Panem's Got Talent 2: Judges' Cuts

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✰  JUDGE RISKY POPE .

"Live from Saturn City, welcome your first judge... Risky Pope!" 

The crowd's already ballistic as the glass plane rises from her feet, revealing legs, hips, ass and a whole lot more as Risky takes the stage. "Heeey, what's up!" She shouts into the mic, purple ostrich feathers littering behind her model walk, rock music playing as the strobe lights strike across the auditorium. A stage meant for talent, Risky cups her ears back and forth listening to the crowd's cheer, raising her mic to them before speaking again. 

"Panem! Welcome to Saturn City! Let me hear some noise, come on y'all," she laughs as the crowd amplifies. "This is the biggest, the baddest and the toughest talent competition on this planet, and we would know - we made it. You want to be a star? Then you come to this show, am I right?!" Beauty's out, it's all about talent now.

Risky stands center stage as she continues the entrance speech, "tonight, right here on Panem's Got Talent, stars will be made, baby! Each contestant has ninety seconds to prove to us why they should make it to the next round and onto the TOP! And as you all know this is live, this is all live, so we don't know what the hell is gonna happen on this stage tonight. Things are about to get crazy, things about to get wild, but before we get started let's meet the rest of our judges!" 

"First up is muttations expert and survivor expert, Saaaber Bancroft! Next up, the capitol's favorite magician playboy, Josiah Layton! New and from District 2, mayor Victor Strauss! And last and most thickly, me, Risky Pope Washington! Ain't this the hottest judge panel you've seen all year?!" 

There's a second she lets the crowd cheer before continuing. "Now, us 4 are on a mission to find the next biggest star in Panem, and guess what? That's all about to begin, right here, right now!"

[ ✰ ]

Hello hello, and welcome to Judges' Cuts! Last week you guys came, you saw, and you survived - now, the real competition begins! From this point on you'll be competing against one another to showcase WHO is Panem's most talented. This week you'll be competing in groups of 3 with only the best moving on to next week's Grand Finale. For Judges' Cuts, you'll be rolling 2 flat [*roll range="1-100"] rolls: one for your performance and the second for any tie breakers. 

Need a table? Look no further, P.G.T.'s free template is right here!

Rewards Recap: everyone who participates in this round of P.G.T. will bring 3 points home to their Ratmas House (go pissbabies!) The final 5 of P.G.T. will all receive a free CB for their efforts and the winner of season 1 will receive a custom banner for their profile to commemorate their victory. The IC winner of P.G.T. will be announced as district royalty and take home a fat cash prize as well! 

JUDGES' CUTS:


[ GROUP 1: ]
Pietro [elegant]
Nintendo [rave]
Media [kay]

[ GROUP 2: ]
Bruce [frankel]
Marina [kaplan]
Clover [zoe]

[ GROUP 3: ]
Saint [elegant]
Axel [calla]
Sno [ryan]

[ GROUP 4: ]
Carver [rave]
Taze [ems]
Hector [fox]

[ GROUP 5: ]
Derek [kiah]
Addle [elegant]

[✌ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

✰  PIETRO BABINEAUX .

I'm still glowing from auditions last week. Maybe I didn't get to perform the stunt that I set out to do but fate always has a way of twisting things. Guess last week, fate just wanted me making balloon animals instead of breaking my neck.

There's a stylist assigned to me because this time, they decide I can't manage my makeup alone as I always have. What they don't know is that a clown's makeup is a highly personal thing and I need time to myself to get into character.

Also, I'm technically not supposed to take molly in the chair? Their rules are a little different than mine though, so how was I to know?

"Hi there," I say with a big smile, lips outlined in red today and handpainted blue triangles on my face. My kit is more vivid this time and I wear a pointy little party hat with tinsel around the base and a big red nose to complete the look. "My name is-"

"PIETRO THE CLOWN! SOMETIMES I LAUGH AND SOMETIMES I FROWN!!!"

The first couple rows are filled with children, I wasn't able to see them when I first got on stage thanks to the lights. Delighted, I kneel and peek over the edge of the stage at them, my heart so happy and full. "How'd you know??" I whisper, the mic pinned to my shirt picking my voice up anyway.

