(For everyone out there, I have retconned Annie into an Atlantic. I wanted her to be smaller than John, and not the same size. Here's what she looks like now. Hope you like her new look)
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Annie was cross. The American Controller had sent her to the other railway to collect Welsh Coal for John. She grumbled as the trucks bounced behind her.
"It's not fair!!" she said, "I have to cover John's trains when he's 'sick' and now I'm his errand girl!? Ridiculous!!"
When the Welsh Coal arrived, John was delighted. He had never felt so well in his life. The American Controller had put up signs near the coal bunkers, which read 'Special Welsh Coal. For John ONLY!' All the other engine understood this, and respected it..... except, Annie.
"Look at him," complained Annie to Stacy, "Him swanking about. I fetched it for him, and I don't even get a thank you!!"
"I'm sure it's appreciated," said Stacy, "I must say, that coal is working wonders for John. Imagine what it would do for one of us!"
Stacy meant this in joke, but Annie smirked, "Hmmmmm. I wonder....."
"Get that idea out of your smokebox!" snapped Stacy, "You know full well not to take that coal! Poor John has suffered enough, and he doesn't need you pilfering the one thing that's making him better!"
But Annie was persistent. For the rest of the week, she pestered her crew into letting her use the Welsh Coal. No matter how much she asked, the answer was always, "NO!"
One day, after the day was finished, Annie's driver spoke with her fireman, and said, "Annie is really persistent, I'll give her that."
"Maybe we should just give her some," said the fireman.
"You know we can't," said the driver, before a cheeky smile crept across his face, "Although, maybe...."
And the driver told the fireman the plan.
Early the next morning, Annie awoke to see her crew had arrived.
"You know what," said the driver, "You're right. You do deserve some of that coal. Let's hurry to the bunker. But we need to be quiet."
Annie smiled, and quietly crept out of the sheds. Annie was so pleased with herself, that she forgot that John's Coal Bunker was right next to the regular one that the other engines used, so her fireman was shoveling regular coal into her tender! Soon, Annie was filled up, and the driver said, "Okay Annie, let's go now!"
Annie smiled, and puffed away, full of pride. She arrived so early that the trains weren't even ready.
"Ah, no worry," said Annie, "I'll take care of this. I'm so strong now, it will be done in a jiff!"
So Annie went around the yard, shunting the trucks in line. The trucks were amazed, but weren't about to jeopardize their new found respect. Soon, Annie had a long line of Trucks. She was on Express Goods today. This would only stop at the big stations at the end of the line, the junctions.
The trucks couldn't hold Annie back if they wanted to, as she shot out of the station like a rocket. Hills and houses were a blur as Annie took off down the mainline. Children also watched and waved at Annie as she passed.
"Perhaps... this... wasn't, such a g... good plan," said the fireman, looking a little green.
The driver, trying to keep his balance, said nothing!
Annie arrived at each station early, made no fuss about shunting, and left as soon as she came! Every passing engine was surprised!
Soon, Annie had finished her return trip, and was resting in a sighting.
"Couldn't be better," she said to herself, "Why waste that Special Coal on an engine like John, when I make much better use of it!"
".... I BEG YOUR PARDON!?"
Annie's eyes shot up. She gulp, as she saw the American Controller standing in front of her.
"I HAD come to congratulate you on your hard work today," he said, "But it appears, we have ANOTHER, issue to address here. Now as far as I'm aware, only John is permitted to use that coal! Now, is your name John!?"
"Um..... uh... n-n-n-no Sir, it isn't!"
"Then WHY did you take that coal?"
At that moment, Annie's crew appeared and explained everything.
"Excuse me sir, but you have it all wrong."
By the time they were finished explaining, Annie was a-gasp!
"So.... all day long," she said, "I've been using..... regular coal?"
The driver, fireman, and even the American Controller burst out laughing, as Annie blushed.
"Well," said the American Controller, catching his breath, "I must apologize for my previous assumption. You DID do a wonderful job today. Hard work doesn't go unappreciated on my railway!...."
He paused. Annie grinned in anticipation.
"...As such, you will remain on goods work, for the remainder of the week."
Annie was speechless!!
"Now that we know what you're REALLY capable of," continued the American Controller, "That should be no trouble at all. Besides, it should diswade you of any other attempts of taking John's special coal."
Annie did stay on goods work. SHE HATED IT!! But wasn't about to disappoint the American Controller.
Soon, the week was over, and Annie was happy to be done with goods. She pulled into the sheds, and found John and Jack at the coal bunker.
"I say John," said Jack, "This coal makes me feel very strong!"
"Sounds to me," said John, "that you have taken Annie's 'Special Coal'!"
