Chapter Ten
My prep team and Cinna are the ones to wake me up on the morning of the interviews. They are going to spend the entire day with me to make me look presentable on screen. My makeup is going to be natural so that I look the part of the 'innocent beauty'.
"Ah, limp hair. We meet again," says Flavius with a sigh as he rinses my hair with fruit-flavoured shampoo.
"Are you going to curl my hair this time, too?" I ask Cinna as he stands by the mirror, watching the trio work their magic.
He nods. "But more glamorous and sophisticated, too. I know Haymitch wants you to look innocent and girly, but I think our girl on fire ought to have some edge. Don't you agree?"
I turn to look at him and smile, but Octavia yanks my head back. "Look straight ahead! I don't want anything to ruin your hairstyle, Madge!"
Then they get to work, curling my hair with larger barrels, weaving golden thread into the crown of my head.
Flavius and Venia stencil my arms with fiery patterns as Octavia does my makeup. She doesn't hesitate to use kohl to outline my eyes, although my lips are simply coated with a pretty pink gloss. It is difficult to keep from blinking as she attaches fake eyelashes to my lids. The eyelashes have gold accents on them, because they catch the light and glitter.
Finally, they paint flame designs on my manicured nails and coat my body with shimmery dust.
I look around for Cinna but he is nowhere to be seen. Then he appears by the doorway, holding a covered dress. "Close your eyes," he orders. I begrudgingly agree and take off my robe.
I grip Venia's hands as my team helps me into the dress. It must weigh at least forty pounds; it feels so heavy! I stumble as I slip into the heels that they've brought out for me. Not too high, so I won't have a problem walking in them. All I'm worried about is the dress tripping me.
Then I open my eyes, and all tension is erased from my mind. All I can do is look at the beautiful woman standing before me, my beautiful reflection in the mirror. I do not look like the mayor's daughter from District 12, nor do I look like a clown from the Capital.
I look like a creature of light from another world; I look like the daughter of the sun. My dress... oh, what a dress! It is a beautiful red dress that is entirely covered in precious gems that reflect light. Red, yellow, and a blue that complements my eyes.
My blonde hair is swept off my face and my tresses sparkles due to the gold threads. My makeup is trendy and innocent at the same time.
"Cinna," I whisper, "I – it's so – I just –"
"Twirl for us, girl on fire," he says with a smile. So I do.
The prep team screams in admiration at the beauty that is engulfed in flames before them. If I didn't know better, I'd think that I've been set on fire again, even though it is just the magic dance of the jewels.
"You're going to be the prettiest tribute there ever was!" Venia exclaims, giving my hair a tousle before exiting the room with the rest of the prep team.
"Alright," Cinna tells me after we're the only two left in my room. "Let's practise walking around, shall we? Effie tells me you had some trouble with long gowns."
Surprisingly, I don't even have to employ the kick-walk method that Effie taught me. The dress is fitted at the top but cascades down my hips such that it stays out of my way as I walk. The heels, too, are as comfortable as my mother's back home.
"Ready for the interview?" he asks when I sit down on my bed. He doesn't look worried, which is a good sign. Haymitch must have told him that there was no reason to fear.
"I guess," I say. "I've never had any trouble with people, but... Cinna, I don't want to talk to these people. This interviewer, the audience... they don't really care about me."
He sighs. "Then imagine you're talking to a friend. What about Peeta? You get along with him very well. Why not imagine that you're talking to him?"
"He knows almost everything about me," I remind Cinna. "It won't feel real."
"Peeta wouldn't mind listening to those things for a second time," says Cinna. He tucks a stray hair behind my ear and adds, "Everybody adores you. Peeta, our team, Haymitch, Effie... the audience will be no different."
"If you say so," I mumble.
Cinna starts to usher me towards the door. Just before we leave, he turns and says, "Innocence is good. But spirit is far more important. Don't pretend to be someone you're not, Madge. No matter what you feel, no matter what you think, don't hide it for the sake of your image. Speak your mind, and nothing will go wrong. Okay?"
"Okay," I answer. Haymitch and Effie wouldn't agree, but I'd rather believe Cinna. I trust him. If he thinks it's alright to be myself, then it must be.
The rest of our District 12 team are waiting by the elevators. Portia stands there with Peeta. Cinna approaches her and they start talking about the interviews, so I move towards him.
