Chapter 15: The Announcer

Chariot Rides

Marvin Snyder - Hunger Games Announcer

"All that glitters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:

- William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

I. Am. The. Announcer!

I am the one that brings fear into the hearts of evil men and women of Panem. The one everyone listens to for guidance. The one with the most recognizable voice of the whole damn continent!

I am Marvin Snyder. The one. The only. Shadow Announcer.

In a long time past, I was but a simple man. A man with a loving wife, a beautiful child, and a job at a radio shack where I can make stories about the Dark Lord (yes, people listened to it, and it was a real job. It was amazing). Then, the unexpected happened. My horrible origin story.

It might not be a tragic origin story, but it's horrible.

...Okay, I might have fucked up with having coffee too close the electric equipment. One thing led to another, and my workplace sorta - totally - burned down. Absolutely screwed up there, a hundred percent. I was forced to beg my wife not to file for divorce, told her I had a plan. She bought that thankfully. The bad news was, I didn't have much of a plan.

A few days after that, I begged the previous announcer to retire, which he agreed to, thankfully. I lucked out. I put on my best pathetic face I could muster, and I came in recommended. I got on the job back before the Contarini debacle after the 132 Hunger Games. Chambers won his election that year, right after the Contarini family all went died or missing.

...It was strange that the previous Announcer disappeared after Chambers came to power. Okay, it wasn't. Who am I fooling? It was a shit year during the 132nd Hunger Games. It was a turning point in Capitol politics, but no one needs to know about it.

Great Buddha... Chambers is Snow come again. Everyone knows this. But it's not my job to mention the obvious. Especially to the lucky oblivious Capitolites who listen to my voice.

My voice. My very job today. It's to give my thoughts on the tributes - their costumes and rides as well - this year in a fabulous manner. Chambers is a nut, but he pays well. Even do my Dark Lord stories when it isn't Hunger Games season.

"Marvin, you're doing that creepy thing again when you stare intently at the sky," a voice next to me said flatly.

Next to me was a very valued and kind friend: My partner in crime, Sandra Cassiopeia!

And she dyed her hair purple!

"Why, I'm preparing myself! The chariot rides are almost here after all," I replied cheerfully.

Sandra didn't look as thrilled. "So, you still enjoy this? I haven't been here as long as you have, but you always have the spirit for it."

"Well, to me, it's roleplay. It's like commenting on wandering travelers going on an adventure. It's pretty fun," I said as she raised her brow dubiously. I looked at her without a smile. "Also, I get paid."

Sandra nodded after that.

There's a green light that tells us to go on.

Showtime!

"Welcome Panem, this is Marvin Snyder here. The Shadow Announcer. The Dayslayer. The best Game Master of Panem-"

Sandra cut me off. "Yes, yes Marvin, you're a huge nerd. We get it," I laughed to show no offense from cutting me off. Then Sandra showed her full white-pearled smile. "Now, on to the 172nd Hunger Games and the tributes shall we. Or rather the chariot rides."

And the chariot rides went.

There was Bliss Lustra and Silver Chase. The two of them were colorfully made into royalty. They had royal garments, which included crowns and Pre-Panem look on how kings and queens were supposed to look. Both of them crossed their arms, looking menacingly at the crowd with their cold eyes. The crowd loved it.

After them, is District Two. Unlike the One careers, Roxy Flint and Somnus Marbrand went on to wave at the crowd. The two of them dressed as statues. They were sprayed with greyish stone color, which made them look like automated statues. Statues that smiled, of course, even if Roxy looked more enthusiastic than Somnus does with her waving. Somnus looked as if he's doing this as if he was routined. Not many, if barely anyone, could tell the difference, but I can see a false smile when I see it.

On towards District Three. Veta Del Mina and Dorian Fleece were uncomfortable in their outfits. They were robots (so stereotypical), robots with steel plating and wires which look as if it either itched or scratched if either of them moves. Their chariot, however, looked futuristic if the robot horses pulling it was any distinction. Wonder how much it cost?

District Four had costumes that were horrifyingly expected. Delmara Lum and Anet Bennet are both dressed as mermaids. The former looked annoyed while the latter was uncomfortable. Not too embarrassing, but the kelp on them must be something itchy. In any case, it could have been worse.

Zyra Koore and Volt Nightingale was next. The district Five pair certainly caught more attention than anticipated. Both of them are wearing silvery dresses, and not only that but the dresses glittered. Next thing that happened, an electric shock was heard, and the chariot had little lightning bolts coming off of it. The crowd screamed as the two waved.

"Now, that's what I call a shocker!" I jocked.

Sandra groaned, "God, that was horrible, Snyder." She did have a smile, however.

Next up was District Six, and for the record, there was steam coming out the back of their heavily designed black chariot. It looked like a train. And obviously, Jaeden Rota and Moira Balise were conductors. Both were waving accordingly. Jaeden looked nervous while Moira waved more steadily, almost robotically.

Then came District Seven...

"Wow..."

I overheard my fellow announcer, and couldn't help but nod, "Yeah, this is quite...," I tried to find the words, "a popular design."

