Thomas and friends: The Adventure Begins (Rewrite)

Chapter 2: Meeting Thomas

Later, Edward was back in the yard. When he heard a voice he'd never heard before.

MALE VOICE: Excuse me. Can you tell me where Knapford is?

JAMES: But this is Knapford. Where are you from?

MALE VOICE: Oh, uh, Brighton on the mainland.

EDWARD: (gasps) The Fat Controller's new engine!

MALE VOICE: That's where all the best tank engines come from.

JAMES: Is it really?

MALE VOICE: I'm really happy to be here. I've never been to Sodor before.

EDWARD: (gasps)

Edward couldn't believe his eyes! The new engine had six small wheels, a short stumpy boiler, a short stumpy dome and a short stumpy funnel.

MALE VOICE: ...And that's why I've always wanted to come here. I... (notice Edward staring) Hello? What's the matter? Do I have soot on my face?

EDWARD: No. It's just... well... You're not a big engine.

TANK ENGINE: Yes, I am.

JAMES: (laughs) No you're not.

TANK ENGINE: Well, I was big enough to do my own work on the mainland. [puffs away]

EDWARD: Wait. Wait. All I meant was you're not as big as I am.

TANK ENGINE: I might not be as big as you. But I'm very hard working. [Gordon whistles as he arrives] (gasps)

GORDON: (chuckles) And who are you?

TANK ENGINE: I'm Thomas.

Edward: The new engine.

GORDON: Oh dear. The Fat Controller must have made a terrible mistake. I think he was expecting someone Really Useful.

THOMAS: I am really useful.

GORDON: Ha. For fetching coaches, perhaps. Oh well. If you stick around long enough, you might be lucky enough to see me pulling the express. (whistles) That will a fine sight for you.

[He puffed away with Thomas scowling]

EDWARD: (sighs) Sorry about Gordon, Thomas. I'm afraid he's often like that. I'm Edward, by the way.

EAGLE: I'm Eagle. 

JAMES: And I'm James.

THE FAT CONTROLLER: Hello, hello, hello.

JAMES: And here comes the Fat...

EDWARD: Er, Sir Topham Hatt.

THE FAT CONTROLLER: (laughs) Oh. You must be Thomas, my new tank engine. Welcome to Sodor. I am Sir Topham Hatt.

THOMAS: Pleased to meet you.

[There's a awkward moment]

THE FAT CONTROLLER: (clears throat)

EDWARD: [whispering] Sir. You're supposed to call him sir.

THOMAS: Oh. Pleased to meet you, sir.

THE FAT CONTROLLER: I'm very pleased to meet you too. Now, as you can see, I'm a very busy man and this is a very busy railway, so I expect you to make yourself Really Useful right away. Edward will show you what to do. [He turns to leave but tripped] Oh. Yes. Really Useful. Carry on. This way, lads. Oh. [he walks away]

[Edward, James, Eagle and Thomas laugh]

EDWARD, JAMES, EAGLE, and THOMAS: (laughs)

[The scene then changes to Thomas reversing as Really Useful Engine (The Adventure Begins version) begins playing in the background]