Interviews (Part 1)

Gemma Hound (D1 F 18)

I stand offstage; waiting for the interviews to begin. This is taking way too long! My red dress (to match my hair) is starting to itch and annoy me. It's a good thing I'm first, because I can take it off as soon as I'm gone. At last, I hear a Capitol camera man count down from five. Suddenly, the obnoxious, loud voice of Tristan Honeybee fills the room. "Welcome, everyone, to the interviews for the One Hundred Twenty-Fifth Hunger Games, the Fifth Quarter Quell! I'm your host, Tristan Honeybee, and today we're going to hear a little bit from all twenty-four tributes before they enter the arena, tomorrow! So, let's cut to the chase and welcome our first tribute, Gemma Hound!"

I walk onto the stage, and put a giant, fake smile on my face. I sit down in the chair as Tristan starts talking. "So Gemma, I love your dress. It matches your hair perfectly. Since we don't get a lot of redheads, especially from District One, could you tell us a little bit about where your red hair came from?"

"Well, Tristan, one of my grandmothers had red hair, so I guess I got it from her. None of my parents have red hair, so I guess it sort of skipped a generation."

"Interesting," he says. "Do you know anyone in District One, besides your grandmother, that has hair the same hue as yours?"

"No," I say. "Although one time, I did see this little boy with red hair near the justice building. But, I didn't want to scare him by saying something like, 'Woah! You have red hair like me!' so I just walked off." This comment makes the audience chuckle.

"Well, I think I'll ask something that all of us are probably wondering. How did you manage to get an eleven as a training score?"

"Oh, you know I can't say anything, Tristan," I say with a smile on my face. "You'll find out tomorrow."

"Bummer," Tristan says. "I'm sure we're all curious. Well, how about your favorite weapon; can you tell us about that?"

"Uhh, I'll give you a hint. It's two words long."

"A blow gun?"

"Nope," I say. The audience seems to be enjoying our little game.

"A spiked mace?"

"Nope."

"Throwing knives?"

At that moment the buzzer rings, signaling that my time is up. "Well, I guess we'll have to find out tomorrow," Tristan says with a sigh. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a round of applause for Gemma Hound!" I smile and wave as I walk off of the stage. That went better than I expected.

Smoky Wills (D1 M 18)

"Let's bring in our second District One tribute! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Smoky Wills!" I walk onstage to the cheers of the crowd, and sit in my chair with a scowl on my face. My mentor taught me that one of the best ways to look intimidating is to scowl. "Welcome, Smoky!" Tristan says, and I nod in response. "So let's get straight to the juicy stuff. Do you have any special strategies for the Games?"

"Not really," I say. "I'll just pulverize anyone who gets in between me and victory."

"Spoken like a true career," Tristan chuckles. "So do you think the twist of the Quarter Quell will diminish your chances of winning?"

"Nope," I say. "From what I've heard, zombies aren't very quick or agile. They shouldn't be too hard to beat."

"Interesting. Now, since we didn't figure out Gemma's, can you tell us your preferred weapon?"

"Sorry, Tristan," I say. "You'll find out tomorrow." At that moment the buzzer rings.

"Well, thanks for your time, Smoky. We'll be watching out for you in the arena!" I walk out as the crowd applauds; hoping I did well enough to gain some sponsors.

Lexiana Porter (D2 F 17)

"Now, put your hands together for District Two's Lexiana Porter!" I walk onto the stage and flash a flirty smile for the audience. As I sit down, Tristan lets out a chuckle. "Lexiana, you're at least an inch taller than me. I'm not used to looking up at the tributes." The audience laughs at this comment. "Do you come from a family of tall people?"

"Yes," I say. "My dad's six foot four, and my mom's the same height as me. My twenty-year-old brother is six foot three, and my fourteen-year-old sister is about five foot ten."

"Wow," Tristan says. "That is a tall family! How come your brother didn't volunteer, with his height?"

"I don't know," I say. "The idea never really appealed to him."

"What about your sister? Does she plan to volunteer when she gets older?"

"I think she's considering it," I say. "I think it's really dependent on how I do in the Games. If I win, that may get her really motivated to volunteer. However, if I end up losing, that might change her mind."

"Well that would be great if you both ended up winning. You'd be known to future generations as 'the tall sisters.'"

