Bigg Freeze

Written by Roy Russell

Adapted by Jonathan Downs, Rachel Ravens and Zack Wanzer

It was the year of the big freeze up. Although tugs could still move around, supplies were severely interrupted, such as the fishing in Uptown. I moved my tugs to a small port at the mouth of the river, from where we could carry out our duties. As it was not possible to bring shipping into the harbour. In those early days, only large liners were fitted with wireless. The S.S. Vienna, the famous cruiseliner, had radioed in for an ocean tug to bring her in as far as the bay. This was a job for Hercules.


"Hi, Hercules!" Lillie called to Hercules. "Seen Ten Cents and Sunshine?"

"I think they're at the river, sweetheart," replied Hercules. "Why?"

"I'm waiting for them to refuel me. My gauge shows I'm pretty low."

"Well, they'd better look after you, 'cause I'm bringing Vienna in on the night tide. If your light isn't on to guide her in, she doesn't come in."

"What's keeping Ten Cents and Sunshine? It's not like them…"

"Big shortage of fuel barges, all frozen up in Bigg City Port," Hercules replied, steaming away. "They'll be here soon. Keep smiling m'dearest."

"I always do, Hercules!" Lillie called.


Ten Cents and Sunshine were getting desperate, trying to find a fuel barge. I had told them that if Lillie's light wasn't working when Vienna came up the coast, she would sail onto the next port. The switchers knew how much everyone depended on them. They were determined she would get her supplies as usual, even if it meant taking them out to sea.

"If there's no fuel barges at any oil depot, where are there any?!" Ten Cents said worriedly.

"Well, they're all iced up in Bigg City," Sunshine replied.

"Not all, surely! There must be one somewhere! Look, come on."

"Alright."


Warrior had his problems too – Vienna would have garbage to unload, and he was having difficulty finding an empty barge. Even Lord Stinker, his favourite, was full. This was because Jack the Grappler had a cold and Mr. Krieger had placed a sign saying, "Out of Order".

"Oh dear," sighed Warrior. "The Vienna won't like this…"

"Sorry I couldn't help this time, Warrior," Lord Stinker said quietly.

"Never mind," assured Warrior. "I'll think of something."


"Where else can we try, Ten Cents?" Sunshine asked. "We've got to get that fuel for Lillie's light!"

"No light, no Vienna," agreed Ten Cents. "And we can't let that happen!"

Just then, Zorran passed by with a fuel barge.

"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Ten Cents. "Where did Zorran get a fuel barge?! Trust him, come on."

"Well, he won't let us have it!" replied Sunshine.

"He'll have to when we explain," insisted Ten Cents.

"Oh, you reckon, Zorran?" asked Sunshine. "Ooh, no chance!"

"It's for the Z-Stacks' sake as well as ours, isn't it?" Ten Cents replied.


Captain Zero's Z-Stacks as well as the Stars had the contract for supplies for S.S. Vienna. So many tugs competing for so few supplies always brought problems. Zorran had arrived at the Fuel Depot when he, Zip and Zug saw Ten Cents and Sunshine approach them.

"If they want this barge, they can't have it, see?" sneered Zorran.

"No, no," insisted Zug. "You keep it, Zorran!"

"Yeah, yeah! You keep it!" agreed Zip.

"I will," said Zorran, before turning to the Fuel Depot Manager. "Right, fill 'er up! Kerosene!"

"It will take a while in this cold," the Fuel Depot Manager called through his megaphone.

"Zorran!" called Ten Cents. "We need fuel for Lillie Lightship!"

"You're not suggesting I let you have my fuel barge, are you?" retorted Zorran.

"Yeah! We are!" replied Ten Cents.

"So you can supply Vienna instead of me, eh?" snapped Zorran. "Forget it! Vienna's lighting and heating plant – that's what this is for!"

"That's what they want it for, Zorran!" agreed Zip. "Not for Lillie!"

"It is for Lillie!" argued Sunshine. "Honest, right?"

