Life after March 4th went very fast. I helped with the Aperture Science Portable Quantum Tunneling Device. We also worked on a gel. It makes things bounce. Cave and I decided to call it Repulsion Gel. Cave and I became very close. As co-workers. April,1952 was one of the best months in my entire career

Cave walked into the office with a frown on his face.

"Second again! Damn Black Mesa."

"It's OK Mr. Johnson."

"Look Caroline. It shows the inventions in the contest. And a review. Number 2. Aperture Science's Repulsion Gel. Aperture Science's new gel makes things bounce. This is great, but NOT HELPFUL! Why I oughta. Let's read Black Mesa's." He looked in awe and disbelief. "No. Black Mesa's Displacer Cannon is a breakthrough in the world of science. It opens portals into walls. With very little problems to fix like the limited ammunition, this may be the greatest thing in science history. They stole our secret. They have their goddamn 'Gravity Gun'. They should stay away from our innovations."

"Mr. Johnson. Don't. It'll raise your blood pressure."

"I'm just so angry.", he stopped, then looked at me like he'd realized something, "Caroline! We can use the gel to help test the Quantum Tunneling Device. You know what those lab boys are always saying about that whole 'preservation of speed' load. Well, we could get the test subjects to jump from a high distance, bounce, then go into a portal. That will increase distance! Caroline! Go! Draw out a chamber like that."

"Mr. Johnson. We can't. Humans are fragile. Jumping from long distances can break their legs, or kill them! Can't you invent a shock absorbing boot or something?"

"No. But you can."

"No. I can't."

"Caroline, you are one of the smartest people here. You can invent something like that. You're just very modest"

"Mr. Johnson. Even if I could, something like that will cost millions of dollars to develop."

"But Caroline, think of how much money we would save on test subjects dying, damaged testing equipment, and cleaning services. I want you to get right on it."

"Yes sir, Mr. Johnson!"

For days I worked on that pesky long fall boot. Designing, building, testing, failing. That was what the process was. The shock absorbers were too weak. After a week, an employee brought in my inspiration.

"They are called smart molecules.", he said, holding up a blob of some doughy substance. "If you put a lot of force on them, they pack together and become hard and not easy to break."

"You are a genius", I said, "I'm going to tell Mr. Johnson to give you a raise. You just need to help me."

A few days later, we finished the long fall boot. Cave was pleased.

"Caroline. You are great.", he then went on a load speaker. "Dear all employees, WE HAVE MADE ANOTHER INNOVATION!" I heard cheers from the entire facility.

The long fall boots made test subjects last longer. Longer living test subjects let us make less Quantum Tunneling Devices which let us save money. I was making Aperture Science richer.

A few days later, I decided to ask for time off work. I love working but I needed to see some family. It was my birthday.

"Mr. Johnson?", I asked.

"Yes Caroline?"

"Every year I work on my birthday and it's my birthday soon so my family is taking me on vacation and-"

"So, you want me to let you off for a few days?"

"Well, yes, please."

"Caroline, you are the backbone to this entire company. But, you never take a break.", he sat for a minute, thinking. "Caroline, you can take as long as you want off."

"Thank you Mr. Johnson"

"Now C'mon! We have science to do! Any new chamber ideas?"

A week later was a day before I was to leave. I walked and found nothing in my office. I was shocked. I went looking around. I couldn't find anything so I went to Cave's office. I found a note. It read: Caroline. Like I said a week ago, you are the backbone to this company. Therefore, I'm declaring this day, an annual holiday. Go home and pack up. Even the greatest minds need a break. From CJ.