Gustav M. Seuss | Capitol

Gustav Seuss is a very bright boy, very studious and quiet. He is polite to his teachers and polite to his fellow classmates but does not have many friends. His absence from school in 11th grade due to chemotherapy was barely noticed by anyone in the school save for myself and the school nurse. Most of his time is spent in the library, studying history or math or science - anything that can boost his grade-point-average. While this is commendable, and his social ability is above-average, I worry that he will not be able to handle the pressure of the everyday world.

Each student at Brighton Academy must meet with me, the Therapist, once a month. These sessions are confidential and I am only allowed to reveal the details of these sessions in this report. Gustav is easily stressed, and sometimes does not know what to do once he is in distress. He is sleep deprived, nervous and jumpy. Everything he says is planned from the moment he steps in the room, and I believe that he does not have the skills to improvise and frankly, bullshit his way through life. He has told me that he believes that "The truth is always important, no matter what. If something's wrong then you just need to change it until it's right. There's no use lying about it, then it just gets worse."

His chosen future career, Escorting, is a very difficult field because it requires that one always be able to manage time well, convince others to sponsor your tribute (although admittedly victors are also there for that reason), teach them the proper etiquette (such as table manners, how to walk in high heels, how to speak at an interview). I believe that he can excel in the career as long as there aren't too many sudden twists and turns; Gustav plans everything meticulously in advance, but when something goes awry he panics. His work ethich however, will enable him to overcome these obstacles.

- Dr. Thelma LaStrauss, PhD.

To Whom it May Concern,

Mr. Gustav Seuss was a student of mine during the 58th Hunger Games in which he was studying his senior thesis. Seuss decided to look at the effects of pressure and fear in life-or-death situations. To do so, Seuss studied Hunger Games footage from the 33rd Hunger Games to the 58th Hunger Games, studying each tribute's reaction to certain stimuli. He paid particular attention to the Initial Reaping, Opening Ceremonies, Interview, Finale and Victory Tour using victors as the test subjects.

Seuss' research and analytical skills are impeccable. However, he is prone to stalling under pressure, unsure of what to do. I had to prod him once or twice in order for him to realize that the clock was ticking. Regardless, his work ethic is marvelous, often spending nights without sleeping, absorbed by his studies. He is kind to everyone he meets, albeit a tad bit soft-spoken and stiff. To his friends and colleagues he is reserved, and thinks before he speaks. When irritated Seuss is able to let go of things quickly, first taking a walk to regain his composure.

While not the most outgoing and charismatic applicant to the Escort Program, Gustav Seuss is one of the most compassionate, giving and loyal students that I have had the pleasure of teaching. I am sure that he will make any tribute feel at home in our Capitol, and I am looking forward to seeing his future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Dr. Atticus Brookstein, PhD.

Dear Caelus University Escort Training Program,

The mantra that I have learned since attending Caelus University is that an escort needs to be poised, proper and punctual. Gustav M. Seuss, applicant for the Escort Training Program Class of the 66th Annual Hunger Games, fits this very well.

When greeting me (at the Sundown Bistro on Main Street at 6:45 sharp) he was dressed impeccably, wearing an in season blazer with dress pants. His checked button-down shirt was vibrant, but not so vibrant that it was distracting to the eyes. His eyes were a nice shade of gold, complementing his navy hair, combed to one side, and his neatly-trimmed beard. He gave off a very mature, very professional vibe, and seeing as how he comes from very prestigious family and majored in Hotel Management, I can see why.

Throughout the interview he was the 2 remaining Ps that he had not previously demonstrated. He answered each question honestly and eloquently and it was evident that he had prepared for this interview, which is always a nice change. Oftentimes, the applicants who I have met with enjoy "winging" their interviews, with often disastrous results. He is passionate about helping tributes look and feel their best right before the start of the games, something that I know is invaluable to the success of the entire tourney. It is far too often that I see interviewees who only care about the status, so to see this man be so passionate about the job makes me sure that he would be a good fit.

From my experience, it is always very difficult when a tribute leaves for the battlefield, especially since you know that at least one (in my case, usually both) of them will not make it back to greet and join you for a cup of tea. While I am confident that Mr. Seuss will be able to competently complete his other duties as escort (he told me that once his sister made him walk in her high heels for the day, so he know how to do this as well), I hope that he has the emotional strength to pull through after his first games. I know for a fact that in order to be a good escort, you have to truly care for your wards. I am sure that he will be able to do this, which is why I am so very worried.

I highly recommend Gustav M. Strauss for the Escort Training Program, and hope to be working alongside him one day.

Sincerely,

Sparky (last name is too scrawled to read), Class of 56TH
Current District 3 Escort

SCENE ONE: Subject is twenty-two, just graduating Allard University. Subject is proud but reserved, keeping it to himself. Instead he looks worried, lost in thought as others congratulate him. Only when he sees his family does he perk up. They congratulate him, flanked by security guards. His face falters after their conversation, someone clearly having said something that hurts him. He walks off, not taking a picture with other graduates, even though they call him over. He sits down at a gazebo away from the festivites. Subject can be seen crying. Gustav Seuss is determined to be very sensitive, very independent, keeping his emotions from others. This may help or hinder him in the Escort Process.

SCENE TWO: Subject can be seen in a bar. Subject is twenty-four, at the Soñar Hotel in the 59th HG Arena. Subject is surveying the scene making sure that everything is up to tip-top shape. A woman comes up to him, clearly intoxicated. She attempts to flirt with the subject; he does not know what to do, standing there stiff, trying to dissuade the woman from coming closer. Yet she is already there, caressing his cheek, touching his chest. He guides her to a chair, makes her a cup of coffee, and calls a waiter to look out for her. He leaves quickly, heading towards his room. His inability to properly defuse a situation quickly will prove hazardous to his position.

SCENE THREE: Immediately after Scene Two. Subject is face-to-face with a man, confirmed to be his lover for three years (Subject is bisexual). The man is yelling at the subject, accusing him of flirting with the woman from the bar. Subject is also lost here, unsure of what to do, even though it is obvious that Subject is not guilty of his accusations. Gustav attempts to dissuade the man, but he won't hear of it, and storms off. Gustav attempts to stop him, to no avail. His inability to talk himself out of a situation is a large blemish on this application

SCENE FOUR: Subject is on the phone with his father. Subject tells his father that he wants to apply to the escort program, father is not amused and wants subject to stay the manager of the family's branch in the arena. Subject, feeling empowered after his newly-found singleness, refuses. Or maybe it's because of the anti-anxiety pills he has taken. It is evident that he has taken more than he was supposed to, and is now on a "high" of sorts, enabling him to bolster his confidence. The father eventually relents and allows him to apply. Substance abuse is frowned upon at Caelus University, and could hurt his chances greatly. However it is possible that this is a one-time occurrence, or that it was an accident.

SCENE FIVE: Subject is in conversation with the interviewer for the Escort Training Program, Ms. Sparky Trevors. Subject is stiff but polite, clearly nervous, reaching up to scratch his head throughout the interview. He is playing with the chair using his legs, putting pressure against the legs. He is twiddling his thumbs. Subject is clearly uncomfortable about the situation, yet confident enough to get through the interview. The interviewer does not notice his quirks for he has made sure to do them under the table, out of her sight. Subject is slightly sneakier than he appears, which may help him in the program.

There are a number of strengths and weaknesses to this application. The subject has strengths in his compassion, patience, dedication and ambition, yet severely lacks the social skills needed to act quickly. However, after looking at his application holistically and especially looking at his academic record, family history, alumni interview and doctor's letter, Gustav Seuss has been awarded the final spot in this year's admission pool.