The opening of my adaption of the Hunger Games takes place in NYC. The main character Adam, is in his classroom.
Teacher: Good Morning students, our first announcement comes on behalf of our new president Aeron Vena, he wishes all of you the best luck today during the nationwide Hunger Games selection ceremony. As you know, every state chooses two 18 year olds to fight, both participants from each state can win, however, both winners must be from the same state, and of course to win you must eliminate all of the other participants. Are there any questions?
Spencer: Excuse me sir, but the whole idea of these games is wrong and barbaric, they’re going to allow kids to kill each other?
John: (under breath) Nerd.
Teacher: Enough John, to answer your question bluntly, yes.
Spencer: Jesus...
Adam: How do we get selected?
Teacher: This afternoon at 3 pm you and the rest of the able bodied 18 year olds from New York will gather in Times Square where President Vena will announce the randomly selected names that were generated on the governments computer.
Adam: (To his friend Joe) So we have 3 hours to find out whether we live or die.
Joe: (chuckling) Pretty screwed up right? Don’t worry though our chances of being selected are slim to none ya know.
Adam: Yeah you’re right but don’t you think that’s what everyone is thinking?
Joe: Probably, but that doesn’t change our chances now does it.
Adam: Yeah you’re right what am I thinking.
Teacher: You are all dismissed for the rest of the day and good luck at the selection ceremony.
Adam: (To Joe) Wanna come over to my house before we go to the ceremony?
Joe: Yeah I’m down let’s go.
Adam and Joe get into Adams car and go on to his house. Upon arriving Joe is reminded of Adams’ family’s unbelievable wealth.
Joe: Nice place as always, must be nice.
Adam: (laughing) Shut up, you know I barely see any of the money my parents don’t like spoiling me.
Joe: (chuckling) Oh yeah I bet. Let’s watch tv before this thing, I’m bugging out from stress now.
Adam: I thought our chances were slim to none all knowing Joe?
Joe: They are but I’m still really nervous, you’ve seen the people who are already fighting, last week the guy from Texas that was chosen to fight has years of hunting experience, hand to hand combat experience, and when his parents were first told of the games they bought him weapons to start training, he’s ahead of us. And you also saw the scrawny kid from Seattle Washington who said he had never even been in a fight. They’re mismatching the games for fun and entertainment.
Adam: You’re right but I’m sure they all were thinking what we are now, and all the students who weren’t chosen were too.
Joe: I don’t know man, let’s just go to Times Square to get this over with.
Adam: Alright let’s go.
Adam and Joe get into the car and drive to Times Square for selection.
The time is now 3pm in Times Square, President Aeron Vena steps up to the stage basking in the dread and anticipation that surrounds him. He steps to the microphone to commence his speech.
President Aeron Vena: (chuckling) Is everyone as excited as I am?
The crowd, confused and baffled by their leaders comment look around at each other.
Vena: Oh well that’s too bad, anyways, I have to do the selections in all of New England after today and I’m sure they will be more enthused by the games, like the boy from Texas.
Vena is handed the slip of paper with the printed names of the people randomly selected by the computer.
Vena: Adam Perkins and John West.
Adam breaks down in sight of Vena while John starts walking towards the stage.
Vena: (pointing towards Adam in the sea of people) Is that you? Are you Adam Perkins?
Adam gets up.
Adam: Yes!
Vena: Then lets go! I have places to be.
Adam walks to the stage and sees John West standing next to Vena with an eager grin on his face. Joe is tearing up realizing his best friend might die. Adam is now standing shoulder to shoulder with John West behind President Vena.
Vena: Wish your participants good luck, they’ll need it if you ask me.
Vena walks off the stage into a crowd of secret service and they flock to a convoy of armored vehicles which Vena disappears into. John and Adam are then escorted by the military to their homes to say goodbye to their friends and family and then they are taken straight to the games.
Adam is getting ready under the arena where tensions are already high.
Texas boy: I’m gon kill all of ya, one by one or all at once it doesn’t matter, my dad is friends with Vena, I already have sponsors in this fight.
Washington Boy: It’s not going to help you tho-.
Texas boy: SHUT UP! I’m killin you first ya little liberal.
The Washington boy becomes quiet as the Texas boy walks away towards his podium. The boys and girls from southern states laugh with the Texas boy as they walk towards their podiums while the west coast participants talk amongst themselves and the East coast participants do the same, all while knowing that the very people they are talking to will be trying to kill them soon.
Everyone walks to their podium and once they are all standing on them, the podiums raise into the arena.
Voice over intercom: 5...
Adam: (having panic attack) oh I’m gonna die I’m gonna die.
Voice over intercom: 4...
Voice over intercom: 3... 2... 1... Begin.
It’s a mad dash, everyone is running towards the weaponry area, the Texas boy is pushing people over as he is running towards the weapons cache. Adam is a fast runner so he is one of the first people there, he grabs a spear and runs for it, John West is running faster then the rest of the others as well and grabs a mace. John West is running towards Adam.
John: ADAM! ADAM! WAIT!
Adam looks behind and stops running for a brief moment when he sees the Texas boy sneaking behind John.
