the hunger games-饥饿游戏(英文版)-第7部分

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ity。　I　can　see　by　the　light　that　it　must　be　around　noon；　although　the　sunny　sky　has　turned　overcast。　Cinna　invites　me　to　sit　on　one　of　the　couches　and　takes　his　place　across　from　me。　He　presses　a　button　on　the　side　of　the　table。　The　top　splits　and　from　below　rises　a　second　tabletop　that　holds　our　lunch。　Chicken　and　chunks　of　oranges　cooked　in　a　creamy　sauce　laid　on　a　bed　of　pearly　white　grain；　tiny　green　peas　and　onions；　rolls　shaped　like　flowers；　and　for　dessert；　a　pudding　the　color　of　honey。
I　try　to　imagine　assembling　this　meal　myself　back　home。　Chickens　are　too　expensive；　but　I　could　make　do　with　a　wild　turkey。　Iˇd　need　to　shoot　a　second　turkey　to　trade　for　an　orange。　Goatˇs　milk　would　have　to　substitute　for　cream。　We　can　grow　peas　in　the　garden。　Iˇd　have　to　get　wild　onions　from　the　woods。　I　donˇt　recognize　the　grain；　our　own　tessera　ration　cooks　down　to　an　unattractive　brown　mush。　Fancy　rolls　would　mean　another　trade　with　the　baker；　perhaps　for　two　or　three　squirrels。　As　for　the　pudding；　I　canˇt　even　guess　whatˇs　in　it。　Days　of　hunting　and　gathering　for　this　one　meal　and　even　then　it　would　be　a　poor　substitution　for　the　Capitol　version。
What　must　it　be　like；　I　wonder；　to　live　in　a　world　where　food　appears　at　the　press　of　a　button？　How　would　I　spend　the　hours　I　now　mit　to　bing　the　woods　for　sustenance　if　it　were　so　easy　to　e　by？　What　do　they　do　all　day；　these　people　in　the　Capitol；　besides　decorating　their　bodies　and　waiting　around　for　a　new　shipment　of　tributes　to　roll　in　and　die　for　their　entertainment？
I　look　up　and　find　Cinnaˇs　eyes　trained　on　mine。　¨How　despicable　we　must　seem　to　you；〃　he　says。
Has　he　seen　this　in　my　face　or　somehow　read　my　thoughts？　Heˇs　right；　though。　The　whole　rotten　lot　of　them　is　despicable。
¨No　matter；〃　says　Cinna。　¨So；　Katniss；　about　your　costume　for　the　opening　ceremonies。　My　partner；　Portia；　is　the　stylist　for　your　fellow　tribute；　Peeta。　And　our　current　thought　is　to　dress　you　in　plementary　costumes；〃　says　Cinna。　¨As　you　know；　itˇs　customary　to　reflect　the　flavor　of　the　district。〃
For　the　opening　ceremonies；　youˇre　supposed　to　wear　something　that　suggests　your　districtˇs　principal　industry。　District　11；　agriculture。　District　4；　fishing。　District　3；　factories。　This　means　that　ing　from　District　12；　Peeta　and　I　will　be　in　some　kind　of　coal　minerˇs　getup。　Since　the　baggy　minerˇs　jumpsuits　are　not　particularly　being；　our　tributes　usually　end　up　in　skimpy　outfits　and　hats　with　headlamps。　One　year；　our　tributes　were　stark　naked　and　covered　in　black　powder　to　represent　coal　dust。　Itˇs　always　dreadful　and　does　nothing　to　win　favor　with　the　crowd。　I　prepare　myself　for　the　worst。　
¨So；　Iˇll　be　in　a　coal　miner　outfit？〃　I　ask；　hoping　it　wonˇt　be　indecent。
¨Not　exactly。　You　see；　Portia　and　I　think　that　coal　miner　thingˇs　very　overdone。　No　one　will　remember　you　in　that。　And　we　both　see　it　as　our　job　to　make　the　District　Twelve　tributes　unforgettable；〃　says　Cinna。
Iˇll　be　naked　for　sure；　I　think。