Then I wink at them and stand once again to face the judges. A stagehand rolls a big ball out on stage from the left while another brings three torches out, all lit.

"Today, I'll be showing you a juggling act!" I say as I take the torches. As you can guess, it's hot holding three sticks that're on fire but I hold them away from my face to keep my makeup from melting. "And that's not alllll!" I singsong, passing the torches back to get a running start to leap onto the ball.

I kick my leg back all dramatic and bunch my arms up, snorting a bit like a bull because that always gets a laugh before jumping expertly up. The rubber gives a little under my weight and I have to peddle forwards and then back quick to get balance but luckily, I don't fall. A little ta-da sound plays over the loud speakers and the audience applauds as I run little laps around the stage, the bal rolling along merrily beneath me.

That's the first time I've ever nailed that on my first try!

My assistant is just about to toss my first torch up to me when I hear it- "Petroooo!" calls a shaky little voice.

I pause, searching the rows for where all that sadness could have come from and then I see it, a half-deflated balloon snake waving limply at me over the edge of the stage.

"Peee troooo pwea!" calls the voice again, tugging at my heart strings.

And I'm already pulling a balloon out of my pocket and tipping forward off of the ball, my left foot hitting floorboard, and my right kicking forward with ease into a quick stride over to the stage's edge.

"Don't cry Cliff," I tell the sobbing three year old and then kneel in front of him, "Want another snake?"

[ ✰ ]

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[✌ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

✰  ADDLE DEWITT .

In no way did Addle think that he was going to make it to the next round but seems like at least two people on that panel had some taste.

He'd just sat there after that person in the headset had come out and tapped his shoulder to stop his playing last week while the old people on the raised podium thing had said words at him. They were too far away though and the lighting was too shitty for Addle to read their lips.

Eventually someone tossed a thumbs up at him. He nodded as if he knew what was happening and then was being guided off stage gently by the arm as if he was actually blind and not deaf. Whatever, girl was kind of cute at least even though her hair was too nice and she looked like she probably listened to pop music and called it indie.

Week two, Addle steps back out on stage and glances at the judge's podium before heading back over to his drum kit. He waited for Theo and Nora to join him in the accepted lounge but they never came so looks like once again, he's on his own. Whatever.

"This song," he says too soft and just a little off-key, "Better with No rah and Thee oh. But fuck it I guess." To drive it home, he signs what he said as well with one hand, his other wrapped around his lucky drum sticks.

Then Addle settles behind his kit and when he's good and ready, points one stick up towards the sound techs.

"Go."

[ ✰ ]

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[✌ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

✰  SAINT .

"Uh, hi," I say, pressing my mouth so closely to the mic that everyone in the room can hear my breath, "Yeah I told you I'm not a performer and you didn't believe me, so...?"

Except now there's a keyboard in front of me because when Axel asked if I had any skills this week I stupidly let it slip that before she died, my mom and I used to play duets on her old piano and he ran with it. But when I say duets I mean that my mom played the hard shit and I tapped a few keys every now and then.

And my mom died like, last year and I haven't played since?

The audience laughs, I got a slap on the back from a stage hand last week, "Hilarious bit," he'd said, "Acting like you don't even wanna be here then being funny as hell, fuck yeah!"

"It's not a bit," I tried to tell him and he only laughed again.

Then Hector gave me a knife and told me to learn the art of murder for today and I sort of accidentally stabbed a bellhop in the leg so we decided against it.

Which is I guess why, the piano.

Except Baz now thinks I've been holding out on them?

"Uhh... But, my name's Saint and-" I point to the wings at the left of me where Hector's urging me on, "We're Jeff and Steve, District Eight. Books, murder, and more. Call us at 214-6962. Uh area code, 8 maybe."

Then I run my hand up the piano, playing notes like a wind chime so that Axel, who's pumping his fist up and down in the wings to the right of me, will be satisfied.

"We have over a hundred five star ratings and you get a free murder with every fifth purchase?"

