Chapter 75: Jack Jumps In
One day, Thomas was heading to the Sodor Construction Company's, also known as The Pack, main yard. Sir Topham Hatt had sent him to collect a train and take it to the new site. Miss Jenny was waiting for him at the platform, and standing next to her was a man that Thomas had never seen before.
"Spot on, Thomas," Miss Jenny said as he pulled up, "You'd make a mother proud."
"Thanks, Miss Jenny," Thomas replied, "Is this my train?"
"That it is," Miss Jenny, referring to the front loader on the wellwagon on the line ahead, "And this is a potential employee of my company."
"I'm Jack," the man spoke up, "I'm the operator for this machine."
"My name is Thomas," Thomas said, "And I drive this fine engine."
"Well, why don't you drive it and this train to the quarry," Miss Jenny laughed, "Instead of wasting time chatting."
With that, Thomas drove off, with Jack in the cab next to him. As the journey continued, Thomas and Jack talked.
"So, is this your first day?"
"Yes. I've just recently moved to the island after getting my license. Miss Jenny agreed to give me a trial."
"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine. But watch out for Max and Monty, they're nothing but trouble."
Soon, they reached the quarry. Thomas helped Jack and the workmen unload the machine, and with a final "good luck", he departed for his next job.
The Pack was busy expanding the quarry. Everyone was hard at work.
Jack couldn't wait to get to work. He drove his machine to a large excavator. The operator had stopped for a minute to drink some water.
"Hi there, I'm Jack," he said, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Hello Jack, my name is Oliver," The man responded, "And I appreciate the offer, but I can handle it by myself, thank you. Try Byron, he's driving our bulldozer."
Jack soon Byron smoothing out an area for new railway tracks.
"Hi, I'm Jack. Can I help?"
"Sorry kiddo, but my machine is the best suited for this job. Kelly and his crane might need some help, though."
Jack soon found Kelly. He was using his crane to unload a small yellow lorry.
"I'm Jack. Need help?"
"Mind the paint!" came the lorry drivers reply.
"Isobella! There's no need to be rude."
The lorry driver laughed.
"Sorry, it's just that I work hard to make my lorry look nice. Anyway, I'm Isobella, and this is Kelly. Welcome to the Pack."
"And we don't need any help," Kelly said, "But if you're looking for work…"
"See the foreman," Isobella interrupted, "He's in charge when Miss Jenny is elsewhere."
And with that, Jack sped off to find the foreman. Isobella watched him as he left.
"He's kind of cute. Think I have a chance with him?"
Kelly just rolled his eyes.
Jack soon found the foreman. He had been talking to another workman.
"Now Ned, I know it was an accident, but you need to watch where you swing your steam shovel's bucket. Otherwise, a serious accident could occur."
"Sorry sir, I'll be more careful."
"Good. Now, I need you to work with Monty. A landslide has occurred, and I need you to clean it up.
"Yes sir, you can count on me."
With that, Ned walked away to a nearby steam shovel. The foreman then turned to Jack.
"Ah, you must be Jack. I've been looking for you."
"Sorry, sir, I didn't know who to ask."
"It's alright. Now, I want to go over some rules with you. Safety always comes first in this company. No speeding, and no horseplay, and listen to others. As long as you follow these rules, you'll go far. Now I want you to work with Alfie. He operates a small green excavator."
"Yes, sir."
And with that, Jack sped off.
"Remember: Safety first!"
Alfie loves his job, especially when it involves getting dirty. He makes the hardest job look like fun.
"Hi there, I'm Jack. I'm here to help."
"More help means more dirt, more dirt means more fun," Alife said, "I'm Alfie, nice to meet you."
Jack and Alfie hit it off, and were soon hard at work. Then, suddenly…
ZOOM! ZOOM!
Dirt flew up in the air as two large dump trucks sped past. Jack could hear cackling coming from the cab.
"Max! Monty!" Alfie cried.
"So those are Max and Monty," Jack said, "Thomas was right, they are trouble."
"Out of the way, midgets!" Max cried, as he drove straight back, Monty on his heel.
"Look out Jack!" Alfie cried, but Jack was too scared. Max barely managed to stop in time, and Monty crashed into the back of his truck.
"Watch where you take your break, puny," Max sneered. Jack refused to move.
"Watch where you're racing," Jack snapped back, "This is a work site, not a race track."
Just then, Miss Jenny came up.
"What are you two doing!" She spoke to Max and Monty, "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, no horseplay. Now take your loads to the tip and get back to work!"
"Yes, Miss Jenny," the two groaned and scuttled off. Miss Jenny turned to Jack.
"Good job standing up to those two, Jack," she told him, "But next time try not to damage the machinery. Insurance can only cover so much."
Jack just smiled proudly.
After lunch, everybody was back and hard at work. Just then…
"Oliver, move this rock!" The foreman shouted.
"I'll do it!" Jack shouted. And before anyone could stop him, he filled his loader's bucket with rock and started climbing the hill to where Max's truck was waiting.
"Jack, come back!" Isobella cried, but it was too late. Jack wasn't watching where he was driving, and the front wheels slipped over the crest, sending him and his front loader sliding down the hill and crashing into some barrels. Jack wasn't badly hurt, but he did feel very silly.
"Oops," he spluttered. Miss Jenny was glad he was alright, but was still cross.
"Safety first," she scolded, "Means you don't jump in where you don't belong."
"I'm sorry, Miss Jenny," Jack whimpered.
"Maybe you're not quite ready for the pack," Miss Jenny sighed, "But since you worked hard today, I'll give you another chance. But any more accidents like today and you're on thin ice."
After Miss Jenny left, Isobella could see that Jack was sad.
"You're a hard worker," she told him.
"And really brave," Alfie continued, "Everyone makes mistakes. I'm sure you'll do amazing tomorrow."
That made Jack feel a little bit better.