I don’t know what I’m doing here except thinking about one of my favorite (and possibly under appreciated) moments from Catching Fire…
“May we ask where you’ve been, Miss Everdeen?” the woman asks.
“Easier to ask where I haven’t been,” I say with a sound of exasperation. I cross into the kitchen, forcing myself to use my foot normally even though every step is excruciating. I pass between the Peacekeepers and make it to the table all right. I fling my bag down and turn to Prim, who’s standing stiffly by the hearth. Haymitch and Peeta are there as well, sitting in a pair of matching rockers, playing a game of chess. Were they here by chance or “invited” by the Peacekeepers? Either way, I’m glad to see them.
“So where haven’t you been?” says Haymitch in a bored voice.
Prim nervous-> a natural response to the situation vs. Haymitch and Peeta -> the picture of nonchalance
“Well, I haven’t been talking to the Goat Man about getting Prim’s goat pregnant, because someone gave me completely inaccurate information as to where he lives,” I say to Prim emphatically.
This is so brilliant. Katniss bought the damn goat. Of course she knows where the goat man lives - or at least where he does business. But this excuse gives her a reasonable explanation for being gone AND a reason why she doesn’t have an alibi. If she actually said she saw him, the peacekeepers could check and find out that she lied.
“No, I didn’t,” says Prim. “I told you exactly.”
“You said he lives beside the west entrance to the mine,” I say.
“The east entrance,” Prim corrects me.
“You distinctly said the west, because then I said, ‘Next to the slag heap?’ and you said, ‘Yeah,’ ” I say.
“The slag heap next to the east entrance,” says Prim patiently.
It’s also great because it takes Prim’s mind off the danger of the situation. Instead she’s busy arguing about the correct directions she gave her sister.
“No. When did you say that?” I demand.
“Last night,” Haymitch chimes in.
“It was definitely the east,” adds Peeta. He looks at Haymitch and they laugh. I glare at Peeta and he tries to look contrite. “I’m sorry, but it’s what I’ve been saying. You don’t listen when people talk to you.”
“Bet people told you he didn’t live there today and you didn’t listen again,” says Haymitch.
The strategist and the actor know the best way to get a good performance out of Katniss is to nettle her.
“Shut up, Haymitch,” I say, clearly indicating he’s right.
Being miffed at Haymitch doesn’t even require acting- it’s their natural dynamic
Haymitch and Peeta crack up and Prim allows herself a smile.
They’ve all succeeded in putting Prim at ease (at least a little)
“Fine. Somebody else can arrange to get the stupid goat knocked up,” I say, which makes them laugh more. And I think, This is why they’ve made it this far, Haymitch and Peeta. Nothing throws them.
I look at the Peacekeepers. The man’s smiling but the woman is unconvinced. “What’s in the bag?” she asks sharply.
I would be entertained. It’s a live episode of everyone’s favorite sitcom: The Victors of District 12
I know she’s hoping for game or wild plants. Something that clearly condemns me. I dump the contents on the table. “See for yourself.”
This moment has to be so satisfying for Katniss.
“Oh, good,” says my mother, examining the cloth. “We’re running low on bandages.”
Peeta comes to the table and opens the candy bag. “Ooh, peppermints,” he says, popping one in his mouth.
“They’re mine.” I take a swipe for the bag. He tosses it to Haymitch, who stuffs a fistful of sweets in his mouth before passing the bag to a giggling Prim. “None of you deserves candy!” I say.
I can’t get over how adorable they all are together- even if it just for show.
“What, because we’re right?” Peeta wraps his arms around me. I give a small yelp of pain as my tailbone objects. I try to turn it into a sound of indignation, but I can see in his eyes that he knows I’m hurt. “Okay, Prim said west. I distinctly heard west. And we’re all idiots. How’s that?”
Their wordless communication gets me everytime. The strategy immediately shifts from playful to placating. Get the peacekeepers out of here so Katniss’s wounds can be tended.
“Better,” I say, and accept his kiss. Then I look at the Peacekeepers as if I’m suddenly remembering they’re there. “You have a message for me?”
Oops forgot you were there - what a touch.
“From Head Peacekeeper Thread,” says the woman. “He wanted you to know that the fence surrounding District Twelve will now have electricity twenty-four hours a day.”
“Didn’t it already?” I ask, a little too innocently.
I can just imagine Haymitch growling, “don’t push your luck”
“He thought you might be interested in passing this information on to your cousin,” says the woman.
“Thank you. I’ll tell him. I’m sure we’ll all sleep a little more soundly now that security has addressed that lapse.” I’m pushing things, I know it, but the comment gives me a sense of satisfaction.
She cannot help herself and I am here for it.
The woman’s jaw tightens. None of this has gone as planned, but she has no further orders. She gives me a curt nod and leaves, the man trailing in her wake. When my mother has locked the door behind them, I slump against the table.
“What is it?” says Peeta, holding me steadily.
“Oh, I banged up my left foot. The heel. And my tailbone’s had a bad day, too.” He helps me over to one of the rockers and I lower myself onto the padded cushion.
My mother eases off my boots. “What happened?”
“I slipped and fell,” I say. Four pairs of eyes look at me with disbelief. “On some ice.” But we all know the house must be bugged and it’s not safe to talk openly. Not here, not now.
I know they’re all putting on a performance, but are they really acting? It’s all feels so in character for them to be teasing and laughing with each other. I just like to picture an alternate universe where this scene played out similarly but without the injury and audience