"Wrong, Sunshine," replied Zorran. "It's for Vienna, delivered by me, Zorran! See? Right, come on! I've got a liner to meet!"

"Be patient!" the Fuel Depot Manager snapped.

"You'll have to wait, Zorran," said Sunshine.

Ten Cents saw that O.J. was nearby. Ah, maybe he'll have an idea, he thought. He usually does when we're in trouble, and we're in real trouble now. The two switchers blew their whistles as they approached him.

"What's up, you two?" O.J. asked.

"O.J.! We've got a problem!" called Ten Cents. "No fuel barge to supply Lillie!"

"Yeah," Sunshine agreed. "Zorran's got the only one we've seen."

"And he won't part!" said Ten Cents. "Says it's to supply Vienna!"

"Doesn't he know there won't be any Vienna if Lillie's light isn't on?" O.J. said with annoyance.

"Yeah, he doesn't believe us! You know what Zorran is like!" agreed Ten Cents.

Neither Star Tug noticed Zip and Zug listening into their conversation.

"Hey, Ah've just thought," Sunshine chimed in. "There's a light barge kept up river from here, always filled and ready for emergencies! Not all that far!"

"Brilliant, Sunshine!" smiled Ten Cents. "Let's hurry."

"Good!" O.J. replied. "Get it as quick as you can, or it'll be dark!"

Zip and Zug watched Ten Cents and Sunshine leave.

"Well, what did they say, Zip?" asked Zug

"Something about fuel and beating Zorran to Vienna, Zug," replied Zip.

"We can't let that happen!" gasped Zug.


Out at sea, the S.S. Vienna was waiting for Hercules to tow her in.


Back at the Waste Dump, Warrior was still looking for a barge.

"There must be empty barges somewhere!" said Lord Stinker.

"There's one over there!" Warrior said. "Half full! I mean, half empty. That'll have to do! Bye, Your Lordship. Bye, Jack. Get better soon!"

"Oh, I will, Warrior," replied Jack, before sneezing.

"Oh, gesundheit," said Lord Stinker. "See you later, Warrior!"


Ten Cents and Sunshine had arrived at the area where the emergency light barge was moored.

"What did Ah tell you!" Sunshine said proudly. "There she is – one emergency light barge!"

"Yeah, you do know your river, Sunshine!" Ten Cents replied. "I'd never have found this creek."

"Hey, sure do!" replied Sunshine. "Worked at Up River long enough, didn't Ah?"

"Right. You take it in tow, and then I'll push," said Ten Cents. "We might just make it to Lillie before dark!"

But Zip and Zug had other plans for them. They had picked up a moored fire barge and were jamming it across the creek.

"Hey! What's going on?!" exclaimed Ten Cents.

"Get out of that, Star Tugs!" sneered Zug.

"What's that for?" Sunshine asked in surprise.

"Yeah! That'll teach you!" Zip chimed in.

"Yeah, well, that's really stupid!" called Ten Cents. "If Vienna can't get in, it's as bad for you as it is for us!"

But it was no good. Zip and Zug sailed off down river, leaving Ten Cents and Sunshine trapped in the creek.


Hercules approached the S.S. Vienna with a greeting. She replied and signaled that she hoped all would be on station for her arrival at the lightship.

"I hope Lillie's got the fuel needed," Hercules said to himself. "It gets dark a lot quicker in winter…"


Zorran wasn't having much luck with kerosene; he was still waiting. Then, he spotted Zip and Zug coming towards him.

"What are you two doing still here?" he sneered. "Get down to Lillie Lightship and wait for Vienna!"

"Oh, eh, just on our way," said Zug.

"Yeah, just going!" Zip chimed in.

"Yeah, we just thought you'd like to know that…" began Zug.

"I'm not interested!" interrupted Zorran. "Get down there, now! I've got to wait for this barge!"


Ten Cents and Sunshine tried desperately to push against the fire barge.

