Skiff and the Mermaid Humanized Rewrite

Prologue

Skiff is a young boy at 15 years old, with light brown hair and sea green eyes. 5 years ago, he had a family and a home on the shores of England. But in anger and frustration with his parents under a strong argument, Skiff ran away on a cargo ship to the island of Sodor. Even though Skiff’s parents got into arguments with their child, they still loved him and went on search to find him. They took their small skiff sailboat they owned next to their seaside home, and began searching along the coast and sea. But as they did, they were caught up in a storm and the small sailboat was swept under the waves, taking Skiff’s mother and father with them.
When Skiff reached Sodor on the cargo ship, he heard about the news of his parents from a dockworker who was reading a newspaper. Skiff didn't know what to do now as he had no family or home. A retired Navy soldier, by the name of John, saw the boy onboard the ship, and decided to take him in as the son he wanted to have. Skiff was first grateful for John's hospitality, but he soon realized that the old man, properly named Sailor John, was greedy and cruel, for he was in search of some pirate treasure for many years. And with Skiff as his “cabin boy”, Sailor John used the extra help he could to find it.
As the years past, the two have searched along coastline after coastline of the island repeatedly, and there was still no sign of the treasure. They travel onboard a skiff sailboat that belonged to Sailor John and they stayed in a shack on a rocky shore, hidden from the public. Skiff was soon abused and punished by Sailor John whenever the boy disobeyed the old man or tried to run away from him.
It had gone on for five years until one summer, a blue E2 tank engine that belonged to the island’s railways, fell into a collapsed cavern and revealed a pirate ship that was hidden deep in the earth. The driver of that engine was named Thomas Billington, and the boy at 16 years old was soon swept up into Sailor John and Skiff’s hunt for the treasure, as I’m sure most of you would know the upcoming events.
Now that after the treasure was discovered, Sailor John was placed under arrest of theft, and Skiff was finally released from Sailor John's abusement. The boy was soon adopted by a lighthouse keeper named Joe, who had a son named Jim.
Sailor John’s railboat was now owned by Joe at Arlesburg Harbor where he, Jim, or Skiff drive it, giving railboat tours at the harbor to tourists. Skiff had never felt happier, now that he had a family and home again. Skiff also was happy to see Thomas’ engine coming through the harbor and soon Skiff made friends with the other engine drivers of Sodor.
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One day, Skiff was finishing up another railboat tour with three guests at the harbor. He stopped next to the Maritime Museum, where he overheard a conversation between the Museum Owner and Sir Topham Hatt, the controller of the railways of Sodor.

Museum Owner: Ah, so we’ll see the mermaid tomorrow?

STH: Oh yes, if not sooner.

Skiff: (to himself) A mermaid?

As the guests un-boarded the railboat, Montague Swindon's train then pulled into the harbor. His real name was indeed Montague but his friends sometimes called him Duck.

Duck: (steps out of cab) Hello Skiff.

Skiff: Guess what Duck?! Sir Topham Hatt just said there’s a mermaid coming in tomorrow!

Duck: A mermaid? What’s a mermaid Skiff?

Skiff: A creature that lives in the sea. It has the body of a woman and a tail like a fish.

Duck: A fish woman? (chuckles) You must have misheard him. There’s no such thing.

Skiff: Oh there is Duck! I’ve heard lots of tales about mermaids. Just…never actually seen one. Oh but I would love to.

Duck’s train was ready to leave so the Great Western Driver climbed back into his engine’s cab, blew his engine’s whistle, and the train pulled away. Later, after Skiff parked the railboat next to the lighthouse, the 15-year-old boy spent the rest of the day, looking out to sea while sitting on the coastal wall. He was hoping to be the first to see the mermaid, but he didn’t see any sign of her. Puffing backwards on the track next to the lighthouse was Oliver Collet's train. As soon as the train came to a stop for the cargo to be unloaded, Oliver and his guard Toad joined Skiff.

Toad: (sits next to him) Hello Mr. Skiff. Why are you staring out to sea like that?

Skiff: There’s a mermaid arriving soon Toad. I REALLY want to see her, but Duck didn’t seem to believe that mermaids don’t exist.

Oliver: (stands next to Skiff instead of sitting) Well unexpected things can happen. Once Toad saw a whale stranded on the beach last summer and I didn’t believe him. But it was true.

Toad: (smiles) That’s right Mr. Skiff, it was.

