Narrator: One morning the four mice children Teresa, Martin, Timothy, and Cynthia were very sick. They're were covered in red itchy spots they have a case of chicken pox.

Doctor: Your children will have to stay home for a week.

Narrator: Said the doctor.

Mia Mouse: I'm sorry kids.

Narrator: Said Mia.

Mia Mouse: You'll have to stay home for a week and while you rest I will be off to get your medicine.

Martin Brisby: Okay, Mom.

Narrator: Said Martin sleeply.

Mia Mouse: That's a good boy.

Narrator: Said Mia proudly.

Mia Mouse: I will be back for your medicine.

Narrator: So Mia went to get medicine for her adoptive children well needless to say Teresa, Martin, Timothy, and Cynthia were growing rather bored when Percy steamed by with Donald and Douglas.

Percy: Hello.

Narrator: Said Percy.

Percy: I heard that you four are ill.

Teresa Brisby: Oh yes we are.

Narrator: Replied Teresa.

Teresa Brisby: The doctor said that we need to stay home for a week.

Martin Brisby: And we are bored.

Narrator: Complained Martin.

Timothy Brisby: And there is nothing to do.

Narrator: Said Timothy.

Cynthia Brisby: It's no fun being sick.

Narrator: Moaned Cynthia.

Percy: Well I'm sorry to hear that.

Narrator: Said Percy sadly.

Donald: Dinna fash yourselves!

Narrator: Chortled Donald.

Donald: We'll tell you a story of how me and Douglas first came to the Island.

Narrator: Teresa, Martin, Timothy, and Cynthia were delighted to hear their story.

Martin Brisby: Oh, please tell us.

Narrator: Said Martin happily.

Douglas: When me and Donald first came here Sir Topham Hatt was planning to send one of us away.

Narrator: Explained Douglas.

Douglas: We caused confusion when we first arrived but I remembered that day when I accidentally shunted the special coach.

Narrator: More and more people traveled on Sir Topham Hatt's railway everyone had to work very hard indeed the cars complained bitterly but then cars always do and no one takes much notice.

James: Dirty cars, dirty sidings! Euuegh!

Narrator: Groaned James.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's enough complaining.

Narrator: Said Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: You'll be pleased to know that a new goods engine will arrive from Scotland tomorrow.

(Cut to Sir Topham Hatt's office.)

Narrator: Sir Topham Hatt stared.

Sir Topham Hatt: Did you say two engines inspector?

Inspector: Yes sir.

Sir Topham Hatt: Then send the other one back at once.

Inspector: I can't sir the two engines are exactly alike and have no numbers they say they lost them on the way.

Narrator: Sir Topham Hatt seized his hat.

Sir Topham Hatt: Will soon settle that nonsense!

(Cut to outside where Sir Topham Hatt meets Donald and Douglas.)

Narrator: The two engines greeted him cheerfully.

Sir Topham Hatt: I hear you've lost your numbers.

Douglas: They may have slightly slipped off sir.

Donald: You know how it is.

Narrator: The engines spoke in chorus.

Sir Topham Hatt: And what are your names?

Donald: Donald and Douglas, sir.

Sir Topham Hatt: Good.

Narrator: He said.

Sir Topham Hatt: Then your controller can tell me which of you is which.

Douglas: He doesn't know our names sir how could he? We only gave ourselves names when we lost our numbers.

Sir Topham Hatt: One of you.

Narrator: Said Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: Is playing truant. I shall find him out and send him home. Inspector.

Narrator: He ordered.

Sir Topham Hatt: Give these engines numbers and set them to work.

Narrator: Soon workmen came to give the twins their numbers Donald 9 and Douglas 10.

Inspector: Now 9 and 10.

Narrator: Smiled the inspector.

Inspector: Here is Duck. He'll show you round before you start work.

Narrator: The twins enjoyed themselves and were soon friends with Duck.

Donald: We like it fine here.

Narrator: Said Donald.

Duck: That's good!

Narrator: Smiled Duck.

Duck: But take my advice. Watch out for Gordon, Henry and James. They're sure to try some nonsense.