"It's no good, Sunshine," groaned Ten Cents. "It's jammed tight."

"Then, we'll get out on the night tide," replied Sunshine.

"Well, how do you mean?" asked Ten Cents.

"This gulley here won't take our draft now," explained Sunshine, "but it will when the level rises. It leads back 'round the river!"

"By that time, Vienna would have seen there's no light and have gone!" Ten Cents replied.

"No, she won't!" Sunshine said confidently. "Trust me, Ten Cents."

"Well… alright," the larger switcher said. "You used to work here. What do we have to lose?"


O.J., Top Hat, Big Mac, Zebedee, Zak, Zeus, Zob and Lillie were waiting for the S.S. Vienna in the bay at dusk. As darkness fell, spirits fell too. Lillie tried to cheer them up.

"I haven't had so much company for a long time!" Lillie said happily. "Oh, if only I could flash my light!"

"Ten Cents and Sunshine should have been here long ago," said O.J., worriedly. "They've been gone for ages!"

Just then, Warrior arrived with the half-empty garbage barge.

"Have you seen Ten Cents and Sunshine, Warrior?" asked O.J..

"Me? I haven't seen anybody!" Warrior replied.

"But you've just come from there!" said Top Hat.

"Yeah, but I've been trying to find an empty garbage barge for Vienna, haven't I?" said Warrior.

"It'll be dark soon!" said Lillie with concern. "What do we do about a light?"

"Anyone got any bright ideas?" O.J. asked.


Hercules (towing in Vienna) was on the lookout for Lillie's light.

"Come on, sweetheart," Hercules whispered. "Please be alright…"


"Looks nearly deep enough to take our draft now, Ten Cents," said Sunshine.

"And the level will keep rising as we go," agreed Ten Cents. "Shall we try it?"

"Hey, might as well risk gettin' stuck instead of being stuck here," Sunshine said.

"Ready when you are, Sunshine," Ten Cents said.

"Now, if we scrape on the bottom," said Sunshine, "try to keep going. It's a soft bed."

"I'll take your word for it," Ten Cents replied as he and Sunshine set off with the light barge. They had to make speed too. If S.S. Vienna saw there was no light to keep her dead on course, she would not risk running aground; she'd carry on to the next port.


Back at the bay, everybody was thinking, but no one had come up with a solution.

"Not an idea between us?" asked O.J..

"No bright ones, O.J.…" sighed Top Hat.

"Anybody got a stupid one then?" asked O.J.. "Come on, say it. Might lead to something, you'd never know."

"Maybe Zeus should get himself quarantined and keep Vienna away from us!" Zob said sarcastically.

"Oh, shut up, Zob!" growled Zeus. "That was one time, you hear me?! One! Time!"

"I could set fire to my garbage," suggested Warrior.

"What? What on earth for?!" exclaimed Top Hat.

"Well, make a light for Vienna, wouldn't it?" replied Warrior.

"I think that's a smashing idea!" agreed Lillie.

Just Lillie's approval was good enough for Warrior. The others stared speechless as he quickly towed his barge away and got himself alongside it. Then, Warrior revved his engine to full steam, making sparks fly out of his stack, and just like that, the garbage was set alight.

"He's a genius!" exclaimed Top Hat.

"Nae bad, Warrior!" said Big Mac. "Nae bad!"

"Good thinking, Warrior!" praised O.J.. "Bravo!"

"Brilliant! A beacon fur Vienna!" said Big Mac.


Hercules had begun to suspect that Lillie's light was not on. But he had the sense to realize that whatever was causing the glare was meant to take its place.

"There's our marker light," said Hercules. "We're on course."


"It certainly is burning well!" said Top Hat.

"Aye, Ah hawp it lasts till Vienna gets in," agreed Big Mac.

"I think you're quite brilliant, Warrior!"

"You think so, Lillie?" Warrior beamed.


Back out in the ocean, Hercules noticed that the fire was starting to burn out, leaving nothing to guide him in.

