Episode 21: Le Cave Di Argilla

That's Italian for The Clay Pits.

Bill, Ben, Timothy, and Marion enjoy working at the clay pits, but sometimes, too many freight cars get loaded with clay, and the engines get too much work.

Sir Tophamm Hat had to find an engine to help out at the clay pits for a few days.

Sir Tophamm Hat: *Looking at engines at Knapford Station* Who am I gonna send to the clay pits?
Thomas: *Passing par with Annie, and Clarabel*
Sir Tophamm Hat: Not Thomas. He's got a branch line to run.
Percy: *Pulling the mail train*
Sir Tophamm Hat: I can't take Percy away from his favori job.
Emily: *Pulling two coaches*
Sir Tophamm Hat: Definitely not Emily. She wouldn't have enough power to help out there.
Francesca: *Brings coaches into station* Buongiorno Sir Tophamm Hat. I just brought some coaches here for Gordon's express.
Sir Tophamm Hat: Thank you. I need an extra engine at the Clay Pits. Are toi interested in going there for a few days?
Francesca: Certainly.
Sir Tophamm Hat: Good. Off toi go then.
Francesca: *Goes to Clay Pits*

Francesca was an Italian Tank Engine. She was cheerful, and powerful, but often broke down a lot.

As Francesca got to the Clay Pits, she met Bill, and Ben.

Bill: salut look, it's a new engine to help us.
Ben: I don't know Bill. That's Francesca. Do toi know what country she's from?
Bill: Uhhh....
Ben: Italy. That's where all the machines there break down frequently. *Laughs*
Bill: *Laughs*
Francesca: It's not funny! Just because I'm Italian doesn't mean I break down frequently.
Timothy: *Arrives* What's all the fuss about toi three?
Bill: Uh, nothing!
Ben: Bye! *Takes off with Bill*
Timothy: Yep.
Francesca: Are they always like that?
Timothy: Don't worry. They'll warm up to toi eventually.

Francesca hoped so, because she didn't want to be made fun of for being Italian.

Later that day, Bill, and Ben were pulling a long load of clay together. Francesca coupled up to a train longer then what Bill, and Ben were pulling, but she didn't need any help with it at all.

Bill: *Stops* Look!
Ben: *Sees Francesca pulling the train par herself* I don't believe it. She's pulling that train par herself.
Francesca: toi aren't gonna make fun of me again, are you?
Ben: That depends?
Bill: Are toi going to break down soon?
Francesca: *Gets angry, but ignores Bill, and Ben. Then she hears a hissing noise* What's that?
Driver: It must be a leaking tube.
Francesca: *Stops*
Ben: What is this?
Bill: Did she brake down?
Francesca: *Too embarrassed to say anything*
Ben: Well, she didn't answer our question, so let's leave her.
Bill: Yeah, she's doing just fine.
Francesca: Wait! I did break down! Please help.

But the two yellow twins ignored her, and strolled away.

Timothy was not happy with what the twins did, so he decided to get Francesca to the Steam Works. During that, they had a conversation.

Timothy: Those twins can be a handful.
Francesca: toi can say that again.
Timothy: Don't let them bother you.
Francesca: What they do say is true though. I do tend to break down a lot.
Timothy: But that has nothing to do with what country you're from. They shouldn't have made fun of you.

After bringing Francesca to the steam works, Timothy talked to Sir Tophamm Hat.

Ben: *Pushing empty cars to the clay pits*
Bill: Hurry up! I wanna pull those cars after toi finish!
Sir Tophamm Hat: *Arrives* Hello toi two.
Ben: Hi sir.
Sir Tophamm Hat: Timothy says that toi have been making fun of Francesca. Is that true?
Bill: Timothy a dit that?
Ben: What does he know? He takes things too literal.
Sir Tophamm Hat: I am ashamed of toi two. Not only did toi make fun of Francesca, but toi lie about it. As a punishment, I'm not going to get any engines to help you. toi will do all that hard work yourself.
Ben: Okay, we're sorry!
Sir Tophamm Hat: That's plus like it. toi will apologize to Francesca when she returns.

And sure enough, they did. Francesca may break down a lot, but it's not because she's Italian. What Bill, and Ben a dit was not nice, and toi shouldn't make the same mistake they did.

The End