- [first lines]
- Narrator: Early one morning, Gordon's fire would not light
- The Firelighter: I don't know what's wrong. There must be gremlins about.
- Percy: What are gremlins?
- Thomas: I've heard that they're little green men who play tricks.
- Percy: Can we find one?
- James: Pah! Gremlins don't exist. They're just an excuse when things go wrong and no one knows why.
- Thomas: [insisting] If firelighter says there are gremlins, there are!
- James: Pah!
- Narrator: Sir Topham Hatt had heard everything.
- Sir Topham Hatt: SILENCE! I am expecting a VIP. A very important person today. She has heard that all of my engines are really useful. Please prove it.
- Percy, Thomas, James: Yes, sir.
- Percy: As long as the gremlins let us.
- Sir Topham Hatt: What gremlins?
- Percy: The ones in Gordon's fire, sir. That's why he's not ready yet.
- Sir Topham Hatt: We'll see about that!
- Percy: [Gordon's waiting for his special coach on the turntable] What's the matter, Gordon? You're late.
- Gordon: Driver says there's gremlins in the turntable.
- Percy: [squeaking excitedly] They must be everywhere!
- [last lines]
- Thomas' Fireman: What's the dog's name?
- Dowager Hatt: Well, after today's events, I think I'll rename him "Gremlin".
- Sir Topham Hatt: [chuckling] In that case, I've met one at last. Ho, ho, ho.
- Thomas: Excuse me, sir. But who is your very important visitor?
- Sir Topham Hatt: Why, didn't I tell you?
- [referring to Dowager Hatt, the very important visitor]
- Sir Topham Hatt: This lady's my mother and she agrees with me; You are indeed really useful engines, and my mother, of course, is always right.
- Narrator: [Gordon is at Kirk Ronan station waiting for Thomas to arrive. Percy and Sir Topham Hatt are also there] After he arrived at the station, Sir Topham Hatt became concerned.
- Sir Topham Hatt: Where's Thomas? He's supposed to be bringing my visitor from the docks.
- Gordon: Huh! Thomas isn't really useful if he's late.
- Narrator: But it wasn't long until Thomas arrived.
- Thomas: [panting] I'm sorry. A cow strayed on the line and we had to wait for the farmer to take her away, but Driver says your visitor is here safe and sound.
- Sir Topham Hatt: [smiling; as the visitor walks onto the platform to shake hands with him] Indeed she is. How nice to see you.
- Percy: [whispering to Thomas] Who is it?
- Thomas: I don't know. But the Fat Controller is surely keen to please her. He's arranged a special party for her.
- Percy: [noticing a Dalmatian, barking] She's got a dog.
- Thomas' Driver: Come on, Thomas. You need a drink.
- [Thomas leaves the station]
- Gordon: [as he too, leaves the station with the visitor] Pah! Thomas is just a lazy, little engine. The Fat Controller is expecting me to arrive on time. We're late because of Thomas!