Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to The Hunger Games, never have never will...unfortunately.
Author's Note: 1) I want everyone to keep an open mind in this chapter...m'kay?
2) thanks go out to JB, KL10X, Quinn and Arrow my fab four reviewers
Chapter 11
The Stench of Power
I am not with my entourage, I told them to stay behind, I may be fourteen years old but this is something I have to do on my own. Darwin had run in and said the envoy had returned, the president wanted to speak to me privately.
"Bring your entourage if you wish" he man said, but for some reason I had a bad feeling if I did something would happen to them, hence them sitting tight.
The man we all call 'the envoy' is tall and skinny with a thin black moustache and black hair plastered to his skull. If I ever see another person with such hair I will dump a pail of water on them. He seems uptight and uncomfortable.
"You don't like me" I smirk looking out the window of the car we are being driven in.
He is startled I am talking to him, "I'm not allowed to speak of opinions Ms Crane"
I roll my eyes, "you have a brain, I think that entitles you to an opinion" I reply not diverting my eyes from the scenery.
"Well, then I don't see what the fuss is about, why you can't just go along" he says, "we have an exquisite meal planned out, plenty of music and dancing"
"For only those the president seems fit to entertain" I remark and look at him, "would your family be there?"
He looks shocked, "well no"
"And that's why I said no" I reply, "everyone should be there, not just those who can afford it"
"But we can't cater to the whole of the city!" he says, "its just not possible!"
"And that's why everyone chips in" I reply, "even the ones who don't have much will bring what they can if it means they can participate don't you see?"
His mouth tightens to a thin line
"I guess not" I reply and return to looking out the window.
The presidential estate is massive and although I don't like the envoy I am glad he can lead me in and out of the building with little fuss. He stands by a set of double doors of heavy dark wood. "He's waiting for you" he says and opens the door for me to go in.
It stinks of roses; the whole of this room is one massive rose garden. Don't get me wrong, I like roses, the little ones that you can get in pots and have on the kitchen table that have a light scent. This is what they call overkill.
"Miss Crane" I hear and its like ice water has been dumped into my bloodstream, I shiver uncontrollably and right now…at this moment I kind of wished at least Tracker was here. But I hide my fear very quickly.
"President Snow" I reply as coolly as I can, he nods and he points for us to walk along a stone path around the garden, he moves slow, I guess because he's old.
"I want to understand why you refuse our hospitality but will graciously accept that of the districts?" he says so gently and softly that instead of being a comfort I immediately see it as a threat.
"I would like to know what is stopping you from opening your doors to the less fortunate" I retort just as calmly
"So brave for someone so young" he sighs, "I can see why you are popular now"
That was a compliment, I know but I really don't care
He continues his walk with me in silence for a while, "why do you want to have such a big festival?"
"You said a victor's tour was supposed to be one right?"
"Yes"
"Isn't a festival supposed to be celebrated by everyone?"
He doesn't reply, I allow myself a small smirk so small he won't notice.
"You don't like charity President snow?"
"I expect everyone to do their jobs and not complain"
"A happy populous is a productive one?"
"Yes"
I pause, to give my next comment weight
"So you get your solid quota of coal then, no over?"
He stops, ah ha!
I keep walking a couple steps, I stop at not a rose bush, I think this is the only other flower in this garden, a Hibiscus bush with big orange blooms. Its so different and beautiful I stop to touch the petals, and smell.
"Who taught you this?" he asks
"Does it matter?" I reply 'he's dead anyway' I think to myself, dad had taught me well
He waits a beat, "so if we had this big party…how would we manage it"
I pause, "well back before there was Panem they had something called Mardi Gras"….
Author's Note: 2) The nerve of her the cheek! That is how she is people, take no prisoners, hold no quarter….of course….something…eventually has got to give right (insert evil laugh) stay tuned!