Chapter 138: Horrid Lorry
Brendam Docks is one of the busiest places on Sodor, and all of its workers are kept busy day and night. Ships of all kinds dock here, unloading cargo to be taken all over Sodor. But like the railway, they have a timetable to keep, and don't like being kept waiting.
One day, Percy drove a train into the docks. He was 5 minutes late, and Cranky let him have it.
"Hurry up, you runt! These ships can't be kept waiting! Their cargo needs to be unloaded quickly so they don't miss the tide. Show some respect!"
Percy was cross.
"We're overworked as is. If we hurried, there would be even more trouble."
"Well then, maybe they should get a lorry to replace you. I heard they can do twice the work of an engine in half the time."
Percy was horrified. Later that night, he told everyone what Cranky had said.
"Disgusting!"
"Disgraceful!"
"Despicable!"
Everyone started talking at once. At last, Edward whistled loudly, shutting them all up.
"Now, let's not all get in a panic. We don't even know if any lorries will arrive, so lets all just calm down and get some sleep."
Everyone grumbled but did so. Percy went to sleep, still very much worried.
"What if a lorry does come?"
I'm afraid it did, along with two more. Percy was shunting in the docks when Cranky unloaded them. The lorry drivers sneered when they saw him.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here, boys. A pile of scrap that was misplaced."
"Why I oughta-"
"Your whole railway will be scrapped, just you wait."
"Come on Zack, Zug. We have actual work to do."
"Coming, Zorran."
With that, the three of them drove off, leaving Percy to eat their dust.
"Puh puh, ugh. This is going to be a nightmare."
Every time the lorries drove by the engine drivers, the drivers would shout and make rude gestures. They were a rowdy bunch and loved causing mischief.
Toby and Mavis were working at the quarry when one of the lorries drove up, Zorran sneering at them.
"Well, its no wonder this railway is useless. Your engines are older than me!"
Toby and Mavis were cross.
"Now you look here, just because they're old doesn't mean their useless."
Zorran just sneered.
"Yeah right. Why don't you two just toodle off."
"Toodle?"
Before a fist fight could break out, the yard manager ran up.
"Break it up you three. I'm sorry, Toby, but there's no work for you here. These Lorries have been rather useful."
"Hah! What was that you were saying?"
Mavis sympathized with Toby.
"I'm sorry, Toby, but don't worry. This lot will get their comeuppance soon enough."
Toby smiled at this.
"Thanks, Mavis. I hope you're right."
Toby drove his engine to the flour mill, hoping to find work. He was disappointed to find Zak there, looking rather pleased.
"You! What are you doing here?"
"Don't you lot get it yet? We're taking over your work because your too slow! Didn't realize you were stupid as well."
The foreman sadly walked up.
"I'm sorry, Toby. Times are just a changing."
Toby just sighed sadly.
"It's alright Bob, I understand. I'll go to the farms, they'll still use the railway."
And Toby drove sadly away.
"Have fun picking apple, Old Timer!"
"That's enough out of you, Zack. Now get moving, this load needs to be at Elsbridge bakery by tea time."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going."
Toby wearily drove his tram through a narrow gorge on his way to Farmer McColl's. While the railway can make through it easily, road vehicles have to tackle a steep and dangerous road. Zorran was on his way down with a large load of stone.
"This will show that silly old Top Hatt how useful we are. Twice the work in half the time."
But he was going much too fast, and the cargo bed was overfull. Up ahead was Butch and his tow truck.
"Out of the way!"
Zorran swerved hard, careening over the ledge and landing onto the hard ground with a loud thud. Toby stopped in shock as Zorran crawled out of the wreckage.
"Rotten roads."
"Come on, we need to get you to a hospital fast."
"No way! I'm perfectly fine. See, just look at my righ- AWWWWWWWWWWW! THAT HURTS! MOMMY!"
Toby helped the blubbering Zorran into the cab and made his way to the next station.
Zack, on the other hand, was having a wonderful time racing down the road with his load of flour. Up ahead, he saw a level crossing, Donald in the distance. This gave Zack a naughty idea.
"When I reach the crossing, I'll race across just before he crosses. That will make him jump."
With this in mind, he revved the engine ever further, racing to the gates before they could close. As he was halfway across, however, the engine began to splutter until it died out completely, leaving him stranded.
"Oh, bother!"
Donald quickly managed to put on the brakes and come to a hault. He stormed over to the lorry to give Zack a piece of his mind.
"Ooch Aye, what's the bright idea trying to beat a train across the level crossing? Who taught you to drive, Evel Knievel?"
"Oi, its not my fault the engine can't handle this kind of horsepower."
Just then the signal man came up.
"I've called for Butch to clean up this pile of scrap iron off the line. Shouldn't be more than a few minutes."
"Scrap iron? Why I-"
"Stow it, you worthless lorry driver. Just you wait until Sir Topham Hatt finds out about this."
This got Zack to shut up quickly, while Douglas couldn't help but laugh.
"Not so useful now, are ye?"
"Shut up!"
Donald gave a very reluctant Zack a ride back to the docks. Zorran and Zug were there, looking worse for wear. Zorran had his right arm in a cast and a black eye, while Zug was completely soaked.
"What happened to you two?"
"I accidentally reversed into the sea. Took hours to get me out."
"Got ran off the road. What about you?"
"Engine trouble."
Just then, Sir Topham Hatt appeared, looking most annoyed.
"I have received nothing but complaints about you three about your behavior. I brought you here to help my employees, not to show off. I shall send you away and request that you never come back."
The three of them hung their heads in shame. They knew his mind was made up.
The three of them left on the first ship the next morning, never to return. But the engine drivers work even harder to make sure they never do.