"And that concludes our final meeting before the start of the 36th Annual Hunger Games!" A series of whoops and hollers echoed the excitement in President Snow's words.
"You've all worked very hard this past year and I have confidence that this year's Games will not be one to be quickly forgotten, thanks to our newest Head Gamemaker, who you all know well by now."
The technicians and other Capitol officials dutifully applauded while stealing glances at the beaming young woman at the other end of the table, directly across from President Snow. Her eyes were wide with excitement of what was to come in the next few weeks. Others in the large boardroom shared in her enthusiasm for the Games, but they could not easily let go the fact that the previous Head Gamemaker had been fired after only one year of service for severely disappointing the Capitol audience with his obvious hatred for bloodshed. The Games had only gone downhill from the moment the gong rang; when there was only one death in the immediately following "bloodbath". The Head Gamemaker spent the rest of the Games forcing tributes apart instead of driving them together. The victor won purely by out-surviving the others. Needless to say, the one responsible for all of this was… disposed of quickly. This year's Head Gamemaker was definitely in a good position; the Games could only go up from here.
As the room cleared out, the young woman was whistling as she tidied her notes from the meeting and organized them in a briefcase. She was oblivious to the fact that she and the President were the only two left lingering, as everyone else was excited to finally be able to relax after months of excruciating planning. When she finally glanced up and realized his presence, she smiled and wished him a good night.
"Excited for the Reapings tomorrow, I presume?" he queried.
"Yes, of course, sir. I can't wait to see who I have to work with!" she responded with her usual bubbly nature.
She moved to exit through the wooden door to her right, when the President suddenly stepped in front of her. Leaning in closely, as though he feared being overheard by the empty chairs and dimly lit hallways, he whispered in her ear,
"I trust that I won't be disappointed?"
The threatening nature of his comment was clear. No matter what happened last year, if the young woman didn't make a good first impression she wouldn't be back for a second term. The Head Gamemaker gulped nervously, but tried not to let it show.
"Of course not, sir, I wouldn't dream of it. I'll see you tomorrow to watch the Reapings, then?" She quickly plastered her smile back on.
"Yes, yes. Go along, get your rest. Tomorrow is a big day." President Snow smiled back at her, though remnants of the menace of his previous remark still shone bright in his eyes.
"Yes, sir. Have a good night!" The Head Gamemaker proceeded to smile, wave and quickly scuttle away from her less than saintly employer. President Snow watched her leave, amused. He had made his point clearly. She feared him, just as everyone did, but with good reason. He was the President of Panem; he was invincible.
"I will, don't you worry," he mumbled to himself. "And may the odds be ever in your favour… you're going to need it if you want to impress me."
A/N I do not own the Hunger Games (I think every HG fanfiction writer wishes they did). On a side note, the concept of the previous Head Gamemaker being fired was NOT a shot at anyone else's story, just an idea I had. Thanks to everyone for their support so far! Now let's get on with the Reapings! :D