Donald: Dinna fash yourself! We'll soon settle them.

(Cut to the scene at Tidmouth sheds in nighttime.)

Narrator: Donald and Douglas had deep toned whistles.

Gordon: They sound like buses!

Narrator: Said Gordon.

Henry: Or ships!

Narrator: Snickered Henry.

Gordon: Tugboat Annie!

Narrator: Laughed Gordon.

Gordon: Ha, ha, ha!

Narrator: Donald and Douglas cruised quietly up.

Donald: You wouldn't be making fun of us now, would you?

Narrator: Asked Donald. Gordon and Henry jumped.

Gordon: Uh, no!

Henry: No, certainly not!

Douglas: That's fine.

Narrator: Said Douglas.

Douglas: Now just mind the both of you, and keep it that way.

Narrator: That was the way Gordon and Henry kept it.

(Cuts to a scene at the station in the daytime.)

Narrator: Every day, punctually half past 3:00, Gordon steams in with the express.

(Cut to Thomas's branchline.)

Narrator: There's also a special coach travelling to places on Thomas's branch line. Thomas is very proud of his special coach.

(Cut to Douglas working with Duck.)

Narrator: One afternoon, Douglas helped Duck in the yard, while Donald waited to take a goods train to the other end of the line. As Duck was busy arranging Donald's cars, Douglas often to take away Gordon's coaches. Douglas was enjoying himself when an awful thought struck him.

Douglas: I hope Sir Topham Hatt doesn't find out I shouldn't be here. I couldn't abide going back.

Narrator: He worried so much over this that he forgot about Thomas's special coach. He pushed it with the others into the carriage siding, then steamed off to join Donald at the water column.

(Cut to Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel at Knapford station.)

Narrator: Soon, Thomas came fussing.

Thomas: Where's my coach?

Donald: Coach? What Coach?

Thomas: My special coach, that Gordon brings for me. It's gone! I must find it. (Toots)

Narrator: And he hurried away.

Douglas: Losh sakes!

Narrator: Cried Douglas.

Douglas: I must have stowed away the special coach with the others!

(Cut to a scene with angry passengers.)

Narrator: A mob of angry passengers erupted from the siding.

Douglas's Driver: Now, listen. We'll change tenders and try to avoid trouble.

Narrator: Said Douglas's driver. So Donald, with Douglas' tender, set off to the yard with the goods train, while Douglas and his crew remained with innocent expressions.

Sir Topham Hatt: Ah! Number 9!

Narrator: Called Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: And why haven't you taken the goods?

Douglas: My tender is away, sir.

Narrator: The driver showed him the tender, still uncoupled.

Sir Topham Hatt: I see.

Narrator: He turned to the mob of passengers.

Sir Topham Hatt: Please accept my apologies for what happened. I shall investigate the matter immediately. Good afternoon, everyone.

Narrator: Sir Topham Hatt watched the three passengers till they climbed up the station ramp. He swung round suddenly.

Sir Topham Hatt: Douglas!

Narrator: He snapped.

Sir Topham Hatt: Why are you masquerading with Donald's tender?

(Cut to the scene with the sick mice children.)

Narrator: The four mice children were puzzled.

Teresa Brisby: What happened next?

Narrator: Asked Teresa.

Martin Brisby: Did Sir Topham Hatt send you away, Douglas?

Douglas: Oh no!

Narrator: Answered Douglas.

Douglas: He only spoke severely to us but he hasn't made his mind about which one of us is sent away.

Donald: He is still planning to send both of us away for sure.

Narrator: Explained Donald.

Donald: But thankfully Percy saved our tenders by giving Sir Topham Hatt a reputation to keep both of us. Now we work on Sir Topham Hatt's railway now.

Timothy Brisby: Oh that's good.

Narrator: Sighed Timothy in relief.

Cynthia Brisby: You two are so lucky to work on his railway.

Narrator: Complimented Cynthia.

Douglas: Indeed we are.

Narrator: Smiled Douglas.

Douglas: But I learned a very important lesson today. You should never stow away something important in a carriage siding.

The End