¨So　rather　than　focus　on　the　coal　mining　itself；　weˇre　going　to　focus　on　the　coal；〃　says　Cinna。　Naked　and　covered　in　black　dust；　I　think。　¨And　what　do　we　do　with　coal？　We　burn　it；〃　says　Cinna。
¨Youˇre　not　afraid　of　fire；　are　you；　Katniss？〃　He　sees　my　expression　and　grins。
A　few　hours　later；　I　am　dressed　in　what　will　either　be　the　most　sensational　or　the　deadliest　costume　in　the　opening　ceremonies。　Iˇm　in　a　simple　black　unitard　that　covers　me　from　ankle　to　neck。　Shiny　leather　boots　lace　up　to　my　knees。　But　itˇs　the　fluttering　cape　made　of　streams　of　orange；　yellow；　and　red　and　the　matching　headpiece　that　define　this　costume。　Cinna　plans　to　light　them　on　fire　just　before　our　chariot　rolls　into　the　streets。
¨Itˇs　not　real　flame；　of　course；　just　a　little　synthetic　fire　Portia　and　I　came　up　with。　Youˇll　be　perfectly　safe；〃　he　says。　But　Iˇm　not　convinced　I　wonˇt　be　perfectly　barbecued　by　the　time　we　reach　the　cityˇs　center。
My　face　is　relatively　clear　of　makeup；　just　a　bit　of　highlighting　here　and　there。　My　hair　has　been　brushed　out　and　then　braided　down　my　back　in　my　usual　style。　¨I　want　the　audience　to　recognize　you　when　youˇre　in　the　arena；〃　says　Cinna　dreamily。　¨Katniss；　the　girl　who　was　on　fire。〃
It　crosses　my　mind　that　Cinnaˇs　calm　and　normal　demeanor　masks　a　plete　madman。
Despite　this　morningˇs　revelation　about　Peetaˇs　character；　Iˇm　actually　relieved　when　he　shows　up；　dressed　in　an　identical　costume。　He　should　know　about　fire；　being　a　bakerˇs　son　and　all。　His　stylist；　Portia；　and　her　team　acpany　him　in；　and　everyone　is　absolutely　giddy　with　excitement　over　what　a　splash　weˇll　make。　Except　Cinna。　He　just　seems　a　bit　weary　as　he　accepts　congratulations。
Weˇre　whisked　down　to　the　bottom　level　of　the　Remake　Center；　which　is　essentially　a　gigantic　stable。　The　opening　ceremonies　are　about　to　start。　Pairs　of　tributes　are　being　loaded　into　chariots　pulled　by　teams　of　four　horses。　Ours　are　coal　black。　The　animals　are　so　well　trained；　no　one　even　needs　to　guide　their　reins。　Cinna　and　Portia　direct　us　into　the　chariot　and　carefully　arrange　our　body　positions；　the　drape　of　our　capes；　before　moving　off　to　consult　with　each　other。
¨What　do　you　think？〃　I　whisper　to　Peeta。　¨About　the　fire？〃
¨Iˇll　rip　off　your　cape　if　youˇll　rip　off　mine；〃　he　says　through　gritted　teeth。
¨Deal；〃　I　say。　Maybe；　if　we　can　get　them　off　soon　enough；　weˇll　avoid　the　worst　burns。　Itˇs　bad　though。　Theyˇll　throw　us　into　the　arena　no　matter　what　condition　weˇre　in。　¨I　know　we　promised　Haymitch　weˇd　do　exactly　what　they　said；　but　I　donˇt　think　he　considered　this　angle。〃
¨Where　is　Haymitch；　anyway？　Isnˇt　he　supposed　to　protect　us　from　this　sort　of　thing？〃　says　Peeta。
¨With　all　that　alcohol　in　him；　itˇs　probably　not　advisable　to　have　him　around　an　open　flame；〃　I　say。
And　suddenly　weˇre　both　laughing。　I　guess　weˇre　both　so　nervous　about　the　Games　and　more　pressingly；　petrified　of　being　turned　into　human　torches；　weˇre　not　acting　sensibly。
