Interviews with Districts 7 and 8
The Point of View of Tasi Merkava
Four hours for content! What does she want, my whole life story? It turns out this is exactly what my mentor wants.
"We have to find an aspect of your personality that will gain the crowd's favour!" my mentor insists, obviously unimpressed with my short grunting responses. "You really need to open up otherwise you will have no sponsors and no chance in the Games! It's for your own benefit."
She is right of course.
"Let's start again from the beginning. You are Tasi Merkava a sixteen year old male tribute from District 7. You are obviously physically impressive for a sixteen year old," she says consulting her piece of paper. "It says here you are 193 centimeters tall and 111 kilograms, and I can tell that it is all muscle. We will definitely be playing the 'tough guy' card tonight. It will go well with your rough long, dark-brown curly hair, and rugged look."
"Right," I grunt.
"Now I notice you're the definition of a gentle giant who wouldn't hurt anyone. You are always very cool, calm and collected. I want you to play on these attributes in the interview, but try to also appear dangerous. Girls love the hint of danger. What else can you tell me about your history, because they will definitely ask that and I want you to open up to them?"
"I was abandoned in the middle of a forest by my father at the age of five and managed to find some food to survive off of. I lived on the streets eating scraps I found in rubbish bins. When I was seven I found a stray German Sheppard puppy and named her Hope. Up until being selected for the Games she has been with me everywhere I went. At eight years old the boss of a lumber company found me on the streets and took me on as a worker in the lumber yard. He got me to try school but it didn't work out. I passed 9th grade barely before dropping out so I could work full time."
"Oh wow, this is great!" she exclaims. "I mean, well, no not great for you of course, but we definitely need to get this out there. Perhaps the gentle giant approach is the way forward and make sure you twist your answers to tell them what you just told me now!"
"OK."
"So do you have any friends back home, a girlfriend perhaps?"
"Nope."
"OK, Caesar is probably going to use that to sell you to the females in the audience so be prepared for that. What's the story behind your limp? You have to hide that when walking around on stage, I'll make sure you get some specially made shoes."
"That was from when I was twelve. A tree fell on my knee tearing all the ligaments and breaking my bones. It never really recovered so I can't walk very fast and have to limp."
"OK great we have heaps of stuff for you to talk about. Tasi, you truly are an interesting person. It's just a pity that you wouldn't ever hurt anybody. If we could fix that, my money would be on you to win the Games."
"Right."
The Point of View of Jacquelin Aspen
"So which do you prefer: Jack or Jacquelin?" Caesar asks.
"Call me Jack," I say.
"OK, now Jack, you come from District 7, tell us all about what you do in District 7?"
"Well I like to work out every day, and me and my friends like to do dangerous things like throwing axes at each other and bungy jumping."
"Oh wow, look out boys Jack is dangerous!" Caesar laughs, his freshly dyed orange hair bobbing up and down. "Well you are going to love these Games then. Don't tell anyone but the Head Gamemaker whispered into my ear, he told me this year's arena is going to be something of a thrill seeker's dream. But back to you dear girl, you say that you work out every day, let me just say on behalf of the males in the audience you look stunning! May I ask if you have a special someone back home?"
"Why no," I say, thinking about Mathias back home.
He would understand of course. Our relationship is purely platonic, and I need as much crowd support as I can get right now. As predicted, Caesar jumps on my response enthusiastically.
"A fit, tall, adventure seeking girl like yourself won't have any problems finding a boyfriend around here, will she boys?"
There is a lot of wolf whistles from the crowd, and I can feel my face going red slightly. Caesar notices this and quickly changes the topic.
"I know you don't want to give too much away, but what will Jack's strategy be in the arena? You can trust our audience to keep a secret."
There is a lot of laughter from the audience and I join in with it knowing full well that this interview is streaming live to everyone in Panem.
"Well, let's just say that I plan on laying low and making no enemies, and if any of you fellow tributes want to be allies then just come and join me."
"An invitation. How very neat. Now we would love to have had you for longer Jack, you are a real crowd favorite but the Gamemakers set the rules around here, only three minutes per interview."
