to find Big Mac.
Warrior had finished his jobs and was on his way to get ready for the Duchess when he saw Izzy Gomez, still basking in the sun at the harbour mouth.
"Ay, Warrior, old friend! I need a tow."
"No time to argue about fees today, Izzy," Warrior replied.
"When do I argue, compadre? It's a hundred dollar."
"Yeah, yeah, okay, but fast. We're bringing in the Duchess this afternoon and I need time to get ship-shape."
"Ay, but my friend, the Duchess – she's already here."
"What? She can't be!"
"Si, I heard her already!"
"Suffering stacks! She's early! Gotta tell the others! Sorry, Izzy – I'll tow you later," Warrior said, leaving quickly.
"But compadre? Ay…" Izzy whined. It was no use; Warrior was gone.
Big Mac was near the mudbanks when Zip and Zug came up alongside.
"Need a hand, Big Mac, old buddy?" Zug asked innocently.
"Weel, this is surprising," Big Mac said. The Z-Stacks were rarely helpful towards the Star Tugs.
"Well, it was a… nice day, Big Mac! Thought we'd try to, y'know, spread a little happiness, hehe!" Zip chuckled nervously.
"Yeah! Like, helping our mates!"
"Can't go past to see one struggle!"
"Thanks, fellas!" replied Big Mac, having fallen for it. "Noo Ah'll be back in guid time fur th' Duchess!"
Big Mac had no idea the Z-Stacks had laid a trap for him.
Ten Cents and Sunshine had just dropped supplies off at Ballantine's when O.J. chugged alongside, looking concerned.
"Ten Cents, have you seen Big Mac?" O.J. asked.
"No, is there a problem?" Ten Cents replied.
"The Duchess is due in early. We need him to bring her in."
Ten Cents thought about the places he went that day and had only seen at the Star Dock that morning.
"No… no, I haven't seen him since the briefing!"
"Well, you two, go on and look for him. The rest of us will just have to try and manage till he gets there," O.J. said.
"Right, O.J.," Ten Cents replied as he and Sunshine set off to find Big Mac whilst O.J. went back to inform Top Hat and Warrior. The three tugs departed to find the Duchess.
"Oh, the Duchess isn't going to like this!" Top Hat sighed.
"No…" Warrior agreed.
The three tugs soon set to work bringing the Duchess in. Top Hat was leading, with O.J. and Warrior on the side push. With only three tugs, there were no tugs on the rear to push.
"I hope Big Mac gets here soon, Top Hat!" Warrior said, worriedly. "This ain't gonna be an easy one!"
"Yes, where is he?!" Top Hat groaned. "We'll never manage without Big Mac!"
"I'm worried about this. We need help to dock her!" O.J. said in concern. "Argh… c'mon, Big Mac! Where are you?!"
Ten Cents and Sunshine found Big Mac near the sandbank.
"Oh, there you are!" Ten Cents called with relief before realising he was completely stuck. "Big Mac! 'Ere, what's happened?"
"Weel, Zip 'n' Zug wur giein' me a haun, th' neist thing Ah knew, Ah wis oan this sandbank!" Big Mac groaned. "I bet they set me up!"
"Yeah, and I bet they scampered right afterwards – the crooks!" Ten Cents sighed. "Oh, that's just great, because the Duchess' arrived early."
They all heard a long loud horn from the Duchess in the distance.
"Ye'r richt!" Big Mac exclaimed. "She's at th' pier. Ye 'n' Sunshine hud better gang 'n' tak' ower fae me! O.J. wull tell ye whit tae dae."
"But I've never done anything like this be–" Ten Cents began.
"Ye kin dae it! Git gaun!" Big Mac interrupted. "We've git tae shaw th' Duchess th' stuff th' Star Fleet's made o'!"
"Yeah, you're right!" Ten Cents replied. "Come on, Sunshine."
Ten Cents and Sunshine quickly returned to the harbour and explained Big Mac's predicament. O.J. instructed the two switchers to handle the rear push. Thanks to O.J.'s plan, the Star Fleet were now doing their best without Big Mac. And for a while, it looked as though they were going to make it. But the Z-Stacks were watching nearby and Zorran was still waiting for another chance…
"Ah, looks like your plan didn't work, Zorran," Zip commented.
"Hmmm… if I could only get rid of that switcher Sunshine," Zorran mused.
"Thinking devious, eh, Zorran?"
"No; just thinking 'contract'. Look – they've slowed her right back! That gives me an idea." Zorran quickly whispered his plan to Zak, who grinned devilishly.
