“Greeting to the final contestants of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games. The earlier revision has been revoked. Closer examination of the rule book has disclosed that only one winner may be allowed," he says. "Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.”

“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.”

“May the odds be ever in your favor!”

“And may the odds -" He tosses a berry in a high arc toward me. I catch it in my mouth and break the delicate skin with my teeth. The sweet tartness explodes across my tongue. "- be ever in your favor!" I finish with equal verve.”

“Let the Seventy-forth Hunger Games begin, Cato, I think. Let them begin for real.”

“Ladies and gentlemen....."His voice is quiet, but mine rings through the room. "Let the Seventy-sixth Hunger Games begin!”

“One slip. One slip in thousands. The odds had been entirely in her favor. But it hadn't mattered.”