Sterling Roscoe, D6
I'm still thinking about the conversation I had with my mentor as we ride down to the stage area for interviews. We talked about possible allies and came up with a few ideas. I still don't know. I'm beginning to think going into these Games as a loner might be best. Nell has proved a good friend, however. We could stick together.
"Are you nervous?" Nell asks me. She is decked out in a fancy, sunflower yellow dress. She looks as bright and bubbly as her personality. I'm dressed similarly, with a black shirt, black pants and a yellow bow tie wrapped tightly around my neck.
"A little," I confess. "What about you?"
She starts to say something, but her eyes bug out and she chokes it back. She just nods.
"You'll be fine. There are twenty-three other people who are in the same boat. I'm sure you'll do great, Nell." My attempts at soothing her are mediocre at best, but she seems comforted by my words. She gives me a thankful smile and then we are rushed to the stage.
We sit in our assigned seats and begin to wait. All the tributes are here, sitting according to district and gender. Ladies first, of course. I will go twelfth, then. Right in the middle. No one will remember me. They usually don't pay attention to District 6, anyway. I've got nothing to lose. That makes me relax a lot more.
"For his debut in tribute interviews, let's give a big round of applause for Caesar Flickerman!" a voice says out of nowhere.
The crowd goes wild. They don't even know the man and they already love him. I've said it once, and I'll say it again: these people certainly are strange.
A young man with straight black hair and a twinkling blue suit welcomes the crowd. He plays with them, getting them riled up and excited. He doesn't seem the least bit nervous. He acts like he's has years of experience when this is his first night in front of the camera. Caesar Flickerman is a wonder to me.
"Let's meet our first tribute, from the lovely District 1, Ella Jackson!"
The eighteen-year-old prances onto the stage, twirling her skirts and showing off her breathtaking beauty. Nell rolls her eyes. She must be thinking the same thing I am: I dislike her already.
The Career flaunts her beauty to the audience before the timer goes off. Her district partner, Caspian Davis, then takes the stage and talks freely with Caesar. The District 2 Careers, Archer Princeton and Cleo Patrick, act fearless and unstoppable. District 4 does the same. They all act like the Games is one huge party. They're just here for the ride. More tributes pass, but none stand out.
They call Nell. She seems to almost tip-toe across the stage to where Caesar sits, waiting for her to join him. Seeing her up on that huge stage makes me jumpy as well. I flinch when Caesar shakes her tiny hand.
They begin to chat about different things. The Capitol, the tribute parade, training. She eventually opens up and talks about her family at home. Nell tells Caesar that she learned to be strong by living with her five older brothers. Caesar laughs and exclaims that he could barely live with his one brother. The crowd laughs with him, loving every second of this.
The timer goes out and Caesar locks eyes with me. He smiles hugely and says, "From the incredible District 6, Sterling Roscoe!"
I almost break out laughing. Incredible District 6? I wish!
I walk up the stairs to the stage. This feels oddly like the reaping. I shake Caesar's hand and sit down with him.
"So Sterling," he begins, "how do you feel about the competition this year?"
In this moment, I remember that I didn't have a strategy for my interview. My mentor suggested for me to wing it, since I'm not very good at sticking to a plan. That was proven when I tried to find an ally.
So I say it straight.
"Well, the roasted turkey was delicious, but nothing could beat the chocolate pudding."
The audience roars with laughter. Caesar does too. I see some of the tributes chuckling to themselves. Probably agreeing. I've never had such a variety of food in my life. I was always at a loss when it came to dinner. What amazing dish is worthy of my choosing today?
"I agree with you on that one, Sterling," Caesar says. He grows serious again. "Now tell me. Do you plan to have any allies this year?"
"Right," I say sarcastically. "That plan didn't go so well."
"What happened?"
"Apparently, I'm not worth her time. And she was my own escort, too!"
Everyone cracks up laughing again. I spot my escort in the crowd, pretending to be entirely clueless to what I'm saying. I smirk.
It takes some time for Caesar to control the crowd. Once it is quiet enough for him to hear me, he says, "You're quite the comedian, Sterling. We hope to see you in the future." To my surprise, the timer goes off. That was the fastest three minutes of my life! Caesar says my name one last time before introducing the next kid.
When I sit down, Nell whispers to me, "You did really good. The audience loved you."
"Thanks. They liked you too."
"Not as much. You had some of them in stitches." Then she turns her attention back to the interview.
I guess I am pretty good at winging it. Who would've known?