As the tricky part of the docking operation started, the Z-Stacks watched closely. Sunshine and Ten Cents were working hard at their new job when O.J ordered Sunshine to ease back.
"Right, full steam ahead," Zak said, seeing his chance and when he thought no one was looking, he moved on Sunshine. Sunshine went into the rudder of the big liner, causing it to lose control.
"I say, what's going on? She's out of control – aft!"
"This is where we win the contract!" Zorran said, as Zak moved back and Zorran moved forward. "Hang on there, O.J. I've got her!"
The unimaginable had happened – the Star Fleet had to accept help from the Z-Stacks.
"Let this be a lesson to you – never trust a switcher to do a real tug's work!"
"Sunshine! I should have known!" Top Hat groaned in disbelief.
Sunshine overheard the outburst and felt ashamed of herself. This was her big chance to prove herself and she'd let the Star Fleet down so she slipped away whilst the Star Tugs were still busy. No one knew that the sleepy tramper Izzy had been watching the whole incident.
"Oh, so that's devious!" Zip said, impressed.
Once the docking operation was finished, Zorran moved off.
"I never thought I'd say this, but thank you, Zorran," O.J. said.
"Glad to be of service," Zorran called, sniggering to himself. After this incident, it was likely the Stars would lose the contract.
Zorran and Zak returned to the Zero Dock to relay the news to Captain Zero.
"Well, well, well," Captain Zero said. "I congratulate you two!"
"Oh, thank you, sir!" Zorran and Zak replied.
"Good man, Zorran! Right attitude. Oh yes, one thing – no one saw you, did they? Not even little whatshername?"
"Who, Sunshine? No, sir. No one saw us," Zak replied.
"Good! That's very good! I'll offer our services to the Duchess lines tomorrow."
"Poor little Sunshine. Just wasn't her day?" Zak sniggered.
"No, it wasn't, was it…! Hehehe!" Zorran sniggered.
That night, the Duchess threw a big party celebrating her arrival in port. While everybody was enjoying themselves, all Sunshine wanted to do was to get away from Bigg City, back to her simple life upriver.
"Oh, nobody's ever gonna talk to me again…" she murmured as she chugged sadly away.
Big Mac had been rescued without serious damage, so he joined the party.
"Glad you're alright," smiled Warrior as he trundled in.
"Och, ah've been through worse," Big Mac chuckled. "Hello Top Hat, Ten Cents."
"Huh… oh, hello Big Mac." Ten Cents trailed. He was getting to like Sunshine and was worried for her. "Yeah, maybe I should go and try and find Sunshine," He said to the others.
"What do you mean? What on earth for?" Top Hat scoffed.
"C'mon, Top Hat, we all make mistakes. She must be feeling terrible."
"Well, so she should after all the trouble she caused!"
"'Ere, what do you say O.J?" Ten Cents asked.
"Well, it's up to you," O.J. sighed.
"Ah well, don't wait up," Ten Cents muttered, chugging away.
"Oh, there he goes," muttered Top Hat. "Always playing 'Mr. Nice Guy'. What a bore…"
Sunshine may have ruined her chance, but Ten Cents wasn't going to leave her on her own. The trouble was that a thick fog was starting to roll in and Ten Cents had no idea where to start looking. Sunshine didn't know the port – maybe, he believed, she just got lost?
"I can't see much!" Ten Cents said as he navigated his way through a canal. "SUNSHINE! SUNSHINE!"
Sunshine was sitting alone at one of the quays, feeling sorry for herself.
"Ah'll never live this down," she said to herself. "Just when Ah really had a chance. Oh who's gonna want me now…!"
"SUNSHINE!"
"Ten Cents?" Sunshine gasped. "Oh no, he'll never forgive me!"
Sunshine moved off out of sight just as Ten Cents rounded the next bend.
"SUNSHINE! SUNSHINE!" Ten Cents called.
Ten Cents was then startled by a shrimper cutting straight in front of him, shrilly blowing its loud horn.
"SUNSHINE, WHERE ARE YOU?!" Ten Cents yelled. "SUNSHINE!"
Sunshine was just visible through a gap between some quayside buildings and she could hear Ten Cents approaching. Quickly, the little switcher reversed out of sight behind the buildings.
"Ah don't wanna talk to him," Sunshine said, worriedly.
"Are you there? Oh, it's so hard to see. SUNSHINE!" Ten Cents called, carrying on further. He then saw a lightship in the distance. "Lillie! Maybe he's out there!"
Sunshine watched Ten Cents head off, before moving out from her hiding place.
"Maybe Ah should try and go home?" she said to herself. "There's not much point in stopping here."
