The Fat Controller Comes Home/Transcript
This is the script for The Fat Controller Comes Home.
[Thomas races around a bend then up a hill before standing still in midair for a while before rounding another bend and coming to a stop]
Thomas: Have you ever wondered how The Fat Controller returns to Sodor after my big world adventure? Well, here's what happens when he find out about my return and Nia's arrival. [blows his whistle] All aboard for a big adventure! [puffs off]
[Steam clouds the screen then we pan into the actual episode]
Narrator: The Fat Controller Comes Home.
[At Knapford]
Narrator: Thomas and Nia have just return to Sodor after their big world adventure and was given a welcome home party by the engines but they ended up having a big surprise.
Thomas: Nia's going to stay on Sodor with us. I just need to speak to the Fat Controller.
Mr Percival: But... I thought he'd be with you.
Thomas: Me? Why me?
Percy: Because he went looking for you.
Gordon: We thought he must have found you and was bringing you home again.
Percy: So... if he's not with you....
Thomas: Then where in the world is he?
The Thin Controller: Everyone stay calm now. He must be still be out there, looking for Thomas. I'II find out where he is. In the meantime, be happy that Thomas' home again.
[He went into the office. At a ship at sea]
The Fat Controller: Oh... I don't suppose you've seen this tank engine, ...blue... with the No. 1 on the side of him. He's called...
Ace: Thomas?
The Fat Controller: Y-you know Thomas? Where was the last place you saw him?
Ace: It was in Arizona, in America. I'm on a racing tour around the world. I have a little accident in the Amazon and ask Thomas to take me to my next race at the Salt Flats but we have an accident thanks to my idea of splitting the train between him and another engine who came along with them. Then when we reach the Salt Flats, he drop me off to my next race and left to find the engine to apologize. Other than that, I don't know where he is after that.
The Fat Controller: [sighs] Oh, it's hopeless. I may as well head back to Sodor now.
Ace: Um, you'II have to wait til we reach Australia, first, sir. Then you can catch a plane home.
The Fat Controller: Very well.
Narrator: Back on Sodor, The Thin Controller was in the office, sending phone calls to different countries, trying to find out where The Fat Controller currently is. While he's at it, the engines resume their reunion with Thomas and went onto introductions with Nia.
Thomas: Nia, these are all my friends. This is Edward, the oldest engine on Sodor and very wise and kind too.
Nia: Hi, Edward.
Edward: Welcome to Sodor, Nia. You seem like a fine engine indeed.
Thomas: The green tender engine is Henry. He's quite strong and loves the forest, also he takes the Flying Kipper fish train at night.
Henry: A pleasure to meet you, Nia.
Thomas: The big blue tender engine is Gordon. He pulls the express trains here. [whispers] Mind you, he doesn't like pulling goods trains.
Gordon: That's right. I'm the fastest engine on Sodor.
Thomas: The small green tank engine is my best friend, Percy. He's very cheerful and pulls the mail train at night.
Percy: Hi, Nia. You're very colorful indeed.
Nia: Thank you, Percy.
Thomas: Those two black engines are Donald and Douglas, the Scottish twin engine brothers. They're practical, peppery and proud.
Donald and Douglas: Aye, it is a bonnie pleasure, Nia.
Nia: Nice to meet you two. Your numbers and nameplates help tell whom's whom?
Donald: Aye, lassie.
Douglas: Without them, we look the same.
Thomas: Those two diesels behind them are Diesel and Daisy. Just to warn you, Diesel can be devious and likes causing trouble to steamies and although Daisy's a friendly diesel railcar, she usually only likes doing jobs as she pleases to do and doesn't like pulling trucks because it's "bad for her swerves".
Nia: Hmm. Thank you, Thomas.
Thomas: The little boxcab is Philip. He's very chipper.
Philip: And I'm the fastest diesel. I once beat Gordon in a race and won.
Gordon: I wasn't racing! How many times do we have to tell you that?!
Thomas: It's a long story, Nia.
Nia: I understand.
Thomas: That green tank engine next to Donald and Douglas, that's Oliver. And behind Gordon is Duck, both are Great Western Engines.
Oliver: Hello, Nia.
Duck: Good to meet you. My real name is Montague but I prefer Duck better, even though I don't waddle as people say.
