The Hunger Games Tribute Guide (9 page)

O
ur host for the evening, as always, is the inimitable Caesar Flickerman. With his trademark colored hair and sparkling suit, Caesar is skilled at coaxing shy tributes out of their shells. He really knows how to work an audience.

Now, Caesar opens up the Hunger Games pregame gala with a broad smile. Bright spotlights shine onstage. His jacket — and the whole stage in fact — glitters in the light. Soon, all of the tributes will come out onstage for interviews with Caesar. This is the moment when the tributes will open up to the audience. They’ve had a chance to win sponsors with their looks and their physical skills, but here’s a chance for them to show how smart or personable or funny they are. Maybe they share a little story from back home. Maybe they give Caesar a hint of what their strategy will be in the Games. Maybe they just smile and flirt. We’ll see what reveals we have this year. . . .

Katniss Everdeen has been all the buzz in the Capitol. She’s even known as the Girl on Fire since making such a bright showing at the tribute parade. The audience is eager to hear what she has to say for herself. But there’s a long roster of interviews before the District 12 tributes will take the hot seat.

The tributes get dolled up in a backstage dressing room, then line up in anticipation of their interviews. You really remember how young they are when you see how impatient they get waiting!

As always, the interviews start with the lowest numbered district. First on the list is Glimmer. The beautiful blonde bombshell from District 1 looks pretty thrilled to be here. A Career, Glimmer has been training for the Games her whole life. Caesar compliments her outfit, and the crowd goes wild. Glimmer clearly knows how to work the crowd.

Other highlights from the interviews include Marvel, the male tribute from District 1, who has a happy, positive presence onstage, but doesn’t seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed.

Cato, the male tribute from District 2, wins over the audience with his charming, slightly cocky persona.

Clove, from District 2, looks absolutely stunning in a frilly, orange dress with ribbon trim, and her hair piled in elegant twists atop her head. A bit of sarcasm mixed in with the sweetness keeps her interview interesting.

The fox-faced girl from District 5 comes across as sly and elusive.

Another highlight from the interviews is little Rue from District 11. This lovely twelve-year-old has captivated the audience. But does she have a chance in the arena?

Finally, the Girl on Fire makes her appearance onstage. She’s in a gorgeous, fire-red, off-the-shoulder gown.

“That was quite an entrance you made at the tribute parade. Can you tell us about it?” Caesar asks.

“Oh, well . . . I just hoped I wouldn’t get burned to death.”

Mild laughter greets Katniss’s statement, and it’s clear that the nervous tribute starts to relax. As Caesar and Katniss continue to chat, she warms up to the audience even more. Finally, Katniss surprises and delights the audience when she stands up and twirls. In motion, her dress reveals itself to be flickering and bright — she’s still on fire, all right!

Katniss ends her interview by declaring that she will be trying to win the Hunger Games — for her little sister, Prim. A huge ovation greets her touching statement.

But it’s Peeta who throws the real shocker this evening. He’s funny and warm onstage, immediately likeable. He jokes back and forth with Caesar, keeping him on his toes with sharp repartee. Caesar asks Peeta if he has a girl back home — a special someone.