The Interviews

Addis is up next and I'm curious what tips Astrix has given her thus far, not only in the interviews, but the games as a whole.

"The Goddess of Electricity, Addis Madina!" shouts the interviewer.

The Interviewer has a way of making every tribute sound special. Addis is wearing a matching electric blue dress. Thin straps go over her shoulder to keep the dress up. The dress is asymmetrical and splits allowing the audience to see her long legs when she walks. I'm kind of proud to be her partner to be honest because the crowd is going crazy and she really does look nice.

"So," says the interviewer, "Do you have any special talents that you think will help you in the arena?"

"Nope!" says Addis.

The interviewer makes a funny face and half the crowd laughs.

"Well, I do have a special talent but I don't think it will help me in the arena."

"Well now I'm curious," says the interviewer, "Can you show us this talent?"

Addis stands up and begins singing.

~In our hearts there is a light~

~Shining brightly, oh so bright~

~Even in the darkest night~

~I swear to shine with all my might~

The whole crowd is literally on their feet.

"More! The people want more!" says the Interviewer.

"But that's it!" says Addis with a smile.

"Oh yes, the District Five anthem," says the Interviewer.

The district Five anthem is one of the few songs we have with lyrics. I've heard it hundreds of times but never like that.

"I love your rendition of it. So how do you like the Capitol?"

"Well, the training center is kind of boring. Maybe you can show me more of what the Capitol has to offer after I win," says Addis.

Is she flirting with the interviewer? This is a side of Addis I haven't seen before. I wonder how I am going to follow her act.

"Beauty and confidence, I love it! Addis Madina, District Five!"

"Nice job," I say as she exits the stage.

"You've been waiting for him, now here he is, all the way from District Five, The Laughing Psycho, Thales Franklin!"

He really said it, I think to myself.

I'm amazed when I actually see the crowd in front of me. There must be at least a million people all focused on me. I wave and blow kisses to them.

"The question on everybody's mind is what was going through your head at the reaping. Why were you laughing?"

"Well, right before my name was called I was thinking how much I wanted to see the Capitol!"

"And now that your here what do you think?"

"Well it's very, colorful!"

The crowd laughs lightly.

"Is it true that you actually wanted to go into the arena this year?"

I laugh at his question and this gets the crowd going.

"Only the careers would find something this barbaric as fun, so to answer your question, no, I didn't."

At this point I'm not worried about making enemies because the careers will come for me regardless.

"Anything you want to say to the people of Panem?" he asks.

"Yeah, don't count out District Five!"

The crowd roars.

"You heard it; don't count out District Five tribute, Thales Franklin!"

That night I can't help but think of the girl from Eight. I can't remember her name and I'm glad because I don't want to. It will only make it harder. I think of my sister growing up and being reaped. I imagine her asking someone to protect her and they yell at her like I did to Eight. I feel like crap but it's the Capitols fault for making us fight. Or is it the districts fault for rebelling? No. There is no justification for what happens in the arena. It's slaughter. I start doing sit ups and zone out so I can't think anymore. Before I know it I'm knocked out on the floor.