"They're letting it go out!" he said worriedly. "Keep it alight, m'dears! We still need it!"


"It's gonna go out before Vienna's near enough!" O.J. exclaimed.

Just then, Ten Cents and Sunshine arrived with the light barge.

"Ah, the light barge!" O.J. said with relief. "Just in time. Ten Cents, get its light on, quick!"

"Afraid it's bad news, O.J.," replied Ten Cents. "We tried it coming down the river."

"It's full of fuel, but the mantle won't flare!" added Sunshine.

"Ten Cents, Sunshine? What's the problem?" Warrior asked as he approached them and bumped into the light barge. "Whoops!" Suddenly, the light flickered on.

"Oh, Warrior!" exclaimed Lillie.

"I thought a good thump might make it come on!" Warrior said, modestly.


Hercules was delighted to see the light from the light barge in the distance.

"There she is!" he exclaimed happily. "That's very like the lovely Lillie herself!"


Zorran then arrived with the Fuel Barge.

"Those Star Tugs haven't got you any fuel, Lillie?" snarked Zorran. "They're a disgrace!"

"Oh, thank you, Zorran!" Lillie exclaimed happily. "Is that for me?"

"It's not for you, Lillie," sneered Zorran. "It's for Vienna!"

"Oh, Zorran!" Lillie groaned in disappointment.

It was at that moment Zip and Zug arrived and both were surprised to see Ten Cents and Sunshine.

"How did you get past that fire barge, Ten Cents?" asked Zip.

"Easy!" replied Ten Cents.

"Hey, what's up with you two?" asked Zorran.

"Ah, well, we blocked them up the creek to save the fuel contract for you, Zorran!" Zip said proudly.

"We only went for the light barge!" argued Ten Cents.

"Huh?! You idiots!" roared Zorran. "We needed that light here, didn't we? To get Vienna in, for us, as well as for them! Now, what's this about a fire barge? Have you taken one from its station?!"

"Yes," Zip said nervously. "But we only jammed it a little way!"

"Well, get back up there quick before Finbar gets there!" Zorran ordered.

"Finbar won't be pleased with you two!" Ten Cents called as the two Zero switchers left. "It'll take them all night to get that fire barge free."

"Sure will," agreed Sunshine. "Maybe they should've thought of that when they jammed it in."

"Well, that's that," said O.J.. "Come on now, here's Vienna!"

"Well done, old darlings!" called Hercules as he brought Vienna in, guided finally by the emergency light. When he stopped, he glanced over at Lillie. "M'dearest, you don't have your light on?"

"No, Hercules," she sighed. "Ten Cents and Sunshine tried their best, but they couldn't get a fuel barge."

"Well, you two did well for trying," Hercules said kindly. The switchers smiled at the ocean going tug.


Ten Cents was right about Zip and Zug's prank. The fire barge was well and truly stuck. The Z-Stack switchers were struggling to free it.

"This is all your fault, Zip!" snapped Zug.

"It was your idea, Zug!" argued Zip.

"Well, you could have talked me out of it!" Zug argued back.

What the Zero switchers didn't know was that their arguing had attracted the attention of Sea Rogue.

"Finbar won't be pleased with this!" Sea Rogue muttered as he went to find the fire tug.


Once Vienna had dropped anchor, the tugs set to work loading and unloading. It was a routine they knew well, from having done it many times, but it was not often they'd have to do it in the open sea.

"Well, we managed it out here, lads!" O.J. commented.

"Aye, let's hawp neist time Bigg City Port's open," agreed Big Mac.

"Well, I'm happy to be here, wherever she is," stated Top Hat. "Because she is quite beautiful!"

"Get your fuel hose down!" snapped Zorran, impatiently sounding his hooter. "Come on, what's the delay?!"

As Vienna hadn't been able to get into port due to the freeze up, a fast turnaround was vital. Vienna had easily enough fuel to get to the next port of call and decided not to take any more aboard. Zorran was turned away.

