Plutarch [Boggs leads Katniss into the boardroom with Beetee in a wheelchair with Plutarch and Alma walking in]
There she is. Our Girl on Fire. Madam President, may I present you with The Mockingjay.
What an honour it is to meet you. You're a courageous young woman. I know how disorienting this must be. And I can't imagine what it's like to live through the atrocities of those Games.
Plutarch Katniss, President Alma Coin.
Please know how welcome you are. I hope you'll find some comfort with us. We've known loss in 13, too.
This is history. Right here at this table.
I apologize. I wish you had more time to recover, but unfortunately, we don't have that luxury. Please, have a seat. Are you aware of what's happened? When you fired your arrow at the force field you electrified the nation. There have been riots and uprisings and strikes in seven districts. We believe that if we keep this energy going we can unify the districts against the Capitol. But if we don't, if we let it dissipate, we could be waiting another 75 years for this opportunity. Everyone in 13 is ready for this.
What about Peeta? Is he alive?
Plutarch I don't know. And I wish that I did. But there's no way for me to contact my operatives inside the Capitol.
The Capitol has always suppressed communication between the districts. But I know their system very well. I managed to break through. All we need now is the perfect message.
Plutarch Katniss, here's what we need to do. We need to show them that The Mockingjay's alive and well and willing to stand up and join this fight. 'Cause we need every district to stand up to this Capitol. The way you did. So we're gonna shoot a series of propaganda clips, propos, I like to call them, on The Mockingjay. Spreads the word that we're gonna stoke the fire of this rebellion. The fire that The Mockingjay started.
[getting angry]
You left him there. You left Peeta in that arena to die.
Plutarch Katniss, there are so many...
[Hysterically outbursts and slams the table]
Peeta was the one who was supposed to live!
Miss Everdeen. This revolution is about everyone. It's about all of us. And we need a voice.
Then you should've saved Peeta. [Katniss walks out of room angrily]
[To Plutarch]
Maybe you should've rescued the boy instead.
Plutarch No. No, no, listen to me. No one else who can do this but her.
This is not the girl you described.
Plutarch Obviously, we need to make it personal. Remind her who the real enemy is.
She knows who the enemy is. That's not the issue.
Plutarch Unless she's forgotten. There's explaining and there's showing. Let her see what the Capitol did to Twelve.
She can't handle it. The Games destroyed her.
Plutarch This is the only choice you have. People don't always show up the way you want them to, Madame President. But that anger, that anger-driven defiance, that's what we want. And we can redirect it. We need to unite these people out there that have been doing nothing but killing each other in an Arena for years. We have to have a lightning rod. They'll follow her. She's the face of the revolution. Let her see it. Let her go home.
I've decided I will be your Mockingjay, but I have... some conditions. Peeta and the other Tributes, Johanna Mason and Annie Cresta, will be rescued at the earliest opportunity. If and when Peeta is liberated, he will receive a full and unconditional pardon, no punishment will be inflicted. And the same goes for the other Tributes.
It's not their fault. You left them in the Arena. They're doing and saying whatever they can to survive.
Individuals don't make demands in Thirteen. There will be a tribunal, and a fair judgment. Thank you.
[Sternly]
The victors will be granted immunity, and you will announce that in front of the entire population of 13. You will hold yourself and your government responsible, or you will find another Mockingjay.
Plutarch [Pleased]
That's it! That's her! Right there! Isn't that what I promised you? Now if she wears the costume, gunfire in the background, a hint of smoke... Our Mockingjay. Madam President, we're losing ground because people are losing heart, this is worth the risk, she's worth the risk. Pardons, tribunals, power to the people, that can all be the bedrock for the new Panem, but with more time I think even the normal sub-causes can be bent a little bit, right?
[Swayed]
Do you have any other conditions?
[Consults her note]
My sister gets to keep her cat.
[Plutarch walks up to Effie's door and knocks]
Go away. [Plutarch opens her door] Is it visiting hours again?
