"Plutarch, we have to talk," said Haymitch. He had gone to meet Plutarch in a secret room in the basement of Plutarch's house.

"What about?" asked Plutarch with his eyebrows raised.

"Effie," Haymitch stated blankly.

"I wondered when you were going to bring her up," said Plutarch; he had had a feeling that, eventually, Effie would come into play.

"Look, Effie doesn't know about this plan yet, but she will find out, and when she does, there's no telling how long she'll last before the Peacekeepers take her."

Plutarch gave a stern look. "When she finds out, she'll be dead the next morning. Or worse. No one has use for an escort from District 12 who has no information to give up."

Haymitch knew Plutarch was right. "We'll have to get her out of here when we leave," he said.

"Will she even come? I can't see Effie deciding to join a rebellion; she's never been the type," Plutarch stated.

"She can't even have the choice; she has to come. Even if she doesn't do it for our reasons, she'll do it for her own. Make it personal; it is Effie, after all." Haymitch and Plutarch stared into one another's eyes in silence for a little while. Finally, Plutarch gave a great sigh,

"Fine. I could use a right hand; when she decides to join us, she'll make a great one." Plutarch knew that the only way that Effie would be allowed in 13 is if she proved to be of some use to someone. He had always admired her ability to organize things neatly and to keep schedules to the second; she was the perfect assistant, and that was how he planned to use her.

"Plutarch, make sure that no one in 13 hurts her; she might not be so welcome there," said Haymitch.

"She will be welcomed there if I say she is. Haymich, I promise you that nothing will happen to her; Effie is a tough, smart woman, and she will make it wherever she is."

Haymitch knew why Effie and Plutarch were friends; they both had a sense of determination about them that he was sure would make them an invincible team.

"Well, I guess that's all. See you at the Games."

"See you there," Plutarch said.

Haymitch left the room, hoping that Plutarch would come through on his promise.