mind of a mastermind [ mariah's speech ]

[D6f Carmen Cantelou [aza]]

M A R I A H  M A C

Dad had made sure I was prepared for this moment. But it is his moment; the writing on these cards is his, the words I'm going to say are his, all the promises that are set to light young hearts on fire with belief—it was all his. I said to him that I would only do this because it is his dying wish—how pathetic a dying wish—and that whatever the outcome, he has to stop trying to live through me.

"My name is Mariah Mac and I have something to say." The microphone squeals slightly. "What is it that makes you feel pride? Perhaps it is your family; seeing an ounce of you in the world and feeling their successes and failures with every fibre of your being. Or, it could be your work—a sense of pride in achievement in carrying a task dutifully, with great care and attention to detail. Your possessions? Memories and sentimental objects, things you have dreamt of and can finally showcase?" I shuffle along to the next card. "Forget it. You cannot have pride in anything else if you do not have pride in yourself, in your home."

"When I look at our home, I see a place that has been under the reign of a man who has become cold with the responsibility. There is no reflection of emotion in Eight, rather only power moves in pursuit of being better than the rest. I ask to you, is this really what we have become? Do we really want to see the wellbeing of our children suffer under extensive school hours? Five years have gone by and we still face increasing illegal activity from assault to assassination. Our safety, threatened by crimes that leave us more vulnerable than ever before. We worry enough about the murder of our children in the Hunger Games, and this should not be extended to the place we call home."

I pause and smile awkwardly because there's so many people listening. "Umm... Anyway, we must focus on bringing a fresh pair of eyes to Eight's problems; for too long they have flown under the radar but I will not let this happen. To work with head and heart in unison is the best way forward. To solve issues of crime, we must ensure Peacekeepers are posted to every corner of our home to prevent criminal behaviour at all costs. To prevent secrecy of these crimes, a very unique reward will be offered to citizens who come forward with details of alleged crime plots, including those created within gang rings."

Thinking of the words that leave my mouth makes me realise exactly how little I know about the policies I would supposedly implement. "I aim to reduce school hours for our young people, instead providing them with the opportunity to apply their skills in the workplace. Whether it be harvesting, refining or sewing—these skills will encourage our young people to take pride in themselves, taking them back to the roots of our District to ensure they best understand our collective history and heritage." 

"Beyond this, abandoned homes will be auctioned off, with the incoming money being set aside to create a community chest. This will be available to those of you who struggle to make ends meet, having to make sacrifices between feeding one child or the other. Eight should not be a place of sacrifices, and so it is my aim to provide you with every means possible to ensure you and your children are stable, satisfied and safe. All of these policies will allow you to feel pride in everything you do, in yourself, but most importantly: in your home. We must rebuild using foundations laid by fresh hands, so that we can work to fix the problems of yesterday and tomorrow, today."

A sole member of crowd cheers and I give them a beaming smile from the stage, until I realise it is my ex-boyfriend. I shake him off, losing my place in my prewritten cards in the process, which forces me to speak for myself. It becomes a very daunting task, and I know that Dad is at home watching, waiting with a list of errors as soon as I get home—no doubt this will be top of his list. 

"So yeah, woo! I love you all." I scream excitedly. "Go me! Back Mac!" My hands clap three times into the microphone and my left foot pops into the air with elation. "Please never keep smiling!"

The crowd look confused, but it's over.