Sharp Objects

chapter thirteen

The peacekeepers and camera crew tell us to get into line according to our district, with the girl preceding the boy. Like with the gamemaker display, i will go third.

The interview take place on a large stage on the city circle, with the stands set up on balconies and streets. The tributes sit in large semi circle at the back stage while the other interviews are in motion, then they sit on one of the two chairs, front and centre, for their own interview.

Caesar flickerman, the interview host,has bright blue hair this year, a great  change from the shade of alarming crimson of last year, which gave the impression that he had some kind of head wound. He is sitting in one on the centre chairs already,I can see him though the gap of the door on to the stage.

The Capitol anthem begins, and caesar flickerman stands up and greets the wildly cheering crowd. " good evening everyone!" He shouts, stirring up the throng of people in the stands. I can't see how big the crowd is,but, judging by the noise,it must be massive. "And now, let's welcome the tributes for the 74th annual hunger games!" He Finishes with a flourish, his voice getting louder with every word.

Glimmer starts he strut along the stage her luscious blonde hair billowing out behind her, wearing a gold dress that is sparkling but also see through, and Marvel follows her. And then it's me. I take a deep breath, and walk.

The crowd is bigger then I imagined: brightly coloured people filling every space available, packed into the city circle like sardines, and every pair of hands are clapping profusely, and every single voice is screaming in appreciation anticipation, and excitement. I takes all my efforts to put one foot in front of the other, and not just stop and stare at the crowd. I nearly do at one point, but somebody, presumably cato, pushed me forward (and,in doing so,back to reality) and pretty soon, I'm in my seat.

Glimmer is the first to take centre stage, and we spend three minutes listening to how well she can (or more likely can't) fight and,in turn,win. We also get more then enough of her flirtatious nature, exaggerating by the fact that her dress is bloody see through, and, by the end of it, the audience have been completely captivated by her ethereal beauty.

Marvel is next, and he seems to come across as quite funny making the audience laugh a fair bit, and he also appears likeable and a generally nice guy. But,all too soon, his interview is Finnished.

And, before I know it, caesar flickerman is calling out " clove kentwell district 2!", and the crowd is cheering my name.

It's like the opening ceremony all over again, but this time,I don't look like a worrier girl, with her gold armour . I look like a girl being dressed up for no reason, one that is being, one that is being decorated for a platter. But that can't bother me now. I have to make them like me.if I don't, I'll be dead before I can even say 'girl with the knives'. Sweet and sarcastic. Never let them see the real you. Never tell then who you really are. Remember that clove.

I walk as elegantly as humanly possible (well,for me anyway) up to the stage, and caesar stands up to greet me. "Welcome clove" he says, kissing my hand, and then we both take our seats " so, how are you finding the Capitol, clove?"

"I think that it's great caesar, I've loved every minute of my time here." I say, surprised even at my own brain for thinking up such a good response.

"Good, good. That's what we like to hear!right folks!"  He gesture to the audience, and the cheers ring out around the city circle. I can hardly believe those cheers are for me. "And what about the score!" Continues caesar, indicating the audience again "a 10! Exemplary! No one is going to bother you with a score like that! Now tell me clove, how was it done? Or do you not want to tell us?"