Stephen knows that smile, and the tension is more than enough to cut through the haze of alcohol. It's suddenly completely clear to him that -- horror of horrors -- Jason Compson doesn't like him.

It's not a feeling Stephen is used to -- not from Capitolites, anyway.

He blows out a half-whistled, half-laughed breath.

"I could," he says, "and be completely miserable. Is it such a bad thing, being happy with where you are?"

But Stephen realizes, as he says that, that he's not happy where he is. He's not happy as an Escort. He hasn't been for years. Maybe he was for a while, and maybe he'd fooled himself into thinking he was for a while longer, but no -- no, he's not involved in the Hunger Games right now because he likes it.

Oh, god. Stephen feels a little dizzy. He sways a little, and has to shift his feet a little to keep from stumbling.