The Day That Started It All

"Oh boy, oh boy Daddy.  I can't wait to see your job!"  Little Chell bounced up

and down in the back seat of her Dad's car.  She was excited because today was Bring-Your-

Daughter-to –work day at the Aperture Labratories, where her father worked as a scientist.

"You see where I work every day when your mom drives you to school."  Her father

said as drove up to the Lab's parking lot.

"Yeah, but I never get to see inside, or what your do, or even where you sit!"

"That's because my boss likes to keep our work private, but he's been kind of

sick lately.  Besides, today we are going to unveil our new creation, and my boss says

this will put Aperture Lab on the map."  Her father parked the car and went to the

backseat to get Chell.  After he got her out of the car, he went to the trunk and got out

a trifold board and a plastic bag.  "We wouldn't want to forget this huh?  I know how

much time you spent on it."

"Oh yeah, I just hope not everyone did a potato battery."

"Even if they did, I bet yours will be the best.  Speaking of the other kids, I

want you to keep our new creation a secret okay!"

"Ooooh you mean your super, secret robot GLaDOS!"  Chell yelled as she went into

her father's arms.

"Yes but not even some of the kids' dad's know what it is, and I'll get into a

lot of trouble if anyone finds out I told you, so no spilling the beans okay."

"Okay Daddy, but I'm gonna see you when they show the robot right!"  Chell held

her Dad's hands as they both walked into the large building.

"Of course, but you'll have to wait a little bit before you see it.  Until then

you'll go with the other girls and do some fun science stuff. Oh here comes someone you

know!"  Chell's dad motioned to the man walking up to them.  He was a tall, skinny man

with a jet black hair and a beard.  He wore a lab coat and worked in the same section as

Chell's dad.

"Hi Mr. Ratman!!!"  Chell ran up and hugged the man.  He and her father had been

friends for as long as Chell could remember, and he always came to their house to hang

out.
"Well if it isn't my two favorite scientists.  So Chelly when are you gonna start

a job here huh?"  He picked up Chell and spun her around.

"Aw Doug, she isn't even out of grade school yet, besides I don't want her cooped

up in this old place."

"Nu-uh I'm gonna be a scientist like you Daddy.  Then I can help you and Mr.

Ratman and do a bunch of sciency stuff.  Look Mr. Ratman I did an expirement like you and

Daddy!"  Chell showed the man her trifold.

"Oh wow a potato battery!  See man I told you she inherited your science genes.  

He Chell, did you know that when your dad and I went to school, his got his first science

fair medal by making a potato battery?"

"Aw wow dad, you never told me that, now I hafta become a scientist!"

"She does have a knack for that kind of stuff dude, heck I'm not surprised if she lands a

job here by the time she's in highschool."  Ratman ruffled Chell's hair and looked at his

watch.  "Aw Jeeze we're gonna be late!  Sorry sweetie, your Dad and I have to run but

we'll see you later."

"Alright Chell, go follow those girls who are in line and I'll see you at 1:00

okay."  He hugged her and lightly shoved her in the right direction.

"Okay Daddy, oh and I won't tell anyone about the ro-, ah secret!"  And with

that, Chell ran to the line.  As she could see Ratman look at her father questioningly.