trinkett | Fourth Dispatch: It's Not What You Think. Voice.

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Fourth Dispatch: It's Not What You Think. Voice.

Dear Fellow Residents of Luceti,

Wouldn't it be entertaining to put on some Games here in Luceti? Not that the Cultural Fair wasn't amusing, or any of the other activities going on here -- but true gladiatorial games. The pitting of one creature against another! Think of the thrill and drama and the release that goes along with that sort of entertainment! And here in Luceti we are ideally suited for a very exciting Games indeed.

Who would you sponsor or volunteer for this entertainment? Or would it all be...

[There is a pause here.]

Pokey-mans? I find human beings MUCH more interesting to watch, personally.

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...This isn't the same thing, is it? Where a group of people fight and die until only one remains?

No one dies here, from everything I've been told. So that...that model of entertainment would not be possible.

Um, I think you've got it wrong. People do die here, but return to life about a week later. That is a big difference from not dying at all.

[This is getting ridiculous.]

Look, I never said anything about dying. Not a word! I only think some light combative entertainment might be enjoyable for many people here!

...Then maybe you should tell everyone that it doesn't involve dying? Perhaps explain exactly how these Games are going to work? People won't know these things if you don't tell them.

That's the trouble with the people here. They always assume DYING. "Oh, there will surely be DYING!" As though that's any great surprising thing to worry about!

[She might be on a little rant here.]

...And you assumed that the people would know otherwise?

YES. Because I am sensible. And....and good.

[Was she? She'd never given herself any kind of moral qualification before. It takes her aback, somewhat.]

Well, if you're just going to assume things of us, then they have the right to assume things of you. Especially when they don't know you.

For example, I don't know you. I don't know what kind of Games you're talking about. If it's the one-on-one arena battles like I'm used to, or those other Games you spoke of before. I don't know these things, because you didn't say.

[And that last part?]

...Good? Good at what?

Good at...just good. Like the good...people.

[Way to stump her with THAT question.]

So, you mean good-hearted, and not just good at a particular talent.

[She's silent at that. Is that really what she meant? Is that what she knows to be true?]

You...don't know, do you? You're so...single-minded. Whatever you're doing is the only thing you know.

[There's no criticism behind her voice, seeing as Karla is the same way.]

And to think, I was asking you what I should do with myself. Because all I really know is swordfighting, and I wanted to do other things.

Other things? Other things like what? [She asks this quickly, to cover up her uncertainty at the first statement.]

I don't know...anything to distract myself from fighting every now and then...

What about....what about making costumes? Costumes for a Games? [Because Cinna certainly seemed to enjoy flinging his creative powers about in that way.]

Costumes? Like armor?

I am not sure that the traditional game of "football" was actually played in armor! I will have to go back to the library and check on that...

[There is still so much to learn about these ancient events.]

"Foot...ball?" What is "football?"

[This costume making thing will not go well, she can already tell...]

It was a type of game played once, long ago, by my calculations: two teams faced off in brutal combat to move a ball from one end of the field to the other. Apparently it was quite exciting to watch, by all accounts.

[She tries to picture the spectacle in her mind, and...it's not a pretty picture.]

That...almost sounds like a war...

A war that people watch, gleefully. And buy t-shirts and other promotional tie-ins.

[Sounds like a GOLDMINE to Effie Trinket.]

...People gleefully watch wars? Why?

[Maybe it's like the arenas back home? Karla never understood the entertainment factor of those either...]

It would seem that they attach their egos and identities to a particular team, and then go on to root for that team for an entire season. If the team wins, they become self-gratified.

I'm not entirely certain how that part works, but I believe I can accept such a thing has happened in the past.

Egos and self-gratification...I suppose that makes sense.

[She has seen some egos in the men who underestimated her for being a woman.]

[Voice]

trinkett - 2013-06-27 21:21 (UTC) - Expand

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