Голодные игры

           "I’vebeenverymysterious,though,"shesays,hereyessquinthalfshut."Because,ofcourse,Haymitchhasn’tbotheredtotellmeyourstrategies.ButI’vedonemybestwithwhatIhadtoworkwith.HowKatnisssacrificedherselfforhersister.Howyou’vebothsuccessfullystruggledtoovercomethebarbarismofyourdistrict."

           Barbarism?That’sironiccomingfromawomanhelpingtoprepareusforslaughter.Andwhat’sshebasingoursuccesson?Ourtablemanners?

           "Everyonehastheirreservations,naturally.Youbeingfromthecoaldistrict.ButIsaid,andthiswasverycleverofme,Isaid,’Well,ifyouputenoughpressureoncoalitturnstopearls!’"Effiebeamsatussobrilliantlythatwehavenochoicebuttorespondenthusiasticallytoherclevernesseventhoughit’swrong.

           Coaldoesn’tturntopearls.Theygrowinshellfish.Possiblyshemeantcoalturnstodiamonds,butthat’suntrue,too.I’veheardtheyhavesomesortofmachineinDistrict1thatcanturngraphiteintodiamonds.Butwedon’tminegraphiteinDistrict12.ThatwaspartofDistrict13’sjobuntiltheyweredestroyed.

           Iwonderifthepeopleshe’sbeenpluggingustoalldayeitherknoworcare.

           "Unfortunately,Ican’tsealthesponsordealsforyou.OnlyHaymitchcandothat,"saysEffiegrimly."Butdon’tworry,I’llgethimtothetableatgunpointifnecessary."

           Althoughlackinginmanydepartments,EffieTrinkethasacertaindeterminationIhavetoadmire.

           Myquartersarelargerthanourentirehousebackhome.