Out at the estuary, Ten Cents approached Lillie Lightship and saw Hercules next to her at the harbour mouth.
"Hi, Ten Cents," Lillie said.
"Ah, Ten Cents!" Hercules replied.
"Lillie– oh, Hercules! Thank goodness you're back!"
"Yes, only just. Why, what's the problem old chap? Everything went alright with the Duchess, I hope?"
"And why shouldn't it?" Lillie asked.
"Uh… actually…"
"Ten Cents?" asked Hercules, his voice close to a whisper. "Come on, little brother. You can tell me anything."
Ten Cents gave a small smile, and explained the situation. Hercules thought to himself.
"Tell you what, Ten Cents," Hercules replied. "I'll help you find her and then I'll have a word with the other Stars about their behavior."
"Thanks, Hercules," replied Ten Cents as the two tugs moved off. "See ya, Lillie."
"Bye, fellas," Lillie called. "Hope you find Sunshine."
At that moment, Sunshine was chuffing up the coast near the mud-banks.
"Ah've just got to get home somehow," Sunshine said. "This fog's thick…! Ah can't get mah bearings…! Ah just… Ah dunno which way…!"
Meanwhile, Hercules and Ten Cents were still looking for Sunshine.
"I wonder where Sunshine went? Ah, it's real creepy and chilly out here tonight," Ten Cents sighed.
"Don't fret, Ten Cents, we'll soon find her," Hercules reassured.
"'Ere! 'Ere, what's that?!" Ten Cents asked, hearing a creaking noise. "Who's there?!"
The two tugs drew closer through the fog and saw Izzy Gomez, still anchored where he was.
"Ah, Izzy, it's you!" Ten Cents sighed.
"Ay, and about time, too," Izzy sighed. "Warrior promised me a tow."
"Of course, Izzy," Hercules replied. "By the way, have you seen Sunshine?"
"Why? What's the matter?"
"She disappeared. I suppose she's ashamed after causing the accident with the Duchess."
"Sunshine didn't cause the accident. I saw it – Zak pushed her!"
"What?! Are you sure?!" Ten Cents exclaimed in disbelief.
"As sure as I know I got a load of bananas and I need a tow!"
Ten Cents and Hercules were furious upon hearing this. Poor Sunshine was blamed for something she didn't do, and thanks to her owner's condition, she could be scrapped!
"Right, Ten Cents," Hercules said seriously. "You head back and tell the others. I'll tow in Izzy."
"Alright, Hercules," Ten Cents called, chugging away. "Thanks for the info, Izzy."
Ten Cents raced back to the Star Dock where the other tugs were asleep. The Star switcher blew his hooter loudly.
"Oi, you lot! C'mon! Oi, wake up!" Ten Cents yelled. The tugs sleepily blinked open their eyes and groaned. "Listen! Izzy told me he saw everything!"
"What? Sleepy Izzy?" asked O.J. "What did he see?"
"Suffering stacks!" exclaimed Warrior. "Izzy! I completely forgot!"
"It's alright, Warrior," Ten Cents insisted. "Hercules is towing in Izzy as we speak. But listen; it was Zak who hit Sunshine! That's what made her lose control! Izzy saw it! And I'll bet this was so the Z-Stacks could get the contract."
"Well, it was rather uncharacteristic of Zorran to help us…!" O.J. said, realising the gravity of the situation. "You're right, Ten Cents. Izzy could have seen everything."
"And that's not all," Ten Cents continued. "Sunshine's owner is dying from cancer. If they can't find a buyer soon, she could be scrapped."
"Oh dear! Poor old Sunshine! We've done her wrong!" Warrior said sadly.
"Aye, th' poor lass juist wanted tae fin' a new hame bit we wur sae upset aboot th' contract, we let oor anger git th' better o' us," Big Mac agreed.
"Then we must make it up to her," Top Hat said.
"Agreed," O.J. replied. "Now, you've looked everywhere for her, have you, Ten Cents?"
"Yeah, everywhere! Even as far out as Lillie!"
"Hmmm… well, if I were Sunshine, I guess I would have tried to make it home," O.J. suggested.
"That's it… Yeah, of course, that's it! Upriver! Yeah, c'mon!"
"My engine's playing up, so I'll stay here and tell Captain Star," O.J. replied. "The rest of you follow Ten Cents."
"Righto, O.J.," Big Mac replied. "C'mon, Warrior! Top Hat!"
"Well, as I'm doing nothing better…" Top Hat replied.
"Yeah, let's go!" Warrior said.
With that, Ten Cents, Big Mac, Top Hat and Warrior set out from the Star Dock and headed upriver to look for Sunshine, which was just as well. When they found her, she'd been holed and was in danger of sinking.
