A creaky problem

based on "Creaky Cranky" by Sharon Miller

It was a bright sunny day on the Island of Sodor. The Duke and Duchess of Boxford had arrived at Sodor on board Spencer, their private engine. Their summer house was being built with help from Spencer and Thomas. All the material needed to build the house came from the docks.

Cranky was busy loading flatbeds and cars full of tiles and wooden boards. Salty was there shunting the freight cars in place for Spencer and Thomas to deliver. But Cranky was making creaking noises every time he turned himself around. Salty was wondering what the noise was.

SALTY: Whatever is that noise, matey?

CRANKY: Uhh, what noise, Salty?

SALTY: That creaking sound! …is it you, Cranky?

CRANKY: No, certainly not! It's probably these flatbeds.

But Salty wasn't fully convinced.

Spencer arrived at the docks and noticed Cranky creaking.

SPENCER: Oh dear, Cranky. Is this load of flatbeds too much for you handle?

CRANKY: For your information, Spencer, I can lift more heavy loads than you can pull!

SPENCER: Hmm, right…

Spencer was coupled up to his line of freight cars and puffed snootily out of the docks.

CRANKY: What an annoying engine he is…

Cranky went back to loading and unloading ships, but he still kept on creaking every time he turned. But when he slowed down, the creaking sound became quieter, until it was barely heard.

CRANKY: That's it! If I turn slowly, no one will hear me creaking!

So Cranky worked slowly but steadily, lifting and loading crates and boxes. Thomas arrived at the docks to collect his freight cars. He saw Cranky working very slowly.

THOMAS: Cranky? Why are you working slowly? Is everything alright?

CRANKY: Yes, I'm fine, Thomas. Nothing to see here.

THOMAS: If you say so, Cranky…

Thomas puffed away with his delivery. Cranky kept on unloading the freight cars from ships, but because he was working slowly, it was taking a lot of time. Spencer returned to the docks for more freight cars, but Cranky hadn't finished unloading all of them from the ship yet.

SPENCER: What's this? I thought you were a crane, not a slow coach!

This made Cranky even more annoyed with Spencer.

CRANKY: You must wait until everything is ready for you, Spencer! Be patient!

SPENCER: I don't have time to wait! The Duke and Duchess' summer house must be finished as soon as possible! Hurry up, Cranky!

CRANKY: I'll take as long as I want!

Now Spencer was cross.

SPENCER: Bring me my freight cars now!

At last, Cranky had had enough.

CRANKY: You want your freight cars? I'll bring you them, alright!

And with a mighty heave, Cranky turned himself around as fast as he could. Then there was trouble. Cranky creaked louder than ever, until his gear system got damaged. Amidst all of this, he lost his grip on the flatbed he was unloading and it dropped to the ground in front of Spencer! Wooden boards and slate tiles scattered all over the tracks.

CRANKY: Oh no…

SPENCER: Oh dear…

Sir Topham Hatt arrived at the docks and inspected the damage while Harvey came and cleared up the mess. Sir Topham Hatt was very cross.

STH: Cranky! You know you must be careful with loading and unloading freight! I'm very disappointed in you!

Cranky felt bad.

STH: As for you, Spencer, you shouldn't rush people to get their jobs done quicker! Now, Cranky can't load any more material and it will take even longer for the summer house to be finished!

Spencer felt ashamed for his remarks. He wanted to make it up to Sir Topham Hatt and Cranky.

SPENCER: Don't worry, sir. I'll help solve this problem. I promise, sir.

STH: Very well, Spencer. But no more teasing! Jobs before remarks!

Spencer raced out of the docks and all the way to the Steamworks.

SPENCER: Victor! I need your help! Cranky is damaged and he can't work now! He needs to be fixed!

VICTOR: Don't worry, Spencer. We'll have his parts ready for you to bring to him in no time.

KEVIN: You can count on us, Spencer!

Soon, Spencer was on his way back to the docks to deliver the parts needed to fix Cranky. At last, he arrived at the docks.

SPENCER: Here you are, Cranky. I'm sorry for teasing you.

CRANKY: And I'm sorry for making you wait, Spencer. And thanks for bringing me my parts.

SPENCER: No problem, Cranky. No problem at all.