Plutarch Miss Trinket, you see this door. It opens. From the inside. I've told you, these are the standard living quarters. Same as everyone. You're not a prisoner. You're free to join the rest of 13.
Not looking like this. Thank you very much.
Plutarch We have a bigger issue than wardrobe, Miss Trinket. Katniss has agreed to be The Mockingjay.
Plutarch And your Girl on Fire is burnt out. I need you to join this team now. I need someone she trusts.
Plutarch He's drying out in some facility a mile down.
Aiding rebels is not really my forte.
Plutarch Miss Trinket, your days in the Capitol are over, no matter what happens here. If you wanna play a prisoner of war, fine. Stay here and rot. I'll find someone else to be The Mockingjay's escort.
Plutarch Anyone can be replaced.
Not your Mockingjay. There isn't a soul in this dungeon who knows the first thing about Katniss. You honestly believe one of these cave dwellers is going to take my place? No.
[Making a speech to District 12 workers]
Good afternoon. Thank you for interrupting your schedules. They have already been adjusted to compensate...
[To Primrose]
I hardly ever see any children around here.
...please check in with your unit...
A lot of them were lost in an epidemic a few years ago. Coin lost her family too. Daughter and her husband. [Katniss spots Finnick and walks over to him]
...and our welcome guests from 12. Katniss Everdeen has consented to be the face of our cause, to help unite the Districts against the Capitol. In exchange, I have promised several concessions. First, we'll assess all opportunities for the extraction of the Victors held in the Capitol. Peeta Mellark, Johanna Mason,
[To Finnick]
Finnick, I made the deal for Annie, too.
...and Annie Cresta. Once freed, they will be granted a full pardon for any and all crimes committed against the rebel cause. [There's an uproar amidst the workers]
[To Katniss]
Good. That's good, Katniss.
If Katniss fails to fulfill her duties the deal will be off. Thank you for your attention. Please, resume your schedules. [Walks over to Plutarch and Effie]
Plutarch Madame President.
Effie Trinket. [To Plutarch] Welcome to 13.
Plutarch Madame President, may I say you are so very... concise.
You believe that there are more to be said?
Plutarch May I speak freely?
You don't appear to do anything else?
Plutarch I'm only talking about salesmanship. The thing with revolutions, they're a tender flame. They need to be nurtured with a little kindling and warmth. Bit of oxygen.
Plutarch One sure way to put it out is to smother it.
Or to use up all the air in the room. Excuse me. [Walks past them]
[To Plutarch]
You know what could use a revolution? That hair. [Pats his shoulder]
Plutarch [Entering control board room of a studio]
Okay. Bring up the lights.
[Walks up to Katniss holding up a Mockingjay brooch]
Cinna's final touch. [Attaches the brooch on Katniss in a film studio] Everyone's gonna either wanna kiss you, kill you or be you. [Walks away] Perfect.
Plutarch Absolutely perfect. Okay. Bring up the setting. Little wind. [Fans start up] Okay Katniss, we're gonna start you down on one knee. And as you rise up, you're gonna hold your flag in the air and deliver your line. And remember, you've just stormed the outskirts of the Capitol. Arm-in-arm with your brother and sisters.
Plutarch Whenever you're ready.
[In a lackluster tone]
People of Panem, we fight, we dare, we...
Plutarch Does she know the line?
I know it. I got it. I'm sorry.
Plutarch Okay, alright. Let's do it again.
Plutarch All right. With energy. Go.
[In a lackluster tone]
People of Panem, we fight! We dare to end this hunger for justice!
Plutarch You've just been in battle! I'm sorry. Excuse my outburst. You've just been in battle. Let's try it again. Whenever you're ready.
[In an increased passionate tone]
People of Panem, we fight! We dare to end this hunger for justice!
[Appears clapping slowly]
And that, my friends, is how a revolution dies. Hello, Katniss. [Katniss stares silently] This how you greet an old friend? [Blows nose]
Maybe I don't recognize you sober.
