Chapter 7 – The Effie Trinket Show

"Oh, no," Katniss panicked. Prim was only fourteen. If they reinstated The Games, she could be reaped and there was nothing Katniss could do to help her. She was too old to volunteer to take her place. In fact, Katniss wouldn't put it past the Capitol to deliberately reap the sister of a television star simply for the publicity that would ensue.

She felt Peeta's arm wrap around her. "It will be all right. They'll get Haymitch back."

Katniss squirmed in embarrassment. She hadn't been thinking about their drunken neighbor at all.

Cressida sighed. "It's good we sent Portia home, but we'll have to revamp tomorrow's show. It's going to be a long night."

Effie sat down at the table. "This is just like Haymitch." She clicked her tongue in frustration. "Disappearing when he's needed. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a friend call in the kidnapping just to get out of appearing on my show. He's probably sitting drunk in a bar."

Katniss had to admit Effie's idea made a lot of sense.

Effie turned to the couple. "You're both pink. You spent too much time in the sun. Stay off the roof. "

If their skin was pink it was the healthy afterglow of an afternoon well-spent in each other's arms, not from sun.

"Okay," Peeta agreed. "We're going to clean up before dinner."

When they got to their bedroom door, Katniss turned to Peeta. "Get the mockingjay statue," she mouthed. Peeta brought it back to their room for safekeeping.

They returned to the living room after they'd showered. The dining table was piled high with notebooks and a couple of production assistants had arrived to join Effie and Cressida in their rewrite of the following day's script.

Effie had turned on the large screen television that hung over the fireplace to monitor the Panem Evening News. Haymitch's kidnapping was the top story

The news announcer, a woman with curly green hair and a tattoo of a grasshopper that ran the length of one cheek, said that The Consortium didn't claim responsibility for the recent slew of victors' deaths, but they applauded the killers. According to a written statement the group had submitted, the loss of The Hunger Games had weakened Panem's economy in untold ways. The only way to stimulate it was to reinstate The Games.

The announcement was followed by a number of interviews with different people, all freakishly coiffed, who claimed to be intimate friends with Haymitch.

The last interview was with Plutarch Heavensbee, the head of network programming.

"I spoke with President Crane regarding this matter," Plutarch said. "He has assured me that the kidnapping is being investigated at the highest levels. The president is determined to find Haymitch Abernathy. More importantly, he has assured me that as popular as The Hunger Games were, their time has passed. We will not be bringing back that show."

Katniss rolled her eyes. Popular. No one in the districts would call The Games popular. Horrifying more likely.

Plutarch continued. "We're on to bigger and more exciting shows." He then went on to describe some of the new programs that would air soon. The first would follow the life of a child raised by a pack of dogs; the second would investigate a family, mother, father and two children that had been surgically enhanced to resemble pandas; the last was an in-depth study of the hygiene habits of the very rich.

"He didn't even mention my show," Effie screamed when Plutarch's interview ended. She angrily turned off the television.

A waiter in white carried in trays of sandwiches and an urn of coffee. Katniss and Peeta carried their food back to eat in the living room. There was no place for them at the table. Effie's staff had taken over.

After eating, they returned to their bedroom, but not before Peeta grabbed a pencil and a notepad from the dining table. They spent their evening passing notes to each other.

Do you think Haymitch is really kidnapped? Katniss wrote.

Probably. Peeta scribbled down.

Do you think the Capitol would bring The Games back?

I don't think people would stand for it. It might start a revolution.

A shiver ran down her back. Peeta could be right. While Katniss didn't know how people felt in other districts, she knew that in Twelve the end of The Games had given people hope again. Families could make long-term plans about their future without having the sword of a possible reaping hanging over the heads of their children.

The couple continued to exchange notes back and forth, both liking Portia's clothing choices. Katniss wrote about Cinna, and Peeta offered to go with her to visit him. Both agreed that Dr. Aurelius did not seem like someone that lived in the Capitol. When Katniss asked her husband what he and the doctor had spoke about, Peeta wrote two words. My family.

Katniss guessed that was why Peeta was teary at the end of the conversation. She hadn't realized that her husband was so hurt by the estrangement of his family. She promised herself to try to help him smooth things out with them when they returned to District 12.

They spent the night curled up in each other's arms, but covered by layers of blankets, not wanting even their slumber together to be caught on camera.

They were woken up the next morning by the telephone. After several rings, Peeta loosened his hold on Katniss, pulled the blankets back, and walked across the room to answer it. The voice on the other end could be heard across the room. "Upy, Upy, Upy. This is a big, big, big day."

