WEEK 3 OF TRAINING/ INTERVIEW PRACTICE
The next day when Thomas went to breakfast, he was greeted by loud congratulations on his twelve from RACMOR and Effie.
"Thank you very much" Thomas said as he sat down and helped himself to some food.
"This is your last week before your interviews and the games." Travis said "Your days now will be split between training and interview prep."
"What would I need to do to prepare?" Thomas asked.
"Work on angles and what you are going to say." Travis responded. Thomas and Terni finished their breakfast and begin training. After lunch Thomas was told to report for his interview prepping session with Travis. He was directed into a large room that was ornatly decorated .
"Well Thomas,every tribute in the games have a specific angle they play up to to gain sponsors." Travis said.
"So the tributes personalities on the interviews are fake?" Thomas asked "I thought they were real."
"Mainly they are just there to get sponsors", Travis responded,"They have to fit the person though."
"What angle do you think I am?" Thomas asked.
"How about enthusiastic", Travis said.
"What?" Thomas asked.
"Pretend to be enthusiastic about fighting in the hunger games and excited to win. Show support to the capitol by talking about how much you enjoyed it here."
"But-" Thomas started.
"I know you don't like the capitol" Travis said, "But you need to pretend. Remember Sponsors are the key to survival."
"Fine",Thomas said reluctantly,"By the way what's Terni's angle."
"She is going to go for more of a sly and elusive angle" Travis said "Lets start with your practice." Thomas found out that pretending to be happy and enthusiastic was harder then it seemed.
"You know what!" Travis yelled after the twentieth failed exchange "You need someone else helping you. Effie come here." Effie walked over from the corner.
"Can you help Thomas to pretend to be enthusiastic and cheerful while I assist Terni?" Travis asked.
"Yes" Effie said "Thomas come with me", she lead thomas into the matching room of the one he was just in.
"Now Thomas" Effie said "When I ask you a question you need to smile and answer looking happy."
"But I'm going to be thrown into the hunger games!" Thomas yelled "Why should I be happy!"
"Just try" Effie responded "Here's a thought. Why not think about happy things like winning the games during the interview?"
"Ok" Thomas said.
"Now" said Effie "Thomas how do you like the capitol?" Throughout the week Effie asked Thomas questions like this while he got better and better at being enthusiastic and cheerful while hiding his emotions.
Authors note: Next time, the final day of training.