The Mayor Runs for Re-Election

"A vote is power only if you use it."

— Stacy Jones

The Mayor Runs for Re-Election is the twenty-third episode of the third season.

Plot

Municipal elections are underway in the town of Shining Time where current mayor Osgood Bob Flopdinger is seeking another term. Inside the station, Kara and Becky watch as Midge Smoot leaves in a huff after unsuccessfully trying to persuade Stacy to vote for Flopdinger regardless of his election platform. Mr. Conductor appears as Becky asks Stacy if Midge is not longer welcome at the station because of their argument. Stacy maintains that they are still friends despite disagreeing about the mayor, with both agreeing that voting is important. Mr. Conductor wishes that he knew more about the mayor's mysterious opponent, with Stacy noting that she's seen his photo and that he seems very familiar. Becky feels that they should vote for the mayor because he's always been nice to them. Although agreeing that he's a nice and honest man, Stacy feels that he's making a big mistake by not talking about the town's issues or listening to people's complaints. Mr. Conductor adds that it's hard to admit making a mistake, which leads him to tell the story about what James the Red Engine learned from his experience with the coaches.

James is settling into his new life nicely. Sir Topham Hatt tells James that he is a mixed-traffic engine, so he can take coaches or freight cars easily but must learn from his mistakes. James who had a nasty accident on his first day knew exactly what Sir Topham Hatt meant.

James' first job of the day is to double-head a train of coaches with Edward, who warns him that the coaches don't like being bumped. People have arrived on the platform to admire James, who quickly gets full of himself and let's off steam without warning, causing a shower of water on Sir Topham Hatt's brand new top hat. It is time for the train to leave and James tries to get out as fast as he can which angers Edward and the coaches. This causes trouble at the first station, when James causes two of the coaches to run beyond the platform forcing the train to reverse to let the passengers out. However, it seems that no one knows what happened with Sir Topham Hatt, much to James' relief.

Next James and Edward stop at the station on Thomas' new branch line, where the tank engine greets James before leaving. The train then passes the field where James had crashed. Finally, the journey ends and after unloading the passengers James and Edward head for home, with James as still wondering what Sir Topham Hatt will have to say about his top hat.

The next morning, Sir Topham Hatt visits James in the shed and gives him a severe telling off and warns him that if anything else happens, then James will be punished by being painted blue. James does not like this idea at all.

However, rather than calm James down, this only serves to make him angry and later that day he roughly bumps his coaches, moaning that he has to fetch them. To make matters worse, none of the passengers dare go near him, which makes James even crosser.

James pull the coaches very roughly and tries to run as fast as he can. Eventually the coaches forced James to stop. His driver explains that James' rough treatment has caused a leak in the coaches' pipes. The crew inspects the damage and the conductor's only recommendation is to plug the leak with newspaper and a leather bootlace. However none of the crew have a leather bootlace on them. They ask the passengers and the conductor finds a man with a leather bootlace, who initially refuses to give it up. The conductor explains that without the bootlace, the train can not continue. The other passengers get very angry, both at the man and at the railway. Under pressure, the man finally hands over the bootlace and the damage is temporarily repaired allowing James to finish the journey.

James proceeds on his way with the coaches, knowing that he is going to be in a lot of trouble with Sir Topham Hatt.

Stacy wishes afterwards that the mayor had heard the story so that he'd learn from his mistakes the way James did, which would make her proud.

The sound of screeching car brakes announces Mayor Flopdinger's arrival. He enters the station followed by Indian Valley Gazette reporter Ted Typo. The mayor is about to make a speech but notices there aren't many citizens present, so he recruits Schemer and "future voters" Becky and Kara to be his audience. When the mayor opens his speech with "When I even think of the flag, I get this feeling...," he's interrupted by Ted Typo asking him how he feels about coming in second in the latest poll. The mayor answers that it could be worse; he could be last. Ted points out that there are only two candidates running and therefore he is in last place. Mayor Flopdinger replies that he hadn't thought of that and tells the reporter that he can quote him for saying that.

As everyone leaves, Schemer approaches the mayor to bluntly tell him that he's a loser. The Mayor is upset at the suggestion and asks if that means he'll lose the election. Schemer informs him that he most definitely will lose, which prompts the Mayor to ask why people don't like him. Schemer confides that people don't care for his hair, his clothes, or the way he walks and talks. The mayor's only distracted reply is that he hadn't noticed. Schemer convinces if he wants to win, he'll need a campaign manager to give him a new look and imagine using "Schemer's System of Success." In exchange for his help, he asks the mayor to appoint him 'Secretary of Money' if he wins the election. Because he is desperate to win, the mayor reluctantly agrees. Inside the jukebox, Didi voices her disbelief that Schemer can get the mayor re-elected, while Tito questions the mayor's competence if he chooses to hire Schemer.