"Ahem. I changed my mind, Lillie," the lead Z-Stack said sheepishly. "I'd rather you have my kerosene."

"Oh, thank you, Zorran!" Lillie said happily.

"Don't thank him," Sunshine said. "Vienna didn't take it, so he's lumbered with it!"

"Well, I'll still have it," said Lillie. "I'm no good to anyone without it, am I? Half price though, eh, Zorran?"

"Yeah, half price, Zorran!" agreed Ten Cents. "Then we don't say anything about Zip and Zug, okay?"

"What?!" exclaimed Zorran. "Ten Cents, you crook!"

"Well, that's good coming from you, Zorran!" snarked Lillie. She, Ten Cents and the rest of the Star Tugs all laughed, much to Zorran's embarrassment.


Zip and Zug were still struggling to get the fire barge unstuck when all of a sudden...

"Stop!" Finbar shouted as he approached them. "That's our property! What do you think you're up to, eh?"

"We're just trying to clear it for you!" insisted Zug.

"Yes, yes!" agreed Zip.

"That's not what I heard," Finbar said sternly. "You're coming with me!"


Back at the estuary, the job had been completed.

"All cargo loaded!" Hercules announced. "Well done, everyone!"

"Oh! How lovely to have my light on again!" Lille exclaimed happily.

"You look good, Lillie," agreed Warrior. "Shining like a film star!"

"Ooh, thank you, Warrior!" said Lillie. "You're a star yourself! Without you, Vienna would have sailed on by!"

"Yeah, but I got a good excuse to burn my rubbish, didn't I?" replied Warrior. "It meant I could fill my barge with all that stuff from Vienna. And look at it all! So I'm happy!"

Vienna blared her whistle one last time as Hercules guided her out to sea.

"Why couldn't I have been a liner, I wonder?" sighed Top Hat.

"'Cos you're not big enough!" said Warrior.

"You are silly, Warrior," said Lillie, giggling slightly.

"You're clear, Vienna!" Hercules called. "Bon voyage, Godspeed!" With that, Vienna left and a song came out from her deck.

"Far away…"

"Aww, she really is lovely..." said Sunshine.

"Across the sea…"

"Yeah..." agreed Ten Cents.

"I'm missing you..."

"Goodnight, Vienna!" called Top Hat.

"Goodnight, Vienna…" Ten Cents and Sunshine echoed back.

"You're missing me. But no matter how far away you are, know that I'm here to guide you home."


As for Zip and Zug, well, Peeper Pipes arrested them for meddling with fire property and they were sentenced to community service for a month, dredging with Scuttlebutt Pete. Needless to say, Captain Zero was appalled to tears at how many times his tugs had let him down this year.

"I don't believe it!" he sobbed angrily. "Zak and Zorran fail to notice Izzy Gomez watching them during the incident with the Duchess and lose us the liner contract, Zorran gets himself trapped on some rocks due to Billy Shoepack and his dynamite, Zak damages himself and the steel rig, destroys the railway bridge and loses us the steel contract, Zeus gets himself quarantined and then almost causes a disaster with the munitions with bad coal, and now Zip and Zug get themselves arrested for meddling with a fire barge! Why did I get such incompetent tugs?! Why? Why?! WHY?!"


As for me… my Star Tugs had done very well this year. From proving one's innocence, saving others from crooks, saving the lives of their friends, and to being responsible and respectful, I couldn't be any prouder of them. The year of 1922 looked to be just as promising, especially with newcomers like Sunshine and Grampus in my fleet.

The End


Arthur's notes: Once again, thanks Johnathan for getting this off the ground. This story has a few additional bits of dialouge here and there, as well as a new scene with Sea Rogue seeing the Z-Stacks having stolen a fire barge. (This was deleted from production). We also have scenes where Captain Zero and Captain Star reflect on the year of their respective tugs.

Next time, the Tugs are backlogged with work Up River.