Chapter 11 – For her
Madge have met Haymitch before.
There was a time, years ago, when he went at her house to dine with her father and meet a few Capitol celebrity. He was always drunk. But when he came to speak with her, he always joked around. Making funny jokes, showing her tricks of magic and telling her funny stories of how he would drink a lot and wake up in strange places. But when her mother got worse, he disappeared. She almost thought that his comic play at the stage was to protect her from being target by the Capitol. Almost. After all, Haymitch is always drunk.
She finds her chamber at the end of the corridor. She immediately goes shower and let go her tears. What a day. Her mother was right. Something bad did happen that day. She finds a few plain clothes in the drawers and puts her pin on it. Home, family, love. They were all gone now.
She takes a better look at the pin. Was it pure gold? She recognizes the bird. It was a mockingjay.
Her great-grandfather wrote about it. They're funny birds and something of a slap in the face to the Capitol. During the rebellion, the Capitol bred a series of genetically altered animals as weapons. There was a special bird called jabberjay that had the ability to memorize and repeat whole human conversations. They were homing birds, exclusively male, that were released into regions where the Capitol's enemies were known to be hiding. After the birds gathered words, they'd fly back to centers to be recorded. It took people awhile to realize what was going on in the districts but once the found out, the rebels fed the Capitol endeless lies and the joke was on it. So the centers shut down and birds were abandoned to die off in the wild.
Only they didn't die off. Instead, the jabberjays mated with female mockingbirds creating a whole new species that could replicate both birds whistles and human melodies.
Madge loved to sing for them. They could recreate songs if you're patience to sing them.
Effie shows up to warn Madge about dinner time. They will only get to the Capitol in the morning. Effie shows her schedule. Every minute counts, she says. Madge is not thrilled to be there, risking her life in the games, and shows it very well to Effie. But Effie doesn't catch the message and goes on to tell Madge all about her wonderful life in the Capitol and how she expects to be promoted to a better district someday.
They arrive at the dinning room. There are at least three tables full with food. The first table has all kinds of bread. The second table has six pans with diverse soups. The third table has plates with meats and the other tables have deserts and beverages.
Rory is already sit in a round table next to the couch. There is flat television screen playing a sitcom from the Capitol. Some drama around models and stuff.
"Where's Haymitch?" asks Effie brightly.
"He just left. Said he was to take a nap but I'm pretty sure he took a few whisky bottles with him", says Rory. He get ups and start to serve himself some food. Madge follows his actions. They don't talk much since Effie takes this chance, Haymitch's absence, to talk more about herself.
"At least, you two have decent manners," says Effie as they're finishing the main course. Madge looks at Rory. He used all the correct forks and ate with his mouth shut. He is composed and his back is straight. A perfect gentleman. But Effie's next comment makes both very angry. "The pair from latest years, all ate with their hands making huge messes around. It completely upset my digestion."
Madge and Rory hated Effie's comment so much, they both start eating like savage animals. Madge responds Effie with her mouth full and Rory spills his grape juice on the table. Effie is so offended she storms out the room after Haymitch. They laugh a lot while she is gone.
"Thanks, she really needed a lesson", Rory finally says.
"Actually, thank you, Rory", Madge looks deeper in Rory's eyes. She means more than she is saying. She says a few compliments about the food and the size of her chamber just in case the Capitol is filming them or something. Their disguise has to be more realistic.
Effie comes back only to shove them into another room. Haymicth is already there sitting on the main couch looking at huge television screen. They are told to sit as well. The show is about to play.
For those who live at the Capitol, there are special channels for the Hunger Games. They can watch twenty-four hours live per day if they pay. For others, they have to wait for the three hours special moments at the end of the day. The family and friend of the tributes receive exclusive screens with power electricity so they can watch the whole thing. They even receive a permission to be absent at work, and receive food and money. Sounds very kind from the Capitol but the whole thing is just to make them more miserable.
One by one, they see the other reapings. Since this was a special celebration for the 3rd quarrel Hunger Games and the rules were changed, most districts have volunteers. Only a boy from District 6, a girl from District 8 and another girl from District 11, don't have volunteers. Madge can't fix one tribute on mind. She will try to analyze them later since they all look frightening.
Last of all, they show District 12. Although, Madge and Rory volunteered, something definitely draws all commentators' attentions to them.
They show Posy's name being called. For a moment, Madge can tell that most citizens were also expecting someone to volunteer. Not because they were really expecting but they wanted someone to rescue poor little Posy. That's when Madge desperate yells. She sees herself running past the children and ordering the peacemakers to let go of Posy. She looks aggressive. But when she bents down next to Posy, her expression totally changes, She looks motherly and kind. A commentator points out Madge's beauty and social status. Posy runs to her mother. Effie makes her comments and asks the crowd applauses.