I guess it looks as bad as it feels.
[In response to Haymitch after the rebel leaders watch a propaganda clip of Katniss]
When she volunteered her sister at the Reaping.
Excellent example. [Wiping off information of a electronic touch screen] Okay. I hope that wasn't important. Okay. "Volunteer for sister". [Writing a note] Good. What else?
When she sang that song for little Rue.
Oh, yeah. Who didn't get choked up at that? You know, I like you better, Effie, without all that makeup.
Well, I like you better sober.
When she chose Rue as an ally as well.
Now, what do all of these have in common?
Unscripted, yes. So maybe we should just leave her alone.
And wash her face. She's still a girl. You made her look 35.
Plutarch The opportunities for spontaneity are obviously lacking underground. So what you're suggesting is we toss her into combat?
I can't sanction putting an untrained civilian in battle just for effect. This is not the Capitol.
That is exactly what I'm suggesting. Put her in the field.
No, we can't protect her.
It has to come from her. That's what people respond to. You want a symbol for the revolution? She cannot be coached into it. Trust me, I know. Maybe there's someplace less dangerous.
District 8. They reported heavy bombing last month. There are no military targets left.
We can't guarantee her safety.
You'll never be able to guarantee my safety. I wanna go.
Make sure you get it on camera. [Plutarch scoffs]
[Boggs is leading Katniss through a hangar filled with air-to-surface bombs]
You had all of this and you just left the districts to fend for themselves?
It's not that simple, Katniss. We barely survived. We weren't in any kind of shape to launch a counter-attack. Yeah, we could've bombed the Capitol but they would've retaliated with at least twice the firepower. Then what? There would've been nobody left to claim victory.
Sounds like exactly what Peeta said and then you all called him a traitor.
This way, soldier. You are camera-ready.
Doesn't your comrade look handsome?
Let's go. [Katniss walks onto plane]
Plutarch Quick introductions, Katniss. These people have come a long way to support the cause. This is Cressida. In my opinion one of the best up-and-coming directors in the Capitol.
Until I up and left. Hey.
Hey. Let's see what you can do. Be careful. This is my assistant, Messalla.
M Messalla
It's an honour to meet you.
And your cameramen over there, Castor.
And Pollux. Let's get locked in.
You're all from the Capitol? Plutarch got you out?
Don't expect much chitchat from him. He's an Avox. Capitol cut his tongue out years ago. And, no, it wasn't any sort of rescue, if that's what you mean. We all fled on our own. For this. For you.
[To Katniss in the cafeteria]
Katniss, you're wanted in Command.
...
Tonight, we've received reports of derailed trains, of granaries on fire, and of a savage attack on the hydroelectric dam in District 5.
What have they done to you?
I'm begging for restraint and decency.
[Working in his space]
We interrupt your regularly scheduled horse manure to bring you... [Intercepts broadcast signal to divert to rebel footage of Katniss singing on view of hometown destruction]
That's it. That's our footage.
Plutarch Beetee's in.
He sees it. He sees our propo.
Peeta, please continue. You were telling us about these savage attacks.
Yeah. The attack on the dam was a callous and inhuman act of destruction... Think about it. How will this end? What will be left? No one can survive this. No one is safe now. Not here in the Capitol. Not in any of the districts. They're coming, Katniss. They're gonna kill everyone. And in District 13 you'll be dead by morning. [Peeta is grabbed and signal cuts out]
He's warning us. That was a warning.
We have to get him out before they kill him.
Is there anything in the air?
S Subordinate
Nothing on Doppler, ma'am.
He was in the mansion. He could have overheard something.
Plutarch Possibly.
It's time for an air raid drill.
...
PA PA announcer
This is a code red alert. Please, remain calm and begin evacuation protocol.
[Running in empty cafeteria]
Prim! Prim!