His prep team has done an incredible job. Peeta looks very handsome. He's dressed in a black suit with flame accents around the collar and sleeves. His hair is pushed back, though, and he looks stiffer than he should. I look around, and when I'm sure that Portia is distracted, I run my hands through his hair and mess it up a little.
"You look better this way," I tell him when he raises an eyebrow, laughing.
He sniffs the air around him for a moment, and then adds, "Why do you smell like fruit?"
"New shampoo that Flavius wanted to try out," I say. "Supposed to give volume to my hair. As for you," I add, leaning in to smell him, "You smell like roses. What happened to the baker's scent?"
"The baker's scent?" he says. "Sadly, my prep team doused me with rose water to make my body shine... or something."
"Mine doused me with sparkling dust. At least it worked! But I'm surprised we're not dressed identically again," I say teasingly. "You look good in a suit, but... I think you'd look simply fiery in a dress like mine."
Peeta shakes his head, looking terrified at the prospect. "No thanks. I'll leave the job of looking fiery up to you. You look amazing, by the way. The girl on fire. Really, you look beautiful." He smiles. "I bet no one's going to care what you say as long as they can stare at you."
"I hope that happens," I reply, trying to hide my blush, "because I have no idea what's going to come out of my mouth."
"You two will be fine," Haymitch assures us. He's dressed in a black suit, his hair is combed, and his face is clean shaven. I don't think I've ever seen him this dressed up.
"You look fancy," I say, grinning. "Did you get your own prep team?"
"Borrowed yours," he shoots back.
Effie, too, looks beautiful. Even though she still swears by the Capital couture, I see some reflective gems in her geometric dress. Her curly blonde hair falls down to her hips instead of being piled up on top of her head. I wonder if this is her natural hair; it's gorgeous. Her eyes, lined with glittery silver, sparkle just like mine.
"I wanted us to have the same look," she explains when I ask. "We're a team."
"Effie!" I beam at her. Peeta nudges me, and I turn to see Haymitch staring at Effie with his eyebrows raised and his mouth agape. When he notices me looking, he clears his throat, mumbles, "I guess miracles do happen," and walks into the open elevator.
Peeta and I burst out laughing.
"Well, I never!" exclaims Effie, looking embarrassed. "Maybe my pink wig would suit me better. Excuse me, children, I'll see you after the interviews. Good luck!" She bustles off towards the living quarters.
"Are you two coming, or what?" asks Haymitch from the elevator. Peeta, the stylists and I join him.
We walk out of the elevator and find the other tributes being lined up to take the stage. All throughout the interviews, we'll be sitting in a big arc. Just like in training, the tributes are called in order of districts. The only difference is that this time the girl tribute will go first.
Haymitch gives us a big thumbs-up as we start to walk forwards to take our places. The moment we step onto the stage, the crowd goes crazy. The shouts and screams take over my mind and I stumble on my dress as I move towards my seat. Peeta takes my hand in his and steadies me, and I thank him. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the blonde girl from District 1 shoot us a glare.
Once we take our seats, I let out a huge sigh of relief. Hopefully no one saw me trip, because even with the blinding lights, it's hard to see anything except the spotlight, which is currently focused on Caesar Flickerman, the host of the show.
He has been hosting the interviews for over four decades now, but his appearance has been the same throughout. A crazy Capitol wig, clown makeup, and a twinkling midnight blue suit.
As he addresses the crowd, I look around. We're in the City Circle. Elevated seating has been arranged for prestigious guests like the stylists. I find Cinna in the crowd and give him a small wave. He returns it earnestly.
One balcony to the right is claimed by the Gamemakers, and the rest are full of television crews.
But the entire City Circle is consumed by the citizens of the Capitol. There is no room to sit but it is still packed. Those who couldn't make it here are no doubt tuning in on their television screens. Even in the districts, interviews are mandatory for viewing. My parents, Katniss and Gale, Peeta's parents... everyone will see us live on screen tonight.
The interviews begin. The girl from 1, Glimmer, is up first. She's the one with the bad aim, the one who was glaring at us just now.
But her anger must be directed only towards us, because now she is grinning and blowing kisses at the audience, and they are yearning for them. Dressed provocatively in a see-through gold gown, with flowing blonde hair just like mine, she's a hit with the Capitol.