The　opening　music　begins。　Itˇs　easy　to　hear；　blasted　around　the　Capitol。　Massive　doors　slide　open　revealing　the　crowdlined　streets。　The　ride　lasts　about　twenty　minutes　and　ends　up　at　the　City　Circle；　where　they　will　wele　us；　play　the　anthem；　and　escort　us　into　the　Training　Center；　which　will　be　our　home/prison　until　the　Games　begin。
The　tributes　from　District　1　ride　out　in　a　chariot　pulled　by　snow…white　horses。　They　look　so　beautiful；　spray…painted　silver；　in　tasteful　tunics　glittering　with　jewels。　District　1　makes　luxury　items　for　the　Capitol。　You　can　hear　the　roar　of　the　crowd。　They　are　always　favorites。
District　2　gets　into　position　to　follow　them。　In　no　time　at　all；　we　are　approaching　the　door　and　I　can　see　that　between　the　overcast　sky　and　evening　hour　the　light　is　turning　gray。　The　tributes　from　District　11　are　just　rolling　out　when　Cinna　appears　with　a　lighted　torch。　¨Here　we　go　then；〃　he　says；　and　before　we　can　react　he　sets　our　capes　on　fire。　I　gasp；　waiting　for　the　heat；　but　there　is　only　a　faint　tickling　sensation。　Cinna　climbs　up　before　us　and　ignites　our　headdresses。　He　lets　out　a　sign　of　relief。　¨It　works。〃　Then　he　gently　tucks　a　hand　under　my　chin。　¨Remember；　heads　high。　Smiles。　Theyˇre　going　to　love　you！〃
Cinna　jumps　off　the　chariot　and　has　one　last　idea。　He　shouts　something　up　at　us；　but　the　music　drowns　him　out。　He　shouts　again　and　gestures。
¨Whatˇs　he　saying？〃　I　ask　Peeta。　For　the　first　time；　I　look　at　him　and　realize　that　ablaze　with　the　fake　flames；　he　is　dazzling。　And　I　must　be；　too。
¨I　think　he　said　for　us　to　hold　hands；〃　says　Peeta。　He　grabs　my　right　hand　in　his　left；　and　we　look　to　Cinna　for　confirmation。　He　nods　and　gives　a　thumbs…up；　and　thatˇs　the　last　thing　I　see　before　we　enter　the　city。
The　crowdˇs　initial　alarm　at　our　appearance　quickly　changes　to　cheers　and　shouts　of　¨District　Twelve！〃　Every　head　is　turned　our　way；　pulling　the　focus　from　the　three　chariots　ahead　of　us。　At　first；　Iˇm　frozen；　but　then　I　catch　sight　of　us　on　a　large　television　screen　and　am　floored　by　how　breathtaking　we　look。　In　the　deepening　twilight；　the　firelight　illuminates　our　faces。　We　seem　to　be　leaving　a　trail　of　fire　off　the　flowing　capes。　Cinna　was　right　about　the　minimal　makeup；　we　both　look　more　attractive　but　utterly　recognizable。
Remember；　heads　high。　Smiles。　Theyˇre　going　to　love　you！　I　hear　Cinnaˇs　voice　in　my　head。　I　lift　my　chin　a　bit　higher；　put　on　my　most　winning　smile；　and　wave　with　my　free　hand。　Iˇm　glad　now　I　have　Peeta　to　clutch　for　balance；　he　is　so　steady；　solid　as　a　rock。　As　I　gain　confidence；　I　actually　blow　a　few　kisses　to　the　crowd。　The　people　of　the　Capitol　are　going　nuts；　showering　us　with　flowers；　shouting　our　names；　our　first　names；　which　they　have　bothered　to　find　on　the　program。
The　pounding　music；　the　cheers；　the　admiration　work　their　way　into　my　blood；　and　I　canˇt　suppress　my　excitement。　Cinna　has　given　me　a　great　advantage。　No　one　will　forget　me。　Not　my　look；　not　my　name。　Katniss。　The　girl　who　was　on　fire。
For　the　first　time；　I　feel　a　flicker　of　hope　rising　up　in　me。　Surely；　there　must　be　one　sponsor　willing　to　take　me　on！　And　with　a　little　extra　help；　some　food；　the　right　weapon；　why　should　I　count　myself　out　of　the　Games？
