04.Thomas and the Rumors (Michael Brandon)

## Transcript

* Michael Brandon: Thomas and the Rumors. Thomas the Tank Engine loves his branch line. One day, when he stopped at callan station, some children looked sad.
* Girl: They closed our playground and our favorite sand pit.
* Boy: Teacher said the sand is soiled and way too dirty play in.
* Children: Please help us Thomas.
* Thomas: I'll see what I can do.
* Michael Brandon: Replied Thomas kindly. Thomas hoped things weren't quite as bad as the children had made them out to be. But as he passed their playground, a large sign read: Playground Closed Until Further Notice.
* Thomas: The Children were right.
* Michael Brandon: Thought Thomas sadly. He bustled into the yard and was just about to tell the other engines about the playground when Percy rushed in.
* Gordon: You look glum, little Percy.
* Michael Brandon: Said Gordon.
* Percy: Sir Topham Hatt told driver that he's using Harold to show a visitor the island instead of any of us engines.
* Gordon: Despicable!
* Michael Brandon: Said Gordon.
* Henry: Disgusting!
* Michael Brandon: Put in Henry.
* James: Engines are meant to take visitors around our island not that whirlybird thing.
* Michael Brandon: James exclaimed. Gordon was the first to see Harold.
* Gordon: Harold thinks he can go faster than that. I'll show him.
* Michael Brandon: Next up, it was Henry's turn.
* Henry: Sir Topham Hatt has chosen Harold because he's more important than I am. Well he's not. Harold can't fly through tunnels.
* Michael Brandon: Percy stopped by a signal on his branch line near a field were sheep were grazing. Harold hovered for a while then buzzed away.
* Percy: I know what's he's doing. He's just counting sheep.
* Michael Brandon: And Percy puffed along his line, feeling much better about his things. That evening, the engines talked about the situation.
* Gordon: Harold wants to get rid of us.
* Michael Brandon: Said Gordon.
* Henry: He doesn't need tunnels.
* Michael Brandon: Added Henry.
* Percy: Don't worry, he's just counting sheep.
* Michael Brandon: Said Percy.
* Gordon: Counting sheep? Pah!
* Michael Brandon: Snorted Gordon.
* Gordon: He's counting how many engines he can get rid of. He'll see if I am useless maybe tomorrow.
* Michael Brandon: Thomas wanted to mention the children's playground, but solving the mystery of Harold and the visitor came first. The next day, Gordon was travelling to collect the express.
* Driver: We'll show that whirlybird just how fast you can go, Gordon.
* Michael Brandon: Said his driver. But because they were watching Harold, they missed a signal by going onto the wrong line. Gordon was travelling to trouble. A tunnel under repair was up ahead. His driver reduced steam and braked hard, but it was too late.
* Gordon: Woah!
* (Gordon crashes into the tunnel)
* Michael Brandon: Later on, Thomas pulled Gordon clear with the breakdown train. Sir Topham Hatt spoke sternly to Gordon's Driver about the accident.
* Thomas: Will Gordon be sent to the scrapyard, sir?
* Michael Brandon: Asked Thomas sadly.
* Sir Topham Hatt: What makes you think that?
* Michael Brandon: Said Sir Topham Hatt. Thomas decided to pluck up courage.
* Thomas: It's because the engines think the visitor is around to see if he can be replaced by Harold.
* Michael Brandon: Sir Topham Hatt laughed.
* Sir Topham Hatt: Well the engines are wrong and you shouldn't be listening to rumors, Thomas. This gentleman is making a new playground for the children. It was easy to find a suitable site from up in the air.
* Visitor: And what's more than that.
* Michael Brandon: Said the visitor.
* Visitor: That tunnel sand will be perfect for the playground. Sand we found by accident you might say.
* Michael Brandon: Sir Topham Hatt still uses Harold to fly above the island of sodor. But all the engines know that Harold is spying on them. He is just being very useful indeed.