Katniss and Clove: Chapter Six
"I volunteer as Tribute" I say in a loud, clear voice and feel the collective breath taken by the relieved and the disappointed around me. I step forward in the line and make my way to the centre of the square. A Peacekeeper guard of honour approaches me, they take their place at the four corners they match my pace as I head to the stage. When I take the stairs they turn uniformly to the right and stand at attention marking the significance of my new position.
District Two Female Tribute: Me. Clove. I stand proudly with thousands of pairs of jealous and admiring eyes upon me. Every effort, over the course of my entire life has culminated in this single moment of glory. I tried to affect an air of modesty - even now I am not free of the list. My mind, under the influence of my life long habit of listing my next concern - Sponsors.
I stand to one side while Cato volunteers, I am vaguely aware of the Peacekeepers turning as one and heading to escort him to the stage. But my mind is whirring, I know that this moment will be one of the most watched and rewatched of all the games. Oh, I'm not referring to me, I mean all the Tributes. And not only these games - for years to come people will be looking back, remembering the moment the Tributes are confirmed.
I will already have Sponsors from the Capitol and District Two, no doubt, but it would be a wasted opportunity to not try to impress potential Sponsors at this moment. Cato is reaching to shake my hand - as if this hasn't all been prearranged, but I take his hand and participate in the charade. Rich people don't mind that the system is fixed against the poor but they would not appreciate knowing that the Capitol has fixed their Hunger Games.