Mavis' Special Special

***Mavis' Special Special*** is the fourth episode of the ninth series.

## Plot

One very windy day on the Island of Sodor, Diesel was excited, as he was on his way to meet a new engine named Mavis. He arrived at the yards and met her. But when he said hello, Mavis sadly answered back. Diesel asked Mavis why she was upset, and Mavis explained that Daisy had laughed at her for having the job of pulling "empty trucks" to the coaling plant, which made her feel that her job was not really useful. Now, Diesel felt sad, as he wanted to help Mavis feel important. Then, he saw some tarpaulins flapping nearby, which gave him an idea. He had the tarpaulins put on Mavis' empty trucks to make it look like they were covering an important load, and this made Mavis cheerful, declaring that she would feel important after all.

Later, Diesel met with Daisy at Maithwaite Station, and he tells her all about Mavis' special special. Diesel didn’t tell her what it was, but he said it will be "the most special special of all." As Diesel continued seeing other engines, he told them all about Mavis' special special. Later at Knapford, the engines were all excitedly talking about Mavis' special. Diesel was at first satisfied, but Diesel 10 declared that Mavis' special wouldn’t be as important as the Express. Diesel declared it would be much more important, and that it would be shown that night at Abbey, but now, Diesel was worried how to make Mavis' trucks look more special than the Express.

That evening, as Diesel passed by Peel, he saw the stationmaster lighting lanterns, and he thought of another idea. The stationmaster allowed him to borrow the lights, and Diesel took them to Mavis. Diesel had the lanterns put on the trucks, and he and Mavis set off towards Abbey as the lanterns twinkled like stars.

As the two engines arrived at the station, they found Dennis, Daisy and Diesel 10 waiting. Dennis and Daisy complimented how important Mavis looked, making her feel special for the first time since she had arrived on the island. But the moment soon faded as a gust of wind blew a tarpaulin off one of the trucks. Now, the secret was revealed, and Diesel 10 declared that he was right: Mavis' "special special" was not as important as the Express after all. Dennis was sad too after realising there was no "special special". Mavis, humiliated, rolled off, leaving Diesel feeling very bad.

But at that moment, the Fat Controller called the stationmaster, who then tells Diesel that there were lots of engines waiting for Mavis' trucks at the Coaling Plant. Diesel realized how important the situation was, so he raced after her as fast as he could.

Diesel found Mavis in a siding beside a signal box as he pulled up to her. He says he was sorry for making her look silly, but there were engines waiting for her. Mavis moaned that she had nearly run out of fuel, so Diesel volunteered to be her back engine to help her get there.

When Diesel and Mavis arrived at the Coaling Plant, D199, BoCo and Class 40 were waiting for the empty trucks to deliver coal, and Mavis realized her job was important after all. Class 40 tells her that they needed more trucks, so Mavis volunteered to get them with Diesel's help.

After Mavis had filled up with more fuel, she and Diesel set off to the yards to collect more trucks, and they oiled off. On their way back to the Coaling Plant, they came to a junction. Diesel 10 was waiting there, as his signal had turned to red. Mavis teases Diesel 10 saying her empty trucks were coming through, and Diesel cheekily laughed that sometimes, empty trucks were more important than the Express. Mavis felt more special than special as she and Diesel continued on their way, while Diesel 10 felt embarrassed, as his face turnt red with fury.

## Characters

* Diesel
* Class 40
* Diesel 10
* Dennis
* Daisy
* Mavis
* Sir Topham Hatt (*does not speak*)
* BoCo (*not named; does not speak*)
* Diesel 199 (*not named: does not speak*)
* Express Coaches (*cameos*)

## Trivia

* This episode has a similarly to the fifth episode, Molly's Special Special from the ninth series of *Thomas & Friends*.
* This episode marks a few things for Mavis:
	+ Her first speaking role.
	+ The first time she is referred by name.
	+ Her first and only leading role in an episode.
	+ Her only speaking role in the ninth series.