"Oh no, not the lads…" Sunshine groaned sadly.
"Hey, you guys, look! I found her!" Ten Cents called. "What a mess! We're gonna need a crane."
"It doesn't matter really… Just leave me alone. Ah've caused enough trouble…"
"Ahem! In matter of fact, we found out it wasn't your fault," Top Hat replied, "so I would like to apologise on behalf of the Star Fleet."
"Really?" Sunshine said happily, realising that she was blameless.
"An apology from Top Hat! I don't believe it!" Ten Cents chuckled.
"Do you think Captain Star would have me back?"
"Yeah, I'm sure he will! Izzy told me everything!"
Big Mac and Warrior went to fetch Mighty Mo and towed her to Lucky's Yard.
The next morning, I briefed the Stars on her condition.
"Last night, we salvaged the tugboat Sunshine," I said, "and she was taken to Lucky's Yard. And I'm glad to tell you that little damage was done."
The Star Tugs sighed in relief.
"If I may, Captain Star," Hercules said, "I feel we should praise Ten Cents for teaching everyone a valuable lesson in trust and friendship."
"Well said, Hercules," I said proudly, "As for you, Big Mac, O.J., Top Hat and Warrior, I hope you've learnt your lesson about jumping to conclusions before knowing the truth and not attributing blame on others!"
"Aye, Captain," Big Mac sighed.
"Yes, indeed we have," O.J. agreed.
"Good! Now I know you're all proud of being Star Tugs, but the most important thing in my fleet after hard work is that my tugs should always be true, honest and forgiving."
"Hear, hear!" Top Hat agreed.
"Yeah, yeah, we are…!" Warrior said.
But, before anymore could be said, a loud angry voice cut through the air.
"ZORRAN! ZAK! COME HERE RIGHT THIS MINUTE!"
"Looks like Captain Zero's found out," chuckled Ten Cents, and we listened as Captain Zero tore his tugs a new one.
"I've just been on the phone to the Duchess' captain," yelled Captain Zero, "and it turns out you were seen!"
"Impossible! We made sure–" Zorran argued.
"Don't argue with me! You were seen! Now the Duchess knows what you did and we don't get the contract! And worst of all, we've been fined! What kind of idiots do I have working for me?!"
"Really devious?" Zip asked nervously.
"Shut it, Zip!" Zorran snapped.
"Sorry about that, sir," Zak said nervously.
"Yeah, sorry, Captain Zero," Zorran said.
"S-s-sorry, sir," Zug stammered.
"Sorry…" Zip said sadly.
"SORRY?!" Captain Zero roared, losing his patience. "SORRY?! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, ALL OF YOU!"
With that, the Star Tugs set off for work. As Top Hat went by with his usual car floats, he saw me shaking hands with an unfamiliar gentleman.
As Ten Cents passed Lucky's Yard, he could have sworn he saw a pink tug whose shape looked oddly familiar.
That evening, all was to be revealed when the Star Tugs returned to the dock.
"It has come to my attention that Sunshine's owner has been seriously ill and she is in need of a new owner," I said. "Fortunately, O.J. has come up with an excellent suggestion that would also serve as an apology as well."
"Does that mean–?" Ten Cents asked excitedly.
"If you look to port, our new recruit should be coming in right now."
With that, the Star Tugs looked to see a small switcher painted in the Star Tug livery and the number seven on her funnel. There was no doubt as to who it was.
"Sunshine," I said, "I am proud to welcome you to my fleet!"
A chorus of cheers and whistles greeted Sunshine as she sailed into the Star Dock and that was the moment I first knew we had a great team of Star Tugs. Then Ten Cents chuffed over from the line and sailed up alongside Sunshine, tooting his whistle.
"Yeah, welcome aboard! You look great, Sunshine!" Ten Cents said.
"Thanks, Ten Cents! Great new colours, eh?" Sunshine said.
Author's Comments
And here we go with our first story, Sunshine. It's more of less an open-and-shut adaptation apart with a backstory for Sunshine and her life up river and her owner having terminal cancer. Also, instead of Zorran hitting Sunshine, it was Zak who did it (he's a thuggish tug anyway) and Hercules comes to assist Ten Cents with the search for Sunshine (Hercules is the one who tows Izzy in the end). Also, Sunshine and Zip are gender-flipped (with the latter's name being short for Zipporah) In the former's case, Sunshine was already gender-flipped in Salty's Lighthouse.
There was a line that had to be changed in the earlier draft due to sexism concerns.
Next time, a Pirate comes into Bigg City.