[narrating] Johnny Cuba had dropped anchor, waiting 'til he wasn't seen.
Nobody in sight. That's what I like. Time to slip in closer to port and, er…. heh, heh, meet my Business Pals…
[narrating] But Johnny Cuba's idea of a business pal was, like himself, a Gangster.
Ahoy there! Hove to! Customs inspection! You are within port limits! I'm coming aboard! Hey! Watch out! What're you doing?! Careful! Car- Ow! [roughly pushed onto nearby rocks] Aargh!
Ha Ha, Sorry, mate! The wind must've blown me off course! [cackling]
I don't like it 'ere. It's out of bounds to shipping…
Too bad. Now I need Coal, right away! And be quick about it or I'll break yer stack!
Did I say steal? Just get it when nobody's looking!
Yes sir… Right away, sir…
And DON'T try anything fancy! Or you'll find yourself at the bottom of the harbour with cement in your hold! [cackles]
[narrating] Zebedee was now in a terrible situation. Johnny Cuba would sink him if he didn't help him. And because of something that happened years ago between those two, he knew Captain Zero would sink him if he did. So, he couldn't go and tell the Captain, could he? While Zebedee was trying to work this out, he saw the two Star switchers out in the bay struggling with Scuttlebutt Pete.
Come on, you two! Get sorted out or you won't get me home before the storm breaks!
Do better than that! You've got to!
I can't, the wind's too strong!
If only I could fix one more line! Oi! Zebedee! Give us a hand!
Sorry, can't stop! Important job to do.
Just hold him steady while I get another line aboard, that's all!
Well, 'cos we're in trouble, that's why!
And you owe us one for the barge!
Alright, just this once, but don't tell Captain Zero!
That's it… Thanks, Zebedee.
Aye, that's just what we needed.
And not a word, Scuttlebutt!
Me?! I never gossip! Never!
That'll be the day. If Captain Zero knows I helped Star tugs, I'm Rust!
Hey, Big Mac! I've just heard from Sally Seaplane that Hercules has got the Princess Alice in tow.
Yeah, been damaged at sea.
Not another of your disasters, Warrior?
[laughs] I was joking! Come on, we'll tell O.J., then go out and bring her in.
Yeah. Anything to help the Princess Alice!
Never thought I'd be glad to see you Zebedee!
What?! Oh dear, how'd a coast guard get in this mess?
Johnny Cuba pushed me into the rocks. My engine's dead, I need a tow.
Don't play dumb with me, I hear Zero & Johnny are good buddies.
Oh, well, not any-more. Our capt-
Aha?! So you do know him!
Docking a liner can be a hazardous business for tugs, especially with cross currents and the danger of this high wind. Usually the liner can assist, but the Princess Alice couldn't do much due to the damage to her rudder. With all their expertise and experience, the Star Tug team were finding her very difficult to keep under their control…
What's happening back there? Come on, Stars!
She's not responding, Hercules! The wind's too strong!
I can't hold on much longer!
I'm pulling full-steam, can't do no more!
We need another tug! Just one more'd do it!
Sorry, I can't help! I'm needed in case of fire!
Oh, look out, I'm in TROUBLE!
We're losing it! We'll be crushed between ship and quayside!
This is two you owe me, switchers!
Zebedee! Aw, thanks, just in time! You're a lifesaver!
Thank you, Zebedee! She's under control again!
Zero'll have my boiler for this…
[Clears Throat] Hello, Mr Cuba sir.
Well well well it's Zebee back again. Keep doing as Johhny Cuba Tells ya, and you'll come to no harm, ya with me?
Yes Mr Cuba, the winds stopping-
Right, there's a few other little things I want you to do for me before we go. Now listen, this is what I Wan-
Oh! Oh! Uh, it's Hercules!
Hello, what's going on here? Oh, yes, Zebedee! And where are you taking our friend, the well-known Johnny Cuba, eh?
We know you, Johnny Cuba. Up to no good. We'll hand him over to the authorities, Zebedee, they may like to have a word with him.
No, ya don't! [fires up his engine]
[narrating] The gangster tried to back out, but collided with Zebedee.
You're not going anywhere!
[narrating] Just to make sure, Zebedee rammed into Johnny Cuba, trapping him against the quayside.
Well done, Zebedee, m'dear! Come on, let's take him in.
I'll break your stack for this one! THEY CAN'T HOLD JOHNNY CUBA!
[narrating] The authorities did hold Johnny Cuba, and gave official thanks to Zebedee and Hercules.
Look who's here! The Z-Stacks' hero!
Hiya, Zebedee! Congratulations.
Captain Zero's over the moon now Johnny Cuba can't get at him.
Yeah. Thanks for helping us with Scuttlebutt Pete.
Just forget about that, will you? Captain Zero wouldn't be pleased to hear about that….
TCTen Cents and Sunshine
[in a slightly sarcastic manner] Oh dear…
Yeah, nor Zorran neither.
We won't tell, don't you worry, kidda.
You'd better not, I've had enough troubles today…. Well, I'll see you fellas, eh?
Oh, Zebedee… If you ever think of leaving the Z-Stacks…
What? You crazy? Today was today, okay?!