PA PA announcer
Proceed to your nearest stairwell and descend to level 40. Blast doors will be sealed in six minutes. This is a code red alert... Proceed in an orderly fashion to your nearest stairwell and descend to level 40.
S Subordinate
Madam President, three Capitol squadrons just entered our airspace.
How much time do we have?
S Subordinate
They're a few seconds from range.
Prepare to scramble the fleet.
Open up short-range air defense. Arm long-range missiles for counter-attack.
PA PA announcer
Continue to the Supply Station and claim one pack for each member of your compartment. Please keep all personal items within your assigned area. Be courteous to your fellow citizens. This is a code red alert. All citizens should be inside the bunker. Blast doors will close in two minutes.
Mom! Where's Prim?
Katniss' mother: I thought she went to find you. She must still be on the stairs.
There's no one on the stairs. [Realizes] She went back for the cat.
...
S1 Subordinate 1
They hit the far edge of the Northwest quadrant. Penetrated 40 feet. Missed the living quarters. Only minor damage to corridors 2 and 3.
S1 Subordinate 1
None detected.
S2 Subordinate 2
Doppler shows a fourth wave approaching.
...
You went back for the cat? What were you thinking?
I wasn't gonna leave him behind. I couldn't live with myself.
S3 Subordinate 3
Damage to the aquifer in the Northwest quadrant. We lost a transport corridor.
There's nothing else in the Northwest.
S2 Subordinate 2
Our surface-to-air launchers just took a direct hit in sector 3.
Because we revealed ourselves.
S2 Subordinate 2
They saw us firing there. Stand down. Don't launch the fleet.
S1 Subordinate 1
Another 12 Capitol bombers approaching sector 3 in attack formation.
Hold fire on their approach. What'd they hit?
S1 Subordinate 1
Bedrock. But there's debris in the ventilation shaft.
They're not targeting our fleet.
Plutarch Or our Special Weaponry.
They don't know what we have or where we have it.
Can you confirm that everyone's safely in the bunker?
Conceal all remaining anti-aircraft guns. Seal launching pads and ventilation corridors. We are gonna wait this out. This is what we're built for.
Plutarch They'll seal us in here like a tomb.
The Capitol's working off some outdated information. I'd rather not update it for them.
Plutarch Madam President, I know it's not my place... It's not.
You're a welcome guest, but you're out of your depth down here. Reduce oxygen to 14% to conserve it.
Take a deep breath, Mr. Heavensbee. It's gonna be a long night.
[Leading film crew of bomb crater]
Okay, Finnick?
Go in the centre there. Those rocks. Castor, to the left. Pollux, you're with me. So we'll go straight to camera. Okay?
Okay. Take your time. Just remember to keep talking and don't stop.
This is Finnick Odair. Winner of the 65th Hunger Games. And I'm coming to you from District 13, alive and well. We've survived an assault from the Capitol. But I'm not here to give you recent news.
[In command centre]
Why is Finnick doing a propo?
It's a lot more than that.
Beetee's commandeered the system.
Now that they're down to generator power there's a more limited range of frequencies available to them. And I'm filling them all up with Finnick.
Plutarch Not many will see it, but whoever does will think it's another propo.
What they don't know is this broadcast is jamming their entire system with noise. Early defense warning, internal communications, everything. As long as the broadcast goes through, our team should be able to get in and out undetected.
The truth. Not the myths about a life of luxury. Not the lie about glory for your homeland. You can survive the arena. The moment you leave, you're a slave. President Snow used to sell me. Or my body, at least. I wasn't the only one. If a Victor is considered desirable, the President gives them as a reward or allows people to buy them. If you refuse, he kills someone you love. To make themselves feel better, my patrons would make presents of money or jewelry. But I found a much more valuable form of payment. Secrets. See, I know all the depravity, the deceit and the cruelty of the Capitol's pampered elite. But the biggest secrets are about our good President, Coriolanus Snow. Such a young man when he rose to power. Such a clever one to keep it. How, you may ask, did he do it? One word. He stopped every mutiny before it even started. There are so many mysterious deaths to adversaries. Even to allies who were threats. Snow would drink from the same cup, to deflect suspicion. But antidotes don't always work, which is why he wears roses that reek of perfume. Help cover the scent of blood from sores in his mouth that will never heal. But he can't hide the scent of who he really is. He kills without mercy. He rules with deception and fear. His weapon of choice is the only thing suited to such a man. Poison. The perfect weapon for a snake.