Caesar asks her a couple of questions about her home, about her training score and what she loves most about the Capitol. She answers each question with a giggle and a bounce of her hair.
"I hate her so much," I whisper to Peeta, who's sitting right next to me. He nods back and adds, "She's a beauty and a beast."
It stings me when he calls her a 'beauty', but I know he's right. She's extremely attractive, but at the same time she's poisonous. It would be difficult to not loathe her. I look around at the tributes and find the other two Career girls glaring at her. Clearly, she's not very popular with the girl tributes.
Glimmer's three minutes are up, and a buzzer sounds. Caesar kisses her hand and calls the next tribute.
On and on it goes. I barely listen to any of the interviews, although I can't help but pay attention when the boy from 2 sits down next to Caesar. Cato. If I remember correctly, he's the one who wanted me to join the Career alliance.
It doesn't seem like he needs any help in the arena, though, apart from sponsors. He is gigantic, vicious and ready to fight. That's exactly what he tells Caesar, who applauds him for his bravery.
Fauna, from District 5, is sly and elusive. She looks pretty in a light blue strapless dress, her hair tied up in a bun. But she evades most of Caesar's questions and tries not to look at the audience at all. When Caesar asks her what skill she's best at, she answers quietly, "I find that I can apply myself at the situation at hand and work out a solution immediately."
I wonder why she doesn't just say, "I'm smart."
By now my hands are starting to sweat. I try to wipe them on my dress but it isn't absorbent. Great; that's the one flaw in this beautiful gown!
Every tribute has something interesting to offer. Glimmer is sexy, the girl from 2 is daring, and the crippled boy from District 10 is kind and funny. What about me? What use is innocence?
Rue, the twelve-year-old from 11, takes the stage, and I gasp involuntarily. I'm not the only one, though. The entire crowd is mesmerised at the sight of this fairy. She's dressed in a gossamer gown with wings and a little tiara on her head. She looks so adorable, so gentle.
Caesar very sweetly compliments her seven in training, and she graciously accepts. Again, he asks her what her greatest strength will be in the arena. She doesn't hesitate as she softly says, "I'm very hard to catch. And if they can't catch me, they can't kill me. So don't count me out."
The crowd applauds and Caesar assures her that he won't count her out. But all I can think is that she just said the word 'kill'. That is a word I would never want to associate with her. Or anyone sitting on this stage, not even Glimmer.
Maybe even Thresh, from District 11, is furious about the Capitol, because he only gives Caesar one word answers. Although he's so scary and strong that he doesn't need to say anything; he'll get sponsors either way.
And then my name is called.
"Let's have a big round of applause for Madge Undersee, the girl on fire!" screams Caesar.
Peeta smiles encouragingly at me as I stand up and make my way to the centre of the stage. I don't stumble this time, but I am extremely aware of the dryness in my mouth and throat, and the moisture in my palms.
I shake the host's hand and sit down next to him. He grins at me and asks, "Madge! The Capitol must be quite a change from District 12, even for the mayor's daughter. What's impressed you most since you arrived here?"
I can't think of anything as his words bounce around in my head. What has impressed me the most? A lot of things. But why is my mind so blank?
"That's a tough one," I finally find myself saying, even though I've actually thought of an answer, "because there are too many things that have impressed me, Caesar."
He chuckles. "Hahaha! I know that must be true. But come on, Madge. What's the one thing you really enjoyed during your short stay here?"
"Honestly?" I ask nervously. When he nods, I continue, "This is a little embarrassing, but... I think I spent most of my free time in the shower. The shampoos, the soaps... it was heaven!"
"The shower!" Caesar bursts into peals of laughter, and the audience joins him. "Oh, Madge! Well, good to know that you like our showers. Can you keep a secret, though? The chocolate body scrub? My personal favourite."
"Wow, that's mine, too!" I exclaim.
Caesar laughs again. Then, shaking his head, he asks, "Enough of this... shower talk. Let's talk about the opening ceremonies. Madge, when you came out on that chariot... my heart stopped! What did you think of that costume?"
I turn back and look towards Peeta. He grins at me. "Actually, Peeta and I were both worried we'd burn to death," I say. A big laugh from the crowd urges me forward. "Seriously! But really, I thought it was the hottest outfit I had ever seen – quite literally! Cinna's a genius."
"He surely is," Caesar agrees.
