The April Fools

'Thomas' Foreign Friends: The April Fools'
Written by Jonathan Asiamah-Acheampong



It's the 1st of April on Sodor, which could mean one thing; April Fools' Day. Bill, Ben, Bash and Dash liked this time of day.

BILL: So, what are we going to do for April Fools' Day?

BEN: I know.

(HUSHED WHISPERING)

DASH: Perfect.

BASH: I like it.

(CHUFFING)

BILL AND BEN: Timothy!

TIMOTHY: Oh, what do you need?

BEN: The Fat Controller has asked us to tell you that today is your day off.

TIMOTHY: My day off?

BILL: Yes.

TIMOTHY: Ahh. That's nice of him.

(SLOW CHUFFING)

(STEAM HISSING)

BASH: Ferdinand! Ferdinand!

FERDINAND: Ah. Do you need any help?

DASH: We're fine. It's just the Logging Manager wants you to pull Henry's milk train to the Dairy.

FERDINAND: Oh. Alright, then.

(FERDINAND WHISTLES)

(SNICKERING)

Time passed. Timothy was just dozing of to sleep when...

(MARION WHISTLES)

TIMOTHY: OH!

MARION: Wake up, Timothy!

At Knapford Yards, Ferdinand was about to buffer up to the milk tankers when...

(HENRY WHISTLES)

HENRY: Ferdinand, stop!

FERDINAND: Henry?

HENRY: What are you doing with those tankers? I'm supposed to take them to the Dairy.

MARION: What are you doing in the sheds, Timothy?

TIMOTHY: Bill and Ben told me that the Fat Controller said it's my day off, Marion.

FERDINAND: Bash and Dash told me I have to take your milk tankers to the Dairy.

HENRY: No. Your job is to collect the timber from the Lumber Mill and take them to the harbour. The workmen are waiting for you.

WORKMAN: Impossible. The Fat Controller has to attend a meeting.

MARION: You're supposed to deliver the china clay to the harbour.

TIMOTHY AND FERDINAND: Oh. THOSE NAUGHTY TWINS!!!!

(CHUFFING)

But by the time Timothy and Ferdinand arrived with their deliveries, it was nearly late.

HARBOUR MANAGER: Where have you two been? It was nearly time for the ship to leave.

FERDINAND: We're very sorry, but Bill, Ben, Bash and Dash played a trick on us.

TIMOTHY: It's April Fools' Day.

HARBOUR MANAGER: I see. But you should have known better that to believe in April Fools' jokes.

TIMOTHY AND FERDINAND: Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.

A few minutes later, Timothy and Ferdinand were just talking to each other when they saw the twins.

FERDINAND: OK, are you ready?

TIMOTHY: Let's do it. Oh yes, Ferdinand.

BILL: Huh?

TIMOTHY: I don't think we can take it alone.

FERDINAND: It's very heavy, Timothy. Oh, if only there's someone to help us.

BEN: Help you with what?

FERDINAND: Haven't you heard?

BASH: No, please tell us.

TIMOTHY: Ferdinand is just telling me about an important delivery for the Dieselworks.

FERDINAND: The Dieselworks is running low on fuel.

DASH: Oh. Maybe we can help.

TIMOTHY: YOU would do that for US?

BASH: Of course.

BILL: That's what friends are for.

BEN AND DASH: Let's go!

(CHUCKLING)

As Bill, Ben, Bash and Dash arrived at the fuel depot, it was already bustling with activity.

BEN: There's the tankers!

BILL: Let's couple up!

(WHISTLING)

WORKMAN 1: Stop! What are you doing?

BASH: We've come to deliver the fuel.

WORKMAN 2: Why?

DASH: Because the Dieselworks is running low on fuel.

WORKMAN 3: How can it be? Mavis already delivered the fuel this morning.

BILL: But Timothy and Ferdinand said... Oh, dear.

BEN: What?

BILL: I think they've tricked US.

BASH: Let's get out of here before they see us.

But it was too late. Timothy chuffed past and saw everything.

(TIMOTHY LAUGHS)

TIMOTHY: April fool!

DASH: Ohhhh!

(LAUGHING)

GORDON: Oh, look. It's the April Fools.

JAMES: Until they've been fooled.

DASH: Ferdinand!

BILL: Timothy!

BEN: You tricked us!

FAT CONTROLLER: Like you tricked them.

BASH: Oh, no.

FAT CONTROLLER: I've heard that there's been a great deal of April fooling.

BASH: Yes. Timothy and Ferdinand tricked us into thinking the Dieselworks is low on fuel.

FAT CONTROLLER: Like you tricked Timothy into thinking it was his day off and Ferdinand into thinking he's to pull Henry's milk train.

DASH: I guess we got our just desserts.

BILL: That's right. We're sorry we tricked you.

TIMOTHY AND FERDINAND: It's OK.

BEN: In fact, I don't think we'll be able to play another trick ever again.

BILL: Got that right.

(LAUGHING)

BASH: From now on, we'll never play any more tricks again.

FAT CONTROLLER: Good to hear. Now run along. You all have jobs to do.

(WHISTLING AND CHUFFING)

DASH: Us, the April Fools, have been tricked.

BEN: let's hope we'd never have to do it again.

FERDINAND: Glad to hear it.

But deep down, we know better than to believe in the twins. Don't we?