James wasn't happy about this arrangement. He wanted to help his friend Percy, but he wasn't told to help.
"Why does Percy get to help, and I don't?" He asked Thomas crossly.
"Well, he is green, James, and you aren't. Even if he is your close and dear friend, you can't always help him."
And he puffed away to work on his branch line.
But the tank engine's words gave James an idea.
'I know! I'll go to the Steamworks, and ask Victor to paint me green.' He thought.