S Subordinate
I'm losing them. Powering back up. Ma'am, the Capitol air defense system is rebooting. It's coming back online.
Must be diverting power from another source. And filtering transmissions.
S Subordinate
Another 60 seconds and we'll be cut off. Madam President, should we call back the hovercraft?
Broadcast me. If Snow’s watching this, maybe he’ll let the signal in if he sees me. Put me on the air so he can see me.
Plutarch Yes. Yes.
Can we do this? Can we still get in?
Yes, for the moment he line’s open. He will only see you.
President Snow? President Snow, it’s Katniss.
There’s no guarantee he’s even watching.
Plutarch I know, but he might be.
President Snow, I need to speak with you. Are you there? President Snow, it’s Katniss. Can you hear me? I need to speak with you. President Snow, it’s Katniss. *President Snow, are you there? Can you hear me? President Snow.
[The display flashes to static, then Snow appears on-screen]
Miss Everdeen. What an honor. I don’t imagine you’re calling to thank me for the roses.
I never asked for this. I never asked to be in the Games. I never asked to be the Mockingjay. I just wanted to save my sister and keep Peeta alive. Please, just let him go and I will stop being The Mockingjay, I will disappear. You will never have to see me ever again.
Miss Everdeen. You couldn’t run from this, any more than you could have run from the Games.
Please. You’ve won. You’ve already beaten me. Release Peeta and take me instead.
We’re long past the opportunity for noble sacrifice.
Then tell me what to do. I’ve always kept my promises, haven’t I?
You said you didn’t want a war, and that’s just what’s happened. I told you what a fragile thing peace was. And still, like a child, you took pleasure in breaking it. I know what you are. I know you can’t see past your narrowest concerns. But please, Miss Everdeen, I doubt you know what honesty is anymore.
You asked me to convince you that I was in love with Peeta. Haven’t I at least done that?
Miss Everdeen, it is the things we love most that destroy us. I want you to remember that I said that. Don’t you think I know your friends are in the Tribute Center? [To someone off-screen] Cut them off.
Boggs, come in. Do you read me?
He knows that they're in there. It's a trap.
We have to get a hold of them. We have to tell them to get out. He knows.
Plutarch There's no signal. We can't contact them.
No. Haymitch, he knew the whole time. He was taunting me. No, Haymitch. They're in there.
[Repeatedly]
Did I lose them both tonight?! [Haymitch hugs and shushes her] No! No! [Sobs]
[Katniss wakes up after Peeta attacked her trying to strangle her and she tries to take off her neck support guard]
No, Katniss. No, you're swollen. Don't touch. No, no, no. Calm down. Calm down. You're okay. [To nurse] Tell her she's awake. [To Katniss'] Don't try to talk. Peeta's okay. I promise. I just had to get him off you. Don't try to talk. Peeta's okay. I promise. I just had to get him off you.
...
Plutarch It's called hijacking.
We don't know how long the Capitol's been doing this to Peeta.
It's fear conditioning. Enhanced with tracker jacker venom. You were stung your first Games. Remember? The venom puts the subject in a dissociative state. And they torture him. With shocks and beatings, and strip down his identity. And then all of that suffering and fear is redirected. Associated with other memories or a person.
They can change his memories of Katniss?
To make her seem life-threatening.
They turned him into a weapon, Katniss. To kill you.
The fear is the most difficult thing to overcome. We're hardwired to remember fear best. It's new terrain.
Plutarch But we've put together a team. I'm optimistic.
