03x11 - No Joke for James

[bunniefuu]

(lighthearted music)

(bouncy piano music)

(train whistle)

- [George] James is a

mixed traffic engine.

He can pull both freight

cars and coaches.

He's proud of his smart red

paint and so is his driver.

"Everyone says you brighten

up their day, James."

One morning James

whistled loudly

at the other engines.

"Look at me, I am the smartest,

"most useful engine

on the line!"

"Rubbish," replied

Thomas, "we're all useful.

"Sir Topham Hatt

says so and he's head

"of the whole railway."

"You know what, James?"

Added Percy.

"What?"

Replied James.

"You're getting all puffed up."

James huffed away.

Later, he was still boasting.

"I'm the pride of the line."

"I saw you pulling

freight cars."

Snorted Gordon.

"You're only a goods engine."

"I pull coaches too."

"Not as much as I do."

"But Sir Topham Hatt

has plans for me."

James was only making this

up but Gordon believed him.

"What plans?"

"Uh, wait and see."

"Oh dear," he thought,

"now what'll I do?"

Thomas was shunting

shining new coaches.

"Good morning James."

"Are those coaches for me?"

Asked James hopefully.

"No, these are for

Gordon's express.

"I'll fetch your

freight cars next."

But James was going to play

a trick on the other engines.

"Actually Thomas, I'm

taking the coaches.

"Sir Topham Hatt

asked me to tell you."

"What about the cars?"

Asked Thomas.

"Uh, give them to Gordon."

"Come on Thomas,"

said his driver.

"Orders are orders."

So when James' driver returned,

James was coupled to the

coaches and he puffed away.

Thomas returned with

the freight cars.

And a few minutes

later Gordon arrived.

"Where's the express?"

Thomas told him about James.

"And so here are your cars."

Gordon was very cross

and so was his driver.

"Wait until Sir Topham

Hatt hears about this."

Meanwhile, James was

enjoying himself enormously.

"What a clever plan,

what a clever plan!"

He chuffed.

Then he saw Sir Topham Hatt.

"Some jokes are funny,

but not this one James.

"You have caused confusion."

"Yes sir," said James.

"You will now stay in your

shed until you are wanted."

The other engines teased James.

"I wonder who will be

pulling the express today."

Said Gordon.

"I expect it will be

you," replied Henry.

"James is stuck in the

shed for being silly."

James felt sad.

Next morning he

went back to work.

"Hello," whistled Thomas.

"Good to see you out

and about again."

"I'm sorry I tricked

you," said James.

"Are these my cars?"

"Yes," replied Thomas kindly.

"They are pleased

to have you back."

James set off to the harbor

with his train of freight cars.

He bustled about all day,

pushing and pulling

them into place.

"Time to go home now James,"

said his driver at last.

"No cars or passengers,

just we two."

But his driver was wrong.

"Excuse me," called a man.

"I have a meeting

with Sir Topham Hatt

"and I mustn't be late.

"May I ride back with you?"

"Of course," replied

James' driver.

Then he whispered to James,

"This gentleman is a

railway inspector."

James was most impressed.

(upbeat music and train whistle)

He steamed along the line

as smoothly and

quickly as he could.

Sir Topham Hatt was

waiting on the platform

and the railway inspector

greeted him warmly.

"This clever engine

gave me a splendid ride.

"You must be proud of him."

"Yes indeed, once again you

are a really useful engine."

(bouncy piano music)