Effie directed the couple to put on the clothes Portia had tagged for the first episode. Less than thirty minutes later, they were sitting in the back of a large car heading to the studio.

Cressida met them when they arrived and immediately separated the pair. Peeta was sent in one direction to be made up for the show; Katniss went to a different room.

There was another woman already in the make-up room when Katniss sat down. She appeared to be a few years older than Katniss. Her hair was honey-colored and her countenance was one of sweetness and innocence.

Katniss guessed she must be a Capitol starlet appearing on one of the myriad of shows also taping at the studio that morning.

"Your hair is so perfect," one of the preps said to the golden-haired woman. "How do you treat it?"

"I use that product Cashmere advertises."

"Oh, it's your lucky day. We're expecting her in here in a few minutes. Would you like to meet her?"

"Sure, but I'd rather meet her brother. He's divine."

As soon as Katniss was made up, Effie arrived to whisk her away to the small set. On one side was a sofa, on the other were two, large, throne-like chairs. The seating arrangement formed a wide, v-shaped formation. Three cameras were set up to film from all angles. There wasn't an audience.

Peeta was already there. A stagehand was showing him how to attach a microphone to his blue jacket. Katniss walked toward him smiling, but Effie pulled her back.

"Remember, you're supposed to be fighting."

"But we're not."

"Not yet."

A sinking feeling descended over Katniss. What did Effie mean?

The stagehand that had miked Peeta turned to Katniss next.

Cressida appeared and told the couple to sit on the sofa.

"Don't get close," she directed. "And whatever you do, don't hold hands. Remember, this show is being aired live so I can't make any edits."

Peeta gave Katniss an apologetic look, and slid away from her to the end of the couch.

Effie sat in one chair. The other remained empty. Katniss wondered if it was there for Dr. Aurelius.

Cressida counted down from ten and called "action." The theme music of the show began to play, a weird mixture of horns.

Effie opened by greeting the viewers at home and bragging about herself for a few minutes, before she introduced Katniss and Peeta.

Right after they said "hello," a video montage played. There was a monitor to one side and they could watch the video as it was aired live to viewers.

It opened with Katniss' nervous proposal to Peeta toward the end of The Match Game and segued into them dancing cheek-to-cheek on their wedding day. The next image was jarring – the grainy clip of Rye and Delly on their dining table. The video ended abruptly and Effie coughed loudly.

"How does that make you feel Katniss?" Effie asked pointedly.

"Angry," Katniss replied. "That is not Peeta," she began when Cressida yelled "cut to commercial now" and sprang forward.

"It may not be Peeta, but we don't have much of a show if you reveal too much too soon," Cressida explained. She looked at Effie. "Didn't you explain this to them?"

Effie shook her head. "I thought they understood."

"Apparently not." Cressida turned to Katniss and Peeta. "You two need to be on the verge of breaking up before this show ends today. Now act like it."

"The viewers need a reason to watch tomorrow," Effie added.

Katniss scowled.

A red light on the camera flashed and Cressida called "action."

"Yes, that is certainly not the man you married Katniss," Effie said, picking up at the exact point where they'd left off. She cleared her throat. "Unfortunately, there's even more. I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news."

Effie looked to Peeta. "You've certainly been quite naughty it seems."

Peeta shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He turned to glance at Katniss nervously. Automatically Katniss moved closer, reaching for his hand. From the corner of her eye she saw Cressida frantically waving the two of them apart.

"We have another guest," Effie continued. "She claims she had a torrid affair with Peeta during the filming of The Match Game. Let me introduce Elleway Ohanlay."

The woman with the honey-colored hair who'd been in the makeup room with Katniss came onto the set and sat in the throne chair at Effie's side.

Katniss gasped. This couldn't be Elleway. The woman who'd tried to seduce Peeta had pink hair and dressed like a butterfly. This woman was stunning. A bitter taste rose in Katniss

mouth.

"Hello Elleway," Effie chirped. "I'm so happy you could take the time to join us."

"Well, I've been quite busy with my cooking show, promoting my new line of bakeware, and then there's my new cookbook that comes out next week," Elleway said. "But of course I'd find the time to help your foray into daytime television.

Katniss' irritation grew as she listened to Elleway sing her own praises.

"Oh yes, thank you for being here," Effie said. "Especially when I know how difficult this must be for you. So do tell us what happened between you and Peeta."

"Oh, that." Elleway stared at Peeta. "You broke my heart you know."

"I never..." Peeta began.