The commentators are not sure what to say about the crowd's refusal to applaud. The silent salute. One says that District 12 has always been a bit backward but that local customs can be charming. As if on cue, Haymicth falls off the stage, and they groan comically.
Madge sees that Rory is now being framed. He looks heart-broken. The producers already know he is going to volunteer, so they focus on Rory images. Effie is already walking to the boys ball. Rory doesn't wait for her to finish Peeta Merlack's name, when he volunteers. He runs past his colleagues that look at him like he was demented or worse. Rory's eyes fix on Madge all the time. That's when the commentators points out our hands linked. The other tribute couples looked like their knew each other but were always far away like the previous Games. But while Rory and Madge shake hands on screen, they stare in each other's eyes all the time. They cut to the anthem again and the program ends.
Effie is disgruntled about the state her wig was in "Your mentor has a lot to learn about presentation. A lot about televised behavior."
Rory unexpectedly laughs. "He was drunk", says Rory. "He's drunk every year".
"Every day", Madge adds. She can't help smirking a little.
"Yes", hisses Effie. "How odd you two find it amusing. You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these Games. The one who advises you, lines up yours sponsors, and dictates the presentation of any gifts. Haymitch can well be the difference between your life and your death!".
"Well, well Effie. Never thought you loved me that much. You seem to know so much about me that makes me blush", Haymitch jokes and pukes on the floor. Drunk, as always.
"Really? Now YOU want to joke. Will these kids be any different from the previous ones? Look at them! I can't see anything different" says Effie. She hops in her pointy shoes and flees the room.
"Rory, could you check Effie? I think she kind of care about us. We probably hurt her feelings", Madge says. Rory checks Haymitch and Madge one last time and goes after Effie.
Madge just needed a few moments alone with Haymitch.
"Haymitch, we better go back to your room. You're not feeling well", Madge puts his arm around her neck and pulls him back to the straight corridor.
"I gulped?", Haymitch asks.
"Yes. Now you need a bath. Come on." She leads him to the biggest room in the back.
"Now, listen carefully Haymitch. I'm not stupid neither is Rory. I can tell you drink to forget your pain but right now and for the next weeks I need you sober. You own this to my family, to my mother and my aunt. You can pretend to be a fool around this idiots but you don't trick me. I know you're smart. So tomorrow, stay clean. We need you. I need you", she whispers so low next to his ear, she is sure no kind of instrument can hear her. Even the shaking of the train was making louder noises. Her hair is covering her mouth and while she spoke, Haymitch didn't indicate she was talking. She only hoped, he heard her.
Effie was right about Haymitch. He was the line between life and death.
She hauls him into the bathtub and turn the shower on him. He hardly notices.
Rory shows up behind her after a few moments.
"Effie is fine now. I think she likes to be a drama Queen. When I got to her room, she was already laughing at some kind of soap opera on tv. You should speak with her now I'll take it from here."
Madge smiles gratefully. She wasn't going to strip Haymitch or put him on his bed wet. She felt sorry for him. To see his District's children die every year got into his head. Madge probably would drink like him with she was allowed to.
She goes to Effie's room and apologizes. Effie in her weird Capitol way does seems to care about Madge and Rory. Madge stays with her for a while watching the soup opera and listening to her many childhood's stories. At some point, Effie tells Madge to sleep and she obeys.
Madge dreams about her aunt riding in the same train she was. Her ghost tells her to gain strength and trust Haymitch.
When Madge wakes up, it still dark outside. She looks at her nightstand clock only not to find it there. Oh, right. I'm not home. She gets up and heads for long shower. Only now she notices a few extra buttons besides the water tap. As she tries out for fun a few buttons, the water changes it smells and temperature. Another few presses, the light changes to blue and a classical music starts to play. It's very relaxing. Madge enjoys a warm bath with smell of vanilla and mint. After almost one hour she comes out feeling better. She can't remember parts of her dreams but when she woke up her pillow was wet with tears and her clothes soaked in sweat.
She changes into a white blouse and black pants. She braids her hair into a nice elaborated plait that starts on her right side of head and finishes on her left shoulder.
"Up, up, up! It's going to be a big, big, big day!", Effie enters her room only to find Madge already clean and dressed up.
"I knew you're a nice tribute with manners!", Effie beams happy. She accompanies Madge to the dining car babbling about previous tributes that woke late, never cleaned properly or had manners.
"Good morning", she says to Haymitch and Rory. They are already enjoying breakfast. The tables are arranged again with bread, fruits, jams, honey, eggs, bacons and beverages.
