Голодные игры

           Thecommentatorsarenotsurewhattosayaboutthecrowd’srefusaltoapplaud.Thesilentsalute.OnesaysthatDistrict12hasalwaysbeenabitbackwardbutthatlocalcustomscanbecharming.Asifoncue,Haymitchfallsoffthestage,andtheygroancomically.Peeta’snameisdrawn,andhequietlytakeshisplace.Weshakehands.Theycuttotheanthemagain,andthepro-gramends.

           EffieTrinketisdisgruntledaboutthestateherwigwasin."Yourmentorhasalottolearnaboutpresentation.Alotabouttelevisedbehavior."

           Peetaunexpectedlylaughs."Hewasdrunk,"saysPeeta."He’sdrunkeveryyear."

           "Everyday,"Iadd.Ican’thelpsmirkingalittle.EffieTrinketmakesitsoundlikeHaymitchjusthassomewhatroughmannersthatcouldbecorrectedwithafewtipsfromher.

           "Yes,"hissesEffieTrinket."Howoddyoutwofinditamusing.YouknowyourmentorisyourlifelinetotheworldintheseGames.Theonewhoadvisesyou,linesupyoursponsors,anddictatesthepresentationofanygifts.Haymitchcanwellbethedifferencebetweenyourlifeandyourdeath!"

           Justthen,Haymitchstaggersintothecompartment."Imisssupper?"hesaysinaslurredvoice.Thenhevomitsallovertheexpensivecarpetandfallsinthemess.

           "Solaughaway!"saysEffieTrinket.Shehopsinherpointyshoesaroundthepoolofvomitandfleestheroom.