"Cut to commercial," Cressida called. The director walked over to Katniss and Peeta. "It's okay if you fight on camera. Maybe a shove or something."

Katniss' eyes widened. "What? We'd never hit each other." She was stunned at the director's suggestion.

Cressida shook her head. "I don't think anyone would be surprised if it happened. Especially after that tape of Peeta's mother."

Katniss knew exactly what tape Cressida was talking about. It was footage of Peeta's mother attacking the couple during the course of The Match Game. Although the tape had never been aired on television, bootleg copies had been circulated throughout Panem.

She glanced at her husband. A sickly expression was pasted on his face.

Katniss tore the mike off her collar and stood up. "I'm not doing this anymore."

"More commercials," Cressida shouted. She turned to Katniss. "We're on live. You can't leave now."

"Just watch me." Katniss walked off the set.

"Focus all the cameras on Effie and Elleway," Cressida said. "One, two, three, we're back."

"Well," Effie said to Elleway. "You've certainly upset Katniss." Effie turned to look directly into the camera. "During our commercial break Katniss left the set."

The camera panned the sofa to show Peeta sitting alone.

"Now Elleway, tell me exactly what happened." Effie's voice took on a syrupy tone.

Elleway grinned and then launched into a story about how she and Peeta had become secret lovers after he guest starred on her cooking show. "But then he abandoned me for Katniss. I was devastated." Her lips formed into a pout. She turned toward Peeta. "But I forgive you. I've already moved on."

From the side of the set where Katniss watched, fury bubbled up at the woman's phony story. She couldn't understand why Peeta wasn't fighting back. She supposed he was too good a person to call out this liar publicly.

But Katniss knew she wasn't. She could be violent, distrustful and manipulative. And when it came to protecting those she loved, she could be deadly.

She could see that smug Elleway beaming. Trying to smear Peeta's good name to sell her show, and her bakeware, and her cookbook. Even her lie was flimsy. Peeta had left the Capitol right after that program. He hadn't stayed around to cavort with a naked butterfly woman.

Katniss balled up her fists and rushed back onto the set. Past Peeta. Past Effie. She got right up into Elleway's face.

"Liar," she yelled, as she pulled her arm back and punched Elleway Ohanlay in the jaw.

It wasn't until she heard Effie scream and Peeta had his arms wrapped around her waist and dragged her away that she realized she'd been played.

Katniss had turned the first episode of Effie's new show into an instant hit.

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"I didn't even get to use my signature closing, "chins up, smiles on," Effie complained.

They were sitting in a conference room at the studio, everyone but Elleway who had been taken to the hospital. She needed to be checked out as the blow to her face had shifted a piece of plastic that had been implanted in her chin to give her a more youthful appearance.

"We ran out of time," Cressida said. "But I think Katniss' ending was more effective. You can use your catch phrase tomorrow."

Effie nodded. "How's your hand?"

Katniss scowled. Someone had given her an ice pack to hold to her swollen knuckles. She was sitting next to Peeta, but he'd said little to her after pulling her off Elleway. She thought he'd be glad that she'd defended his honor, but she had the strong impression he was angry with her.

Cressida and Effie began talking about the next day's show when Dr. Aurelius would be making an appearance. A woman with purple hair, purple eye shadow, and purple lipstick opened the door and stuck her head in.

"Turn on the t.v. You've made the lunchtime news segment," she called out.

Immediately Cressida switched on the small television that sat on a shelf hanging from the ceiling.

"Katniss Mellark, that girl is on fire," the announcer said, as Katniss watched herself run across the set and attack Elleway.

The third time they replayed the scene in the course of the news story, Katniss focused on Peeta's reaction as it appeared on camera. A look of shock crossed his face when Katniss ran past him, but she could clearly see the flash of anger as she attacked Elleway.

She turned her head to glance at him as he sat at the conference table watching the drama unfold on the news show. His jaw was set. He looked like he was trying hard to control himself.

The next news story that followed was about Haymitch. According to undisclosed sources President Crane was personally negotiating with Haymitch's kidnappers for his release. Effie sniffed at the news and turned off the television.

After the production meeting ended, Katniss and Peeta were sent back to the penthouse by car. Katniss wanted to explain to Peeta why she'd reacted the way she had, but she didn't because the car was most likely bugged. Instead she stared out the window.

When they got back to the penthouse, Peeta spoke. "Let's go up to the roof."

He took the mockingjay statue with them.

"What was that all about?" Peeta asked when they were seated at the garden bench.

"I was trying to defend you. After what that woman said, you should be glad I did."

"You've only made things worse."

