Lucent Saccharyn, Head Gamemaker:
It's been an interesting few days. I've loved observing the tributes, gleaning every little piece of information I could about their strategies, their personalities, their flaws and quirks. The arena is almost finalized, and I'm looking over the final list of items that will be provided in the Cornucopia. The supplies will be more minimal than usual due to the twist. There is only enough food to sustain twelve tributes for about three days each. The tributes will learn to hunt and forage, or they will have to go without. The reason for this is calculated. The only other means of getting food will be the gifts from sponsors here in the Capitol. People want a good storyline, and they tend to sponsor those who stir up drama or are more aggressive. This way, the tributes will be more motivated to give us all a good show.
The terrain of the arena is complete, and I'm excited for the tributes to begin interacting with it. The mutts are functioning well in their new habitat. The only thing left to do is wait for the Games to officially commence. The entire Capitol is itching to hear what the tributes have to say for themselves in the interviews tomorrow, and I have a couple of sleepless nights ahead of me. The Hunger Games need to commence without a hitch, and if things go to crap, I'm the person on the chopping block. I'm good at my job. I'm great at my job, actually, and I've been doing all the right things, sticking to plan, making sure milestones are passed at the appropriate times.
Still, there's always that tiny spark of anxiety that I'll mess up. I'll be on the edge of my seat until the tributes are safely in the arena. It's miraculous what can be accomplished if only one tries hard enough, and the tributes will come to learn that in the coming days. I want to push them to win, force their hidden skills out of the woodwork, show their best traits off to the Capitol. The Hunger Games will be thrilling to watch. I'm checking over Pyramus's work on the arena one last time before eventually signing off on it. Other Gamemakers glide in all directions around me, abuzz with news of their fresh tasks, speaking in hurried tones. Two avoxes watch from the corners of the room, silent as spectres, eyes trained on screens that display live footage of the tributes' apartments. They can grab our attention any time they need to, but the supper conversations are innocuous, mainly consisting of praise and congratulations. The most exciting thing to happen is when Soren Ventra, the troublesome boy from Three, refuses to eat dinner and stalks off to his room in the middle of the meal. "Chris," I call, snapping my fingers, "I need you!"
Chris, the ever loyal secretary that he is, speed-walks over as quickly as is socially acceptable. "Yes ma'am? What do you require of me?"
"Please inform the escorts that they must send their tributes to bed at nine this evening. I'd like them to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is a big day, and I want them to be up bright and early so they have as much time as possible to be coached for their interviews." Chris dutifully salutes.
"Of course, ma'am. With all due respect, are you alright? You look exhausted. Do you need a coffee or something to keep you awake?"
"A coffee would be much appreciated, Chris. Thank you. Double cream, no sugar."
"I'll fetch it immediately after I disseminate your orders to the escorts. Glad to be of service, ma'am." He trots off, and I return my attention to the model of the arena. Everything is as perfect as when I cleared it for completion a few minutes ago. After a moment of observing my Gamemakers, I pick up a telephone and dial up an office I know well.
"Hello."
"Who are you and what do you want?" The voice on the other end is vaguely masculine and very snobbish. Chris wouldn't just get fired if he spoke to a caller that way, he'd probably get a smack or two as well. That's an extremely unprofessional way to answer the phone. I ignore it, though.
"This is Head Gamemaker Saccharyn. I need to speak with Jack Cannon at once."
"Uh, I think he's in the restroom. Do you want me to go give him the phone anyways or wait for him to come back?"
"Oh, I'd much prefer to wait until he has a free moment." Trying to catch the gaze of one of my Gamemakers, I eventually lock eyes with Pinky. I motion to my desk, pointing until she opens the right drawer and waggles a manila file folder in question. I nod. She brings me the folder and I snap it open. It contains suggestions for interview questions, and I scribble some notes in the margins, ignoring the boy on the other end of the phone who tries to fill up the time by prattling on about his failed romances.
"He's done peeing. Hang on a sec." The audio suddenly becomes distant and echoey, as though someone snatched the phone away from him, and I hear the slightly fuzzy noise of someone soldering someone else. The sound snaps back into focus, and I hear the familiar voice of Jack Cannon.
"Sorry about him, he's a new intern. Didn't know any better. How are you, Luce? Sorry if I was too nosy when I brought you out on the stage earlier, but I had to give the people something!"
"That's alright. Actually, I was calling to discuss more interviews. I have some recommendations for what you should ask the tributes. I ordered Cassus down to the Hall of Records to do a deep dive, and as it turns out, there are some topics you might want to avoid."
"Such as what? Wait, just a moment, I'm finding a pen. Okay, carry on." Jack's a bit messy and scatterbrained, but he's very diligent at his job. I know I can count on him to follow instructions.
"Several tributes have been abused or neglected by their parents or other adults. It would probably be best if you avoided discussions of family with them. In addition, Rafe McClellan, our District Two Male, has been confirmed to have murdered his mother and father on the morning of the Reapings. I'd recommend glossing over any of your usual questions that might coincide with that. Maybe ask about his role in the Career Pack instead."
"Sounds good." After some brief further discussion with him, I hang up the phone, dismiss my Gamemakers, and head home for the evening. Jessiah's snoring on the sofa already, and despite my recent bout of insomnia, it's surprisingly easy to drift off in the grand four-poster bed. The next time I'm awake and alert, only a day will remain until hhe tributes enter the arena.
Hey y'all!
One more update is coming today, at 9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, and it'll be focusing on the tributes as they prepare for the interviews. I know it's been a while since I tallied up sponsor points, so I'll also be doing that today. See you in four hours!
– LC :)