Nia: [giggles] I can see that.
Thomas: The red engine is James. He's proud of his red coat. And that's Emily, the emerald green engine and the only female member of The Steam Team at Tidmouth Sheds.
James: Good to meet you, Nia.
Emily: Welcome to Sodor, Nia.
Nia: Thank you.
James: What splendid decorations you have, Nia. Think my red coat looks splendid? (winks)
Nia: Oh, uh... heh. [blushes] Very splendid.
Thomas: See what I mean?
Nia: I do now.
Percy: So why's Nia going to live here now, Thomas?
Thomas: Because her shed in Kenya was demolished so she can't go back there.
Donald and Douglas: (gasps) You mean, she has no home?
Thomas: No, not at all.
Emily: Sorry to hear that, Nia.
Nia: It's alright, Emily.
Diesel: Well, too bad for you. You could have be scrapped after you got homeless and Thomas is going to be in so much trouble when The Fat Controller comes home. (chuckles deviously)
Thomas: I highly doubt it, Diesel! If anyone deserves to be scrapped, it's you!
Daisy: I quite agree, especially after I was nearly going to be scrapped when you broke my springs. (shudders)
Duck: Not to mention spread lies about me when you first came here and made Gordon, Henry and James think I'm horrid. Thankfully The Fat Controller never believes you and sent you away for that.
James: I'd say you deserve it! It'll serve you right for all your devious deeds!
Diesel: Grrr. What's even more worse that I would have gotten away with my plans to prove that diesels are better than you steamies with The Fat Controller gone if The Thin Controller haven't intervened every time.
Mr. Percival: I won't allow any of Sir Topham's engines to be scrapped!
Diesel: (grumbles)
Nia: You were right about him, Thomas. I'II be careful of his tricks.
Thomas: Good. [sighs] This is all my fault. If I hadn't gone off on my big world adventure without telling the Fat Controller where I was going, this wouldn't have happened.
Gordon: Well, you didn't know he was going after you, Thomas.
Thomas: I suppose you're right, Gordon.
Narrator: Soon, the party was over and as night fell, Thomas shows Nia the way to Tidmouth Sheds. He brightens up at showing Nia her new home.
Thomas: That's Edward's berth in between James and Gordon. You can sleep there.
Nia: Thanks, Thomas.
Thomas: Tidmouth Sheds is where we all live. When I first came here, there used to be six berths and Edward lived here with us. Then they were demolished and rebuilt with a seventh berth for Emily. And years later, Edward eventually moved out to Wellsworth with Philip since it's at the top of his branch line. And now, you can stay here with us. I'm sure The Fat Controller will be happy to welcome you himself.
Nia: Yes, I'm sure he will. I'm gonna love it here. Thank you for your welcome, my new friends.
Steam Team: You're welcome, Nia.
[The Thin Controller arrived]
Thomas: Any luck finding out where the Fat Controller is, sir?
The Thin Controller: Yes, Thomas. I managed to contact the Sydney Harbour in Australia. I've found out that Sir Topham is on board a ferry with a racing car called Ace. The Sydney Harbour master has assured me that he'II let Sir Topham know that Thomas has come home and will send him on his way home as soon as possible. He'II arrange a fast express flight for him back to Sodor with a few stops along the way. But he'II be back by tomorrow afternoon.
Thomas: Oh, phew. I'm glad he's okay. Um, who look after your railway while you look after things?
The Thin Controller: I asked the Small Controller to keep an eye on things.
Thomas: That's good. He does have three engines on his railway after all.
Nia: Hmm, I wonder what this Sir Topham Hatt is really like.
Percy: You'll see for yourself when he gets back, Nia.
James: Yeah. He's sure to really like you. Why wouldn't he?
Nia: Heh. That's true.
Narrator: After The Thin Controller left, the engines talk with Thomas and Nia til they went to sleep.
Nia: [yawns]
Thomas: Good night, Nia.
Nia: Night, Thomas.
[They went to sleep. In Australia]
Narrator: Meanwhile in Australia, it is still daytime when The Fat Controller and Ace arrived at Sydney Harbour. By now, The Fat Controller was bewildered and beaten to a pulp. He have given up on finding Thomas and wanted to go back to Sodor. Ace, on the other hand felt ashamed of his actions and worried about The Fat Controller cross at him for tricking Thomas.
