Portal 100 themes: 8 - Riddle

GLaDOS's voice came on over the speaker.
"I have a riddle for you. What is round, dense, white, and orange?"

Chell sighed, trotting along the hard light bridge.

"I'll give you a hint. It's one of us." GLaDOS chuckled.

She continued testing for a few more seconds.

"Now answering? How out of character for you. I suppose I'll just tell you the answer. The answer is-"

GLaDOS stopped, and Chell herself stopped moving. What was happening?
She stood still, staring at one camera with a look of alarm, on her face.

As the silence dragged on into minutes, the expression turned into one of concern. Something had happened to GLaDOS, and if that was the case, she was stuck where she was.

***

GLaDOS watched Chell's look of concern with unbridled joy, It warmed her soul to think that Chell still cared about GLaDOS.

Finally, after five minutes of silence, and Chell remaining inactive, GLaDOS turned the intercom back on.

"The answer is…" She spoke softly, still making Chell jump in surprise. "The answer is the surface of a star as it transitions into a white dwarf.

The door at the end of the light bridge opened revealing the stairs to the elevator. "Why don't you take the elevator to the break room? You can have some coffee and a rest. I think you've earned it."

Chell looked at the camera in uncertain surprise, before slowly giving it a large smile, and walking towards the door.