Writer's Games Entries

Task 2: "Being A Sponsor"

I fill my glass with something cold and bubbly as I sit down on the couch and turn my hologram-screen on. Hitting the right buttons, I will find all of the recaps of the reapings. Well, the ones that I'm interested in watching obviously. Having seen both tributes from District 5, I know I'll be for up for a show. That girl was badshit crazy and then you had the boy who was...well, not as crazy, but just too damn arrogant, which I tend to like. I skip through District 1-4 because they don't really spike my interest this year. It's a shame really. I always imagined that I'd sponsor a Career.

At first I'm not even sure if I want to watch the whole reaping from 5, but I decide to go with it. After all, who knows, I could go after a wildcard and hope that the girl wins. Yeah, right, a mentally unstable girl. Her biggest fault is that instability. She was far too eager to volunteer and she's far too eager to show her excitement of going to the Games. The fact that the rain was pouring down on her just makes it all the more...special.

I skip slightly forward as the cameras start to focus on the boy. The Capitol wastes no expense when it comes to filming the entire crowd to see if they spot any reactions or evil grins as they make their move to volunteer. The camera just seems to capture Skylar Specks as another boy is reaped. A confident and weak grin appears on his face. He's taking his time before making his move. He's patient. I might like that. It can be an advantage. However, it can also be a flaw if he waits too long.

I swing my leg across my other leg and just watch the moment that he raises his hand in the air as they ask for volunteers. I can hardly remember there having been any volunteers in 5 before, but when I see Skylar Specks, he does not flinch for a second. He knows what he wants and he's about to get it the moment he takes that other boy's place. Looking closer at him, I can also tell he's not from a poor family. He's too well fed. He's doesn't strike me as the 'trying-to-save-the-world'-type either. Good. I'm so sick of them. The last tributes who were like that started a damn rebellion and that nearly killed me.

At the same time, those tributes are way too predictable, which ultimately makes them plain and boring. This kid however, he is more unpredictable. It'll be hard to tell what he'll do at every turn of the Games. On one side, it makes him all the more interesting as a sponsor-subject, but on the other side, it can be a bad thing. Too unpredictable really isn't something that I favor much. When I pick one to sponsor, it must someone that shows who I want to be as the new Secretary of Defense. I have to make a decision here that strengthens my position.

Before I get to consider anything any further, I hear the door open to my right and I immediately pull out my gun and aim it at the person that so irritatingly has to show up. Turt. "What, are you gonna shoot a man for paying a visit?" He goes on and I grunt irritatingly before I holster it. "One millisecond and I would've shot you, so yes." I answer as I turn my attention back towards the screen. "Oh, come on, honey, don't be like that..." That's all it takes. I pull my gun out and shoot his glass into pieces. "Hey! You almost shot me!" He whines. "Too bad it was only almost..."

I barely catch him shake his head before he sees who I'm observing intently on the screen. I hear him grunt behind me as he pulls a new glass with something to drink. "I feel bad for you if you consider sponsoring that kid. I'm gonna sponsor someone that kills him straight off..." Turt goes on. I chuckle to myself. "You and Roux are just too touchy...perhaps it's because you're both Capitolites..." I let out myself as I freeze the image of the boy. "The boy has got potential..." I answer.

"Are you seriously considering sponsoring him? He disabled our defense and nearly threw a knife at our heads. Boy's got mental issues, and that ain't something that's gonna win." Turt goes on. I don't really have to defend myself to Turt of all people. He's just another poor excuse of a man. There's hardly anyone worth keeping, you know? "I don't have to defend my opinions from you. Do you think I'm even remotely affected by what you're saying?" I look over at him.

"I'm not up in your business about who you're sponsoring so I expect you to be out of mine." I say irritatingly as I place my hand back on the gun. Oh, how it tempts me to just shoot him. I'm pretty sure I'd be doing entire Panem a damn favor. However, I need to make my decision about who to sponsor. The new Head-Gamemaker seems to be eager to know and so does the entire public of Panem.

"I'm just trying to point out that the first tribute you sponsor usually defines you and your strategies." I immediately laugh and I do not attempt to hide it in front of him. I turn my head towards him. "Right, like the first one defined you and your strategies?" Which was a Career female of course and he hasn't backed away from them ever since. We all know what he's after. Greasy bastard sometimes even gets it. He grunts after a while walking towards the door. "No wonder you're considering that boy from 5...you're both the same personality-wise."

I sigh deeply, trying to contain myself. If that Roux comes in I'm not only gonna shoot his glass. I'm going to kill him and tell security he was acting threatening and that there was no other way. I almost prepare myself for the guy to come, but he never does. I take a deep breath as I turn my attention back towards the screen on the frozen image of Skylar Specks. I press play as I dig up my notebook among my many lethal pockets.

Four names, four tributes, candidates...unfortunately, I can only sponsor one of them. They all have their pros and cons obviously. I smile to myself as I might as well just be holding someone's lifeline right now. The power that comes with being Secretary of Defense is incomparable, but this right here feels pretty damn good too. I will find out what it's like to actually make the difference between life and death. I just have to pick one of these four, hmm, decisions, decisions...