[ ✰ ]

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[gamemaker ☢️ ivan korsch]

Bruce Avon

It was a tight draw, just two of the judges were mildly impressed by Bruce’s act in the first round, he certainly needs to step it up this time, but he is in Saturn City baby!

On stage in the most sought-after area of the Capitol, step one of his goal now has a big thick check mark next to it. ✓

Accept how does he actually follow on from the first round of juggling bottles of wine, he can’t drag out the same dead mule again, so he has been practicing, all night long with a sip of Sauvignon Blanc. It is a risky act, only the slightest nudge of clumsiness will cause it all to come crashing down.

Bruce is the first to go in his group, so he is not going to be able to breathe again until his competitors’ scores are revealed. He pushes out a silver glitzy trolley with three bottles and three different shaped wine glasses on the top of it.

”I thought we’d add a little wine tasting to the session today.” Bruce says as he pours the first green bottle, a white wine. ” Chenin blanc. Judges and audience, you all have a little surprise under your seats.” It certainly cut a deep hole in his bank account but mass producing mini versions of his product is the perfect marketing tactic. Or so he thinks.

Next is the darker bottle with a maroon cork, a red wine. He pours it into the larger glass. ”Cabernet, great with steak!”

Then onto the final product, a wider pink bottle that goes with the champagne chute. ”And to end the night, a Prosecco Rosé!”

A remix mash-up of the latest pop songs in the Capitol’s Top 40 charts begins to boom from the speakers. ”Time to raise your glasses!” He gears up the audience as he collects the filled glasses and corked bottles. He just needs to juggle the lot for 30 seconds and somehow not spill a single drop. There may be some trickery in these glasses, hopefully the magician amongst the panel does not notice…

[ ✰ ]

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[Deleted]

✰  CARVER LE ROUX .

If looks could kill, Carver would have stolen first place already! A little cockiness never killed anyone - he wasn't worried with the competition. Win or lose he saw it all as a giant game, with him being the biggest, shiniest piece. Despite his reputation, he felt no pressure to perform well; if it happens, it happens! 

That little pride was telling him not to worry, so he spent his time watching television and ordering room service. Carver groomed and spoiled himself like a king on vacation rather than a contestant. Sure enough, he'd be packing his bags and headed back to that train all too soon, so... why not enjoy it while he's here!

He shakes his wrists as he makes his way center stage. "Hello again!" Carver shouts exuberantly, waving his big hands to the judges and the crowd.

"Save me any wine?" He says with a nod to Victor Strauss. It can't be terribly hard to show up the last guy, but it's the other two in his group he has to worry about. Instead, he has not a worry in his head as he takes on the grand piano. No comparisons, no pressure. 

And a wink to the camera! 

[ ✰ ]

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[ryan]

✰  SNO CONE .

seems like my performance didnt leave the mark that i wanted it too, but thats okay. not everyone is going to think that. after all, it would be far too hard to be perfect all the time. even when i won the pageant, i knew that i messed up. however, i still delivered.

so how was i going to do the same thing here.

the fact that i was put in the same group as that morrisen kid from district four still blows my mind. i knew all too well that they were a capitol favorite, a darling if you will. they could do literally nothing and everyone would fawn over them. i wished i could do that same, but no. i worked hard to establish myself here in the capitol, and i was not going to let someone else show me up, no matter how the the odds werent in my favor.

so i guess i am going to have to pull out some more tricks out of my sleeve to get the audience on my side.

i walk out to the stage "im back back again, but this time, no skates, just me." i laugh into the mic for a second as they ask me what i am going to do this time. "dance the house down boots yes ripred of course." i let the audiences cheers fill me up for a moment before i take my cue.

a song starts playing and i begin to pull out the stops right away. twists, twirls, voguing, you name it, i am doing it. i know i am on beat, and i am ready to commit to the fantasy. i drop at the right seconds, i get back up and leap around the stage, all while wearing a pretty sequin leotard. i throw my legs out for a moment, and then on the final beat of the song, i let my body fall to the floor.

death drop.

[ ✰ ]

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[[ retro gm ] angel lí ✨]

✰ CLOVER 'KLEE' CLEMENTINE .

