Penny watched as those around her fidgeted with their outfits or their fingernails. Some were calm, other’s not. She, well she was calm, leaning against the wall in the wings, waiting for her name to be called until finally it was and she entered the stage with a little extra bounce in her step and a smile bright on her features as she waved to the crowd. She hadn’t talked with Walker about the interview, but she’d seen enough of them to know how to act. She needed to impress the Capitol, make an impression.
“Welcome, welcome!” Caesar invited as he motioned to the chair across from the one he’d been sitting in before she’d started out towards the stage, “Penelope, or do you prefer Penny? Tell us, how’ve you liked being in the Tower for these last several days?”
Penny sat across from the man, straightening her dress as she got comfortable. “Either’s fine, Caesar, but my friends call me Penny.” She offered a wink and grinned. “As for the Tower, it’s impressive. I’ve enjoyed my time here - made a few friends, enjoyed the food, ya know… all that stuff.”
“Ohh friends? Does that mean you’ve made any alliances?” Caesar asked, eyebrow raised.
“Now Caesar, I didn’t say friends with other tributes.” She shook her head and laughed softly. “No no, I’ve made other friends, but no alliances.” She gave a shrug as if it didn’t matter.
“Oh? Not other tributes? Would one of those friends happen to be your mentor, Mr. Walker Holstein? Word in the Capitol is that the two of you were spotted at the Eight Seconds Saloon? Something about mechanical bull riding?”
Penny didn’t hesitate a moment before replying though the question threw her. “Well Caesar, I can’t just tell you all the secrecies of who I have and have not befriended. You’ll just have to wait and see when I win. Maybe then I can tell you all about it in my Victory interview.” So it hadn’t just been Walker that had caught her. Well what was the worst they could do to her now? She was going to the Arena in the morning. “But I’ll have you know, Caesar… That mechanic bull is nothing like the bulls we got back home.” She laughed softly at the comment.
“When you win?” Caesar picked up on that she noticed, good, “does that mean you think you have what it takes to win? That you’re ready to go into the Arena?”
No, she wasn’t, but she wasn’t going to say that and she gave a nod with a bright smile to negate the negative feelings. “Of course I am Caesar. I might not be trained like the Career kids, but I’m as ready as I ever will be. Plus I’ve got real life skills that aren’t always pertinent to the kids from the Career districts. I bet those Careers don’t know how to kill and butcher an animal.” She shrugged.
“Oh absolutely!” She knew Caesar was playing to make her happy, doubting he actually believed she had better skills than those from the career districts. “So then who do you think is your biggest competition? Do you think it’s the tributes from the Career districts?”
Penny shrugged and then gave a single nod. “Probably. I mean that girl from One, she got like a ten right? She’s gotta have some skills in there somewhere that are pretty impressive.”
“Makes sense. We’ve only got time for one more question, Penny. So, if you could say anything to someone back home, what would it be?”
Penny seemed to think for just a moment before answering, “just that they should just hold on. I’ll be back before they know it.” And with that, she stood, reaching to shake Caesar’s hand as it was offered to her.
“Thank you for your time, Penny.” The man offered a one sided hug and Penny returned it with a bright smile as she waved once more. “Penelope Hyde everyone! May the odds be ever in your favor as you enter the arena tomorrow."