THE SPOTLESS RECORD

Based upon the episode by Paul Larson

Adapted by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

James was none the worse following his task with the Queen of Sodor, but he was still sore over Gordon tricking him into taking it.

"I swear, he knew something that I didn't!" he'd complain to anyone who'd listen.

"Well, if one doesn't ask, they don't get the right information," Toby smirked. "At least you didn't crash into tar wagons."

"Don't remind me…" grunted James. Just then, the two engines and Henrietta heard a whistle.

"Who's that coming towards us?" asked Henrietta.

"Wait a second," said Toby. "I know that whistle."

"So do I," agreed James. "But… that can't be…"

Sure enough, coming towards Elsbridge was a burgundy tank engine with yellow lining, along with the initials for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and the number sixteen on his sides, both also in yellow.

"Hello there," he greeted. "It's good to be back."

"Arthur!" cried the trio.

"Well, bless my bell," remarked Toby.

"I don't believe it!" exclaimed Henrietta. "Welcome back."

"We haven't seen you since you filled in for Daisy and I on the London trips," said James. "What's the latest?"

"Thanks, Toby and Henrietta," replied Arthur. "And to answer your question, James, a kind owner had me and the others on a heritage line, but it's facing tough times. He and his family thought I'd have better luck here."

"BoCo will be thrilled to see you," said Toby. "He's been hoping you would be okay."

"Funnily enough, I actually saw him as I was passing Wellsworth," chuckled Arthur. "I just can't believe I'm living here with all of you!"

"We'd better hurry to meet Sir Topham Hatt," said his driver. "We're running out of time."

"Oh, yes, of course!" cried Arthur. "Sorry I can't stay and chat; I'm needed at Knapford right away. Goodbye, you three!" And with one final blow of his whistle, Arthur set off once more.

"Running out of time?" asked James. "Surely Sir Topham Hatt would understand engines chatting to each other."

At Knapford station, Sir Topham Hatt stood on the platform awaiting Arthur's arrival. Henry, Gordon and Bear were also there when they saw the big tank engine glide into the station.

"Right on time," smiled Sir Topham Hatt.

"Hello, everyone!"

"Arthur!" cried Henry. "We didn't know you were coming!"

"Well, here I am," he smiled. "I can't wait to get to know you all some more."

"Likewise," said Bear. "What will you be doing on our railway?"

"Well, Bear," said Sir Topham Hatt, "until he decides what he wants to do full time, Arthur shall be trialed as a utility engine for the main line and branch lines."

"That, I can do, sir," smiled Arthur.

"You can start by taking a train up to Vicarstown," said Sir Topham Hatt. "You'll meet Emily there."

"Right away, sir!" said Arthur. "I won't let you or my spotless record down."

"Spotless record?" Bear wondered as Arthur set off to fetch his coaches.

"It means he's never had an accident," explained Sir Topham Hatt.

"Wow…" Gordon said quietly. "Not bad at all…"

In the main yards, Diesel and Harvey were arranging more trains.

"Hello, Diesel!" called Arthur.

"Well, I'll be painted blue!" gasped Diesel. "Arthur, welcome back."

"Ye know each other?" asked Harvey.

"Ah, that's right," said Diesel. "You weren't there when we had our trips to London. Arthur, this is Harvey; he's a crane engine."

"Nice to meet you, Harvey," smiled Arthur. "How long have you been here?"

"About a year," said Harvey. "It sure is good tae be in a healthy working environment." Arthur and Diesel both raised eyebrows. "It's… nae something Ah care tae remember much…" Harvey admitted.

"Oh… it's okay, Harvey," said Diesel. "Whatever happened, it's no longer in your life. You don't ever have to go back."

"Thanks, Diesel," said Harvey. "How about ye, Arthur? Did ye hae a good life before comin' here?"

"I did," smiled Arthur. "Well… other than the whole 'near withdrawal' due to… er… the Beeching Axe… No offense, Diesel."

"Believe me, I know what hurtful comments are like," sighed Diesel. "It's not a part of my life I'm proud of."

"We've all said things that we regret," agreed Arthur. "But it's good you both put the past behind you." He glanced down at the rails for a moment, lost in thought.

"Arthur?" asked Harvey. "Is everything okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, Harvey," said Arthur. "I just remembered that… I don't know what Emily looks like. I don't want to say hello to the wrong engine when I'm up there."

"Oh, you'll know her when you see her," said Diesel. "She's an emerald green Stirling single with two coaches of her own."

"Thanks, Diesel," said Arthur. "I'll see you both later. It was nice meeting you, Harvey!" He quickly left a very concerned and confused Harvey and Diesel behind.