Later, Schemer is in full campaign mode as he oversees Kara and Becky organizing campaign hats, buttons, stickers and posters for Mayor Flopdinger. The mayor arrives in a tattered suit complaining that the clothes Schemer had given him to wear are too small and is making him look ridiculous. Schemer pulls out a bottle of hair spray which he applies to the new curl of hair we notice sticking out of the mayor's hat and tells him that he looks much better. Schemer boasts that because people are guaranteed to give him their vote. Schemer then cons a nickel from the mayor to play their new campaign song on the jukebox. Inside the jukebox, Didi complains how she hates how Schemer rewrote the song, but Red and Tex insist that they must play it as "a job's a job" and "a song's a song," with Tito adding that "a nickel's a nickel." The band plays a version of "Hurray for the Railway" with a few modified verses about Mayor Flopdinger and Schemer inserted throughout.

Midge Smoot and Ted Typo arrive and they are amazed by, as Schemer puts it, the new and improved Mayor Flopdinger. Typo asks why the Mayor intends to do about the town's garbage problem. As the Mayor fumbles for an answer, Schemer removes the mayor's hat and points out his new curl as the look of today's politician, a symbol of trustworthiness and decisiveness that says "vote for me." Typo points out voters don't care what he looks like; they'll vote for what he stands for.

Just then, a man bearing a very striking resemblance to former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon enters the station with an entourage of curious townsfolk. He uses the tri-colored suitcase he's carrying as a podium and flashes a familiar victory sign. After making an opening greeting to the small crowd that has gathered, he mentions that some of the enemies have asked why he's running for Mayor of Shining Time. Without elaborating, the man abruptly ends his speech by thanking everyone, and proclaims that he's off to city hall.

Schemer challenges the man, who's named Richhouse, to meet the real mayor of Shining Time, the honorable Osgood Bob Flopdinger, and the two men eye one another as they exchange a handshake. Schemer notices Typo making notes so he tries to bait Richhouse by calling him a newcomer who doesn't know anything about the town. Richhouse retorts that he knows more than Mayor Flopdinger and physically accosts Schemer when he begins arguing back. Typo interrupts the shouting match to suggest that this be settled through a live televised debate moderated by the kids under the title "Meet the Kids." Mayor Flopdinger thinks letting the kids ask the questions is a brilliant idea and whispers to Schemer that it will make the debate easier to win. Schemer agrees and taunts Richhouse by feigning a handshake, telling him that he'll see him at the debate, and Richhouse leaves scowling.

Later in the waiting area, Kara says that she wants to ask the mayor about the playground, while Becky would like to ask why the library isn't open later. Mr. Conductor appears struggling with a Flopdinger campaign balloon. Kara asks Becky if she really thinks that the mayor will lose the election, and Becky confirms that she knows he will with Schemer helping him. Kara then asks Mr. Conductor for his opinion. He answers that it reminds him of a saying on the Island of Sodor, "Every engine has to pull its own freight train." When the kids ask about its meaning, Mr. Conductor tells them about how James learned the hard way by pulling a train of stubborn freight cars up and over Gordon's Hill.

Having damaged a coach and caused a lot of trouble recently, James has been confined to the shed for several days. James starts to cry thinking that no one will ever see his red coat again. Sir Topham Hatt finally comes to speak to him and tells him that his recent actions have caused a lot of embarrassment for the railway. James sincerely apologises and Sir Topham Hatt decides to allow him out to pull some freight cars. James couldn't be happier to be let out and eagerly goes to work.

At the station, Thomas brings James his freight cars and, after teasing him about bootlaces, runs off. James couples himself to the freight cars, who tease him for his red paint. James just ignores them and sets off, however, the freight cars don't want to go and attempt to hold back. James doesn't allow them to and drags them out of the station. As the journey continues, the freight cars try everything they can to get James to give up, but it's no use as James is determined to prove himself.

Finally the train gets to Gordon's Hill and James tries his hardest to run up it as fast as he can. Although it is initially hard, with a sudden jerk it gets easier and James makes up the hill. However, James' driver stops him and points out that the end of the train became detached and ran down the hill. The freight cars stop at the bottom of the hill, where the conductor gets out to warn approaching engines.

James backs down the hill to pick up the freight cars, where Edward has stopped due to the blockage. Edward offers help, but James is determined to do it himself and politely declines. Pulling with every ounce of his strength, James finally makes it to the top of the hill and easily continues on to the station where Edward later arrives with Sir Topham Hatt.

James is very worried, knowing that Sir Topham Hatt may be angry again. This time however Sir Topham Hatt is happy with James, having been aboard Edward's train and seeing everything. Since James made the most freight cars on the line behave, Sir Topham Hatt says that he deserves to keep his red coat.

Afterwards, Becky says that she loved the story because James did not give up, with Mr. Conductor adding that the mayor should not give up either if he wants to win the election and that he'll never win unless he learns to pull his own freight train. Kara elaborates that the Mayor must learn how to run his own campaign without Schemer's help, with Becky sharing that the mayor needs to take more responsibility for himself, or else no one should vote for him.