Someone　throws　me　a　red　rose。　I　catch　it；　give　it　a　delicate　sniff；　and　blow　a　kiss　back　in　the　general　direction　of　the　giver。　A　hundred　hands　reach　up　to　catch　my　kiss；　as　if　it　were　a　real　and　tangible　thing。
¨Katniss！　Katniss！〃　I　can　hear　my　name　being　called　from　all　sides。　Everyone　wants　my　kisses。
Itˇs　not　until　we　enter　the　City　Circle　that　I　realize　I　must　have　pletely　stopped　the　circulation　in　Peetaˇs　hand。　Thatˇs　how　tightly　Iˇve　been　holding　it。　I　look　down　at　our　linked　fingers　as　I　loosen　my　grasp；　but　he　regains　his　grip　on　me。　¨No；　donˇt　let　go　of　me；〃　he　says。　The　firelight　flickers　off　his　blue　eyes。　¨Please。　I　might　fall　out　of　this　thing。〃
¨Okay；〃　I　say。　So　I　keep　holding　on；　but　I　canˇt　help　feeling　strange　about　the　way　Cinna　has　linked　us　together。　Itˇs　not　really　fair　to　present　us　as　a　team　and　then　lock　us　into　the　arena　to　kill　each　other。
The　twelve　chariots　fill　the　loop　of　the　City　Circle。　On　the　buildings　that　surround　the　Circle；　every　window　is　packed　with　the　most　prestigious　citizens　of　the　Capitol。　Our　horses　pull　our　chariot　right　up　to　President　Snowˇs　mansion；　and　we　e　to　a　halt。　The　music　ends　with　a　flourish。
The　president；　a　small；　thin　man　with　paper…white　hair；　gives　the　official　wele　from　a　balcony　above　us。　It　is　traditional　to　cut　away　to　the　faces　of　the　tributes　during　the　speech。　But　I　can　see　on　the　screen　that　we　are　getting　way　more　than　our　share　of　airtime。　The　darker　it　bees；　the　more　difficult　it　is　to　take　your　eyes　off　our　flickering。　When　the　national　anthem　plays；　they　do　make　an　effort　to　do　a　quick　cut　around　to　each　pair　of　tributes；　but　the　camera　holds　on　the　District　12　chariot　as　it　parades　around　the　circle　one　final　time　and　disappears　into　the　Training　Center。
The　doors　have　only　just　shut　behind　us　when　weˇre　engulfed　by　the　prep　teams；　who　are　nearly　unintelligible　as　they　babble　out　praise。　As　I　glance　around；　I　notice　a　lot　of　the　other　tributes　are　shooting　us　dirty　looks；　which　confirms　what　Iˇve　suspected；　weˇve　literally　outshone　them　all。　Then　Cinna　and　Portia　are　there；　helping　us　down　from　the　chariot；　carefully　removing　our　flaming　capes　and　headdresses。　Portia　extinguishes　them　with　some　kind　of　spray　from　a　canister。
I　realize　Iˇm　still　glued　to　Peeta　and　force　my　stiff　fingers　to　open。　We　both　massage　our　hands。
¨Thanks　for　keeping　hold　of　me。　I　was　getting　a　little　shaky　there；〃　says　Peeta。
¨It　didnˇt　show；〃　I　tell　him。　¨Iˇm　sure　no　one　noticed。〃
¨Iˇm　sure　they　didnˇt　notice　anything　but　you。　You　should　wear　flames　more　often；〃　he　says。　¨They　suit　you。〃　And　then　he　gives　me　a　smile　that　seems　so　genuinely　sweet　with　just　the　right　touch　of　shyness　that　unexpected　warmth　rushes　through　me。
A　warning　bell　goes　off　in　my　head。　Donˇt　be　so　stupid。　Peeta　is　planning　how　to　kill　you；　I　remind　myself。　He　is　luring　you　into　make　you　easy　prey。　The　more　likable　he　is；　the　more　deadly　he　is。
But　because　two　can　play　at　this　game；　I　stand　on　tiptoe　and　kiss　his　cheek。　Right　on　his　bruise。

6
