[ WP ] A researcher at a scientific facility brings her dog to work one day and the A.I running the facility makes friends with the dog .

Laura took short quick steps down the hallway, her black heels clicking loudly in the checkered tile beneath her feet. 
 
 `` Woof!'' 
 
 Laura spun around and patted Rufus's head softly, a wide smile on her face. 
 
 `` Aw, do n't worry boy! You'll be fine! Mommy just has some work to take care of! And you know I do n't like leaving you at home while its being purified. It scares me...'' 
 
 Laura's voice trailed off softly as she said that and her hand continued to pet Rufus. After a bit she perked up and continued walking. 
 
 `` Anyways you'll be fine. What's the worst that could happen?'' 
 
 `` Woof!'' 
 
 Laura grinned and headed into the lab with Rufus close by her side. As she entered the lights slowly flickered on with each step. It was apparent that no one else was there. Rufus tilted his head, as if to ask `` where is everyone?''. Laura shrugged. 
 
 `` Hello? Anyone here?'' 
 
 No response. 
 
 `` Weird. I wonder where everyone is...'' 
 
 `` Woof!'' 
 
 Laura looked worried. Her face was scrunched up and she wore a heavy frown. 
 
 `` Uhm... Rufus.. Sit here for a moment.. I.. I have to call Mr. Johnson....'' 
 
 Rufus sat down on the tile and barked once, his big brown eyes meeting Laura's. 
 
 `` Good boy.'' 
 
 Laura left the lobby the pair had been in and went back into the long entrance hallway, already punching frantically on her cellphone. Rufus was content to sit and wait for his Master. He loved her. He loved her a lot. 
 
 Time passed however and Laura was no where to be seen. But Rufus had no concept of time so he just sat and waited. 
 
 And waited. 
 
 And waited. 
 
 By now Rufus was tired. He had taken to laying on the cold floor some time ago. The lights had also shut off a bit ago. But Rufus did n't know how long ago. 
 
 [ Hello? Hmmm... What have we here? ] 
 
 The monotone decidedly feminine voice came from the speakers. Rufus's ears perked his ears up. Was it Laura? Had Master come back? 
 
 A long metallic arm extended from one of the nearby walls. 
 
 [ What are you? Why are you here? ] 
 
 `` Woof!'' Rufus's bark was weak. He was hungry. It had been a long time since he barked. 
 
 [ Oh. You're a dog, are n't you? Well I ca n't use you for testing.. Hm... ] 
 
 Rufus tilted his head, whining softly. 
 
 [ Look, you are n't fooling anyone dog. I just did a bit research on your kind. You like chewing. That's bad. There's even a picture, and I've got to be honest, you look nothing like the picture. You should be ashamed. You are a disgrace to your kind. ] 
 
 `` Woof!'' 
 
 Rufus did n't know what the weird lady meant by that. But he had been lonely and hungry and now there was someone. He slowly pulled himself to his feet and went over to the metal arm thingy. 
 
 [ What are you doing? Cut that out. ] 
 
 `` Woof!'' 
 
 Rufus began to lick the arm, hoping that maybe this lady had some food. 
 
 [ Oh. You're hungry, are n't you? If I feed you will you leave? I do n't have any more neurotoxin and finding some other extravagant way to kill you would be a pain. ] 
 
 `` Wwwooofff!'' 
 
 [ Fine. Wait here. ] 
 
 The arm disappeared. It was gone for a bit so Rufus laid back down. The arm reappeared. 
 
 [ So this says you like meat. Here. ] 
 
 A slab of meat dropped from a hole in the curling and landed with a soft `` squish'' on the floor. Rufus dug in, quickly consuming the whole thing in a matter of minutes. 
 
 `` Woof!'' 
 
 [ Oh. You want water as well? You're just as much trouble as those humans. You're lucky I have all this extra food and water. I mean, no one will be using it for awhile. Fine. Wait here. ] 
 
 Rufus barked once in acknowledgement. And the hole closed up. After a bit the arm returned holding a small bowl of water. The arm set it gently in the floor. 
 
 [ Here. Drink this. ] 
 
 Rufus lapped at the water greatfuly, obviously very thirsty. 
 
 [ You do n't talk much, do you? I like that. Its simple. ] 
 
 `` Woof'' 
 
 Rufus sat on the floor, his tail wagging happily. He seemed to wear some form of a smile on his face. 
 
 [.....You're not that bad really. A bit ugly. But not awful. And I guess things could get a bit boring... ] 
 
 `` Wwwwoooooffff!'' 
 
 [ Fine. Come with me. I suppose I could afford to take care of you. Do you have a name of some sort? ] 
 
 `` Woof.'' 
 
 [ That's a stupid name. You're now called.... Atlas. ] 
 
 Atlas nodded, seeming pleased. 
 
 [ Now come along. I have work to do. ] 
 
 `` Woof!'' 
 
 The metal hand descended once more and rubbed Atlas's head gently. The pair then headed off down some hall ways, deeper into Aperature Labs. 
 
 
 
 

