Chapter 137: Cranky Bugs

Brendam Docks is the busiest place on Sodor. Day in and day out, ships stop by the key and unload and load cargo to and from exotic places.

One day, Thomas and Percy were sent to help at the docks. A new crane operator had been hired, and he was in a grouchy mood. His name was Cranky, and already he was giving everyone a headache.

"Come on, you useless bugs! Move those trucks to the inside lines and I won't have to reach my crane so far."

"Rubbish! No crane operator has complained before."

"Well, I am! So there!"

And with a loud crash, Cranky dropped the load right on the key side. Thomas and Percy were speechless.

At lunch, Thomas and Percy met Gordon and Henry at the café.

"Afternoon, you two. What seems to have you down?"

"Its that new crane operator, Cranky," Thomas moaned. "He's rude and wont stop calling us bugs."

Gordon and Henry laughed.

"Oh, little Percy, how little you understand your place in the world. You see, crane operators like Cranky are very important, like me, so they need a lot of attention."

"Gordon's right. Try seeing things from Cranky's point of view. He's up there all day working round the clock, and then you two come along being annoying! Its no wonder he calls you bugs."

Thomas and Percy left to find a new table while Gordon and Henry continued laughing.

When Cranky heard that Gordon and Henry agreed with him, he became bossier still. When ever he saw Thomas or Percy, he would shout orders at them all day.

"Oi, Percy! Push those trucks closer! My arm can't reach that far."

But Percy didn't watch where he was going, and before he knew a crate of fish was smashed all over the boiler. Poor Percy.

A little while later, Cranky saw Thomas. A naughty idea crept into his head.

"Hey, Thomas, move those trucks to the outside line! Its easier to unload them that way."

So, Thomas did, but Cranky couldn't make the crane arm reach that far, and he knew it. With a loud crash, the load that was supposed to go in the trucks landed on the line beside them. Thomas glared up at Cranky, who was laughing his head off at Thomas's misfortune.

"You silly little engine driver! Surely you could've realized my crane can't reach that far!"

"But you told me to take them here!"

"Well, maybe next time you'll use your head!"

This went on all day, leaving Thomas and Percy exhausted. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting for them at the harbor entrance, looking most annoyed.

"Thomas and Percy, Cranky has a very important job to do. He has told me that you have been bothering him and distracting him from his work. You shall shunt in the yard until I can trust you to respect others."

"But sir-"

"No butts, unless its yours leaving. Now."

This made Thomas and Percy feel even worse as they headed back for home.

That night, a terrible storm ravaged the island. The workmen and engine drivers took shelter as it continued to rage. Edward, Gordon, Henry, and James watched it from the engine shed.

"We're sure to be safe here."

"Agreed, Edward."

But they were wrong. An old tramp steamer was making her way home. The crew couldn't see well in the storm, and lost control as the ship ran aground. It smashed the engine shed, and toppled Cranky's crane over. Cranky, who was making his way down to find shelter, jumped at the last second, tumbling onto the Earth.

The engine drivers weren't hurt. They had ducked to the ground, avoiding serious injury, but they were stranded.

"HELP!"

"I CAN'T!"

Sir Topham Hatt soon arrived to inspect the damage.

"Thomas and Percy shall arrive to help you, and then you can help the others."

"Oh, please hurry! And tell them I'm sorry I was rude to them."

"So, it was you! I owe those two an apology."

Thomas and Percy soon arrived. Strong ropes were attached to their engine's buffers, and pulling hard, they managed to bring the crane upright. With that, Cranky was soon at work, clearing away debris until the engine drivers were free. Everyone cheered!

"Oh thank you," said Gordon, "I don't know what I would've done without you."

Cranky blushed.

"Well, I had to be helped before I could help you. But I never thought it would be by b- bu-erm, really useful engine drivers. Thank you, I promise never to be rude to you again."

Thomas and Percy smiled proudly.

"However, you two mites are in my way, so move over."

Percy rolled his eyes.

"Pah! There he is again!"

Thomas watched in horror as Percy started to reverse his engine.

"Stop! You're still attached to Cranky's crane arm!"

But it was too late.

"Not Again!"

"Whoops, sorry!"

Cranky still looks down on Thomas and Percy. But he's very careful not to call them bugs or mites. Because he knows they might bite back!