Oh. Yeah, well… Just a thought.
Yeah? Well you think too much…
After that day, things continued much as they were. But Zebedee showed that everyone must have a good streak in them somewhere. Even Z-Stacks!
[narrating] Bigg City Port, never ceased working: Operations carried out throughout the night were continued in the early mornings. Goods stacked high along the Docksides were brought into port; by Road, and by Rail. The Lorries and Wagons were then reloaded with cargo from incoming Tramp-steamers, Ferries and Liners, for delivery to Inland cities and towns. Everyone and every method of Transport played a part in moving goods into and out of the Port. The work of our Tugs was an important link in the chain; it was non-stop and round the clock. The lifeblood of the whole operation was Coal; without this dirty stuff, Industry would've ground to a halt! On this very busy day; Big Mac arrived at the Briefing, having worked all night.
You know, it never fails to amaze me. Every day, I see something new. Today it's the sight of a floating sack of coal, no less! [laughing]
If you'd been shifting coal, you'd be dirty!
(sniffing Big Mac for a second) Well, at least you don't smell, that's something. (Laughs mockingly with the others)
Course he don't smell, Top Hat. Coal don't have a smell!
I know it doesn't, Warrior, but he could get a hose down before coming to join us. We Star Tugs have a reputation to keep up! Even you, Warrior, after a day in the garbage yards, don't look too scruffy!
All you worry about is keeping that piece of glass on your eye clean!
Not only my monocle, all of me!
'Cause you always get out of nasty jobs, don't ye?
Alright, alright, cut the backchat! Ah- At least one Star Tug's already been working.
Ha! Well, we can see that!
Yeah, that's enough, Top Hat! You go and stretch your neck with car ferry duties, then take the garbage barge to the city dump.
Garbage? Me? Do I have to put up with this?
I have to put up with you, Top Hat.
Top Hat, why do I always have an argument with you? Now move out, come on.
Yes sir. Of course. I'm so sorry.
Oh well, here goes. (Breathes in) Really?! Some people are so tiresome…
(laughs shortly) Y'know, to be fair to him, he does work as hard as we do, really.
We know. It's just his attitude gets too much sometimes.
Well, well, well. The Star tugs. 'Ere, What time d'you call this, eh? You needn't've bothered. There's no work for you. We've got it all sewn up.
We've as much right to go for this contract as you have.
Think you'll do a better job, big mouth?! You ain't got no chance! Three against one, see, no chance!
What do you mean, three against one? There's only two of ya.
Well, you don't do much 'cept get in the way, Warrior, so we count you on our side. Heh heh heh. Can't stop here all day, we've work to do.
Zak's engine doesn't sound too healthy, Warrior. Hey, Big Mickey, how about a real fast load up?
BMBig Mickey
I'm ready for you! I heard what they said. Hope you beat 'em to it!
Told you about your engine, Zak. You've should've had it seen to.
[surrounded by smoke] Nothing wrong with it. Anyway, I've got an idea to fool those two, Listen: If we cut through the canal, we'll get there first. Got to. If they follow us, they can't get past cause it's not wide enough. Right…?
Brilliant, I don't know how you do it. Hey, let's go. Wait till we tell Cap'n Zero how we beat them.
See, we're catching 'em! …hello, what are they up to?
They're heading for the canal.
I know that. That's it, they're taking a shortcut!
Alright, we'll follow 'em!
No, we won't. They won't get through, it's high tide.
Bridges, Warrior, bridges!
High tide, high load. [The Goods Engine crosses a bridge pulling three wagons]
Ten out of ten. They won't get that load under, will they? Let them go. They'll have to come back, and we'll be out of sight!
Go into reverse if you please, it's MY Water. [A Passenger Train crosses the bridge pulling two carriages]
I repeat, it is MY WATER!
You've 5 Seconds to back up!
What, Well, so have YOU then…
1! Get to the bridge fast, Zeb, and you’ve got him!
Watch my wake! That Star's met his match!
[narrating] Both Zebedee and Top Hat put on full power and surged forwards towards each other and the bridge.
Top Hat, look at his load!
He's going to hit! Hold on, I'm going into reverse!
He's backin' up! Didn't I tell you, Zak?
Didn't even make a fight of it! (laughs, but stops) Oh no…. I see why now; the bridge! Zeb! REVERSE ENGINES! QUICK!!!
Oh no! I- I can't stop! Ooooh, no! …help!
That's real Zero thinking, dummy.
I s'pose Zak an' I'd better go and get some help…
(hears an engine's whistle) That’s a mail train, isn't it? Oh dear, the bridge! It's… It's… Wait a minute! I've got it! If I can get that steel rig under the bridge; maybe it'll hold while the train gets across. It's worth a try.
Don't waste time cutting me free. Take me with you.
You'll take that risk, Stinker?
Of course I will, it's only rubbish.
[narrating] Top Hat's idea was to try and prop up the bridge, if he could get the steel rig into place before the train got there. It was signalled through, so there was no way anybody could stop it.
(Top Hat and Lord Stinker pulls the steel rig's barge into place)
[narrating] The bridge was weakened by the accident. Top Hat could only hope his idea would work. There was no way of warning the train!
