Be Prepared [Harlow Speech]

h a r l o w

Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared

Red light projects behind a podium fixed with the capitol seal. At each side sits the capitol flag. In the rows sit peacekeepers dressed in their whites, waiting.

Captain Harlow Basra emerges from stage left to take his spot for his speech. He pauses for but a moment, stone faced, as if to survey not just the men and women in the room, but the whole of Panem. A small smile forms and his lips part.

“My fellow soldiers and capitolites.” There could be no mistaking the state of the capitol so long after Snow had been removed from power: the districts were failing in their agreement, and they were ceding power to those who in no way deserved it. And for the council to sit by and let all of it happen was unacceptable.

“I have faithfully served my country for more than twenty years in the peacekeeping forces. I have rooted out the dangerous elements of society. I have removed those who spoke out against the excellence of the capitol. And I have done what others cannot stomach.” He held on the camera then, his eyes unmoving.

“But I cannot stand by and let the country I love be torn apart by the people who threaten to take all of it away.” As he spoke, the curtain behind him lit with visions of the districts – of smiling districters celebrating in their town square in eleven, of throngs of travelers exiting the train from one district to another, of the smoldering ashes of district thirteen, “There are forces organizing throughout the districts to bring us harm. People who believe they are better off apart from us, under their own rule, than under the comfort and protection of the capitol.”

He spat the words out in disgust. He imagined Vasco Izar in the front row. He beat his fist upon the podium with a bang.

“If elected, I will restore order to the districts and honor to the capitol. We have the power to bring back the glory of days gone by. Remember what this country was like in the 50s. Remember when a districter was too afraid to even look at us, let alone question.” Harlow shook his head.

“As a council member, I will urge the passage of reforms that will see to it that will bring us back to such a time.” Harlow gripped the edges of the podium and shifted on his feet. “First, an immediate expansion of peacekeeping forces throughout the districts. Each Mayor should be assigned a peacekeeper to help manage affairs – and to determine that they are upholding the treaty of treason as intended.”

“Second, establish a committee on Un-Panem activities. The council will hold immediate trials and sentencing for all people who are suspected of treason in this country.” He grinned. Even capitolites would not be excluded from such things.

“And finally, a reorganization of our beloved Detention Center.” Harlow couldn’t help but smile. “Public education is now necessary for those who cannot understand actions have consequences. A live broadcast of all prisoners and their treatment. An expansion in the number of cells and guards. And finally – a return to public executions.”

He swept his arm across the podium as he spoke.

“Vote for Basra if you wish to capture the glory of the capitol. With these reforms, we will destroy any opposition and return the districts, and the Capitol, to their rightful places.”