"Apollo you're on in five, Tzipora they want you back in makeup, your crying in the last set messed up your eyes."

"Oh will you stop!" Tzipora laughed, throwing her dirty tissues at the stage manager. Tousling her crimped peacock wig, Tzipora clicked her heels behind Apollo towards the makeup room. "Don't let them start without me hon." She ran her hands along the back of his sapphire suit and stepped delicately down the marble steps.

"Don't take too long, darlin'." Apollo called after her, chuckling. He tapped the monitor on the desk table, lighting up twenty four different face. He zoomed in, scanning each one carefully trying to analyze their differences: the scar on the District Eleven boy's eyebrow, the tainted glasses on District Eleven's girl, and the shoulder slouch in the District Twelve girl. He tried to keep a tally of the youngest ones versus the oldest ones, trying not to think about the uneven balance.

"You have less than sixty seconds, Apollo." The cameras whirred to life and snapped their attention to him. The teleprompter blinked the countdown to air and the lights brightened above him.

"Tzipora, are you coming, love?" He called, knowing he wouldn't receive a response. Adjusting his gemmed bowtie, he grinned for the last five seconds of the countdown.

"Good evening Panem!" The teleprompter scrolled lazily, some words spelled phonetically so he didn't accidentally stumble. "It's been an exciting few days since the scores have been announced for this year's HUNGER GAMES!" The capitalization was the teleprompter's, not his.

He smiled, showing of his newly polished teeth. "In a mere hour and a half, our tributes will be entering the arena and the 37th Annual Hunger Games will be in full effect! As a reminder, betting closes half an hour before the games begin so be sure your favorite tribute has the edge in the arena!" Pressing the table screen, the tribute's faces went to the large screen behind him.

"For those who haven't been keeping a close eye, here's all of the tributes in order from highest

score to lowest score. District Eleven, Brom, leading with 11 points while District Ten and District Nine's female tributes are the last of the group. But, that doesn't mean a thing when it comes to the arena, it amplifies everyone's weaknesses, we'll be keeping a look out for all of our tributes." He internally sighed, it was the same speech every year, almost word for word. But he's come to terms with it, twenty four die to save the rest, it's how the world functions now.

"We'll be starting a countdown shortly, this year will promise to be the best year yet!" The cameras and teleprompter blinked off and the studio became busy again. People walked back and forth, talking through headsets. Tzipora walked back next to Apollo, sitting down in the plush chair designated for her.

"That went well, dove. You excited for the games?"

He smiled, not wanting to tip Tzipora off. "Like I said, I'm sure it will be the best year yet."