Well at least I can't do worse than that wine guy! What is it with sommeliers anyway? I know one back home in Seven and he's a grumpy bastard - and not just because I blew up a few dozen barrels filled with the vintage blend. How was I supposed to know there was wine in those? I'm thirteen!

ANYWAY - after that train wreck, I'm feeling EXTRA confident! I got no X's last round - which Jean said was really, really good! She even said she was proud of me and I got so happy I fell over! I got to call Alby on camera and although most of what I was saying was gobbledeegook because I was sooooooo excited after the audition I think he understood what I was saying.

I found some sunglasses backstage in the props department and they said I could wear 'em. Those spotlights sure are BRIGHT! And it helps! I've been practicing all week for this until my arms and legs hurt so bad I thought they were going to fall off. But luckily they didn't! Yay!

I walk on stage - gosh it's bigger than the last one, wow - and the crowd cheers as loud as an explosion. I might go deaf! Good thing I brought my earbuds, so instead I just wave, grin and pull a thumbs up. Can't really see them because of these sunglasses, but I can sure hear 'em!

Man, this drumkit is SICK! And look! They put my name on the front! KLEE! Yaaaaay!

"HELLO PANEM! LET'S GET READY TO RUUUUUUMBLEEEEEEEEEE!"

One Two Three Four!

[ ✰ ]

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[knuckles]

✰ Taze Alexandrite .

Making it through the auditions to the next round is something Taze never imagined possible, and now he has the chance to prove that it wasn't a fluke. But being here, knowing what's at stake, makes him incredibly anxious, and before it's his time to go on stage, he finds himself taking deep breaths trying to calm his racing nerves. It's not as easy as it seems, though. Every second feels like an eternity. All he wants is to get on the stage, perform to the best of his ability, and then go behind the curtain and forget about the entire thing. Of course, he wants to make it further in this journey. Having people shout his name is something Taze never thought he'd enjoy anymore.

Having only ninety seconds makes it even harder to move, harder to think, but he knows what he's capable of, yet he can't help but wonder if anyone else is as nervous as he is. Taking one last deep breath, Taze takes his place on the stage. This time it's much easier than the first, and maybe with each time, it'll get better. All it takes is proving to the judges that he's worthy of moving on. This is the one shot he has, and maybe he'll have the performance of a lifetime.

Standing under the spotlights is fun, and just like before, he gives the signal, and the music begins. This is it. This is the moment he's been waiting for, and it's up to him to prove that he's a star, and that he deserves to move on. Not making it past this stage is always a possibility, but he pushes those thoughts aside and promises himself to do the best he can, and nothing else will matter.

[ ✰ ]

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[garnet beauford d8 [earthling]]

✰MEDIA MILES .

Media had expected to be on the stage more than once. After all, auditions were really for amateurs. Obviously the judge's had known who she was; they even ribbed her about her father. But that one critiqued her talent -- that made her wonder. Just what kind of show were they trying to produce?

She arrived at the studio in full furs and the Miles family jewels. A lackey gave her an overview of the show, explaining that she would be in the first group along with Pietro (are you kidding?) and Nintendo (you're definitely kidding).

Media Miles made sure every bit of her was powdered, glitter dusted, contoured and highlighted to perfection. Once again she left her siren red tresses cascading down. Once again she walked onto the stage in a hip-hugging evening gown.

The microphone is a warm, friendly instrument, broadcasting her quiet voice in trendy asmr fashion. "Well," she says, somehow making the word sultry, "if you've had enough clowning around?" Media quirks an eyebrow and is rewarded with a round of polite applause.

She did not especially like to sing, particularly unaccompanied. But she had to prove herself worthy of an instrument. She'd toyed with the idea of picking up the flute during the intervening week but there's no way she would be proficient with it. If not the piano, she had only been trained musically on other way: with her voice.

Looking every inch the mermaid she aspired to be, green dress sparkling under the hot lights, Media drew a deep breath and sang.

