After I say goodbye to my Tributes, I head for the VIP lounge which is equipped with everything one could possibly wish to watch the Hunger Games in comfort. There's seats so plush, you can easily nap in them, a cinema-sized screen, and a wet bar, the last of which is already being used as I enter. The other mentors eye me, but without the tension of the past week - now that the Games have begun, we're all in the same position: mere spectators. We can, of course, authorize gifts to be delivered into the arena - via silver parachutes this year - but the contents are up to the sponsors.
I take a seat next to Haymitch, who's already made inroads on the free drinks, and watch as the Tributes are placed on the platform. No one is to move until the signal is given. Once in awhile, someone gets too eager and winds up being blown to bits. I don't know if this encourages the other Tributes (one less to worry about) or rattles them. It would certainly upset me.
As a girl watching the Games with my family, my father taught me the rules according to him. Number One: Stay alive, even if it means passing up certain goodies. That includes all the weapons, survival tools, and other supplies that are placed at what's called the Cornucopia - positioned temptingly in the line of the Tributes' sight, so when they are free to move, few can resist. Which is why it's one of the bloodiest parts of the Games. When we were kids, my sister Charm always covered her eyes during the opening of the Hunger Games."Tell me when it's over," she'd squeal. (But I often caught her peeking.) Typically, the Careers converge on the Cornucopia, while others who've been warned by their mentors, head out to find a reliable source of water. That's what Haymitch instructed Peeta and Katniss to do. And that's exactly what Peeta does.
But not Katniss. No, she heads for the Cornucopia with the rest of the pack. After a moment, I notice a bow and a quiversful of arrows on the ground - so that's what she must be heading for. Beside me, Haymitch groans at the sight of his instructions being flagrantly disregarded. And it's true - I'm only half sure Katniss is going to make it out of the melee alive, but she does - although not without a knife lodging in the backpack she also scoops up, and flees into the woods.
"That should come in handy," Haymitch mutters. I suppose he means the knife. I cross my fingers and take a moment to hope that whatever's in the backpack is also helpful. And that when Katniss does find water, she's smart enough not to drink it directly. Because Rule Number Two is: Take nothing at face value. And nobody knows this better than Haymitch - during the Quarter Quell, the Tributes were set into an arena of rare beauty - most of which turned out to be a trap. But Katniss has years of hunting experience under her belt, and she must know this already. As for Peeta, I hope Haymitch was more detailed in his instructions. Peeta and Katniss are going to need every bit of help they can get.
We don't see Katniss for awhile - instead the camera follows other Tributes, including Peeta, who apparently decides that teaming up with the Careers is his best bet at survival. He could be right - it's usually the Tributes who form alliances and pool their skills and supplies that last the longest. And the Careers have years of training behind them. Briefly, I wonder how they plan to use Peeta. He's strong - even if he hasn't been tutored in weaponry - and he's probably going to be able to concoct a meal out of whatever they can find. Or, because they've already secured enough food, make it tastier than it might be otherwise.
"Smart lad," Haymitch says at this point. "Now he might have a shot at making it out alive."
"True, but he's also just made an enemy out of Katniss," I point out. "Or at least, she'll be much less likely to warn him of danger, should she find herself in that position."
Haymitch shrugs and drains his glass. "Care for a drink?" he asks.
"No thank you." I keep my eyes on the screen. After the initial bloodbath, the Gamemakers let the Tributes catch their breath, or at least search out shelter without interfering. But it pays to remember Rule Number Three: When you think you're safe, you probably aren't. The Gamemakers know that this is supposed to be entertainment, and intend to oblige. If the Tributes aren't stirring up enough drama themselves, the Gamemakers step into create some. With the latest technology literally at their fingertips, they can - and do - produce fire, floods, snow, drought, wind storms and landslides, to name a few.
I assume Katniss does find water, although it's not exciting enough to be televised. But the next time I see her, she's running for her life - trying to outwit a wall of flame.
"Someone has a very sick sense of humor," I say to Haymitch, shaking my head. I almost can't watch, but force myself to look at the screen. If it were me, I'd be a whimpering, writhing mess on the ground, but Katniss has many things I lack: courage, fortitude and ingenuity being among them, and she manages to escape, though not without multiple burns.
"That's it," I say. "She'll need medicine for those kind of burns, if she's going to make it. Tell our sponsor to authorize some."
