Bigg City Stars Chapter 1: A Star is Born
Written by Jonathan Downs, Rachel Ravens and Zack Wanzer
Johnathan Star's Point of View
1910
Down at Eagle Works in New Hampshire, a switcher had just been built with the serial number 1505 and was about to undergo its first firing.
"Okay, everyone," said the foreman. "Let's get this switcher fired up."
The workers got the switcher fired up and there was a yawn; the switcher was male.
"Excellent," smiled the foreman. "Welcome to the world, No. 1505. We will be putting you through your paces before selling you to a sewage plant in New York."
"Okay, sir," replied No. 1505. As the switcher got to work, he almost collided with another Eagle Works tug nearby – a harbour tug named Cyclothymia.
"Oh, sorry!" called No. 1505. "I didn't see you there."
"You could just use your hooter!" Cyclothymia said sourly.
"My what?!" No. 1505 said.
"Just a friendly reminder to whistle a warning," Cyclothymia said sweetly. She then blew a hooter; No. 1505 blew his hooter back.
"Well, it's too late now!" Cyclothymia said. No. 1505 groaned. Somehow, this other tug was going to make his life difficult.
No. 1505 worked hard, but Cyclothymia kept alternating between acting sweetly and sourly.
"You're doing a good job," Cyclothymia complimented. "But don't try to upstage me!" she snapped.
"Why not?" asked No. 1505.
"A friendly gentleman and his son are looking to buy me for their new tugboat company in New Jersey," Cyclothymia said sweetly. "So you'd better stay out of the way!" she said sourly. No. 1505 just glared.
Yes, Patrick and I were heading for the Eagle Works factory to assess Cyclothymia as the start-up tug.
"Here we are," I said. "Eagle Works."
The foreman came out to greet us. "Right then, gentlemen," he said. "Cyclothymia is going to give you a demonstration. So if you would like to follow me."
Patrick and I walked to the side of the dock and saw No. 1505.
"Hello there," I greeted. "My name is Johnathan Star, and this is my son Patrick. We're setting up a new company in Bigg City Port, New Jersey called Star Tug and Marine."
"We've come to see Cyclothymia in action before buying her," explained Patrick.
"Well, good luck with your business," replied No. 1505. "But be careful with Cyclothymia. She can be sweet one minute but sour the next."
"Thank you for the warning," I replied.
"Excuse me," snapped Cyclothymia, "but they've come to see me!" Then she said sweetly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen."
"Okay, Cyclothymia," said the foreman. "You are to tow that barge between here and the crane over there."
Cyclothymia backed up to the barge and threw a towline onto it.
"Hey, Cyclothymia," called No. 1505. "Don't forget to untie the barge from its mooring!"
"It's good of you to give advice," replied Cyclothymia. "But I know what I'm doing!" she snapped.
Cyclothymia then tried to pull the barge, but it wouldn't budge. That was because she disregarded No. 1505's barge.
"Just a little hiccup," Cyclothymia said calmly. "Stupid barge," she growled.
Cyclothymia tried again and again, but still nothing happened. The more she struggled to budge the barge, the angrier she grew.
"Untie the barge!" called No. 1505.
"Oh, you dear little switcher!" replied Cyclothymia sweetly, before yelling, "STOP INTERFERING!"
Then it happened. With a loud snap, Cyclothymia shot forward and crashed into a mudbank.
"You idiotic tug!" snapped the foreman. "You've ruined the demonstration and any chance of a sale today!"
"I'd better get her back to dry dock," sighed No. 1505 as he threw a towline on the split personality tug. "Then I'll continue my trials for the sewage plant in New York."
"Just a minute," said Patrick. "Maybe that switcher could be perfect."
"Hmm, he's a friendly sort," I replied thoughtfully.
"Why not?" said the foreman. "No. 1505, once you've put Cyclothymia in dry dock, I'd like you to give the demonstration instead."
"Aye-aye, sir," replied No. 1505.
We watched as No. 1505 tied himself to the barge, but made sure to untie the barge from its mooring.
"Alright, No. 1505," called the foreman. "Go!"
With a blow of his hooter, No. 1505 pulled the barge effortlessly. He even gave us a ride around the yard at one point.
A few minutes later, I walked up with a receipt. "I was so impressed with your performance," I replied, "I was able to negotiate a cheap price for you."
"Welcome to Star Tug and Marine," said Patrick.
No. 1505 smiled, and then a thought crossed his mind. "A cheap price?" he asked. "You mean like ten cents or something?"
I laughed. "I wish, but it was still a good deal."
"Hmm... you know, I think I like 'Ten Cents'," the tug smiled. "That could be my name."
"Then Ten Cents it shall be," I replied.
"I've also decided that Cyclothymia will go to the sewage plant instead of you," said the foreman. "Hopefully, it will teach her some manners."
Ten Cents was soon painted into the Star Tug corporate livery – yellow with an American flag-styled smokestack. He was also given the Star insignia and the number one as the Star Tug fleet on his mast.
After a christening ceremony, Ten Cents set off for his new home with us on board.