Skiff sighed dreamily as he rests his head on his fists, looking out to sea again. By nightfall, Skiff had no luck with finding the mermaid. He barely had a wink of sleep that night, as he was too excited to see the mermaid. Early the next morning, Skiff was the first to leave the house quietly and drive the railboat to the Maritime museum, in hopes of finding the mermaid again. But by lunchtime, there was still no sign of her and Skiff was beginning to feel down. Behind him, Duck had arrived with his train again, only he had brought in three visitors on board one of his slip coaches. They were Sir Topham Hatt and his two grandchildren: Stephen and Bridget Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: (to Museum Owner) I have it on good authority that the mermaid is on her way here right now.

Museum Owner: Oh how marvelous!

Skiff: Did you hear that Duck? She does exist! And I’m going to make sure I see her.

Duck: (from cab) Oh, well maybe it is true Skiff.

Just then Captain Joe and his son Jim arrived at the Maritime museum on foot.

Jim: There you are Skiff! You weren’t in bed and the raiboat was gone. We first thought you and the boat were stolen!

Captain Joe: Next time, please tell us where you’re going before you rush off. You gave us quite a scare.

Skiff: Yes sir. I’m sorry sir.

Sir Topham Hatt and his grandchildren then came forward.

Captain Joe: Hello Sir Topham Hatt. What can I do for you today?

STH: Well I thought today would be a lovely day for my grandchildren and I to have a railboat tour around the harbor.

Captain Joe: Oh not a problem sir. But I must warn you that I heard some stormy weather will be coming in this evening. But I’m sure this afternoon shall be smooth sailing. (chuckles)

Jim: I’ll go get lifejackets for the Hatt family, father. (walks inside the museum building)

Captain Joe: I’ll be checking on the lighthouse and get it set for this evening. Skiff, you can handle this tour right?

Skiff wasn’t paying attention as his gaze was instead out at the clear blue ocean, in hopes of seeing the destined mermaid.

Captain Joe: Ahem! Skiff!

Skiff: (turns to Captain Joe quickly) Huh? Sorry sir, what?

Captain Joe: What’s with you today Skiff? I asked if you could be the Hatt family’s tour guide for today.

Skiff: Oh yes, of course.

Captain Joe raised an eyebrow as began making his way to the lighthouse.

STH: Is something wrong Skiff?

Skiff: (slightly nervous) Oh not at all sir. I just… feel a little tired.

Skiff looked out to sea again and for a brief moment, he could see what looked like a mermaid’s tail flipping up the surface before it went back underwater.

Skiff: (gasps) There it is!

Before anyone could question him, Skiff quickly pulled up the blue anchor from the ground and opened the yellow and white stripped sail. A small gust of the sea wind pushed against the sail which started to roll the railboat down the slope.

STH: Wait what?! Skiff! Where are you going?!

Jim was just picking up three lifejackets from outside the back of the museum, when he heard Sir Topham Hatt’s shouts. Captain Joe was just about to open the door to the lighthouse entrance when he heard the screams as well. Both Jim and Captain Joe saw Skiff and the railboat roll down the track slope and splash into the water, leaving the wheels and chassey behind against some underwater buffers.
Skiff didn’t seem to care about everything behind him, for his goal was to find the mermaid and prove to Duck it was real. Skiff first sailed to the spot where he thought he saw the mermaid but he didn’t see any sign of her. But the young sailor wouldn’t give up so easily; feeling like Sailor John, Skiff felt determined to find the mermaid, even if it meant a complete circle around the island.
Back at Arlesburg Harbor, the Hatt family was quite upset and cross.

Captain Joe: Sir, I have no idea what’s gotten into that boy.

STH: (stern) Well as soon as he returns, I’d like to have a word with him. He has ruined my afternoon plans to spend time with my grandchildren.

Jim: Sir, I think I may have an idea what’s wrong. Last night, Skiff has told me about a mermaid and how he wants to see one. At first I thought he was pulling my leg but I think he was serious.

Far out in the ocean, Captain Joe could see dark storm clouds, slowly heading towards Sodor.

Captain Joe: I hope the boy makes it back soon. The storm seems to be coming in quicker than I thought.

A few miles from shore, Skiff was still in search of the mermaid. He examined through the waves carefully, in hopes of seeing any sign. He once thought he saw the tail again but it was just a baby whale coming up for air. He also thought he saw mermaid hair but it was a bunch of seaweed. The hot sun during the last hour of Skiff’s search had made the boy feel hot and thirsty. Skiff felt so lightheaded from all the searching that he didn’t seem to notice the storm clouds hovering behind him and his boat.

