Thomas Adaptations(With My OC's)

Belle's Ploy

After Jinty was sent away, Den was left to run the yard alone. He was delighted his plan had worked, but his lack of experience lead to disorganized sightings. Belle was called to help. While she wasn't happy to be shunting, she wanted to help a friend in need. Trooper promised to take care of Jessie, Alice and Morgan. Belle tried to show Den what to do, but Den just ignored her help, and went about his work.

"I don't know what you three see in him!" said Belle, "He spends more time lurching about the yard than doing his own work! Jinty was much better."

"Pah!" said Annie, "We haven't got time for gossipy shunters! And that goes to you too Belle!"

Belle just subsided, and kept a watchful eye on Den. The American Controller looked at the situation, and was cross.

"They've known Belle the longest, and they consider HER a gossiper amongst trucks? I'll be sure to have a stern word with them."

The first train was John's stopping service, and then Stevenson's express. Den had put the coaches at the wrong platforms. When John arrived, he was surprised to be coupled to the Southern Silver Rush. When the station master sorted the mix up, and a signal man made a path to the correct coaches, John was delayed.

"10 minutes late!" he fumed, "All due to your inadequacy!! Revolutionary indeed, if my train is delayed again, I'll revolutionize you!!"

Den had no response. He sulked away, thinking how to pay John out.

"Hmmmmmmmm."

The next day, Den purposely shunted the coaches at the wrong platforms. Belle was about to interject, when John came in.

"What's this?" demanded John, "Don't tell me you've made the same mistake again!!"

"Why no," oiled Den, "You're words taught me a valuable lesson yesterday. This is a request by the American Controller himself. He says that you pull the express much better. Stevenson is only suited for that Kipper of yours! It's your turn today, and maybe forever."

Den scuttled away, leaving John very full of himself.

When Stevenson arrived, he was surprised to see he was coupled up to the local. Belle tried to explain what had happened, but the two argued so bitterly that no one paid attention to her. In the end, Stevenson left with a very late local.

"That John," snarled Stevenson, "Saying HE pulls the express better than me! My passengers have never once complained about me! And to suggest I'll be pulling the flying kipper!! Disgraceful!! Where did he heard such a ridiculous thing!?!"

"FROM DEN!!!!!" snapped Belle. She explained, and Stevenson was speechless.

"You SILLY big engines! Den made you act horrid to Jinty, and now you're being horrid to each other!!! Sit around and moan, but I'VE, had enough!!"

Belle steamed off, leaving Stevenson with much to think about.

Next morning, Belle was talking with the trucks.

"You know," she said, "I've heard something interesting."

"Tell us!! Tell us!!" cried the trucks.

"Den thinks that you're easy to command. He thinks he's got you following his every wimp."

The trucks gritted their teeth, and said, "We'll show him!!"

Later, Den shunted the coaches to the platform, and was about to get ready for Annie's slow goods. The trucks slipped their brakes on, and Den struggled hard. He pulled, and pulled harder.

"COME ON YOU WRETCHED THINGS!!!" he snapped.

"As you wish!!" said the trucks.

They let their brakes off, and Den then raced forward, and derailed at the points, blocking the express.

John then came in, and said, "What on Earth are you doing!?! You're blocking the way of my express!!"

Soon, the American Controller came, and said, "Please be off with your local train John. I'll deal with this matter."

John was confused, "I thought you wanted me on the express sir."

"And where did you hear that?!" asked the American Controller. When John explained everything, Den's face grew pale.

"Thank you John. Please be off with your train now."

John then headed off to the other platform.

"AS FOR YOU!!" snapped the American Controller, looking at Den, "I will speak with you later!"

Soon, Belle had helped clean up the mess, and Den was very embarrassed. He was then sent to the sheds, and when the big engines came, they all glared and hissed steam at him. Silence fell when Sir Seth Eaton came.

"MY engines do NOT tell lies!!!" he began sternly, "I will not stand for deceitful behavior on my railway!! And you have shown you are incapable of working in the yards!! I will be sending my report in soon. You will go back home, to the other railway!! NOW!!!"

Without another word, Den left without another word.

"Good riddance," said Annie.

"Him, making fools out of us!" said Stevenson.

"Which you three don't even need help with to begin with!!"

The big engines fell silent, as the American Controller went on, "First the strike over some silly nonsense, then ordering engines about, and NOW, believing false claims from trucks! TRUCKS of all things!!! I am very ashamed of you three!! I hope you all learned an important lesson about truth and honesty! I don't expect my engines to believe in false accusation and one sided stories! At least ONE engine saw sense, although I don't approve of your methods Belle."

Belle stuttered, "Um, well, sir, I"

"However," continued the American Controller, "I will let this slide as an isolated incident, as long as you promise to not let it happen again. Now, after you tidy up the yard, how would you like to go back to your branchline?"

"Oh, yes sir!! Thank you sir!!" said Belle. 

he then puffed off excitedly.

When the American Controller arrived in his office, the telephone rang. "Hello?....... What's that?.......... A BARBER SHOP!?!.......... I'll be there right away!" But I mustn't say anymore, or I shall spoil the next story.