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

[trinkett]

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.

Comments

[trinkett]

[Oh yes. The girl.]

It's very simple! Two combatants enter the Arena; the one who wins....wins.

[Seems simple enough when you put it that way. And not too bloody.]

[smallsurvivor]

Wins at what?

[Waaaaait a second.]

You don't mean like fighting right? Do you want people to do boxing?

[trinkett]

Boxing? You mean a fist-fight? Yes, I don't see why not! Though I think we could make things a bit more elaborate than that with some imagination!

[smallsurvivor]

I've got lots of imagination! Can I help?

[trinkett]

Of COURSE!

[What a delightful idea! Perhaps Jack had been a good influence on the Girl.]

Do you have some ideas?

[smallsurvivor]

Well. You like bright colors right? So maybe we can make the boxing ring bright for you!

[It wouldn't kill boxing to be a little prettier.]

[trinkett]

[They can make boxing so GORGEOUS.]

Excellent plan! I am envisioning a fuchsia and mint-green ring! I am sure that will please everyone. What else?

[smallsurvivor]

The costumes maybe? Everybody always just wears shorts.

[trinkett]

[The Girl is a NATURAL gamemaker!]

You know, I know a man named Cinna who would wholeheartedly agree with you. Half the fun is the look of the event, the competitors. That's what gets the audience so excited.

[smallsurvivor]

[Only until someone explains to her what the Games actually are?]

My Dad always said it was fun to watch because you got to see strong people showing off what they trained to do. And not everybody's good at fighting, so it's good to watch the people who are?

[There's a verbal question mark at the end of that sentence. She's not entirely sure she's quoting her father properly and he's too dead to ask.]

[trinkett]

Um.....

[There is a brief pause as Effie tries to think this through.]

Well -- where I am from? Sometimes the ones who are not good at fighting become the most entertaining.

[smallsurvivor]

How?

[Nope, that doesn't make sense.]

[inyourfavor]

Everyone gets excited when the unskilled ones make progress. Survive. Many people want to see them win.

[She's not so sure of the reasoning behind this; shouldn't the BEST always win and be encouraged to win? But Effie has found herself hoping, hoping, that those from her District survive. She tries not to get attached. It's hard.]

[smallsurvivor]

Oh! I guess that's true. It's like watching them grow up, right?

[happyhungergames]

[Oh geez what kind of question is that? So many Tributes never get that opportunity. MOST, in fact. Nearly all.]

Yes. Yes; that's right.

[smallsurvivor]

That'll probably be really exciting here! Lots of people like to fight for fun. [Which. Isn't exactly something Clementine understands, but it makes them happy?]

[trinkett]

Exactly! I can't understand why so many seem to be vehemently against it. At the very least it could be good practice for drafts and other adventures.

[smallsurvivor]

I was on a draft once. It was pretty scary.

[trinkett]

Oh.




Really. Scary?