"Surely, Arthur could just ask if the engine is Emily," Harvey blinked. "Besides, there aren't that many female engines on the railway."

"Maybe he has some unresolved issues," suggested Diesel. "The Beeching Axe may have taken a bigger toll on him than he's letting on, perhaps…"

Arthur made good time with his passenger train, and he arrived at Vicarstown station a few minutes ahead of schedule.

"Well done," said a voice Arthur didn't recognize. "You were quick."

"Emily, is it?" he guessed.

"It sure is," she replied. "These two are Martha and Julian, my coaches."

"And you're Arthur, yes?" said Martha. "Henry came by a while ago; the whole island is thrilled to know you're back."

"That's really nice of everyone," said Arthur. "I'm glad to be here. And it's nice to meet the three of you."

Just then, James arrived. "Ugh…" he grunted. "Of all things to get in my way, it was someone's laundry!"

"What's happened now, James?" sighed Emily.

"Don't ask, Emily…" James rolled his eyes. "Huh?!" he gasped. "Arthur… I thought you… and I…"

"I was just quick with getting my train together," said Arthur. "That's all. Perhaps you could try it some time?" Now, Arthur meant this genuinely, but James thought he was taking the mickey out of his situation.

"I am quick with my own trains!" huffed James.

"But not always careful with them," remarked Emily.

"Okay, sure, I'm not perfect," scoffed James. "I may have had my fair share of accidents. We've all had them–"

"I have a spotless record!" huffed Arthur. "Not a single accident in my whole career!"

"Have you?" asked James, unconvinced.

"Look, if I did have one, I'm sure it wouldn't go unnoticed in the papers," said Arthur. "But you haven't heard of an engine with my old number in any major incidents, have you, James?"

"Er… no…" trailed James. "I haven't…" Before James could say anymore, the guard's whistle sounded and he went off.

"Don't let James' vanity get to you, Arthur," soothed Emily. "He'll get over it. He's still sore over a recent incident."

"Oh," said Arthur. "Er… thanks, Emily. I'll try talking to him later."

A bit later, Arthur was due to take a goods train back down to market. Emily was there too, shunting her own trucks.

"Say, Emily," said Arthur, "that new branch line you were working on… what's its main traffic?"

"Tourists and fish, mostly," said Emily. "It's a bit on the quiet side, but it's very beautiful."

"Fish?" asked Arthur. "Wow… I love the salty sea air and the smell of fish."

"You're only the second engine I've met who can make a claim like that," chuckled Emily.

"Who's the first?"

"A dockside diesel named Salty who works at Brendam," said Emily. "I think you'd like him."

"I'll have to see if I can meet him some time, then," chuckled Arthur. Just then, the trucks started to sing.

"A root-toot-tow, we want to go!

The fruit's going off, cause you're too slow!"

"Well, that's just rude!" exclaimed Arthur as the trucks laughed.

"Just ignore them," sighed Emily as she coupled up to her own train. "Trucks will be trucks."

"Good plan," said Arthur. "I'll see you later, Emily. Nice meeting you."

As Emily puffed away, Arthur coupled up to his own train bunker first. James came into the yards to pick up his own train, and smirked to himself.

"You know, Arthur," he said, "Sir Topham Hatt doesn't like it when the trucks sing. You'd better stop their tricks."

"Oh! Er, thanks for the tip, James," said Arthur, surprised. "I'll make sure we have a quiet journey back."

He'll never stop them now! James thought cheekily to himself as Arthur set off.

Arthur was soon out on the main line again. He was making good time, but it wasn't long before the trucks started singing again:

"Chuff chuff chuff! You tug and huff!

But you're so rusty, you can't even puff!"

"That's enough singing out of you!" scolded Arthur. "Trucks should do as they are told!"

The trucks didn't like hearing this, and so they began plotting to get their own back at Arthur.

"I know," whispered the U.L.P. van. "We'll bump him as he's going down Gordon's hill."

"It has been a while since Arthur's gone down it with a goods train," smirked another truck. "Let's get him there."

Arthur traveled uphill with his trucks, and was certain he had them under control. "That's much better," he said to himself. "Must be on time. I won't spoil my spotless record."

"That's what he thinks," snickered the U.L.P. van. "Okay, boys; on my signal!"

Soon, Arthur reached the top of the hill. "Okay!" he called to the guard. "Brakes, please."

"On! On! On!" called the U.L.P. van. "Wheeeee!"

"Oh no!" cried Arthur. He whistled a warning. "Everyone get clear! I'm a runaway!"

At the bottom of the hill, Donald was waiting for Trevor at the crossing.

