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Summary: Chapters 11 & 12

Chapter 11

Beetee explains that the arena is essentially a computer, and that there is an enormous water tank underneath the northern part of the arena that, if ruptured, could destroy the computer's brain. Haymitch needs to locate a mutt portal (a concealed opening that allows Gamemaker-made creatures to enter the arena), climb down to the utility corridor, and blow up the tank which will flood the computers in Sub-A. Ampert is going to help him. Haymitch tries to protest because it will be dangerous. However, Beetee knows that Ampert was reaped to be killed and all he can do is hope that his son's death will at least be quick, and mean something. Beetee then explains that Haymitch will have to light the explosive himself, and Haymitch says he can use the striker from Lenore Dove as long as he can find a rock. Beetee’s time is up; after telling Haymitch not to share the plan with anyone, he departs.

The next morning, they decide the simplest way to manage Lou Lou’s sudden appearance is to pretend the Capitol miraculously managed to save Louella, but that she is no longer right in the head. They notice that Lou Lou tugs on her ear often, and Mags and Wiress guess she has an earpiece so people can both feed her what to say and hear what’s said in her presence. As a result, they need to be careful what they say around her.

At the training center, Ampert tells Haymitch that Beetee feels that Nine is “essential” for the alliance. Haymitch and Maysilee convince all of the tributes from Nine (whom Haymitch calls the “doves” due to their gentle demeanor and pale-grey clothes) to join the alliance; Maysilee fixes one of their sunflower tokens after Panache breaks it, and Haymitch tells them about a sunflower song that Lenore Dove sings. Later, Haymitch reconvenes with Ampert, who has brought Eleven into the Newcomers. Unfortunately, Five has joined the Careers. 

Later, Haymitch waits for his private session with the Gamemakers. He figures all of them likely saw the footage of him causing a scene after Louella was killed. He decides his best course of action is to convince them that he is just a “selfish troublemaker” who is determined to get home and “live out his life as a rich and famous victor” in order to conceal his true ambitions. He does just that, and hopes he came across as unlikeable but determined. Haymitch then gives up his token for inspection and heads to dinner. He and his fellow Twelve tributes watch the results, which are scored out of twelve, as they come in. The Careers mostly land in the eight-to-eleven range. District 11 earns similar scores, but the rest of the Newcomers generally manage between four and seven. Maysilee and Wyatt each get a six, Lou Lou pulls a three, and Haymitch earns a one. 

Chapter 12

Haymitch is worried his low score will cost him sponsors, but Maysilee praises him for getting to the Gamemakers. He wakes the next morning and gets his necklace back. Maysilee asks again to examine it, and this time he agrees. She calls it beautiful, and Haymitch reminds her that she has a Covey pin back home. Maysilee says she never wears it because she doesn’t like that mockingjays are half-mutt. When Haymitch argues they could also be seen as a symbol of resistance, Maysilee says she will think about giving the pin a second chance if she survives the Games. 

Maysilee then says Lenore Dove doesn’t like her because Maysilee knows her secret, and she hates being at her mercy. Haymitch tries to find out more, but Maysilee only says it has something to do with the orange paint spotted on Lenore Dove’s fingernails when she performed at the mayor's birthday party. Haymitch guesses she will not tell him anything else unless he trades a secret of his own. He then realizes that between the zinc coin on Wyatt’s token and the copper flower on one of Maysilee’s necklaces, they have the supplies to make a potato battery in the arena. 

Drusilla arrives and says it’s time to prepare for the interviews with Caesar Flickerman, their last chance to make an impression before the Games. Lou Lou goes first, but she doesn’t say anything besides her name and district. Drusilla shakes her, and Lou Lou starts screaming, “You're murdering us! You’re murdering us!” The others explain who Lou Lou really is while Mags leads her away. Wyatt goes next, and he sells himself as an oddsmaker who knows how the other tributes work. Maysilee goes third; she intends to insult the Capitol’s fashion and taste because she wants to be remembered, not liked.

Finally, it is Haymitch’s turn. He’s decided to own his low score and rebellious actions. However, Drusilla claims he’ll fare better if he behaves “charming” but “naughty,” because a “rascal” is more entertaining and less provocative than a rebel. Haymitch is just about to practice when his prep team bursts into the room—Magno is sick and they have nothing for them to wear. Proserpina and Vitus begin to panic, and Maysilee amuses Haymitch and Mags by subtly mocking them. They figure they will just have to go to the interview in their training clothes, which are all worse for wear, when a young woman with lavender hair arrives with stacks of clothes and asks them all if they are ready for the “big, big, big day!”

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