Adam: JOHN! JOHN LOOK OUT!
It’s too late, the Texas boy smashes a rock against Johns head. John falls to the ground seemingly lifeless. A projection of Johns face and the Texas boys’ face are projected onto the dome above them as well as an instant replay of John getting hit by the rock. Adam runs into the woods. Adam is by himself a few hours after the beginning of the games and hears something moving around in the forest around him.
Adam: Who’s there?! I swear I’ll kill you!
The two contestants from New Mexico appear out of the bushes.
New Mexico participant 1: Are you from New York?
Adam: Yes, are you here to kill me for that?
New Mexico participant 1: No, no, no. We need people to join us because the Southern states formed a group, they want to kill all of us first.
Adam: Well they already killed my partner so I know they’re coming for me.
As Adam finishes his sentence an arrow with a flame on the tip flies into one of New Mexico’s participant.
New Mexico participant 2: Gah (falls to ground).
Adam runs again because he knows he doesn’t stand a chance at fighting any of them when suddenly the surviving Alabama participant jumps out in front of him. Out of instinct Adam thrusts the spear forward killing the Alabama participant, he cannot believe what he’s done. The replay shows as well as the face of the dead and the face of the killer.
Adam: (talking to himself) Oh god what have I done, I don’t want to kill anyone.
Texas boy: (Appears from the forest around him) You don’t ya to kill anybody if you don’t want to, but you’ll lose.
Adam: (nervously looking around) How’d you find me?
Texas boy: By following you dumbass, same way I stalked your Washington buddy. But he’s dead now so whatever (laughing)
Adam: You’re sick, how can you like this?
Texas boy: As I see it, I’m making the south look strong, nobody will ever mess with us if we look strong, I’m also just a crazy son of a b—-h who’s just having a good time.
Adam: You’re terrible, you’re the one who deserves to die out of all of us.
Texas boy: Look buddy I’m RICH, I shouldn’t be the one getting killed, look at these filthy vagrants, they don’t know what money is and they never will.
Adam has had enough and attempts to reach for his spear when the Texas boy jumps on him and starts beating him up bare handed.
Texas boy: You thought you could just kill me like that huh? (Reaching into his sheath for his sword) well you’re dead now.
Adam is barely conscious after his beat down and barely notices the sword when it plunged into his chest.
Texas boy: (talking to corpse) Not always a happy ending is it City boy.
The Texas boy walks away.
Meanwhile in Washington D.C.
Vena: YES YES YES, the Texas boy is killing it! No pun intended (laughing) I knew he could do it!
Around the country people watch on as the games are played, unbothered by the violence and bloodshed.
Teacher: Good Morning students, our first announcement comes on behalf of our new president Aeron Vena, he wishes all of you the best luck today during the nationwide Hunger Games selection ceremony. As you know, every state chooses two 18 year olds to fight, both participants from each state can win, however, both winners must be from the same state, and of course to win you must eliminate all of the other participants. Are there any questions?
Spencer: Excuse me sir, but the whole idea of these games is wrong and barbaric, they’re going to allow kids to kill each other?
John: (under breath) Nerd.
Teacher: Enough John, to answer your question bluntly, yes.
Spencer: Jesus...
Adam: How do we get selected?
Teacher: This afternoon at 3 pm you and the rest of the able bodied 18 year olds from New York will gather in Times Square where President Vena will announce the randomly selected names that were generated on the governments computer.
Adam: (To his friend Joe) So we have 3 hours to find out whether we live or die.
Joe: (chuckling) Pretty screwed up right? Don’t worry though our chances of being selected are slim to none ya know.
Adam: Yeah you’re right but don’t you think that’s what everyone is thinking?
Joe: Probably, but that doesn’t change our chances now does it.
Adam: Yeah you’re right what am I thinking.
Teacher: You are all dismissed for the rest of the day and good luck at the selection ceremony.
Adam: (To Joe) Wanna come over to my house before we go to the ceremony?
Joe: Yeah I’m down let’s go.
Adam and Joe get into Adams car and go on to his house. Upon arriving Joe is reminded of Adams’ family’s unbelievable wealth.
Joe: Nice place as always, must be nice.
Adam: (laughing) Shut up, you know I barely see any of the money my parents don’t like spoiling me.
Joe: (chuckling) Oh yeah I bet. Let’s watch tv before this thing, I’m bugging out from stress now.
Adam: I thought our chances were slim to none all knowing Joe?
Joe: They are but I’m still really nervous, you’ve seen the people who are already fighting, last week the guy from Texas that was chosen to fight has years of hunting experience, hand to hand combat experience, and when his parents were first told of the games they bought him weapons to start training, he’s ahead of us. And you also saw the scrawny kid from Seattle Washington who said he had never even been in a fight. They’re mismatching the games for fun and entertainment.
Adam: You’re right but I’m sure they all were thinking what we are now, and all the students who weren’t chosen were too.
Joe: I don’t know man, let’s just go to Times Square to get this over with.
Adam: Alright let’s go.
Adam and Joe get into the car and drive to Times Square for selection.
