Arik Dumas, District 9

[ARIK DUMAS]

Arik Dumas

The Capitol must be very different from your home district. What's your favourite thing about the Capitol so far?

Arik’s grin grew into a full blow smile as he listen to the host ask this question. It was definitely something he could answer and use to his advantage. Of course he attempted to use everything and anyone to his advantage. And sometimes it worked, and others times he had to wait a bit for it work. It was one thing he did best, and luckily no one had figured him out just yet. “I love the Capital! Although I miss back home… I am just finding things here so interesting!” Arik paused briefly and then continued. “So much for a boy from District 9 to see and learn. You have a nice, cultured place here in the Capital!”

What is your life like back home? What's your family like?

“Life back home….” Arik sighed and let his eyes look up towards the ceiling….looking wistful, like he was thinking about being back home in his district. Honestly he hated his life back home, and secretly wished he could live somewhere like the Capital, or District 1 or 2. But that wouldn’t help him any once the games actually started. What to say…what to say… “Well it mainly just consists of spending time with my family and friends I care about. And somewhat planning for the future. The best any of us can.” Now he had to say something about his family, “My family is wonderful….very supportive. I miss them…terribly!”

Is there a special someone in your life?

Arik pursed his lips, and let his eyes fall to look down at his lap. He knew already how he was going to play this one. But it wasn’t going to be with the full truth. That wouldn’t work! He had a steady girlfriend back home, and one on the side. Of course they each knew about each other. Just his one thought the other was just a friend, and the other, well she knew as much as she needed to know. His girlfriend wasn’t a nice person and so the other one saw a girl who treated him wrong, and he just took it and ran with it. And just like other things….it worked. But that wasn’t going to be his answer. No his answer was going to make both of them think he was talking about them, and not anyone else. And everyone watching too. Arik let out a sigh and lifted his head, giving the host and the audience a look into his watery eyes. “Yes, there is….I hope she knows how much she really means to me. She is my life, I can’t wait until…until….” Arik let his voice trail off with a slightly wavery voice. He even let a small tear escape out of the corner of his eye. Was it good enough?

How are you planning to win the games?

He again pursed his lips. How to answer that question, when he was still trying to figure the best angle out! He let his eyes wander, briefly off to the side. He was trying to give the impression that he had a plan but didn’t want to let the other tributes in on the secret. “I just plan on giving everything my best shot!” Arik grinned mischeiviously, no one needed to know exactly how well or how unprepared he really was!

Your best shot? Is that all you are going to give us?
Inwardly, Arik cringed…calling the host all kind of terrible names that he would never say outloud. But outwardly, his appearance was different. He just smiled his charming, ‘you can believe anything I say’ grin and nodded. “Yes, sir that’s about it….Can’t go giving things away! I’d have to change my game plan then!”

That's all we have time for. Arik Dumas from District 9, everybody!

Arik nodded, and gave a little wave to the camera….didn’t matter who it was for…..plenty of people would think it was for them!