"Yes, we probably would," I say as the audience explodes in laughter. At that moment, the buzzer rings.

"Well I'm so sorry we don't have any more time to hear from Lexiana. Let's hear it for her!" I smile as I walk off the stage. My long purple dress drags slightly on the floor. I give a final wave, and step backstage.

Mars Poole (D2 M 18)

"Let's welcome our next tribute on to the stage; Mars Poole!" I walk onto the stage; trying my best to look intimidating. The look worked pretty well on Smoky, so I'm hoping it will work on me too. I sit down, and Tristan starts rolling the questions out. "So Mars, a strong guy like you has got to have some allies. Who are they?"

"Well, we've gone with the normal career alliance, this year," I say. "Lexiana and I are teamed up with Districts One and Four."

"So what do you think of your allies?"

"Oh they're a pretty good group, but I think I'll be able to beat them all when it comes down to the final few."

Tristan nods. "Have you guys scoped out any possible threats yet?"

"Not really. The other tributes are as weak as always. Although District Nine may be a minor stepping stone we have to overcome." The audience laughs like I just said something funny. They do know I was being serious, right?

"You seem very confident," Tristan says. No duh. "Do you really think you have a huge chance of winning?"

"Certainly," I say. "One hundred percent."

At that moment, the buzzer rings. "Well, I'm sorry we can't hear more from you, Mars, but we'll sure be looking out for you in the arena!" The audience gives one last round of applause as I make my way off the stage.

Jillian Perry (D3 F 13)

"Now, please join me in welcoming District Three's Jillian Perry!" As I walk onstage, I finger the piece of paper in my pocket to make sure it's still there. If it wasn't, I don't know what I'd do. I make my way to my seat; trying to smile a little. When I make it there, Tristan asks me a question. "How are you enjoying the Capitol so far, Jillian?" Since I can't answer him, I just keep smiling at him. Tristan decides that I probably didn't hear him, and he repeats the question. When I don't answer again, a quizzical look forms on his face. That's when I draw the sheet of folded paper out of my pocket.

Read it out loud, I mouth to Tristan. Thankfully, he understands, and starts reading the paper. "Dear citizens of Panem; right about now, you're probably wondering why I'm not talking. Maybe you think I'm either shy or deaf, but neither of those are the case. The truth is, I can't talk, not even if I wanted to, thanks to a lady at my community home. I'm an orphan, so that's where I have grown up. Two years ago, I walked in on a lady painfully beating and assaulting a young boy, because the boy had stolen her expensive necklace. When the lady saw me watching, she panicked. She was afraid I'd blab about what she did to the little boy. So, to save herself from facing justice, she cut out my tongue in one swipe. These past two years have been difficult; not because I don't have a tongue, but because that lady lives today without suffering consequences for what she has done. But, now, this lady will get what she deserves. Now everyone knows what Dominique Potter has done to me, the little boy, and most likely, a few others. Now that all of Panem knows what this lady has done, I can die in happiness. As a final request from me, please make sure this lady gets what she deserves. Yours truly, Jillian Perry."

Tristan looks up from the paper, at a loss for words. The audience is so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. I mouth 'thank you,' to everyone as I nearly skip offstage, before the buzzer even rings. I'm the happiest I've ever been since over two years ago. Right now, I don't even care if I die tomorrow.

Alfred Jarrod (D3 M 15)

It takes Tristan Honeybee a while to get back his composure, and start talking again. I don't blame him; Jillian's story shocked even me. And all this time, I just thought she was really shy. When Tristan does start talking again, you can tell his mind is all on Jillian. He isn't as enthusiastic as he was. "Let's give a warm welcome for Alfred Jarrod." As I walk onstage, I barely get any applause. You can tell that everybody's still focused on Jillian. "Alfred, did you know of Jillian's story?"

"No, Tristan, I didn't. I just thought she was really shy."

"Do you have any idea how she got such a high score?"

"I honestly have no idea," I say. I'm starting to get annoyed. This is my interview; we should be talking about me.

"Did she do anything special during training?"

"Well, she did a lot of hiding. I originally thought she was just shy, but now, I don't know why."

"Do you remember ever seeing her in District Three?"

"No, I don't. She's two years younger than me, and our paths never crossed."

"Okay. Well I guess we'll move on to you now, Alfred. Are you prepared for the Games tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I think I am. Those tributes won't know what hit them."