I get up and wave graciously to the cheering crowd before walking gracefully from the stage. Mission accomplished. As I walk out I see Linden waiting nervously.
"Next up is Linden Gander"
The small boy from District 8 stands up and walks towards the stage. He has curly blond hair, a tan and hazel eyes. I'd be interested to hear how he tries to sell himself to the crowd. I wish him luck.
The Point of View of Linden Garder
"Next up is Linden Gander"
I walk up onto the stage as Jack is walking down. She wishes me luck, which boosts my spirits slightly. My mentor wants me to play 'small but elusive', but I don't care, I do what I want. This is the same mentor that told me I should run from the Cornucopia immediately during the Bloodbath. As if that's going to happen.
"Greetings Linden!" booms Caesar, in his characteristic manner stretching out his hand.
I shake his hand and take a seat on the guest's sofa. It's really comfy.
"So Linden, tell the audience here about your life back in District 8. Do you have brothers or sisters?
"Erm, yeah I have two older sisters."
"And I am sure they are at home watching this right now. May I ask what their names are?"
"Um, Althea and Kathri," I say.
"Oh what wonderful names!" applauds Caesar. "How very wonderful. So Linden, not to give anything away but what do you think will be your strengths in the arena? We have all seen you having fun throwing knives around at training."
"Um, yeah I like playing with knives, but mum and dad usually don't let me."
"Oh of course not. We wouldn't want you to cut yourself would we? So what strategies does Linden have for the arena? I guess you will be looking to get your hands on a knife?"
"Oh yeah, I'm going to look through all the weapons at the Cornucopia for a knife then I'll go around cutting people up."
"Oh wow, how dangerous! You are a person that we really should be keeping an eye out for in the Sixty-ninth Hunger Games. Such bravery. And say you do survive the initial bloodbath, do you plan on forming any alliances in the Arena?"
"Haha, there's no point. We have to kill each other in the end anyway. Might as well not pretend, aye?"
"So true, so true. Well thank you for coming along tonight Linden, I really feel that we have learned a lot about the true Linden Garder, and we all wish you the best of luck in the arena."
There is another round of applause signalling me to leave the stage. I do just that, and on my way out make eye contact with Sakura Velvet. She's a bit older than me but has a cute innocent glow, petite gentle curves and long straight jet black hair. She gives me two thumbs up before her name is called out to go up on stage.
The Point of View of Sakura Velvet
"Next up is Sakura Velvet"
OK let's just do this. I jump up and join Caesar up on stage. The experience is overwhelming for me as I can see thousands of faces staring at me. I pinch myself and focus my attention on Caesar who is helping me into a comfy chair.
"So Sakura Velvet, I love your name. Am I right in saying that back in your home District you work a lot with velvet?"
"Thanks, um, yes we do actually, but I prefer silk myself."
"Of course, don't we all!" Caesar laughs, gesturing to his silk vest. "So am I right in saying that weaving is what you do in District 8?"
"Yeah I also like to bake cakes and make sweets."
"Yes indeed. I like eating cakes and sweets, but I'm not so sure about making them myself. Maybe if I did I wouldn't have this excess weight!" he gestures to his stomach and the crowd bursts into laughter. "So Sakura, what are you strengths in the arena? You look pretty fast."
I just blush, and Caesar is forced to continue.
"Well forgive us, but we've had a little bit of a chat with your classroom teacher and she tells us you are have the best grades in the entire school."
Again I just blush. What am I meant to say anyway? Caesar continues.
"Now Sakura, I am sure you have friends watching back home?"
"Um, yeah, Angelina and Jeremy."
"Oh, Jeremy isn't your boyfriend is he?" Caesar teases.
I just laugh. Jeremy is more of a brother to me, but I play along.
"OK Sakura. It has been great talking to you tonight and we wish you the best of luck for the upcoming Games."
Caesar shakes my hand once again and I leave the stage thankful that that is over. As I leave I can see Barda wearing a neat suit and about to make his way onto the stage. I wish him luck, before turning my attention towards thinking about the Games that will start in a few days time.