The District Seven pair are, unsurprisingly trees. Both Taliah Marik and Aspen Wolfe were heavily embarrassed with the brown paint that covered their bodies and some sticky leaves on them. The crowd of Capitolites wasn't cheering as much as before.

"I mean, they could be dryads or something else?" I guessed optimistically.

"Do you honestly believe that?" Sandra asked drily.

The stylists are pretty well-known in the workplace as the brainless bunch, Seven's stylists more so for their lack of creativity. "No," I said and left it at that.

Onto District Eight. Now, for the most part, Hadley Holbrook and Marron Deinan looked like mummies (except their faces). Mummies wrapped with a bunch of red ribbons. Both of them don't look too happy being here, but then Marron seemed to have said something to Hadley, then one thing led to another, Hadley kicked Marron off the chariot. They was a couple of 'Ooooh' when Marron landed. He was perfectly fine, but very red-faced and now glaring at Hadley. The girl grinned, and a lot of Capitolites laughed, Sandra and I included.

After that entertaining debacle, it was District Nine's chariot to see. Daisy Grove, an adorable little thing, was... a daisy. She had flower petals around her face and symmetrical grass around her. Kalvin Kanstine, however, looked like a gardener. Both of them were waving, and well, the design looked interesting enough. Then Kalvin had a watering can in his hand, put it above his district partner, and he used it to spray Daisy. Daisy, unlike Marron, laughed at this silly prank, and the crowd cheered and laughed louder at the two.

Doe and Buck Adler, the twins from District 10 were up. They were wearing wool trenchcoats, which fit quite well and made the two of them almost imposing. Almost. Buck was sweating and looked a bit under the weather. He almost fell off the chariot before Doe managed to catch him. The crowd cheered at that, unhelpfully. Doe didn't look all that amused or happy when she was looking with concern at her brother.

Calliope Germaine and Cristian Moldovan were farmers. Overalls and straw hat. Nothing special with District Eleven. They were overshadowed by the chariots in front of them. Nevertheless, they waved to the crowd as they should do. They do need sponsors.

District 12, last but not least, came up a bit unexpected. Iry Hawkfeather and Cole Lynderly were dressed up as bats. Or vampires? Iry had some sharp teeth on her, looking at the crowd and smiling. Cole looked away from everyone, muttering to himself. Weird kids.

"Now, tributes," President Chambers's voice was heard, as every year from his podium.

"Let the 172nd commence!"

The crowd goes wild.

And my work here is done!

I clicked the off button, and the radio network is over.

I stretched, pulling my arms behind my head. Looking at Sandra, who's tenser than usual, "Something wrong? You're not worried about the tributes' fates, right?"

The famed interviewer scoffed at that. "No. Ew. No. District rats are meant for the Capitol's entertainment. Why would I be worried about them?"

Hiding my doubt, I nodded. I would believe Sandra more if I haven't seen her get drunk and drive her home almost every few years after the Hunger Games ends. She always names a favorite or a younger tribute who dies and whispers that the Hunger Games were unfair. Whether it's out of actual empathy or tribute favoritism, I don't know.

"So what are you thinking about?" I asked.

"Aaron," she answered.

"I thought you were gay."

"It's not about that!" she shouted, clearly shocked by my unexpected response. I smiled. She whacked me on my arm. "Snow's beard. No. Never that. It's just I don't know all that much about him. You know. I think he has a brother or something, but that's it."

I hummed. "Why do you want to know?"

"Why not?" she countered. "I mean, he could've been the Head Gamemaker. He should be the Head Gamemaker, why isn't he? Why is he so closed off all the time?"

Shrugging, I don't particularly want to talk to Aaron too much. He scares me, even now. Always so serious. But it sounded like Sandra is determined to do something. "Sounds personal. Maybe you shouldn't look too deeply into it."

Sandra looked at the crowd. "Nah. I'm going to. I'm going to find Aaron's secrets."

Can't say I didn't warn her.

Maybe it's to distract her from troubles admitting she doesn't like the Hunger Games, maybe she's always been this nosy. Who knows?

...

I stared at the crowd with my brown eyes. You know, there was a time before Chambers. I remember Potter's presidentship, a man we voted for and where people could've spoken more freely. There was a short time where everyone can travel whenever they want. It was a wonderful time.

Now, it's back to this. Back to a system of fear similar to Snow's government. Afraid of speaking a little in any defense of the Districts. Afraid of being punished by Chambers's regiment.

The tributes. The mentors. Aaron. Sandra. We're all paying for living in this country, being frightened into it. Perhaps Sandra doesn't care, but I at least wish everyone luck. My job is nothing more than being a commentator and counting down a number, but I see things not many want to.

Indeed. Wishing luck to the unfortunate is the least I can do since that's the only thing I can do.

Sweet Buddha, why did I spill that coffee? This job sucks sometimes.

A/N: Yeah, and my demon is slothfulness. Needs fixing.

In any case, a new chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Did you find anything interesting? Silly? Or funny about any of the chariots?

I also want to thank Kay of Arda and EmberLex for their support.