{ :raise_forth => 'lost cause' } # dom oneshot

[aya]

we're now up here alone,
terror on the intercom, can someone save us?
systems malfunction, blast it,
this damn machine, over and out captain.

"Copperview."

"I promised blood, and I delivered."

"Lower districts all, none terribly —"

"— yes, I would call it a success —"

"I'm still contending with Kinkade's mess, but —"

"— no, we are still on track. What, did you expect me to flood the beach and make them swim for it? Drown them all?"

"Aiding District Four? Ha. I'm not certain these District Fours even know how to swim."

"— be that as it may, but I don't appreciate the implication. I don't have a favorite district —"

"— yes I do have favorites, everyone does, but that doesn't mean —"

"— yes, I have been fond of my District Fours in the past, but —"

"Sir. With all due respect, my integrity has never been called into question before — this is ridiculous, this is insulting. You've —"

"— you've trusted me with six games over nearly two decades now, there's no reason why the actions of one Gamemaker — one that I have always expressed my reservations about, I might add — should bring my character into question all of a sudden. Babysitting colleagues has never been part of my job description."

"Yes sir."

"Yes."

"Yes, understood."

"Yes, Gamemaker King's performance so far has surpassed my expectations."

"Yes, I am aware."

"Noted."

"No, there's no good way to get her to stop, short of —"

"— the uniforms were Kinkade's responsibility. Apparently they don't stay on too well. Typical."

"I find it unlikely that sponsoring her a new uniform would have any effect. The other tributes are equally ill-suited to deal with the cold. Aside from Ms. Corléon, with her coat, which —"

"— it may be macabre, but the audience has viewed it favorably. Certain things are expected of District Two, after all."

"And of the scenery, yes."

"No, I'm sure Krigel doesn't appreciate it — but I'm also sure that I don't care."

"I appreciate the sudden interest, but I don't need to be micromanaged. My results speak for themselves. A little faith —"

"— but the numbers don't lie. They never do. Listen: One, One, Two, Two, Four, Four — and a smattering of stand-outs from beneath them —"

"— you can't be upset with the narrative of it, Flickerman's been waxing poetic about revenge for hours, won't shut up about —"

"— yes, between Nine and Eight and Twelve and Chase. And —"

"— yes, our little King Arthur and her —"

"— yes, an arm for an arm —"

"— yes, it's all been covered very well. Surely I don't need to explain to you the importance of a good story. Besides, District Ten has twice the reason to revile Six, same for Nine and Eight — you must appreciate the division —"

"No, I assure you, I do not need to be reminded of District Twelve's winning streak in the 50s. Between Krearns and Corléon in the thick of things, I don't expect District Eleven will continue to be so lucky, but —"

"I assume Ms. Persimmon has been approached? Mr. Miristioma? There's only so much within the arena that I can —"

"— with all due respect, Mr. President, that is outside the scope of my responsibility, and I will take no ownership of —"

"— she's crafty and he's strong, and fan favorites both — I'm not going to spoil my Games with some contrived death for the sake of your comfort —"

"— you'll recall that I did everything in my power to hinder Ms. Kimberling's victory, and yet —"

"— everyone fully expected Dru Charlesburg to —"

"— I wasn't even Head Gamemaker at the time! You cannot blame Arbor Halt on me!"

"Well, then, shall we add Opal Shore to my credit, then? Julian Bryze? Now there's a model victor.  Fan favorite, ruthless, beloved victors for parents — Bryze was an overwhelming success on my part, thank you."

"— no, you don't understand, sir. I am the best at what I do. Gamblers like Whip, showmen like Kinkade, creative types like Nox, even media wranglers like King — they can't hold a candle to the technical precision that I deliver. Do you want a specific victor? Name him. Name her. Just say the word, and I swear to Ripred I will line the others up and let my Balor stick her claws through their skulls one by one. I'll let her incinerate them all at once, that'd surely shave fifteen seconds off the budget. Is that what you want? — You know, why not do that right as they're reaped? Drag them all up on stage, have them executed as the nation looks on. That would save tens of millions — hundreds of millions. Is that what you want?"

"The error bars are large still, but shrinking every day. Let me worry about my job, sir. That's why you have Gamemakers in the first place."

"...yes sir, I understand."

"Loud and clear."