Hunger Games Chapter 3

In which Katniss and Peeta are whisked inside the Judicial Building to say their goodbyes.  She resolves not to cry, ever-mindful of the cameras.  She recognizes the velvet on the couch because her mother used to have a dress with a velvet collar. Katniss talks to her family as though she's the adult, telling them how to stay alive after she's gone.  She yells at her mother, telling her not to become debilitatingly depressed again, and her mother says she's on meds now.  Katniss promises Prim she will really, really try to come home.  Peeta's father comes in, bringing cookies.  He's much nicer than his horrid wife, and says he'll keep an eye on Prim.

Next up, Madge:  she brings Katniss a token from their district, a pin, and gives her a kiss on the cheek.  Last, Gale arrives.  He goes over some strategy with Katniss, and we find out about some past games.  One year there were only maces for weapons, one year only boulders and scruffy bushes, one year there was no wood to burn.  Gale is removed from the room, shouting, "Katniss, remember I--" and that's it.  In my opinion, he was declaring his undying love for her and her family, but maybe that's too obvious.  What do you think he was yelling? 

SO, Katniss rides in a car for the first time, to the train. She remembers Johanna Mason, who faked that she was weak, and then won the whole games.  She thinks Peeta might go this way, but then thinks he's too big.  The train can cover 250 miles an hour, and we find out that the Capitol was built in what was once known as "the Rockies" and that District 12 is in what was known as Appalachia (does anyone else have an urge to sing Loretta Lynn?).  If that's accurate, my magical map thing and time converter says it should take them somewhere around 6 hours to arrive, cutting through states formerly known as Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.

We also find out that Katniss doesn't pay attention to the account of what happened during the rebellion (curses!).  Katniss has her first hot shower, and we find out the background of the mockingjay, "a slap in the face of the capitol." Her father loved them, and he had a lovely singing voice which he used to interact with the hybrid birds.  Katniss hates on Effie a little, eating with her hands, and eats lots of delicious things.  They watch the reapings.  A" monstrous boy" volunteers for District 2, a fox-faced girl is picked from District 5, a crippled boy from 10.  And a lovely Prim-alike from 11.  Everyone laughs about Haymitch, and his comic timing is perfect.