Skiff: (drowsy as he sits limply, staring out at just blue ocean) Heh… heh…

Soon the sun was covered and the sky began to grow dark as the first few pelts of rain hit Skiff which awoke him from his trance. When Skiff had finally come to his senses, he realized he was in big trouble. The storm made the wind blow hard and the waves rolled the little sailboat violently. Skiff first rolled his sail against the mast to prevent it from being torn by the wind, and then he grabbed for one of the row paddles. The young sailor had braved storms before but only with Sailor John; doing it by himself was a different story as Skiff tried to gain control of the boat by paddling.
There was a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder which startled Skiff. The big bang had made him lose his one and only paddle out in the rough ocean! Now Skiff was helpless against the storm so the boy grabbed hold of the mast in hopes of defense.

Skiff: (shuts his eyes) Oh why did I ever race off?! I should have known better than to stay behind instead of chasing some old sailor tale!

Just then, a large wave had knocked the sailboat over to its side and Skiff fell overboard! The boy kept coming up for air but each time he did so, another wave crashed down on top of him. Skiff’s throat filled with seawater and he was short of breath.
He tried reaching for his sailboat so he could take cover underneath it when flipped upside down, for he learned this technique by Sailor John. But the sailboat kept floating further away by the rough waves, which made Skiff’s chances of survival less and more of drowning.
Eventually, Skiff had used up all of his breath and they floated away in small bubbles. Skiff let unconsciousness take over his body as he sank helplessly to the ocean floor.

Skiff: (in thought before blacking out) Perhaps… I’ll see my parents again… (closes his eyes)

Suddenly from the dark depths of the ocean, a strange creature swam towards the young sailor and grabbed hold of his waist. The creature was a maiden with flowing brown hair and blue eyes. She also wore blue seashells on her breasts and had a blue fish like tail. She was a mermaid! The girl looked very concerned as saw the drowning sailor, so she pressed her lips against Skiff’s and blew air into his lungs. She then grabbed hold of his upper torso and pulled him up to the surface where it was still storming with the rain and harsh waves.
Luckily the mermaid was an excellent swimmer as all mermaids are, compared to humans, so she had no trouble helping Skiff to the nearest shore of Sodor. As the storm started to end, the mermaid finally reached the beach which was isolated from the nearest town on land. She had a little trouble helping Skiff and herself onto the sand but they were both soon clear of the water.
Skiff was still unconscious so the mermaid gave him another breath of air or two until she saw Skiff coughing the seawater out. The storm had now changed to a drizzle and everything seemed to be calm. Skiff was so tired that he slept through the whole evening and night, until he slowly awoke the next morning when the sun shown down. As he opened he eyes, he could see a face of a girl, who seemed to be looking down on him in a curious and happy way.

???: (whispers) Good morning.

Skiff gasped and quickly sat up. When he saw the girl had a fish tail, Skiff’s eyes were as wide as dish plates.

Skiff: (quietly) Y-you’re a… a… m-m…

???: (smiles) A mermaid.

Skiff: (still in shock) Y..yes… a mermaid… (shakes his head) W-what happened? Where am I? (gasps) Where’s my sailboat?!

???: (laughs) You’re quite funny. My name is Maria. I rescued you from drowning. And as for your um… “sailboat” thing, is that what you’re looking for? (points)

Resting on the shore on its side was the sailboat; some of its wooden boards were broken off and the sail was ripped to shreds from the storm.

Skiff: Oh dear… Captain Joe is gonna kill me when he finds out what happened… and for what I did… (turns to mermaid) But I cannot thank you enough for saving me. I thought some mermaids drown sailors for fun as they despise humans.

Maria: But if you thought of that, why did you come sailing out to find me?

Skiff: How did you know about that?

Maria: For I saw you on the shore yesterday afternoon, looking out to sea almost all day. It’s true how some mermaid colonies do drown sailors. But not in my father’s colony, for the mermaids there help save sailors or other humans from drowning. Usually, after we save a human we immediately return to the ocean before they see us. But… I couldn’t help but stay for I didn’t want you to be left alone on the shore. You were asleep all night. And I was… quite curious for I have never talked to a human before.

Skiff: (smiles) Well you’re talking to one now. My name is Skiff and… I’ve always wanted to see a mermaid. (eyes Maria’s blue tail) M-may I um... please touch your tail?

Maria was first hesitant but she could see that Skiff did not want to harm her. So she smiled and extended her tail for Skiff to stroke it. As the young sailor did, he felt the cool smooth scales and the feathery flippers. Maria asked the same thing if she could touch Skiff’s bare human legs. When Skiff said yes, Maria brushed her fingers against the sailor’s legs. Skiff had lost his shoes during the storm so Maria then played with Skiff’s toes and feet which tickled the young sailor into a fit of giggles. When Maria stopped, they both looked into each other’s eyes for a moment.