When Ten Cents arrived at Bigg City Port, we headed for our new dock. Sean, Jennifer and Lenore were there to greet him.
"Welcome to Bigg City Port, dearie," said Lenore.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ten Cents," said Sean.
"We hope you'll make Captain Star proud," said Jennifer.
"I certainly will," Ten Cents replied.
"Okay, Ten Cents," I called from the announcing house through my megaphone. "Your first job is to take fuel out to Lillie Lightship. We have the contract to keep her ship shape and shining. If you need any directions, ask one of the other tugs in the harbour, and I'm sure they'll be glad to assist."
"Right, sir," called Ten Cents as he set off.
As Ten Cents set off, he came across two paddle driven tugs.
"Excuse me," called Ten Cents, "but do you know the way to the fuel depot?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" sneered one of the paddle tugs, this one with a number four.
"Locust!" snapped the other paddle tug with a number three, who then turned to Ten Cents. "My apologies. Locust is very territorial. My name is Otis Jones, or O.J. for short."
"Nice to meet you, O.J.," replied the switcher. "I'm Ten Cents from the new company."
"Well, you'd better not steal our work!" sneered Locust as he paddled away.
"Come along, Ten Cents," said O.J.. "I'll show you to the fuel depot." With that, Ten Cents followed the old paddle steamer.
Thanks to O.J., Ten Cents was able to find the fuel depot without issue.
"Thanks, O.J.," said Ten Cents.
"Glad to be of service, youngster," smiled O.J.. "You know, I am friends with your captain's son, Patrick Star."
"No kidding!" exclaimed Ten Cents. "That's why you were so keen to help."
"If you'd like," offered O.J., "I could show you the ropes."
"I'd appreciate that," smiled Ten Cents.
Soon, Ten Cents had the fuel delivered to Lillie.
"There you are, Lillie," said Ten Cents. "Now, you'll have enough fuel to keep that light shining."
"Thank you, Ten Cents," Lillie said gratefully. "Have you met anyone else in Bigg City yet?"
"Well, I met two paddle driven tugs," said Ten Cents. "Locust was rather rude, but O.J. showed me where the fuel depot was and he's going to show me the ropes."
"Good for him," smiled Lillie. "That old tug is a credit to the Dun Fleet."
"Well, I'd better get back," said Ten Cents, heading back to port. "See you."
"Bye, Ten Cents," replied Lillie.
O.J. was as good as his word. He helped Ten Cents with a delivery of parts to Lucky's Yard. Ten Cents noticed a hangar being built nearby.
"What's going on there, O.J.?" asked Ten Cents.
"They're going to test a prototype for a type of aircraft called a seaplane," explained O.J.. "They are designed to take off from both land and sea."
"That's clever," said Ten Cents.
Soon, Lenore came out. "Hello, dearies," she said. "How is it going?"
"Ten Cents has been doing an excellent job," complimented O.J..
"It's all thanks to your help," replied Ten Cents. "You've given great advice and have shown me what to do."
"I'm glad to hear it," smiled Lenore. "Oh, and by the way, have you heard that Mr. Lloyd is building a dock railway for Bigg City?"
"Is he now?" O.J. replied.
"Tracks are being laid as we speak," explained Lenore. "Rolling stock is being built, some to European designs, and two engines are arriving next year; one from a logging railway and the other from the New York Dock Railway."
"Well, that's an exciting development," grinned Ten Cents.
Later on, O.J. was heading off to his next job when he came across Locust.
"A word, please," Locust said darkly. O.J. approached him. "I saw you helping that switcher today."
"Well, he has potential," replied O.J. calmly. "Captain Star wants his business to be successful, and if I can pass on my wisdom and knowledge, that will ensure that. Besides, I've always believed that we should work together, not fight each other."
"Look, O.J.!" snapped Locust. "If you keep helping our enemies, they will soon run us out of business! You know how upset Twinkle got when those two scrap dealers said they euthanized that other tugboat."
"Take no notice of those two," said O.J. confidently. "As long as Captain Dun looks after us, we won't be threatened by those two in any way."
"Mark my words, O.J.," replied Locust darkly. "This pacifist attitude of yours will be the downfall of us!" Without another word, Locust left. Then, another paddle-driven tug with the number one came up alongside.
"I see that Locust was acting territorial," said the paddle tug.
"I'm afraid so, Evangeline," sighed O.J.. "I don't know why he refuses to understand that Ten Cents isn't out to abolish us. He just wants to work hard."
"It's Captain Dun I'm more worried about," replied Evangeline. "Ever since Johnathan Star set up Star Tug and Marine, he's been fretting about being outdone by the Star Fleet. I'm not surprised, really. Ten Cents is propeller-driven, which means he can go faster than us. Plus, propeller-driven tugs are becoming more commonplace."
"That is a good point," admitted O.J..
"But that's not to say you shouldn't teach Ten Cents our ways," insisted Evangeline. "You just need to make sure Captain Dun never finds out about this."
"I'll keep that in mind, dear sister," replied O.J.. "Well, we'd better get back to work. I have to pick up that barge from the waterworks."
