Chapter 38: Duck Takes Charge
Percy: Do you know what?
Gordon: What?
Percy: Do you know what?
Gordon: No, I don't, since you won't tell me! Now stop wasting my time and spit it out already.
Percy: Sir Topham Hatt is hiring a new engine driver to help manage the yard. He says there's too much work for me and my engine to do alone.
James: Pah! We don't need a new driver. We need you to work harder.
Gordon: James is right, little Percy. Anyone could manage this workload if they apply themselves.
Percy: Oh, then I suppose that includes you two and Henry, doesn't it?
Gordon and James remained silent. They hated being reminded of the time they and Henry had refused to collect their own coaches and had been suspended from working once Percy had come along.
Later that day Sir Topham Hatt noticed Percy having lunch, looking exhausted.
Sir Topham Hatt: Hello, Percy, you look tired. What seems to be the matter.
Percy: Forgive me for saying so, sir, but the workload is simply too much for me and my engine. I have to arrange so many trains that I'm starting to get dizzy. I do hope the new driver comes soon.
Sir Topham Hatt: Don't you worry about that, Percy. He's slated to start work in a few days, and his engine will be able to keep up with the work here without help. However, Thomas and Toby could use some help over on their branchline. Would you like to work there?
Percy: Oh yes sir, please sir.
Sir Topham Hatt: Good, I shall make the arrangements. In the meantime I shall see if Edward could lend a hand.
With Edward's help Percy soon had the yard cleaned up and the trains running like clockwork.
The new driver arrived at the end of the week. He was in his late twenties and looked very professional.
Sir Topham Hatt: Good afternoon. What may your name be?
?: Montague, sir, but everybody calls me Duck. They say that I waddle like one. I don't really, but I prefer that to Montague if I'm being quite honest.
Sir Topham Hatt: Very well, then Duck it shall be. Percy shall arrive soon, and he'll show you what you need to do.
The two got along well together and made the trains run right to time. The other engine drivers, however, thought that because they drove tender engines and Duck drove a tank engine that they could order him around, and would tease him endlessly.
Gordon, James, and Henry: Quack, quack, quack, quack!
This went on all morning. At lunch, Duck spoke to Percy about it.
Percy: They're always like that. No matter how many times Sir Topham Hatt tells them otherwise, they think that they are better than everybody else. It makes me sick.
Duck: I see. Tell you what, here's what we'll do.
He whispered his plan to Percy, and they agreed to do it later that night.
Sir Topham Hatt was just getting ready to leave for the evening when he heard shouting coming from the engine sheds.
Sir Topham Hatt: Oh, bother. Whatever has happened now?
Gordon, James, and Henry were waiting outside the sheds with their engines. Duck had his engine on the turntable, while Percy blocked a berth. Both sides were shouting at eachother and calling eachother names.
Sir Topham Hatt: Silence! What is going on over here.
Duck: Beg pardon sir, but we have grown tired of those men over there. They bully us and order us about like we're their slaves. Beg pardon, sir, but please tell them that we only take orders from you, sir.
Sir Topham Hatt: Duck and Percy, I am pleased with your work today, but not what you've done tonight. I understand your feelings, but next time I ask that you come to me when you have a problem. I will be more than happy to help you.
Duck and Percy blushed with embarrassment. The three tender engine drivers snickered, until Sir Topham Hatt turned his head to them.
Sir Topham Hatt: As for you three, you are worse! You have caused this disturbance! Duck is right; I give the orders around here, not you three. Keep up this attitude and I shall make you shunt your own coaches.
This shut them up immediately. Next Monday Percy left to help on Thomas's branchline, leaving Duck to shunt in the yard. He did so, easily.