"Try this", Rory puts a cup on her side of the table. "They call it hot chocolate. I never tasted something that good".
Haymitch laughs and says something about Rory needing to taste more things called life. Inner jokes between men.
Madge enjoys her hot chocolate and tastes some bacons and eggs. Everything taste delicious and the flavor is beyond imagination. Even when she feels full, she keeps eating a little more. In just five days, she probably won't eat anymore. It was hard to kill small animals back in the woods, imagine at the Games. She needed all sort of energy.
"So, you're supposed to give us advice", Rory says to Haymitch.
"Here's some advice. Stay alive", says Haymitch and the burst out laughing. He is drunk. He didn't hear her last night.
"Let's see how funny this is", Rory quickly takes his butter knight and places it hard between Haymitch's hand and his liquor glass, barely missing his fingers.
Haymitch considers this a moment, the almost punches Rory in the jaw, but Madge is faster and kicks Haymitch's knee hard.
He falls from his chair in pain. Luckily for them, Effie isn't around.
"Well, what's this?" says Haymitch massaging his knee. "Did I actually get a pair of fighters this year?".
Madge looks sternly at Rory. They promised not to tell anyone about them.
"Listen, both of you. Every year, I have watched our own people die. Children that knew they were going to die no matter what I did for them. But you two, something is off. You know each other. Maybe at school or at some crazy kid's party, but I can tell. But what am I supposed to think when the Mayor's daughter and some crazy kid volunteers?"
"I suppose nothing. Perhaps we really want glory. Madge doesn't want to be just the mayor daughter anymore and I need the money", Rory says.
"Really? So why didn't you volunteered last year? Or the year before that? What make this year so special?", asks Haymitch
"I have double chances. If I help Madge, she helps me. Just like the others", Rory answers.
"The others will die. Don't you get it yet? If Madge dies, your plan is ruined. This year's match won't change nothing for us." Haymitch looks at Madge "It didn't change for her either". He was referring to Madge's aunt.
"She won't die. She is strong", Rory assures.
"Of course she is. She is Maysilee's nephew. The Capitol doesn't expect her to be a doll or something. They already have her background. A big story. But what about you?", Haymicth points out.
"He is strong and fast. He is at the school fight club. He won't disappoint. I assure you, Haymitch. So please, give us a chance." Give Rory a chance. Madge begs. Haymitch definitely already decided in his mind to help Madge but he had doubts about Rory.
"Can you hit anything with that knife besides a table?", asks Haymitch.
Rory and Madge practiced a lot in the forest with only an axe, fake wood swords and stones.
When Madge and Rory started practicing hunting smalls animals, Rory took a few blind kitchen's knifes so they could hit their target at distance. It worked well after a few weeks. The knife Rory was holding was sharp and heavier. He looks around and throws it into the wall across the room. It lands in a painting of a man, right between his eyes.
"Stand over here. Both of you", orders Haymitch, nodding to the middle of the room. They obey and he circles them like animals do at times, checking their muscles, measuring their heights, examining their faces. "Well, you're not entirely hopeless. Seem fit. And once the stylists get hold of you, you certainly will be the most desirable and attractive couple of these games".
Rory and Madge don't question this. The Hunger Games aren't a beauty contest, but the best-looking tributes always seem to pull more sponsors.
"I have to you warn you, sweetheart. Being the mayor's daughter will make things harder for me. Your farther is not allowed to interfere and neither will his friends show their kindness. Sponsors can be cruel most times and I won't agree with everything they throw at me". Haymitch tells Rory and Madge about a boy, Finnick. He was so desperate to survive, his counselor accepted everything they asked her. Finnick survived the games but in exchange he became a Capitol whore. He never went back home. He had to model, advertise, show up in all dinner parties, sleep with all women and men. He lost his freedom. Haymitch said Finnick couldn't even dare to try suicide or his family would replace him no matter what.
"All right, I'll make a deal with you. You don't interfere with my drinking and I'll stay sober enough to help you", says Haymitch. "But you have to do exactly what I say. No objections will be allowed".
"Fine', says Madge. Rory nods agreeing too.
"In a few minute, we'll be pulling into the station. You'll be put in the hands of your stylists. You're not going to like what they do to you. But no matter what it is, don't resist and don't complain. Don't complain about the Capitol either. From now on, you love them", says Haymitch.
Madge takes her time to have another drink of chocolate. Rory does the same. They exchanges a few looks and smiles but don't talk. The train finally begins to slow and suddenly bright light floods the compartment. They run to the window to see the city. High buildings, shiny cars and weird dressed people all over the place.
"Smile and wave, both of you. They have to love you", warns Haymitch. He is looking oddly at them. Plotting their survival arrangements in his mind.