"Yes, and I've got to help Striker, Moonshine and Lady Luck with the timber," agreed Evangeline. "I'll see you at the Dun dock tonight." And with that, the two paddle driven tugs went their separate ways.
Twinkle was heading back from the coal depot when she got an awful fright. Two sinister looking tugs by the names of Jacob Burke and Ebenezer Blair (or Burke and Blair, for short) were waiting for her.
"Well, well, well," sneered Blair. "If it isn't the youngest of the old-timers, Twinkle."
"W-what do you two want?" stammered Twinkle.
"We were just wondering when you were planning to come to our yard," Burke said sinisterly.
"Captain Dun hasn't assigned us to any scrap runs!" replied Twinkle.
"Oh, no, no, no, no," insisted Blair. "We meant when are you going to give yourself for scrap, isn't that right, Mr. Burke?"
"We don't sit around our breaker's yard watching Mr. Broke's staff turn old boats into scrap, do we, Mr. Blair?" agreed Burke.
"Always on the lookout for who's next to go," replied Blair. "That's our business, and you and the rest of those clapped out paddlers are top of our list."
Twinkle looked like she wanted to cry from this.
"Oi!" snapped a voice. "There's no call for that!" The three tugs looked to see an angry looking Ten Cents. "You two know full well it's against the law to scrap sentient tugs unless they decide for themselves their time has come."
"And how do you know that?" sneered Burke. "You've not even a year old."
"Captain Star has made that point clear to me," replied Ten Cents, "and he warned me about you two – a pair of vultures who are really eager to scrap the first boat you come across."
"Only those that are past it!" Blair said with a venomous glance towards Twinkle, who bit her lip.
"Do you want me to get the police involved?" snapped Ten Cents. "They would be very interested to know that you two have been threatening other vessels again."
"Erm… on second thought," Burke said nervously, "we'll go back and check how Mr. Broke's staff are doing."
"Yes, we don't want the boss to get dragged into this," agreed Blair. Without another word, the two scrap dealers left.
"Thank you, Ten Cents," replied Twinkle, still shaken. "Those two scare me."
"I don't blame you," sighed Ten Cents. "O.J. warned me about those two. Apparently, their manager, Jebediah Broke, was a bully towards Patrick and his friends."
"Oh, he was," agreed Twinkle. "Clearly, that's rubbed off on his two tugs."
"We'd better let O.J. know about this," said Ten Cents.
Ten Cents and Twinkle were at the waterworks and explained the situation.
"You'd better head to the Dun dock, Twinkle," sighed O.J.. "You must tell Captain Dun you are to take on no more jobs for the rest of the day."
"Okay, O.J.," replied Twinkle as she headed off.
"Thank you for sticking up for her, Ten Cents," said O.J.. "Twinkle is a hard worker, but she's unable to stand up for herself."
"I had trouble with another tug myself," sighed Ten Cents. "There was this harbour tug named Cyclothymia who had a split personality where she was sweet one minute but sour the next. It caused me all sorts of grief."
"Goodness me!" gasped O.J.. "I'd have struggled to have gotten on with her."
"Well, she was going to be the number one tug for Captain Star," replied Ten Cents, "but she messed up her demonstration and I was bought instead."
"I think Captain Star made the right choice with this one," smiled O.J..
"Thanks, O.J.," replied Ten Cents. With that, the two tugs set off back to work.
The next morning, I addressed Ten Cents from my office.
"Well, Ten Cents," I said, "your performance this past week has been incredible. I'm glad I bought you instead of Cyclothymia."
"Well, it's all thanks to O.J.," Ten Cents replied modestly. "He's been giving me advice and showing me the ropes."
"We'll pass on our thanks when I next see him," promised Patrick.
"Right then," I continued. "Ten Cents, some engineering parts are needed for Scuttlebutt Pete the dredger. O.J. and Evangeline are on the same job."
"I'll pick them up right away," called Ten Cents.
"Thank you," I replied as the switcher set off. After Ten Cents left, I went down to my office and noticed a letter.
"It's from Scotland," I said in amazement. "It must be Angus." Quickly, I opened the envelope and read the letter.
Dear Johnathan Star,
I heard that you and young Patrick are setting up your own tugboat company in Bigg City Port. I would like to help you with the setup. There's a hardworking harbour tug named Big Macintosh – or 'Big Mac' as he prefers. He can be gruff at times, but he has a heart of gold and will help others out without a moment's pause. I am gifting him to your fleet and he will arrive in the United States within the next month or so. I hope you find this most helpful.
Yours sincerely,
Angus MacFarlane
"Well, well, well," I said with a smile. "The Star Fleet has just received its number two tug."
The End
Athour's notes: Say hello to Ten Cents, the new Star Fleet's Number 1. We also meet Cyclothymia, who is a counterpart for the MLP:EQ character Sour Sweet. Locust is also based off the Lion Guard antagonist Makucha. (I've been on a LG rewatch recently.). And as it turns out, O.J. is the first member of the Star Fleet Ten Cents meets; Big Mac isn't hear yet (but he soon will be).
Next time, we get a couple of Rising Stars. See you then.