The time is now 3pm in Times Square, President Aeron Vena steps up to the stage basking in the dread and anticipation that surrounds him. He steps to the microphone to commence his speech.
President Aeron Vena: (chuckling) Is everyone as excited as I am?
The crowd, confused and baffled by their leaders comment look around at each other.
Vena: Oh well that’s too bad, anyways, I have to do the selections in all of New England after today and I’m sure they will be more enthused by the games, like the boy from Texas.
Vena is handed the slip of paper with the printed names of the people randomly selected by the computer.
Vena: Adam Perkins and John West.
Adam breaks down in sight of Vena while John starts walking towards the stage.
Vena: (pointing towards Adam in the sea of people) Is that you? Are you Adam Perkins?
Adam gets up.
Adam: Yes!
Vena: Then lets go! I have places to be.
Adam walks to the stage and sees John West standing next to Vena with an eager grin on his face. Joe is tearing up realizing his best friend might die. Adam is now standing shoulder to shoulder with John West behind President Vena.
Vena: Wish your participants good luck, they’ll need it if you ask me.
Vena walks off the stage into a crowd of secret service and they flock to a convoy of armored vehicles which Vena disappears into. John and Adam are then escorted by the military to their homes to say goodbye to their friends and family and then they are taken straight to the games.
Adam is getting ready under the arena where tensions are already high.
Texas boy: I’m gon kill all of ya, one by one or all at once it doesn’t matter, my dad is friends with Vena, I already have sponsors in this fight.
Washington Boy: It’s not going to help you tho-.
Texas boy: SHUT UP! I’m killin you first ya little liberal.
The Washington boy becomes quiet as the Texas boy walks away towards his podium. The boys and girls from southern states laugh with the Texas boy as they walk towards their podiums while the west coast participants talk amongst themselves and the East coast participants do the same, all while knowing that the very people they are talking to will be trying to kill them soon.
Everyone walks to their podium and once they are all standing on them, the podiums raise into the arena.
Voice over intercom: 5...
Adam: (having panic attack) oh I’m gonna die I’m gonna die.
Voice over intercom: 4...
Voice over intercom: 3... 2... 1... Begin.
It’s a mad dash, everyone is running towards the weaponry area, the Texas boy is pushing people over as he is running towards the weapons cache. Adam is a fast runner so he is one of the first people there, he grabs a spear and runs for it, John West is running faster then the rest of the others as well and grabs a mace. John West is running towards Adam.
John: ADAM! ADAM! WAIT!
Adam looks behind and stops running for a brief moment when he sees the Texas boy sneaking behind John.
Adam: JOHN! JOHN LOOK OUT!
It’s too late, the Texas boy smashes a rock against Johns head. John falls to the ground seemingly lifeless. A projection of Johns face and the Texas boys’ face are projected onto the dome above them as well as an instant replay of John getting hit by the rock. Adam runs into the woods. Adam is by himself a few hours after the beginning of the games and hears something moving around in the forest around him.
Adam: Who’s there?! I swear I’ll kill you!
The two contestants from New Mexico appear out of the bushes.
New Mexico participant 1: Are you from New York?
Adam: Yes, are you here to kill me for that?
New Mexico participant 1: No, no, no. We need people to join us because the Southern states formed a group, they want to kill all of us first.
Adam: Well they already killed my partner so I know they’re coming for me.
As Adam finishes his sentence an arrow with a flame on the tip flies into one of New Mexico’s participant.
New Mexico participant 2: Gah (falls to ground).
Adam runs again because he knows he doesn’t stand a chance at fighting any of them when suddenly the surviving Alabama participant jumps out in front of him. Out of instinct Adam thrusts the spear forward killing the Alabama participant, he cannot believe what he’s done. The replay shows as well as the face of the dead and the face of the killer.
Adam: (talking to himself) Oh god what have I done, I don’t want to kill anyone.
Texas boy: (Appears from the forest around him) You don’t ya to kill anybody if you don’t want to, but you’ll lose.
Adam: (nervously looking around) How’d you find me?
Texas boy: By following you dumbass, same way I stalked your Washington buddy. But he’s dead now so whatever (laughing)
Adam: You’re sick, how can you like this?
Texas boy: As I see it, I’m making the south look strong, nobody will ever mess with us if we look strong, I’m also just a crazy son of a b—-h who’s just having a good time.
Adam: You’re terrible, you’re the one who deserves to die out of all of us.
Texas boy: Look buddy I’m RICH, I shouldn’t be the one getting killed, look at these filthy vagrants, they don’t know what money is and they never will.
Adam has had enough and attempts to reach for his spear when the Texas boy jumps on him and starts beating him up bare handed.
Texas boy: You thought you could just kill me like that huh? (Reaching into his sheath for his sword) well you’re dead now.
Adam is barely conscious after his beat down and barely notices the sword when it plunged into his chest.
Texas boy: (talking to corpse) Not always a happy ending is it City boy.
The Texas boy walks away.
Meanwhile in Washington D.C.
Vena: YES YES YES, the Texas boy is killing it! No pun intended (laughing) I knew he could do it!
Around the country people watch on as the games are played, unbothered by the violence and bloodshed.