The buzzer rings, at that point. "Let's hear it for Alfred Jarrod." I only get some polite applause as I walk offstage. That went horribly! Tristan just talked about Jillian the whole time. He only asked one lousy question about myself! As much as I feel bad for Jillian and what happened to her, I'm mad that she ruined my interview.

Seabrook Gloss (D4 F 17)

"Let's welcome the lovely Seabrook Gloss of District Four!" Tristan's starting to get his composure back. That's good, or I'd have to pulverize the girl from District Three even harder for ruining my interview. I strut onto the stage, my blue-green dress trailing behind me. I flash a smile for the audience as I take my seat. "Hello, Seabrook. How are you doing today?"

"Just wonderful," I say.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?"

"Of course! I can't wait to get in that arena!"

"That's good, that's good. Do you think you have a high chance of winning the Games?"

"Oh without a doubt!" I say. "I'm almost certainly going to win. And, if it isn't me, it will be one of the careers."

"So you don't think any of the other tributes will challenge the careers?"

"Nope."

"Now your ally, Mars, said that Distict Nine may present a tiny challenge. I believe he called them a 'minor stepping stone.' What do you think?"

"I think he's right in the fact that they won't pose a major challenge. After all, there's two of them and six of us. We all outscored the boy, and four of us tied or beat the girl. The careers will knock them down, without a doubt."

The buzzer rings, signaling that my time is up. "Well it was nice hearing from you, Seabrook. Let's hear it for her!" I receive a huge round of applause as I walk confidently off the stage. That went pretty well.

Hull Weast (D4 M 17)

"Let's bring out our last member of the career alliance, Hull Weast!" I walk onto the stage to the admiring applause of the crowd. I give them a confident and intimidating smile. "Welcome, Hull! How are you?"

"I'm great."

"How do you like the Capitol."

"It's great."

"I'm sure it's not quite like District Four, is it?"

"Nope. More buildings."

"Yes, there are quite a lot of buildings. Do you miss District Four."

"Sort of. I'll be back soon enough."

"I'm sure you will be. Anyone special back home?"

"Just my mom and dad."

"No siblings?"

"Nope."

The buzzer rings. Finally! This is getting annoying. "Let's hear it one last time for Hull Weast!" I walk offstage as everyone applauds. It might be just me, but it seems like I'm getting less applause than the other careers.

Noel Jackson (D5 F 14)

The boy before me wasn't a man of many , he was still intimidating. "And now, from District Five, the lovely Noel Jackson!" I walk onstage, my dress fluttering behind me. It's white to match my my white-blond hair, with gold stitching. It's by far the prettiest thing I have ever worn. Tristan takes note of it. "Noel, that is a beautiful dress," he says.

"Thank you, Tristan," I say, trying to look as sweet and innocent as possible. That's the angle my mentor and I decided I should be. I think it will work, since I'm the youngest of four. I'm used to being the innocent younger sister.

Ironically, Tristan asks if I have any siblings next. "Yes," I reply. "I have twin sixteen-year-old brothers and an eighteen-year-old sister."

"But she didn't volunteer for you?"

"No. I wouldn't let her."

"You wouldn't let her?"

"Yes. When my name was called out and I walked over to the stage, Melody locked her eyes on me. I knew she was about to volunteer. But I shook my head, and she got the message. It was my name that was reaped, not her's, so it's my destiny to participate."

"Well that was very brave of you."

"Thanks, Tristan."

"Now did your sister come to say goodbye to you, after the reaping?"

"Yes, she did."

"What did she say to you?"

"She told me that I do have a chance in these Games, especially because of the Quarter Quell twist. And she gave me this." I hold up my wrist to display the intricate bracelet Melody gave me. The audience oohs and ahhs. It is the most expensive thing my family owns.

"What's that symbol on it?" Tristan asks.

"It's a music note," I say. "Before Panem, people used these to create music. I come from a family of old musicians. Many, many generations ago, there was a really famous one. But no one knows who he is anymore."

At that moment, the buzzer rings. "Thanks for speaking to us, Noel Jackson. Let's give her one last round of applause!" I walk back out as the citizens clap and whistle. That actually went pretty well.