Ace: Look, I'm really sorry for tricking Thomas and making him go off without telling you, sir.
The Fat Controller: (sighs) It's OK, Ace. I forgive you, though everyone here won't be happy about it. I'II never find Thomas now.
[The harbour master run up]
Sydney Harbour Master: Excuse me, sir. Are you Sir Topham Hatt?
The Fat Controller: That's me.
Sydney Harbour Master: That's good because I've received a call from the Island of Sodor from someone called Mr. Percival. He asked where you are and he said to tell you that Thomas has made it home to Sodor.
Narrator: The Fat Controller couldn't believe his ears.
The Fat Controller: He what?!
The Sydney Harbour Master: It's true. He's back where he started. So, you need to get ready at once. I will arrange a fast express flight for you to the next nearest country, so you can go home to Sodor and see for yourself.
The Fat Controller: Right-o.
Ace: Sir, when you get home, tell Thomas I'm sorry.
The Fat Controller: I will, Ace, [patting him comfortingly] I will.
Ace: And hopefully I'II see him again. Good luck.
[Ace drives off sadly]
Sydney Harbour Master: Now, come along, sir so you can get on that plane.
The Fat Controller: On me way.
Narrator: So The Fat Controller was on board on a passenger plane and flying away from Australia to the next furthest country as could be reached where he would board another plane to the next furthest country and so on. During his flights, The Fat Controller still can't believe that Thomas have made it home, especially after been on a runaway train chase to bring him home.
The Fat Controller: [sighs] I don't know why I even bothered to look for him in the first place. Guess I should have known that Thomas can take care of himself, even in the world. I hope that he's really home. At least my flights will give me time to rest up and regain my strength.
[He falls asleep]
Narrator: By the time The Fat Controller reaches England after a couple of flights, he felt much better.
The Fat Controller: [yawns] Aah. I'II be home soon. (chuckles)
Narrator: He soon took a smaller ferry on the sea, all the way back to Sodor. It took over half a day but soon, he can see Arlesburgh Harbour.
The Fat Controller: Ah, how I've missed Sodor.
Narrator: As he near the pier, he saw Skiff and Captain Joe waving to him and he waves back.
Skiff: He's back! We'd better get word to the others!
Captain Joe: Good idea, Skiff!
[The Fat Controller's ferry slide besides the pier and he was dropped off. He walk up to the musum where Duck is dropping off passengers]
Duck: Welcome back, sir!
The Fat Controller: It's good to be back, Duck. Is it true that Thomas' back?
Duck: Yes it is. And he's got a new friend who I figured you'd like to meet. I'II take you to Knapford. Your family is waiting for you.
The Fat Controller: Right. Let's get going.
Narrator: So The Fat Controller climb aboard Duck and he took him to Knapford.
[Duck sets off]
Narrator: When they arrived at Knapford, The Thin Controller was waiting for them with keys to the office.
The Thin Controller: Ah, Sir Topham! You're okay!
The Fat Controller: Indeed I am, Peregrine. The Harbour Master in Sydney told me everything. How are things here while I was gone?
The Thin Controller: They went quite well actually and I even kept the bad diesels under control.
The Fat Controller: Excellent. Thank you for looking after my railway.
The Thin Controller: It's my pleasure, Topham.
[They shook hands and The Fat Controller walk into his office]
Narrator: When The Fat Controller walk into his office, he felt very pleased to be home and he sat down on his chair for a moment and look happily at his telephone.
The Fat Controller: It was nice to be away from that annoying telephone for a while.
[Then he heard footsteps]
The Fat Controller: Eh?
Narrator: He step out of his office and there was his entire family waiting for him.
Stephen and Bridget Hatt: Grandfather! [hug him]
Lady Hatt: Welcome home, dear.
The Fat Controller: And I'm glad to see all of you as well.
Sir Lowham: Welcome back, dear brother.
The Fat Controller: Yes, hello, Lowham.
Dowager Hatt: A thousands welcome home, Bertram.
The Fat Controller: Thank you, mother.
Narrator: Just outside the station, Thomas and Nia slowly puff in and saw The Fat Controller.
