Interviews: Districts Six and Seven

Sisco Perry's POV

District Six

I casually pop a peppermint in my mouth before calling up the first District Six girl: Tara Lyn Ruben.

"So, Tara, what was your first thought after the escort called your name?"

She considers this question a while, as if telling the truth could get her in trouble. Then she sighs. "Whatever. I'm going into the arena anyway, right? And it's not like this is any worse than what the others have said. Okay, I'll tell you." And story time begins.

"My dad has this group… well, let's just say they're in-content with the way Panem is being run. He's not really taken seriously, but they annoy the Peacekeepers enough to get in brawls once and a while. I guess that puts a HUGE target on my back at the reapings. Like we've all been saying, the reapings are supposed to be random, but they're not. They're rigged to get rid of trouble makers and/or their children. That's me." The audience is a complete wreck. Three rigged reapings? Two pregnant women? When you look at the official explanation of the Quarter Quell, this description fits perfectly. I bet you could have a normal Games from now on with all the craziness going on. Of course, they won't. These Games will be the juiciest ever!

Her buzzer sounds and I call the next girl up. I don't really remember her's, or the girl after's, or even the next two boys', but the third and final District Six interview is one to remember.

"Hatcher Robeson. Interesting name. It sounds like Hatchet."

"I know. My family originally lived in District Seven, but had to move when my dad died in a forest fire. I wasn't born yet when they moved, so my mom decided to name me Hatcher, to remind her of her old home and of my deceased dad. I have two older siblings that are "full" (we have the same parents), and when my mom got re-married I got three younger "half" siblings (we have the same mom, but different dad's)."

"Wow, sounds complicated."

"It totally is."

"What are their names?"

He takes a deep breath. "My sister (the oldest) is Shadow. She's 24. My brother, the second oldest, is Rainne. He's 21 and looks just like me. I look up to him. Then there's me, at twelve. My half-sister is ten. Her name is Karmel. My half-brother is four and his name is Keelson, and my other half-brother's name is Sere, and he just turned one."

"That's quite the family."

"I know. Oh, yeah. And my mom's name is Canary. Okay, there, I'm done."

District Seven

My peppermint is gone and a nasty after-taste seeps into my mouth. I desperately wish for the sweet, minty treat that occupied my tongue just moments ago, but I must accept that it's gone for good now. I sigh and reluctantly call up Zenia Weissman.

"Hi, how's it going Sisco?" Oh, no. Another fast talker. Except this one is LOUD.

"Fine, how about you, Zenia?"

"Good, good. So, I was wondering if I could…" I try my best to block her out for the rest of her interview, with the occasional nod. I miss my peppermint very much.

"Willow Stream…uh, you're up." I'm already getting tired. And I've only done 31 interviews, let alone 72! I think they should post-pone the Games another day so I can finish the interviews tomorrow. But I can't. I have to keep going, no matter what.

She doesn't say anything as she sits in her chair and folds her hands neatly on her lap. I struggle to suppress a yawn, and I fail. This makes her yawn, and I catch a few audience members yawning as well. But most of them are wide-eyed with excitement. What else will these incredible interviews reveal about our 72 tributes?

"So, Willow," I stop for another yawn. It's going on midnight, now. On a regular year, this program would've ended about 45 minutes ago. I know most Capitol parties last until after two in the morning, but then I have time to prepare for that night; to sleep in. Not to mention the fact that I only get invited to parties once in a while.

"What's it like back home for you? Coming from District Seven, it appears your parents gave you the name of a tree."

She nods. "Yes, the willow tree is my mother's favorite." Her voice is barely above a whisper. She speaks in a high-pitched voice and her face is strawberry-red. I remember how confident she seemed at the reaping, and a word enters my mind.

Stage-fright.

Of course. I've seen it in many tributes before. Either that or she's playing it meek for the cameras, like that one victor long ago; Johanna Mason…

I try to get answers out of her but she gives me the bare minimum. Soon it's time for Charity Jackson.

Yawn. I reach into the pocket of my jacket, mindlessly feeling for another mint. Wait! What's this? A candy? Yes! I pull it out and find in my absent mindedness I have been so clever as to discover a butterscotch hiding in my pocket. A step down from the peppermint, but hopefully it will disintegrate the awful taste of chives and mint that lingers on my tongue.

Charity eyes the candy enviously as I pop it into my mouth. I ignore her glare and focus my thoughts on distractions: rolling the butterscotch over and over on my tongue, fixating my gaze on a pretty young thing in the crowd, and eventually I bring my attention back to Charity. She's in the middle of telling me about her past, as I had (apparently) blankly suggested.

"-so I've just been scraping by. And the worst part is, they take all the money they earn and spend it on morphling. They don't care about me. I was an accident." Okay, so I can piece some of her story together: She was an accident (obviously), her parents are morphling addicts who don't take care of her, and she's barely surviving on her own.

"But I wouldn't count me out. Sixteen years of neglect has toughened me up and taught me how to survive. It's become second-nature for me." Her buzzer rings and I zone out again for the next two interviews, only to be snapped back into reality by the buzzer that marks the end of Jamison Hudson's interview. (Hint hint: ben)

"So, your name is Keahi Lanash, right? I mean, did I pronounce that right?"

He nods. "Oh, yes. It means fire."

"Interesting. So, do you like fire?"

"Mhmm, it's become sort of a hobby of mine."

"Hmm, fire is your hobby?"

"No, building fires."

"Oh." An awkward silence follows. Finally, he speaks.

"I guess now you want me to tell you about my family."

"It would be nice, yes."

"Here's all you need to know: My little sister is nine and her name is Amanda. My dad's name is Jethro, and my mom's name is Lanai. She's pregnant with another child."

"Oohs" from the crowd. These Games are too pregnant.

Rrring! His buzzer goes and now it's time for District Eight. And my butterscotch is gone.

Hope you enjoyed it! I'm trying to transform Sisco into a sort of comedian with his thoughts. Also, I'm posting a poll on my profile. It's really easy; just answer yes or no. Here's the trick: You don't know what question you're answering! The poll will be open until I post the last of the interviews, so hurry up and vote!