Percy's Big Mistake

S8 Ep.07

Percy’s Big Mistake

Summary: Percy is a very busy engine with many jobs to do, perhaps too many jobs as the workload often makes him late. One evening, Percy arrives late at Brendam Docks and the dock manager decides to tell Sir Topham Hatt about Percy being late. When Percy arrives at Tidmouth Sheds, that evening he hears Sir Topham Hatt, talking to his driver though he tries to ignore it. When Sir Topham Hatt mentions “ Percy must go to the scrap yard tomorrow” Percy is worried; he quickly jumps to the conclusion that due to his lateness, he is going to be scrapped.

Script

Narrator: Percy is a little green engine who can shunt and pull. He pulls both passengers and freight. At the Docks and at the Quarry. Percy’s favorite job is carrying the mail. But sometimes Percy has so much to do. He ends up running late. One evening Percy arrived late at Brendam Docks.

Dock Manager: You’re late again, Percy.

Narrator: Called the Dock Manager.

Dock Manager: I will have to speak to Sir Topham Hatt.

Narrator: Percy is upset. Percy returned to Tidmouth Sheds. The other engines were already asleep. Then Percy heard voices from the other side of the sheds. It was Sir Topham Hatt and he was talking to Percy’s driver. Percy tried not to listen, but he couldn’t help himself.

Sir Topham Hatt: Percy has been late too often this week. He must go to the scrap yards tomorrow.

Percy: Sir Topham Hatt wants to scrap me!

Narrator: Gasped Percy. Percy worried all night long. The next morning the sun shone and the birds sang. But Percy was too upset to notice.

Percy: Sir Topham Hatt wants to scrap me! And because I was late!

Thomas:  Sir Topham Hatt wouldn’t scrap a really useful engine and you Percy are a really useful engine!

Narrator: Percy felt better until he noticed the time.

Percy: I’m going to be late!

Narrator: He cried. Percy weeshed away. If he was on time maybe Sir Topham Hatt wouldn’t send them to the scrap yards. Percy’s first job was collecting pipes at Brendam Docks. But when he arrived Cranky was still unloading.

Percy: Hurry up slow coach!

Narrator: Wheeshed Percy.

Percy: I must be on time!

Cranky: I’ll take as long as I like!

Narrator: Wheeshed Cranky. And he went slower than ever. The moment Cranky clichéd, Percy took off. He hadn’t wait for the pipes to be having it tied down. Percy rounded a bend. The pipes slipped and fell all over the track. But Percy puffed on. Percy thought he had delivered the pipes so he chuffed away for his next job. Percy needs to take the TAR wagons to the workmen mending the road.

Percy’s driver: Be careful!

Narrator: Called Percy’s driver.

Percy’s driver: TAR is a sticky stuff!

Narrator: But Percy wasn’t being careful. He was going too fast. Percy charged down Gordon’s Hill. He didn’t see Gordon and the Express until it was too late. The Brake van past Gordon but the TAR wagons didn’t!

(TAR can fly high and lands over Gordon)

Narrator: Luckily no one was hurt… but Gordon was very cross.

Gordon: Now look what you have done!

Narrator: He wheeshed.

Gordon: What will Sir Topham Hatt say?

Narrator: Percy thought he knew.

Percy: Oh no! I’m sure be scrapped now! 

Narrator: And so, Percy decided to run away. Harvey’s cleared away the TAR wagons when Sir Topham Hatt arrived aboard on Thomas.

Sir Topham Hatt: Where is Percy?

Narrator: He said.

Sir Topham Hatt: He has caused confusion and delay.

Narrator: Gordon didn’t know.

Gordon: Uh… he just left very quickly, Sir.

Thomas: He heard you in the sheds, Sir. He thought he would be sending him to the scrap yards.

Sir Topham Hatt: Hmmm…. I think I need a word from Percy. You must all help me find him. And so everyone looked for Percy. They searched high… and they searched low. They looked two and for Percy everywhere.

Percy: What’s the become of me?

Narrator: Percy whispered. But there was no one around to hear. Percy looked very small and he felt very lonely. Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt were looking for Percy in Thomas’ branch line. Thomas suddenly had an idea.

Thomas: I think I know were Percy is, Sir.

Narrator: He said. And they went to Tidmouth Sheds as fast as he could. The Sheds looked quiet as Thomas rolled in.

Sir Topham Hatt: Percy? Are you there?

Percy: Please don’t scrap me, Sir! I didn’t mean to be late or cause trouble.

Sir Topham Hatt: Scrap you?! Why the very thought of it.

Narrator: And Sir Topham Hatt told Percy of what he had said.

Sir Topham Hatt: I told your driver you’ve been working very hard that is why you were late. I had decided that taking some scrap yards to the smelters yard. You were to carry the mail. All week.

Narrator: Percy was happy as he had ever been.

Percy: Do you really mean it Sir?

Narrator: Puffed Percy proudly.

Percy: The mail for a whole week?! Thank you, Sir!!!!

Narrator: Percy couldn’t stop himself tooting for joy. Thomas tooted too. It was good to have his friend back. So Percy carried the mail all week. He wasn’t late and he wasn’t making a mistake. Not even one, and Percy never listen to listen to silly stories ever again. Especially not one made for himself……….