Maria: I’m so glad I met you.

Skiff: Me too! I can’t wait to tell my friend Duck that mermaids like you exist.

Maria: (worried) No! Please! Don’t tell anyone else about us.

Skiff: Why not?

Maria: Even though my father says that we help humans in danger, we still can’t take the risk of exposing ourselves to that many humans. We might be captured or killed by some, for I have heard stories of humans who do that.

Skiff: (holds her hand) Well I for one am not that kind of human. And don’t worry, you’re secret’s safe with me, Maria. But... I’ll miss you when you have to go back to your home. I bet it’s beautiful down there.

Maria: It certainly is. And I bet the human world is also lovely. I have seen several things along the shoreline, but I wish to see more.

Skiff: Then how about we meet each other again next time? Kind of like a once a week/once a month kind of deal.

Maria: (smiles big) I like that! How about on the light of the full moon, we’ll meet down at the beach of your home?

Skiff: It’s called Alresburg, and oh yes! I could tell you or share some things about the human world, Maria.

Maria: And- and I can share you some things from my underwater home, Skiff!

Skiff: Then it’s settled.

Just then, they were interrupted by a familiar buzzing. Flying in the sky, almost approaching the isolated beach was the white helicopter that belonged to the pilot Harold.

Skiff: Quick! You have to head back to your home Maria! Someone’s coming.

Maria was first sad to leave Skiff but she knew she didn’t want to get caught. She smiled sadly as she crawled her way back to the ocean and disappeared under the water just before Captain’s boat arrived.

Captain: There you are Skiff! Me and Harold have been looking all over for you! Thank goodness you’re alright. (looks at boat) Whoa… looks like you had a rough night. It’s a miracle your alright boy.

Skiff: (slightly smiles but a bit sad) Yes…

It was late afternoon by the time Captain had brought Skiff back to Arlesburg Harbor. It turned out Maria had brought Skiff to the northern part of Sodor which wasn’t far from the harbor. The sailboat was towed behind Captain’s boat and it was still in bad shape but still fixable. Waiting for Skiff on shore were Captain Joe, Jim, and Sir Topham Hatt. All three looked upset as Skiff departed Captain’s boat.

Skiff: I’m so sorry sirs. I only raced off because I thought I saw a mermaid…

Captain Joe: That still gives you no reason to rush off like that.

Jim: But I’m so glad you’re alright. You’re like a brother to me Skiff.

STH: As for this “mermaid” of yours Skiff… just what were you talking about?

Skiff: I meant for the mermaid that you said it would show up yesterday sir.

STH: (chuckles) I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong end of the stick Skiff. Come with us.

Skiff followed the three men to where the pirate ship stood on display, next to the lighthouse.

STH: (points as he smiles) There’s your mermaid Skiff.

Skiff could see a model carving of a mermaid, positioned at the front of the ship. Strangely enough, the mermaid looked almost identical to Maria but Skiff smiled at the masterpiece instead of telling them his secret encounter.
Throughout the day, Skiff had to mend his accident by fixing up the sailboat. It took nearly all day with placing new boards, re-painting the hull, and replacing the sail with a new one. By evening, Skiff was exhausted but Captain Joe was pleased of Skiff. The young sailor then made his way over to the coastal wall where he sat on the edge, looking out to sea again. Duck had arrived to Arlesburgh Habor for the evening as he finished his last train for the day. He found Skiff at the edge and walked over, sitting next to him.

Duck: Hello Skiff. I heard what happened but it’s great to see you’re alright. So! Did you find the mermaid you were looking for?

Skiff: Well yes and no... There’s a mermaid on the ship Duck.

Duck turned round and saw the statue.

Duck: (chuckles) Well I must say, she is quite beautiful.

Skiff: (sadly) yes… but I so hoped to see a real mermaid Duck. Ah well…

Even though Skiff was covering his tracks he still felt sad about missing his friend Maria.

Skiff: At least… I now know there’s no such thing as a mermaid.

Duck: (pats his back then stands up) Well, night Skiff.

Skiff: Night Duck.

When Skiff waited till Duck left him, Skiff looked out to the ocean again in hopes of finding his mermaid friend Maria. A cloud slowly parted to reveal a full moon which casted a beautiful white glow across the water. Skiff was then happy to see a mermaid’s tail peek out from the waters, and then a girl resurfacing. It was Maria the mermaid! Maria beamed when she saw Skiff and waved excitedly. Skiff smiled as he waved too at Maria. The young sailor now has a wonderful and secret friend to meet, for whenever there was a full moon.

The End