Adria Carlisle glared furiously out the window of her office, the glass especially designed by the Capitol's scientists to be completely bulletproof, and several times harder than diamonds.
A knock sounded on her door, and she turned around. Who dared to disturb her peace?
She smiled professionally, walked over, and opened it. Outside stood Angelica, her Head Gamemaker.
"So sorry to interrupt you, President Carlisle, but I needed to consult you regarding the tributes for the Games," the Gamemaker said.
A perfectly plucked eyebrow raised itself up several millimeters. "It had better be worth my time in gold."
"Oh, yes, it is." Angelica took a slim, hologram-projecting device from her wristlet. Oh, those silly Capitol trends. "You see, there's a problem with the Games. Which, as you know, begin in three weeks."
"Yes, yes, I know," Adria snapped impatiently. "Get on with it. What happened?"
"Well...you see, the Games aren't spectacular enough this year. That Gamemaker that your...er, predecessor appointed last year was in charge of the main arena design, and you should simply see what he created."
Adria's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Well, I don't see. Kindly leave or get on with it."
"Yes, yes, so sorry, President." She tapped the screen, and a hologram projected into the air.
"I see a forest. What's so important about that?"
"That's the only thing that's been created. No mutts, no poisoned berries...it's a forest, nothing else."
Adria cursed under her breath. "I'll have him executed," she muttered.
"Pardon?" Angelica asked, not hearing.
Adria straightened up. This was her first year as President, and she expected the Games to be nothing short of the most famous in history, more spectacular than the most famous Quarter Quells, more crimson-stained arena than the war zones after the failed rebellion following the 75th Games.
"I said, 'Sit down, and we'll make these the most enthralling Games.' "
"That's what you said? I didn't hear..." Angelica replied.
"No, it's not what I said, but it's what you'll do, and if not, the lot of you will be gone, and we'll have the light of dawn, a new day, a new era, of the Hunger Games."