Early morning, she wakes up
Knock, knock, knock on the door
It's time for makeup, perfect smile
It's you they're all waiting for

They go, "Isn't she lovely, Saturn City girl?"
And they say

"She's so lucky, she's a star!"
But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking
"If there's nothing missing in my life
Then why do these tears come at night?"*

The last note whispered out, a little weaker than she'd intended. But she found that when she attempted to open her eyes they were held shut by salty tears. "Thank you," she spoke gently into the microphone, batting away the feelings and the performance, and awaited her fate.

[ ✰ ]

performance:

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tiebreaker:

1-100


* lyrics adapted from "Lucky" by Britney Spears

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[calla]

✰  AXEL MORRISEN.

We're back, baby! I tried to convince Aleki to just say that I'd gotten food poisoning and let me go home early but he gave me a look that probably could've razed at least three villages so I just shut myself up and took the mic.

That's showbiz?

"Hi."

Hello.

"This is a poem I wrote for my best bro back home."

My bestest bro actually.

"Except not actually home. He's not from Four."

Were the lights all this bright last year?? This feels like one of those times where you're trying not to look at the sun, but it's there so you just have to look at it, but then it makes your eyes burn and you lose your vision for about four seconds, then it's back and the sun is still there so you just have to look at it again, to see if the same thing will happen, and it does, and then you're caught in this awful loop dear god save me-

"Okay, anyways here goes."

The spotlight clicks on.

"I once knew a guy named Wolfgang.
When he yelled the ceiling would go bang.
He dyed his hair pink
in a small bathroom sink
and liked to sing carols all day."

Except I think that last line ended up getting changed before the show. I distinctly remember the guy in charge of doing the tv censoring looking over the napkin I'd written the act on and turning a really weird shade of purple, but, whatever.

Mic drop.

(I actually do try to drop the mic. It hits the stage and triggers a bunch of feedback in the speakers, and then breaks into about six different pieces.)

[ ✰ ]

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[Deleted]

✰ NINTENDO JENKINS .

Guess who's back! It's Big 'Tendo back on the track with another hot remix. Sadly it's just me this time, my dog had to go back home. Bitch got buzzed out! In her memory I'll be mashing Bitches Ain't Shit with some banjo banger I found on the internet. In some way it's a think piece on what it's like being a baddie in a lower district, I wouldn't know but my heart goes out to them. "Yo, yo, yo!" I say, hyping myself up into the microphone. This is so rad, man, I've never been on a stage before never mind one this huge! The audience is massive, and I can hardly believe I made it past the first round. Don't get me wrong, I think we killed it, but this is such a cool experience. That just means I have to work extra hard to stick around, and all we have left is the Grand Finale! "I've got a banger lined up for you guys today and I'm going to be jamming out in the background. Aight, sounds good?" I give a thumbs up to the crowd - think it's going well! All I have to do is outscore Media and I've guaranteed a spot in that glorious top 5; trust, I won't mess it up now. 

[ ✰ ]

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[fox]

✰  HECTOR FUJISAKI.

Saint's no killer, but he kills it on stage.

That's our guy. That's our receptionist and our HR and our mascot. The kid's a talent. I didn't even know he could play the piano, but he's up there, writing us a jingle in real time and it sounds just like how a murder would sound. I see Baz with a camcorder in the front row. That's marketing.

It's working, in a way. Saint's been picking up more calls in the last week, but I think most of them aren't for the business. A lot of people want our autographs now. A man called me up and asked if I had an interest in doing audiobooks.

Then, I heard some girl tell Saint she would have his children before he said "no thank you" and hung up. I think I need to emphasize the murder part more.

So I get on stage again with flyers that Baz handmade, passing them out to the audience. "Hi, I'm Hector from Jeff and Steve, District Eight. Books, murder, and more."

We've got a chainsaw and a raincoat this time for the blood bag dummy.

"I will be demonstrating one of the many ways we commit our murders. When you fill out your order, you can put in a request for time of day and method of death. Our most popular product is the take out with a gun. But this one is also a classic."

We're fans of the District 10 Chainsaw Massacre franchise.

I rev up the saw.

"Call us at 214-6962!"

[ ✰ ]

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