Голодные игры

           Tomakeithumiliatingaswellastorturous,theCapitolrequiresustotreattheHungerGamesasafestivity,asportingeventpittingeverydistrictagainsttheothers.Thelasttributealivereceivesalifeofeasebackhome,andtheirdistrictwillbeshoweredwithprizes,largelyconsistingoffood.Allyear,theCapitolwillshowthewinningdistrictgiftsofgrainandoilandevendelicacieslikesugarwhiletherestofusbattlestarvation.

           "Itisbothatimeforrepentanceandatimeforthanks,"intonesthemayor.

           ThenhereadsthelistofpastDistrict12victors.Inseventy-fouryears,wehavehadexactlytwo.Onlyoneisstillalive.HaymitchAbernathy,apaunchy,middle-agedman,whoatthismomentappearsholleringsomethingunintelligible,staggersontothestage,andfallsintothethirdchair.He’sdrunk.Very.Thecrowdrespondswithitstokenapplause,buthe’sconfusedandtriestogiveEffieTrinketabighug,whichshebarelymanagestofendoff.

           Themayorlooksdistressed.Sinceallofthisisbeingtelevised,rightnowDistrict12isthelaughingstockofPanem,andheknowsit.HequicklytriestopulltheattentionbacktothereapingbyintroducingEffieTrinket.

           Brightandbubblyasever,EffieTrinkettrotstothepodiumandgiveshersignature,"HappyHungerGames!Andmaytheoddsbeeverinyourfavor!"Herpinkhairmustbeawigbecausehercurlshaveshiftedslightlyoff-centersinceherencounterwithHaymitch