The televised "Meet the Kids" debate begins with a studio audience and Ted Typo's introduction. Kara directs the opening question to Mr. Richhouse, asking how he intends to fix the playground in the park. Richhouse gives a vague answer by saying that he'll do so by making the hard choices and tough decisions. The question is then directed to Mayor Flopdinger who at first fumbles, then reads from a cue card that Schemer is holding. He answers that he'll build a new playground and reads on in disbelief that kids wanting to play in it will pay a small admission fee to Schemer. Schemer tries to drown out the audience's disapproval by shouting out "yays." Ted turns the next question over to Becky who asks what advice can the mayor give to kids. The mayor once again relies on Schemer's cue cards to answer that kids should send their nickels to Schemer, who'll give them all the advice they need. The crowd once again "boos" the suggestion as Schemer shouts out "yays." The mayor tries to regain his composure by revealing that it was Schemer tell him what to answer. Schemer hastily writes something down and flashes the cue card to the mayor who mistakenly reads it as "I Quiet," which Schemer corrects that it reads "I Quit." The mayor bellows out to Schemer that he can't quit because he's fired. The audience voices their approval, prompting Schemer to hastily leave the station sulking.

The mayor's confidence is restored as he apologizes and promises to buy new equipment for the playground. He continues by admitting that he was slow to act on the issue of recycling, but vows to get right on it if re-elected, and confesses that his biggest mistake was hiring Schemer. Mr. Conductor is seen listening to the speech from behind one of Schemer's campaign posters just as the mayor quotes his saying that every engine has to pull its own freight cars. He ends the speech by saying that although he may sometimes seem distracted, he thanks and respects every one of them. The audience responds by giving Mayor Flopdinger and standing ovation.

Election Day comes and everyone, even Mr. Conductor, is casting their vote in the ballot box. The girls arrive at the station and Kara asks Ted Typo who he voted for. Becky reminds her friend that voting is a private affair. Ted doesn't mind telling them that he did not bother to vote as he feels that it would not make a difference. Becky informs him that whoever wins will be the his mayor whether he voted or not. Becky's point convinces Ted to cast his vote anyway, but maintains that it won't make a difference as he inserts his ballot into the box.

The election results are in by 7 p.m. with Midge excitedly tells Stacy that Mayor Flopdinger won by one vote and feels that her ballot made the difference. Schemer tries to take credit for the mayor's win but relents his boasting as Midge and Stacy state at him incredulously. Mayor-elect Flopdinger rushes into the station in a celebratory mood congratulating himself for winning on his own and thanking everyone has except Schemer for their support, and adding that he intends to honor his campaign promises. Ted Typo also feels good for participating and tells the kids that his vote mattered just like the everyone else's, and exchanges high-fives with Kara and Becky.

Richhouse later enters the station carrying his suitcase and Stacy congratulates him for making a good campaign effort and asks if he's going on a vacation. He informs them that he's moving on and stands on his podium to announce that he's not quitting, but moving on to a new town and a new election. Becky asks why he'd want to enter election having just lost this one. Richhouse asks the kids to step closer to the podium as he admits to making mistakes in the past, but if he wins another election he promises to help all of the people. He explains that any elected politician who doesn't try to help all of the people does not deserve to win, and asks the kids to remember that when they're old enough to vote. A locomotive whistle announces his train's arrival and Richhouse tells them not to worry; one day when they all think he's gone forever, he'll be back. He flashes a victory sign as Stacy and the kids say goodbye and wish him luck as he leaves.

Characters

Thomas Stories

Jukebox Band Segment Song

Hurray For The Railway

Trivia

Richard Richhouse resembles the 37th president of the United States Richard Nixon.
Neither Billy nor Dan do not appear in this episode.
"Meet the Kids" may be a play on the NBC political commentary/interview program "Meet the Press"
Richhouse was played by actor Richard Dixon (James Laroe), a Nixon look-alike. The episode originally aired without incident in January 1993 with at least two additional repeats afterwards that did not draw undue attention. By unfortunate coincidence, the episode was rebroadcasted on April 27, 1994, the day of former President Nixon's funeral. According to a Washington Post article filed the following day, an apology was given by PBS after receiving a number of phoned-in complaints.
In the same April 28, 1994 Washington Post article, Co-Creator and Co-Producer Rick Siggelkow provided some additional insight and clarification about the episode. "The intent was not to make fun of him [Mr. Nixon] on the show" and at the episode's conclusion "Richhouse gives us a very strong, positive speech about why it's important to be in public life, to vote and to vote for someone who cares about people. There was no political reason for choosing Nixon. We considered [former New York mayor] Ed Koch because he was tenacious. I saw Nixon as almost a folklore figure - there was something that just made him seem like the logical one to be in the episode. He's not the villain of the peace by any means."

Goofs

When Mr. Conductor is introducing James Learns a Lesson, he states that James was going too fast with the freight cars, but James was pulling a passenger train, not a freight train.

Quotes

Midge Smoot (after Richhouse's speech): Well, he must know what he's talking about, I don't understand a word he's saying!
Mr. Conductor (struggling with the balloon): This is what you get when you lose control of your own hot air, you get all puffed up just like some of those politicians around here!

Gallery

Episode

The Mayor Runs For Re-Election