Play Time! (magazine story)

Play Time! is a magazine story.

Plot
The Fat Controller's grandchildren, Stephen and Bridget, had come to stay on Sodor. One afternoon, Thomas was to take them to the station near the church hall. As Thomas stood in the Main Station, he whistled to tell Stephen and Bridget to hurry up. What the Tank Engine didn't know is that Stephen and Bridget were already on the platform, but Thomas didn't recognise them as they were in costume. Bridget was dressed as a nurse and Stephen as a fireman.

When they arrived at the station near the church hall, a lorry stood outside. The driver was unloading a new pillar-box. Then, the vicar arrived to meet Stephen and Bridget and explained that the nearby station is very busy and passengers very often have letters to post. Thomas' driver reminded the children to catch the five o'clock passenger train and Thomas steamed off.

Later, Thomas spotted a pillar-box on the platform outside the waiting room. Thomas thought it was a strange place to put a pillar-box. Thomas asked Bridget where Stephen was and a voice called out "over here". Thomas was confused as he couldn't see anyone else. Suddenly, he stared in amazement as the pillar-box began to slowly walk towards him. Thomas thought he was imagining things until Bridget lifted the lid off the pillar-box to reveal Stephen inside. Stephen explained that the Vicar had made changes to the play; it was now a comedy and it didn't need a fireman so Stephen was re-cast as a pillar-box!

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Stephen Hatt
 * Bridget Hatt
 * The Vicar of Wellsworth
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Sir Topham Hatt (mentioned)