HAYMITCH

The interviews with Caesar Flickerman are about to start. Everyone is eager to meet this year's tributes. I'm in my place in the audience with the other mentors. I'm nervous, I can't deny it. In private sessions with the game maker, my tributes didn't fare too badly. The girl got a 5 and the boy a 7. Now, the most important thing is to try to win over the people of PANEM. The strategy with the girl will be to demonstrate all the charm that she possesses, perhaps some sponsor will warm to her and help her. With the boy it's been a bit more difficult, he's quite shy and not very funny, so we've decided that the best thing to do is for him to tell the public about his talent with building things. I have no doubt that the very enthusiastic presenter will make the two children shine... or so I hope.

One by one the tributes from the districts are passing by. The public is delighted with each one of them. And there she is, the girl from district 8. She comes wearing a dress that covers just enough and highlights the curvy body that the brat has. So I have to assume that her stylist listened to her complaints, and did a better job. Well I don't blame her, maybe looking pretty was her best option after getting only a 6 in the private sessions with game makers. The people of the capitol cheer when she does a funny turn to show off her dress. Several men gobble her up. Gross!

-So my dear Leila, you were telling us that you are very excited to be in the Capitol, what did you like the most? -asks Caesar

-People, everyone here is so handsome- the girl answers with a giggle.

-Isn't this girl adorable?-The audience goes crazy with her and cheers agreeing with the presenter- But hey, tell us something about yourself, what does a pretty girl like you dream of?

-With you,- Leila answers between laughs. The audience just burst out laughing.

-With me? That's something I've never heard before- The presenter pretends to be embarrassed.

-Well, not exactly with you-more giggles-but with being like you. When I win the games I dream of being a presenter like you Caesar!

-oh! I think I'm going to cry-he pretends to dry a tear- what a beautiful compliment you've done to me today, right, people? he asks the public, again people go crazy agreeing with the presenter.

-Can I confess something shameful to you, Caesar?-the girl whispered in mock confidence.

-Of course! Don't worry, nobody here will say anything- he winks at the spectators. Everyone laughs

-Well, sometimes in my house I like to pretend that I am presenting the hunger games or one of your other programs and I practice a lot. My brother looks at me like I'm crazy- she laughs and so does the audience.

-I'm sure he's wrong and you're very talented

-Do you want me to show you?- asks the excited girl and the crowd shows their enthusiasm so that the presenter says yes.

-Well I have to listen to the audience. !Of course you can lovely Leila, show us your talent. I will be your interviewee.

-Oh no no, you'll help me if I fail- everyone laughs again- why not a beautiful person from the public?- the crowd is euphoric, the girl has them hypnotized.

-Very good, this is unusual but it's okay! - the presenter responds excitedly. The girl points to a random woman near the stage and is quickly ushered up. Time is running out for them to put on their stupid show. On the stage is the chosen one, a woman with an exaggerated and horrible appearance typical of the capitol. She is beyond ecstatic to be there.

-but how beautiful you are- with false praise the brat receives her "interviewee". They spend at least a minute like this, she plays to ask more compliments than questions and the horrendous woman from the capitol is more than excited to answer everything. When time is running out, they fire the woman, but not before leaving, the brat asks permission to give her a kiss and a hug. The entire audience is moved. Some I see wipe tears from their eyes. They are all Ridiculous! Although they love her. In 3 minutes she managed to be unforgettable.

The next tributes pass, and my nerves are increasing. When my little girl passes by, I see that she is making an effort, that she is nervous. The audience applauds her, but she's not having the same effect as the other girl. The truth is that since the girl passed, no one else has managed to keep the crowd in that state of euphoria. The presenter says goodbye to her wishing her good luck and continues with the boy. It wasn't too bad but it wasn't memorable either. The truth, he owed Caesar the result of the interview, because his shyness made him seem too serious at times.

The prep team along with Effie and I met the guys at the apartment. Once we start to eat, Effie breaks the silence.

-don't be discouraged in the interviews you two were quite good, well not excellent like that adorable girl from district 8, but for the rest you were up to the task

-Effie is right, Lara and I got several compliments for our designs, so people won't forget you tomorrow when you're in the arena.-answered one of the stylists

Pathetic! Their attempts at encouragement were of no use except to praise themselves. I see the worried expression of the boy and the little girl who had hardly eaten a bite.

-Don't forget it as soon as you hear the cannon, run as fast as you can, don't try to find anything in the cornucopia. Look for a source of water and don't get caught- I added. They nodded without saying a single word. I had already told them the same thing, along with other advice in case they survived the bloodbath, but it didn't matter, they were both terrified and I could blame them. All this was a real injustice