Chapter 265: Put Upon Percy

One morning, Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel were at the top station, waiting for their train to the beach when Percy arrived with a train of coal cars looking none to happy.

"Good morning, Percy. Lovely day, isn't it?"

"Sure, if you don't have any work to do and get to laze around at the beach all day!"

"Woah, sorry I asked."

Percy just sighed wearily.

"Sorry Thomas, but I've just so worn out. Its not even noon yet and I've been up and down the line making deliveries. I just feel so put upon with work!"

Thomas just hummed curiously.

"Put upon? Now that's a saying I've never heard before. Oh, the trains here. Come on, girls."

Annie and Clarabel giggled. They thought Percy's saying was funny, and decided to make up a song about it:

"Percy's been put upon, put upon, put upon,

Percy's been put upon,

Poor old Percy."

"Girl's, that's enough! Sorry Percy, they're just a little restless. Don't worry, I'm sure the day will get better."

But it didn't. All day long, Percy was kept busy with trains to take here, there, and everywhere. He took grain to the flour mill, flour to the bakery, scrap to the smelters, coal to the power plant, and fish to the market. By day's end, he was dirty, smelly, and exhausted. When his co-workers saw him when he returned home, they couldn't help but laugh at his expense.

"Ha! I think we know what's been put on you, Percy."

"Phew, what a pong!"

"Do the world a favor and take a shower!"

"And burn your clothes while you're at it."

Percy ignored them all and headed straight to bed. The last thing he wanted was to endure more teasing.

The next day, Percy set out bright and early for the coal mine. As he approached the mine shaft, the foreman came up to see him,

"The trucks are stuck on the mechanism. All they need is a good push and we can get back to work."

"I'll do my best, sir."

After backing his engine up a bit, Percy got a running start and gave the trucks a hard bump. But he used too much force, and sent the trucks running into the mines below.

"Oh no!"

"What the heck? You didn't need to push them that hard!"

Just then, a loud boom was heard from deep within, and a huge dust cloud kicked up. Soon, all of the miners came running for their lives.

"Those trucks hit a support beam! The whole tunnel's collapsing!"

"Quickly, everyone run for it!"

Percy backed his engine as fast as it could go, but the destruction was catching up as an avalanche cascaded down the cliff. Just then, Percy remembered there was a canvas barrier meant to protect the line is situations like these.

"I hope it'll protect me!"

He reached it just in time, as the barrier collapsed over him, protecting him from the landslide. When the dust had settled, rescue teams had arrived to help anyone in trouble.

"An engine driver was here earlier. He might be buried!"

"Don't worry, we'll find him."

It took a while, but at last the crew managed to dig Percy out. Luckily, aside from a thick layer of dirt, he was unharmed, though he was rather shaken up. Sir Topham Hatt pushed his way to the front.

"Percy, thank goodness! Are you alright?"

"Just a little shaken up, sir."

"Well, don't worry. Once you've been cleared to leave, you can take a few days off. After the day you've had, I'd say you deserve it."

Percy just beamed proudly.