The　Training　Center　has　a　tower　designed　exclusively　for　the　tributes　and　their　teams。　This　will　be　our　home　until　the　actual　Games　begin。　Each　district　has　an　entire　floor。　You　simply　step　onto　an　elevator　and　press　the　number　of　your　district。　Easy　enough　to　remember。
Iˇve　ridden　the　elevator　a　couple　of　times　in　the　Justice　Building　back　in　District　12。　Once　to　receive　the　medal　for　my　fatherˇs　death　and　then　yesterday　to　say　my　final　goodbyes　to　my　friends　and　family。　But　thatˇs　a　dark　and　creaky　thing　that　moves　like　a　snail　and　smells　of　sour　milk。　The　walls　of　this　elevator　are　made　of　crystal　so　that　you　can　watch　the　people　on　the　ground　floor　shrink　to　ants　as　you　shoot　up　into　the　air。　Itˇs　exhilarating　and　Iˇm　tempted　to　ask　Effie　Trinket　if　we　can　ride　it　again；　but　somehow　that　seems　childish。
Apparently；　Effie　Trinketˇs　duties　did　not　conclude　at　the　station。　She　and　Haymitch　will　be　overseeing　us　right　into　the　arena。　In　a　way；　thatˇs　a　plus　because　at　least　she　can　be　counted　on　to　corral　us　around　to　places　on　time　whereas　we　havenˇt　seen　Haymitch　since　he　agreed　to　help　us　on　the　train。　Probably　passed　out　somewhere。　Effie　Trinket；　on　the　other　hand；　seems　to　be　flying　high。　Weˇre　the　first　team　sheˇs　ever　chaperoned　that　made　a　splash　at　the　opening　ceremonies。　Sheˇs　plimentary　about　not　just　our　costumes　but　how　we　conducted　ourselves。　And；　to　hear　her　tell　it；　Effie　knows　everyone　whoˇs　anyone　in　the　Capitol　and　has　been　talking　us　up　all　day；　trying　to　win　us　sponsors。
¨Iˇve　been　very　mysterious；　though；〃　she　says；　her　eyes　squint　half　shut。　¨Because；　of　course；　Haymitch　hasnˇt　bothered　to　tell　me　your　strategies。　But　Iˇve　done　my　best　with　what　I　had　to　work　with。　How　Katniss　sacrificed　herself　for　her　sister。　How　youˇve　both　successfully　struggled　to　overe　the　barbarism　of　your　district。〃
Barbarism？　Thatˇs　ironic　ing　from　a　woman　helping　to　prepare　us　for　slaughter。　And　whatˇs　she　basing　our　success　on？　Our　table　manners？
¨Everyone　has　their　reservations；　naturally。　You　being　from　the　coal　district。　But　I　said；　and　this　was　very　clever　of　me；　I　said；　ˉWell；　if　you　put　enough　pressure　on　coal　it　turns　to　pearls！ˇ¨　Effie　beams　at　us　so　brilliantly　that　we　have　no　choice　but　to　respond　enthusiastically　to　her　cleverness　even　though　itˇs　wrong。
Coal　doesnˇt　turn　to　pearls。　They　grow　in　shellfish。　Possibly　she　meant　coal　turns　to　diamonds；　but　thatˇs　untrue；　too。　Iˇve　heard　they　have　some　sort　of　machine　in　District　1　that　can　turn　graphite　into　diamonds。　But　we　donˇt　mine　graphite　in　District　12。　That　was　part　of　District　13ˇs　job　until　they　were
destroyed。
I　wonder　if　the　people　sheˇs　been　plugging　us　to　all　day　either　know　or　care。
¨Unfortunately；　I　canˇt　seal　the　sponsor　deals　for　you。　Only　Haymitch　can　do　that；〃　says　Effie　grimly。　¨But　donˇt　worry；　Iˇll　get　him　to　the　table　at　gunpoint　if　necessary。〃　
Although　lacking　in　many　departments；　Effie　Trinket　has　a　certain　determination　I　have　to　admire。
My　quarters　are　larger　than　our　entire　house　back　home。　They　are　plush；　like　the　train