I can tell from Haymitch's face that I'm in for a fight. Well, so be it. "I don't see what difference it makes. She's not going to win. Maybe prolonging her misery isn't something we should do."
"Just send the damn medicine," I snap.
He stares at me. "Why, Effie Trinket, I do believe that's the first time I've ever heard you swear." But then he softens. "All right, if you insist. If you're positive there's no other remedy."
"Not one that will work on those burns," I reply. "I may not be a doctor, but I do know that." I close my eyes. Suddenly, I picture Katniss's sister, Prim, watching, and my throat tightens. "Please," I add."
He stands up and goes out, presumably to make a very important call, one that will save Katniss's life. I sink back in my seat feeling exhausted. If I feel this way, how must Katniss feel, I wonder. But I don't let myself complete the thought.
The next time I see Katniss, she's taken refuge in a tree. But the camera pans to a gray lumpy object near her - a tracker jackers' nest. I don't think she's seen it yet, but you can't blame her because something else more urgent has claimed her attention. The group that includes several Careers and Peeta has gathered at the base.
I assume she's received the medicine because her face looks much less ashen. She must be feeling better, she eventually cuts down the nest, giving her a chance to escape yet again.
Her next act is to team up with Rue, the little girl from District 11. Beside me, Haymitch groans, but if you ask me, it's a smart thing to do. From what I've seen of her, Rue knows her way around the woods, too. So far, she's stayed alive, while Tributes twice her size have fallen. In this case, shrewdness, skill and speed pays off.
Katniss, apparently feeling better, cooks up a wild goosling she's shot with the edible roots and berries Rue has collected. Rue treats Katniss's tracker jacker stings with some kind of leaf remedy, and in turn, Katniss shares her burn medicine. Well, now I'm doubly glad I insisted, since it's helping Rue, as well. If you ask me, twelve-year-olds have no business being selected and sent into the arena. But I don't make the rules.
Together, the girls hatch a plan, the specifics of which become clear, once the camera focuses on Katniss creeping toward the Cornucopia where the food supplies are being guarded by a boy who's allied himself with the Careers. Another girl, one with the red hair and sly manner of a fox, has already managed to make it there and glean supplies without getting hurt. But Katniss goes her one better - she manages to blow the whole pyramid up.
This reminds me suddenly of Haymitch - in the Quarter Quell, he, too, managed to manipulate the invisible force field that surrounds the arena. A first in Games history, I do believe. I look over at him, but if he's remembering his own Games, his face shows no sign of it.
"Thanks again for sending the medicine," I say, because I truly don't know what else to.
"You're welcome." He sighs wearily. "It looks like our Girl On Fire has a few tricks up her sleeve. I reckon the Gamemakers aren't too thrilled. I'm sure there are young viewers out there who won't forget this trick."
"Do you think they'll send more fire after her?" I ask. If you ask me, it doesn't seem likely, but you never know.
"Doubt it. It wouldn't have the same shock value the second time around."
He's right. Sometimes cynicism comes closest to the truth.
Haymitch's guess turns out to be correct. Unfortunately, something worse, much worse happens when Rue is taken by surprise and killed by a Career. Now, I'm in tears, I can't help it - no matter that I'm a veteran at this and should be hardened by now, I'm not. Looking around the room, I see a few other people wiping their eyes.
It never gets easier. If I'm honest. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to get attached to at least some of the Tributes besides the ones you mentored.
Katniss holds Rue as she takes her last breath and sings to her. Again, I dab at my eyes, not caring that my makeup must be running and I look a complete mess.
"Here, use this." Someone presses a tissue into my hand, and it takes me a moment to realize that it's Haymitch.
"Thanks," I sniffle. I know what he must think of me - a silly, frivolous woman who cares more about her image than anything else. But I'm not. At least, I think there's more to me than that. "Oh, look."
On screen, Katniss gathers flowers and drapes them over Rue's body, a beautiful tribute to a brave girl who passed away far too soon and for a senseless reason - simply to provide entertainment for the masses in the Capitol.
"I think I'm going to head home," I say. "I can't watch anymore right now."
"Do you need an escort there?" Haymitch asks.
"Oh, no,' I say, startled. "I think I can make it.'
"Well, then, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
Yes, you will.
I tell you, it never gets easier.
Never.
End