Geoffrey Williams (D5 M 16)

"Let's give a round of applause for Geoffrey Williams!" As I walk onstage, I hope no one notices how much I'm sweating. I make a mental note to keep my arms down. Tristan Honeybee welcomes me onstage, and asks me the first question. "Has the Capitol impressed you so far?"

"Yeah, it's pretty amazing," I reply.

"What's impressed you most?"

"Well, probably the size and amount of all the buildings. Coming from District Five, I'm amazed by all the energy needed to power everything. I heard once that the Capitol uses over three-fourths of Pamem's energy. I didn't really believe it then, but I certainly believe it now."

"Yes, the Capitol does need plenty of power. Especially during this time of year. The Hunger Games requires boatloads of energy."

"Yeah, I'm sure it does."

"Can we have any information on your allies?"

"I suppose so. I'm teamed up with Levi, from District Ten."

"And do you think the alliance will be beneficial on both parts?"

"Yes, it will. We each have our own assortment of strengths and weaknesses that will help us survive."

"So what about if you and Levi were in the final two together. Do you think you'd attempt to kill him, in the end?"

"Yes, I probably would. Allies are supposed to be temporary, as a strategy to get back home. We've actually talked about this before, and we each agreed that our alliance is over once it gets down to the final two."

The buzzer rings, making me happy this interview is finally over. "Well I'm sorry, Geoffrey, but we're out of time. Let's hear it for him!" As soon as I step off the stage, I breathe a huge sigh of relief. That went pretty well. At least I didn't embarrass myself in front of Panem.

Kat Stanley (D6 F 15)

"Now I present to you, the lovely, Kat Stanley!" I walk towards my seat as the Capitol citizens cheer. I give some friendly waves, and then take my seat. "Welcome, Kat," Tristan says to me. "How are you, today?"

"Oh I'm just wonderful," I say.

"Now your name, Kat; does it stand for anything, or is that your full name?"

"It's my full name," I say.

"Well I love your name. It reminds me of the animal. Do you like cats?"

"Yes, I do. I have a black cat named Angel."

"Angel; that's an unusual name for a black cat."

"Yeah, my four-year-old sister picked it out a year ago. She thought it was a sweet name."

"Well, it's not quite the name I would have picked out for a black cat, but it is a sweet name. Now do you have any other siblings, besides your sister?"

"Yes. I have an eleven-year-old brother."

"And what are their names?"

"Sabrina and Peyton," I say.

"I'm assuming they came to say goodbye to you."

"Yes."

"And what did they say to you?"

"They wished me good luck, and they told me to try to win. Sabrina doesn't really understand what's happening, but she'll understand eventually."

The buzzer rings then. I'm glad, because I'm about to burst into tears. "Thanks for your time, Kat, and good luck in the Hunger Games!" I get a round of applause as I walk offstage. I guess that could have gone worse.

Troy Ross (D6 M 15)

"Let's welcome to the stage, Troy Ross!" I walk onto the stage, trying to look serious. That's my angle for the interviews. I'm supposed to look like everyone is beneath me. I sit down in my seat, and nod when Tristan welcomes me. "Now, you got a seven during training. Any hints on what you did?"

"Nope. Sorry Tristan. You'll find out tomorrow."

"Any hints on a preferred weapon?"

"Nope."

"Not even one hint?"

"Nope."

"Wow, you're a tough nut to crack! So, since you won't tell us anything about your strengths, what about your allies? Do you have any of those?"

"Nope. I'm all by myself."

"Do you like having no allies?"

"Yes, I do. Allies are bad news. Only one can win, so you'll have to turn on them eventually."

"Yes, I suppose you're right. So do you have anyone singled out as possible threats yet?"

"Well, obviously there's the careers. Also, anyone else in an alliance will outnumber me. So, I think I'll just have to lie low until the end."

"Well, at least we got our tough nut to say something!" Laughter breaks out throughout the spectators. Wonderful; now everyone will know me as 'the nut.' The buzzer rings after Tristan's comment. "Well, it was nice talking to you, Troy. We'll be watching out for you in the arena. Let's hear it one last time for our tough nut!" I walk offstage, keeping a straight face. That went okay, besides the fact that I have a new nickname.

Part two of the interviews comes next. Please vote in the poll! We're only two chapters away from the bloodbath! So far, from poll votes and comments, I've got five definite survivors of the bloodbath! Please make it more. :-)