"Look at this one!" I press on. I stand up, lift my skirt and spin in a circle. The audience bursts into cheer and applause. In the background, Caesar screams, "Oh, I love that! I just love that!"
When I finally stop and sit down again, Caesar nods approvingly. "That was amazing, Madge Undersee. Simply spectacular. Your stylist is indeed a genius."
"Isn't he?"
"Also, congratulations on your training score. A nine! Very impressive."
"Thank you," I tell him, grinning broadly. Again ushering towards the tributes, I add, "I'll let you in on a secret, Caesar. A lot of my fellow friends here thought the same." At this, I turn and smile in the Career's direction. They stare at me in anger and mild shock.
"That comes as no surprise to me," replies Caesar. "Now, something we all want to know about... the reaping. Oh, Madge! What do I say? What do I say?"
I snap back towards him, my glee quickly fading and turning to anger. Finally, he has come to the point. The reaping. I find Haymitch in the crowd, nodding at me. He wants me to play the innocent card.
"You volunteered for that girl in the reaping. May I ask who that was, and why you took her place?"
"Her name is Primrose. She's my best friend Katniss' sister," I tell him. "She... she's only twelve years old. A real innocent beauty. And I just couldn't bear to see her in the Games, Caesar!"
"Because she's so close to your heart?" asks Caesar. The crowd is silent now, hanging onto every single word of mine.
"Yes and no," I reply. "Yes, because I would be heartbroken if she had to take part in the Games. And no, because... I like to think that I would have done it for anyone."
Caesar looks momentarily confused. "For anyone? What do you mean?"
I take a few moments to gather my thoughts. Then, taking a deep breath, I say, in the coldest voice I can muster, "My father, the mayor, does all in his power to safeguard the future of our district. I want to follow in his footsteps. I want to bring glory to my district. But most of all, I want to keep my citizens happy and healthy."
For a few seconds, there is pin-drop silence. Haymitch looks at the crowd nervously. He's not sure what to make of this statement.
And then the audience breaks into earth-shattering applause, and he nods at me slowly.
"I think your father must be very proud of you," says Caesar, shaking my hand once again, "as are we." The buzzer sounds, and he adds, "Best of luck, Madge Undersee! Let's move on to the next and final tribute!"
I take my seat in the arc just as Peeta walks over to Caesar. If I was amusing, Peeta is downright hilarious. From the very moment that he sits down, he has the crowd's attention and their love.
First he and Caesar discuss the different tributes and their similarities to their district bread. Then, when Caesar asks him what he thinks of the Capitol, Peeta pauses for a moment. Then he says, "Well... not to contradict Madge, but... the showers here are weird!"
"Weird?" shouts Caesar in mock fury. "How are they weird, Peeta?"
"Well, do I smell like roses to you?" he asks. He beckons Caesar forward, and they take turns sniffing at each other. The crowd is laughing and cheering, and so am I. Peeta is so good with people and he doesn't even realise it.
"You ought to take a leaf from dear Madge's book, Peeta," the host finally says, concluding the arguments about the showers. Then he clears his throat and adds, "So, Peeta. Tell me. Is there a special girl back home?"
My insides contract the moment I hear his words. Oh, thank goodness I wasn't asked a question like that! I can't even imagine how I would evade it.
Then Peeta hesitates, and shakes his head unconvincingly. Even I can figure out that there's something he's hiding. Clearly, he likes someone. Katniss, maybe?
"I don't believe it for a second!" says Caesar, shaking his head firmly. "Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?"
Peeta sighs. Finally, he says, "Well, there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her for... for a while now, I suppose. But after the reapings, I've just lost my chances with her."
The crowd groans in sympathy. Of course, they can relate to him. We all can. I sigh and bite my lip. I wonder if he's going to say her name. Would he, on live television? I wonder what Katniss would think. Worse, what would Gale think?
"Don't say that! Here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?" says Caesar excitedly. He looks at the crowd for support, and they scream approvingly.
Peeta shakes his head almost angrily. He looks agitated. "You don't understand," he says, looking miserable. "It's not going to work out. It can't. Winning... won't help in my case."
I sit up straighter and look at the back of Peeta's head curiously. What does he mean? Does he know about Gale and Katniss?
"Why ever not?" asks Caesar curiously.
The whole crowd sucks in a breath as he stammers in reply, "Because... because... she came here with me."