Sunrise on the Reaping

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains graphic descriptions of violence and death, as well as brief mentions of death by suicide, depression, and alcohol abuse.

Vitus and Proserpina greet the woman, addressing her as Effie Trinket. Effie has brought clothes inherited from her great aunt and uncle, and allows the tributes to choose from the selection, telling them, “[Y]ou deserve to look beautiful tonight” (76). Haymitch leans into his rakish persona by selecting a vest embroidered with cocktail glasses.

The tributes are driven to an auditorium for their televised interviews with Caesar. Before the show begins, Beetee pulls Haymitch aside and advises him to head north immediately once inside the arena. Beetee explains that Haymitch might be able to locate a mutt portal by following mutts after an attack.

Beetee reveals that he has replaced all of District 9’s sunflower tokens with explosives without their knowledge. He plans for Ampert to recover the tokens after the deaths of the District 9 tributes, then go north to meet up with Haymitch.

Haymitch speaks with Wellie from District 6, who asks if she can count on him in the arena. Haymitch warns her to stay away because his low score makes him an attractive target.