Thomas: [gasps] Sir! Sir! [whistles] Sir, you're back!
The Fat Controller: Thomas? Thomas! You are home! You made it back!
Thomas: Yes, I did, but not alone.
The Fat Controller: Now, let's get down to it, Thomas. Why did you run off onto that ferry and travel all by yourself? You've been gone for half a year and so was I, looking for you! What were you thinking?
Thomas: Because, there was this racing car called Ace, sir. He inspired me to go around the world with him so I wasn't technically alone. I just wanted to do it so badly, I really didn't mean to make everyone worry. Also, you say yourself that it would be marvelous if an engine went around the world. And you even told me to think of a way it could be done.
Narrator: The Fat Controller could see that Thomas does have a point.
The Fat Controller: I see you have a point, Thomas. I did say those things. Perhaps time was both against us in it's own way. Perhaps you've been gone too long to be given repercussion for running off. So, you are now the first engine to travel the world. How was your trip?
Thomas: It was good and also a little scary. And I met a new friend whom you have to meet.
[Nia puffs up]
The Fat Controller: Well, I say, who is this, Thomas?
Thomas: This is Nia, sir. She's from Kenya in Africa. Her shed there was demolished and she accompanied me on my big world adventure. So, I was thinking, can she stay here on Sodor with us, sir? Please? She'll be the new Edward.
The Fat Controller: Of course Nia can stay. She'II prove really useful on my railway, I'm sure.
Nia: Yay!
Thomas: Yes!
The Fat Controller: Take me to Tidmouth Sheds. You're most welcome to stay there.
Thomas: I'll take you, sir. Hop in.
Narrator: So Thomas, Nia and The Fat Controller went over to Tidmouth Sheds where the engines are waiting.
Thomas: Everyone! Everyone! I've got the Fat Controller! He's back!
Engines: Welcome back, sir!
The Fat Controller: [chuckles] It's good to be back. Thomas told me about Nia here and you'II be assured to know that she is most welcome to live on Sodor. She'II be staying with all of you at the sheds with my permission after Mr. Percival's arrangement already!
Engines: [cheering and whistling]
Nia: Oh. Thank you, sir.
The Fat Controller: You're very welcome, Nia.
Narrator: Soon, the engines settle down to sleep, including Nia. Thomas was pleased to be back home with his friends, have The Fat Controller back home and having Nia join the North Western Railway.
Thomas: It's good to be home.
Narrator: Over the next few days, Nia settle into her new home on Sodor and learns her way around like how things work on the railway compared to Kenya, learn about the engines' history and stories and tries to avoid being tricked by Diesel.
Nia: Hah. Outtricked you!
Diesel: What? How did you......
Nia: Had a little help.
Thomas: [chuckles]
Diesel: Grrr! I really don't like tricky tank engines. Your cleverness will not be so lucky next time, Nia.
[He rolls off]
Narrator: As for The Fat Controller, he soon runs the railway again and make sure all the trains ran on time and spend time with his family too. He'd hope he'II never have to travel the world in half a year for a very long time.
[We view Gordon glaring at Nia as he pulls the express then to Henry at night collecting the Flying Kipper, thinking about something for a while]
Henry: Hmmm. I'm not sure Gordon will like this but it's worth a try. Perhaps I could try a change. I have to speak to The Fat Controller soon.
[He puffs off as the episode ends. At Vicarstown, Thomas puff in]
Thomas: Have you ever look to find someone, only to find out that it's all for nothing?
[The screen shows a flashback of Misty Island Rescue]
Thomas: When I got lost on Misty Island, The Logging Locos help me return to Sodor with Jobi logs to build the Search and Rescue Centre. The Fat Controller, Edward, Gordon and James travel to Misty Island to find me but I was already home at the time and I have to bring them back.
[A flashback to the main episode plays]
Thomas: The Fat Controller has been travelling around the world, looking for me when I have my big world adventure but he'd soon find out when I made it home safe and sound and he came home afterwards.
[The scene changes back to Thomas]
Thomas: It's not your fault that you didn't know that someone made it home safely but next time you heard that they're heading back home, make sure to know about it and follow them back home.
[A guard's whistle blows]
Clarabel: Come on, Thomas.
Annie: It's time to go.
Thomas: See you next time.
[The End]