A/N: Sick of these yet? Yes? Tough luck... I'm still there. More characters introduced. I hope the time line is correct in this. I tried to find out but it seems murky. Any help on that would be nice. As usual some R&R is also good.


Cave Johnson wasn't a small man and by no means a big man either. He did have a presence though that made you pay attention to him straight away. Douglas sat in his office while Cave was in the room next door with Caroline and another man with a brief case. Douglas couldn't make out the words but the conversation started off calmly before Cave got angry and started to shout. Caroline spoke a few soft words which seemed to calm him down and very soon the two men were laughing again. Caroline reminded Cave that there was still an interview waiting and that he should go.

He entered his small office and sat himself swiftly down across from Douglas. Caroline entered shortly after and gave Cave Johnson some files. She left after that but not before giving Douglas a small encouraging smile.

Mr. Johnson looked at briefly and placed them to the side. "So, Douglas Rattmann? Where does the name come from? Norway? Swedish?" He had a southern accent. Not too broad, but noticeable.

Douglas coughed to dislodge the ball of fear that had gathered in his throat. He never was in such a situation. The counsellor never really helped him. "It's... It's Dutch really." He stammered on further a sentence about his parents coming from there.

"Son, I'm going to be honest here with you. I'm looking for a few scientists. But not one of those out of college types who studied everything they know but don't know how the real world works. I'm looking for those who can see a new future. A new Science. A new future with Aperture Science. We need to move forward with science by breaking the rules and setting up our own ones. The old rules only brought us so far. I mean who set up the Laws of thermodynamics? Who says we should obey them? I don't care if it's impossible, we'll make it possible: By breaking the Law!"

Douglas was beginning to wonder if all interview were like that or if Cave Johnson was a mad man. Albeit a very rich mad man with a company, with military backing. Cave suddenly started to cough and hit the PA system next to him. "Caroline: Some water and painkillers please." He then continued to cough. Caroline entered with water that was fizzing. Douglas assumed that the painkiller was dissolving in the water. She placed it on the table and left straight after that. She seemed to be a busy woman. Cave's coughing slowed down as he drank the fizzing water.

Cave seemed to suddenly relies that Douglas was still there. "So, yeah, that's what I want from the lab boys. They just won't give it to me. Doug, do you know what Aperture means?"

Douglas frowned. He saw this once in college in the photography club. His parents thought he might be an artist of some kind. He never was that interested in photography more in to drawing but that didn't matter anyway since he moved out. Here he was, a crazy man asking a crazy man for a job.

"It's a... it's a hole... or opening of some kind... usually to do with shutters in photography." Douglas answered stammering through the sentence. He was so nervous. He's hands shook and he grabbed hold of his pants to stop them.

Cave seemed overjoyed with that answer. "Exactly, a hole. And Our science is going to fill it. We do what we must to fill that hole because we can. We need to fill that hole with our science. We need to fill it with something people want. People all need. What do need right at this minute in your home, son?"

Doug pondered that for a second what did he need? The apartment he was renting was falling apart but it was understandable he just couldn't afford any more. "A shower curtain would be nice."

Cave laughed at that. "I like you, Doug. You say what you think and you have a smart head on your shoulders. Now the bean counters in the department down below are asking that I go through this interview thing properly but do know what I say, son?"

Douglas shook his head to say no. It seemed the less he said the better.

Again this satisfied, Johnson, who smiled as if he just understood the idea of Christmas. "I say to hell with them. I run this place, so I can employ who ever I like and I'm employing you. Right now. Welcome to Aperture Science, Doug Rattmann!"

Johnson leaned back into his chair as if the deed was down just with that. He pulled out a cigar and lit it. Doug (he let himself be called that now) watched fascinated as the smoke curled around Johnson. As if the idea suddenly came to him and it was new Johnson sprang forward from the chair and asked: "When can you start?"

"Now, if possible." Doug surprised himself with that statement.

Johnson started to laugh at that. "Talk to Caroline about the paper work and what is required from you. You'll be on the Quantum Tunneling Device Project. Down in Test Shaft 9. Start as soon as possible."

With that Doug had a job. He couldn't believe it.


Caroline handed him the papers to sign and explained that almost everyone lived on site and that everything was provided for. Even shower curtains, she said with a smile.

"Is there anyone you want to contact?" Caroline asked. As an answer to Doug's questioning face she carried on with, "Aperture Science encourages every social activity to occur on site. It could be implicated in to testing."

That made sense in a weird way. He called his parents to explain everything and that he'll contact when necessary. It simply meant never but it was more of a formal thing. Just to have contacted someone. He also called his counsellor to cancel any appointments and future appointments.

After that all that was left was get all of his belonging and move in to a small living space with no windows that he would call his. Not exactly what you call inviting he thought but still better than nothing. He had everything he deemed valuable and packed it in one trip. Waiting in his room was a computer on a small table with an office chair,a telephone, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a bed with two small bundles. A note lay between them.

Please choose one. Caroline.

The bundles were shower curtains. Now the joke got out of hand. She were making fun of him. He grabbed one and went to the door to give back the curtain when another person entered. He smiled when he saw Doug. "Hi, Douglas." He said simply waiting. Doug looked at him as if he was an alien. Who was he? "Oh! Mr...Vivek?"

The man smiled friendly, "He remembers! Call me, Henry. We'll be working together from now. I live a few doors down so far enough if I have to avoid you." He laughed lightly at his joke. Douglas smiled too unsure what to do now as Henry just strolled in and admired his room. "About the same size as mine I think," he commented, "I think you got the nicer sheets though on your bed. Did you bring them yourself?" He chattered on and on like that until he saw the curtains. "Aw, lucky bastard. Someone got the favour of the boss's secretary. Hey, can I have the other one if you don't want it?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever." Doug's mind was numbed by his mindless chatter. Henry's face lit up as if he was given the best present ever. "Cool man."

He got up to leave, maybe hang up the shower curatin, but stopped at the door. "Oh, yeah. I meant to tell you; work begins at nine sharp. Be there or be square." Laughing at himself, Henry closed the door and left Doug to unpack his few earthly belongings thousands of miles below the earth.