Our Love Could Be Lethal Act I Re-Write

Act I: Never Have I Ever Kissed an Old Man

TW: predatory old man

Chapter song, "Cell Block Tango," Cast of Chicago.

Johanna huffs in annoyance. "Tell me why we're going to the casino and not just staying in again?"

"Because Finnick has a date and we need to keep an eye on him."

"Fine, but if either of you leave me alone with one of those dyed gold people, I'm going to start screaming in the middle of the party and run back to watch a movie with Cecelia."

"Fine by me."

She steps forward and presses the 'stop' button on the panel. "Before anyone else gets on, do you want to explain to me why he dragged you into a closet? Neither of you bothered to explain it to me, and I'm not going to be some weird third wheel to your hookups."

"First of all, there was no 'hooking up' . Second of all, he was just a little concerned after I went off script." I'm not entirely lying here, but I can't exactly spill everything in a place where the Capitol most certainly has cameras and microphones. "He thought I'd had some sort of...episode on stage or something." Okay, now that's a full lie.

Her face falls into a more neutral expression. "Do you get those often?"

"Yeah." Not a lie.

She looks down at her feet as she swishes her boots around. "Me too." And with that, she presses the stop button again, sending the elevator into motion again.

I take Johanna to the casino through the tunnels, but I neglect to tell her that I'm really just guessing that we're going in the right direction. Once we come up and into the lobby, an attendant greets us. "Welcome victors. May I explain to you when and where our festivities will be held tonight?"

"Actually, we're looking for the other victors?" I don't want to say Finnick's name specifically.

"Both should be in the West wing, main poker room, which is on the fourth floor." She motions back at the row of Avoxes. "I can have one of them take you there."

I shake my head. "We can find our own way, thank you."

Sure enough, Finnick is in the main poker room on the fourth floor, but to Johanna and I's surprise, he's alone. When we enter the room, his eyes light up and he leaves the small group of people including Otto to come and greet us. "Don't you two look great. Can I interest you in some champagne?"

Johanna leans into Finnick and whispers, "Did your date ditch you? Does this mean we can leave?"

Finnick shakes his head, but he's still got a grin. "It's my lucky day. She's got a husband here somewhere that she keeps trying to avoid." He takes a large swig of his drink. "Which means, for now, I'm free to hang out with the two of you."

Johanna doesn't miss a beat, blurting out, "Let's play Ten Shots."

"What is it?" I ask.

"A drinking game from home. You guys have never played it?" We shake our heads. "One of us has to say something they've never done, and if the others have done it, they have to take a shot."

Finnick's face lights up with recognition. "Oh, we call that Never Have I Ever in 4."

Johanna scowls, "That's a stupid name."

I sigh. "It's going to have to be called three shots otherwise I think I'm going to end up on the floor very quickly."

Johanna rolls her eyes. "Fine. Three shots."

We walk up to the bar, order three shots of something, and take them to a small standing table so no Capitol intruders can invade on our game. Finnick taps the table with excitement, "Alright, who's first?"