The Interview: Caesar Flickerman – Host

"Henley Townsend of District 9!" I pronounce exuberantly.

A little boy with sandy brown hair and grey eyes staggers out onto the stage. The audience nearly explodes, while chanting his name over and over again. Apart from being the youngest in the competition this year, Henley's become a fan favorite after his magnificent entrance at the parade.

Once he makes his way to his chair, Henley very politely shakes my hand before taking a seat. I can tell he's nervous by how far he sinks down in his chair. The little ones always do. It breaks my heart to see kids as young as him step into the arena.

Quickly, I snap back into character, reminding myself to not let my smile fade before the interview. I look back over to Henley, who stares blankly at the enormous turnout, and I realize that he is wearing a midnight blue suit.

I turn to the audience with a grin; throw a glance down at my suit, then give a look to Henley. "I see you got the memo," I joke, pointing at our matching suits.

This makes his face go red. "Well if you want to impress, you need to dress like the best," Henley smiles tensely.

The entire audience is booming with laughter now. Henley's off to a good start. I'm pleased. It's always a bit of a challenge trying to get sponsors to notice the little ones. But thankfully, so far Henley has had a good run.

I wait for the laughter to slowly die down. Then I turn to back to Henley to start the interview. "Now Henley, I was watching the scores come in the other day and I noticed you managed to get a 10. I'm pretty sure that's a first for someone of your age. I've been dying to ask. How did you pull that one off?"

"Um…" He seems worried. I catch his eyes glance toward the Gamemakers before he responds. "Truth is I sort of forgot they were there. I may have gotten a little carried away in my session."

The audience cheers. "Oh I see," I say, while smiling knowingly at our spectators. "The other tributes are going to need to look out for you then. You may be the one to beat."

Henley shrugs, but this only makes the audience even more energetic.

Again I wait for the commotion to die down before I continue. "Henley you surprised everyone at the parade. What was it that inspired your team to put you out front riding the horse?"

This question seems to relax Henley. "Well I asked my stylist if I could ride one of the horses, and he said yes."

Once again the audience roars with laughter. "So I'm guessing that means you like animals?" I smile.

Henley perks up. "Oh yes. I love animals. I used to work with them all the time when I lived in District 10. I've even decided that I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up."

Henley is immediately awed by the audience, while I do my best to maintain my smile. It's difficult when the only words that stick in my head are 'When I grow up.' I know full well that the odds of little Henley Townsend getting a chance to grow up aren't very promising. But I continue my questions anyway.

"So you used to live in District 10?" I pause and give a quick look to the audience. "Did you all hear that? Ladies and gentlemen, the boy of two Districts!"

The crowd roars with excitement. I've given them something to remember him by. Hopefully it helps him get noticed a little more by the sponsors.

Henley waits to reply until the thundering applause settle down. "Yes, I used to live in 10 until my parents died. Now I live with my aunt and uncle in 9." And just like that. The entire room silences. Henley Townsend, the orphan of two Districts. That will certainly give them something to talk about tomorrow.

"Well I'm very sorry to hear that. I'm sure right now, your parents would be very proud of you," I sympathize with Henley. "And I know without a doubt that your parents will be even more proud after you fight your way to the top and win this whole thing!"

The entire audience has risen to their feet, applauding boisterously. This is the liveliest I have seen them yet tonight. I peek over at Henley and his expression has already shifted back to uneasy again. "Thank you," he says graciously. "But I don't really plan on killing anyone." Silence consumes the room again. "It's just I think that not killing is what will make my parents proud the most," he explains.

If I wasn't already looking at the audience I would have just assumed that they weren't here. There's nothing. Not a sound. I've given up trying to hold onto my smile. I'm too shocked to even attempt it at this point. Did he really just say that? Quickly I try to reason with him just in case I may have misunderstood. "Henley, you do realize that you will need to fight to the death in order to survive this?"

The response I get in return is even more astounding. It's definitely not an answer I expected to come from a twelve year old boy.

"I'm not afraid to die."

And with that, our time runs out. I shake Henley's hand, show him off to the audience one last time and then send him on his way.

Good luck Henley Townsend. You're going to need it.