"Lovely day for the market, Donald," Trevor said as he trundled over. "Say, how's that new engine of yours settling in?"

"He's daein' fine," smiled Donald. "Ah still cannae believe an engine fae th' London trip is joining us permanently."

An urgent whistle snapped Donald and Trevor out of it. "Watch out, you two!" cried Arthur.

Donald's guard could see that the runaway Arthur and his trucks were headed straight towards them, so he jumped clear just before Arthur smashed into the brake van, which also jerked Donald forwards into the crossing gate. From behind, squashed fruit covered Arthur from smokebox to bunker.

"Oh no!" cried Arthur. "Donald, Trevor, are you two alright?"

"Mair shocked than hurt," admitted Donald.

"I just got clear," panted Trevor. "How about you, Arthur?"

"Honestly, I feel more sticky than hurt, and upset that my spotless record just got ruined," groaned Arthur. "Sir Topham Hatt will not like this…"

Back at Maron station, James was being flagged down by the stationmaster. Douglas was waiting there with a goods train of his own and had Toad with him.

"Leave your trucks here, James," said the stationmaster. "There's been an accident at Wellsworth junction, and you'll be needed to help out. You too, Douglas, and take Toad with you."

"Aye, stationmaster," said Douglas. "C'moan, James. Let's gang, Toad."

"Of course, Mr. Douglas," called Toad.

"Accident…" trailed James. "Oh dear…"

Both engines and the brake van arrived at the scene of the accident with Judy and Jerome. Sir Topham Hatt was on board Toad.

"Losh sakes!" cried Douglas. "Donnie, Arthur, are ye okay?!"

"Aye, juist a wee bit shaken is all," said his twin.

"I'm so sorry, sir," sighed Arthur. "The trucks were singing, and I was trying to make them stop, but they made me go too fast."

"Actually, sir," said James, guiltily, "that was my fault." And he told everyone what he'd done.

"Whit?!" cried Douglas, glaring furiously at the red tender engine. "Ye tricked Arthur 'n' git him 'n' mah brother intae a collision?! Whit if Toad hud bin thare as weel? Ye wur very lucky Ah hud him th'day–!"

"That will do, Douglas," said Sir Topham Hatt firmly.

"Sorry, sur…" Douglas said sheepishly.

"As for you, James!" The engine in question gulped as Sir Topham Hatt addressed him. "I thought you'd be above such trickery by now! Maybe some time away from the main line fleet will let you think about what you've done. I think Emily is due for a change."

"Yes, sir," said James sadly. "And… I'm sorry for tricking you, Arthur. I didn't think it would lead to this…"

"Thanks for owning up to it," said Arthur as they began to clear away the mess.

That evening, Arthur finally had his funnel cleaned out, and he was making his way back to Tidmouth.

"Is something wrong, old friend?" asked BoCo.

"Oh, hi, BoCo…" sighed Arthur. "I just… had old memories popping up."

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked BoCo.

"What about Edward?"

"He's on an evening train," said BoCo. "Come on in for a minute." Arthur did so.

"BoCo," said Arthur, "I know everyone believes the spotless record story, but… what if they find out about the old me? About… Clarence? Will they hate me?"

BoCo considered the question thoughtfully. "I know about it, and do I hate you?"

"Well… no," Arthur admitted. "You have a gift, BoCo. It doesn't take long for others to open up to you. If I'd never had that accident…" He stopped right there, as if he couldn't think about what might have happened to BoCo.

"I'm very grateful to you, Arthur," said BoCo. "And I'm so glad you were able to come."

"Wait… it was you who suggested me?" gasped Arthur.

"If Sodor accepted me for being a 'failed' engine," said BoCo, "I'm sure Sodor will accept you for your past. How and when you reveal it… that's up to you."

Arthur didn't say anything at first, but he gave a small smile. "Thank you, BoCo." Of course, it would be several years before the truth would finally come out…

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Comments

At long last, Arthur makes his official debut on the North Western Railway, and now being given the number sixteen! The Spotless Record is a pretty solid introduction to his character, and I can remember seeing that episode (and the one that's coming next) make its US debut on VHS twenty years ago. I think he would've been an excellent addition to the CGI era given that he had little to work with after Series 7, especially since they'd rendered the Fishing Village in CGI. For this adaptation, continuing from the events of the previous story, James takes Thomas' place as the one who plays a trick on Arthur, given that I feel he'd be more likely to be envious of Arthur's spotless record (as well as feeling threatened at the presence of another red engine). The consequences of James' trick will carry over into the next two stories.

Upcoming rewrites:

- Peace and Quiet

- Something Fishy

- Oliversaurus

- Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry

- Kelly's Windy Day