"Yeah, by drawing attention to Effie's show," she muttered.

"No." Peeta's voice was loud, rising above the sound of the chimes. "By handling things the same way my mother does."

Katniss cringed. She'd been insulted when Cressida had brought up the idea of violent behavior and then she'd done that very thing. Now it appeared as if she were just as prone to pugnacious actions as her mother-in-law.

"It's not the same thing," she reasoned.

"It's exactly the same. I think it was obvious that she was lying. Dr. Aurelius said Elleway Ohanlay has a reputation for seeking publicity by claiming relationships with men in the public eye."

"Well it would have been nice if you'd told me that. Now I've made things worse. Instead you've treated me like I'm too stupid or weak to handle things."

"It's not like that. I told you the truth about what happened."

"You did," Katniss agreed. "But when she started talking and you didn't say anything to defend yourself, well, it got me mad."

"Sometimes the best defense is to say nothing. Let the truth unfold on its own.

Katniss shook her head. She didn't agree with her husband. He was too optimistic in his view that things would eventually work out for the best, but she could tell that he wasn't going to change his opinion.

"I'm sorry," she apologized grudgingly.

"I am too. I don't want to fight with you." He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to him.

When they went downstairs after making up in the greenhouse, the penthouse was empty. Katniss followed Peeta into the kitchen and helped him prepare a quick meal.

"What should we do now?" she asked after they finished eating. It was still early, too early to go to bed and lie there not touching because of the fear of cameras.

"I'd like to take a walk and get out of here."

"But Effie said," Katniss began.

Peeta shook his head. "No one will recognize us if we wear disguises."

"Where will we get disguises?"

Peeta smiled. "The closets are full of them."

After scrounging through every closet in the penthouse, Katniss found a poufy gold wig, probably left behind by Effie, to wear. There was also a long coat with a fur collar. She found a leather belt, taken from a drawer filled to the brim with leather items, to fasten it. Peeta dressed in a suit Portia had put into Haymitch's closet, probably something she wanted the victor to wear on Effie's show.

"We look like ourselves wearing someone else's clothes," Katniss said. "We need something more."

"You need some makeup," Peeta suggested.

Katniss shook her head. "I'm don't know how to put it on."

"Let me try. It can't be harder than frosting a cake."

Within minutes he had outlined her eyes with raccoon-like circles, brightened her cheeks with a pale lavender glow, and then colored her lips purple.

Katniss laughed when she saw her appearance in the mirror. "I look like a resident of the Capitol. Too bad there isn't a wig for you, too."

She opened all the cupboards in the bathroom looking for something to change Peeta's appearance.

"Yes," she shouted pulling out a box of dye. "Let's color your hair."

"But we're on television tomorrow morning."

"The preps can fix it," Katniss insisted. "Besides it says it's only temporary." She pointed to the label on the box.

"All right then."

Katniss read the directions. "Hang your head over the sink."

Peeta removed the suit jacket. Katniss put on gloves and mixed the liquid into Peeta's hair, careful not to drip it onto his clothing.

"Now stay there until I can rinse it off."

"How long?"

Katniss studied the box. "It says thirty minutes."

Peeta groaned. "I can't hang my head over the sink that long."

"Well do it for ten minutes, then we'll call it good."

When the time had passed, Katniss washed the dark coloring agent from Peeta's hair and handed him a towel to dry it.

She gasped when he took the towel away from his head. "You look so different."

Peeta frowned at his appearance in the mirror. "It's awfully dark."

"No, it looks good, really good."

"Because you're attracted to men with dark hair?"

"No." For a moment Katniss wasn't sure whether or not Peeta was teasing, but then she noticed the smirk on his face.

She grinned back in response.

"It's getting late," Peeta said. "Let's get out of here."

They made their way down the elevator, through the lobby of the building, and past the security guard who didn't lift his head from the television show he was watching.

No one paid any attention to the couple as they meandered along the main shopping street, making fun of the clothing exhibited in the storefronts. They stopped for a moment to check out the erotic cakes displayed in the window of a bakery.

"Not much call for those at Mellark's Bakery," Peeta commented.

"It's a good thing or I'd have to ban Prim from looking at the cakes in your front window," Katniss replied.

The roar of voices flooded the broad street, drowning out even the sound of the cars.

"What's that?" Katniss asked.

"Let's find out." Peeta linked his arm through hers as they set off.

Near the end of the block a large group of people were assembled, waving signs and yelling. They could make out the words clearly now. "Bring back The Games" was being shouted over and over again.

A chill ran down Katniss' spine.