- "Tick, tock."
- ―Wiress[src]
Wiress was a female tribute from District 3. She was known for winning an unspecified Hunger Games, and then participated again in the 75th Hunger Games. In the second set of Games, she was at first rejected by many to be an ally, except for Katniss Everdeen who wanted her as one[1]. She later proved her worth when she revealed to her allies that the arena was shaped and operated like a clock by saying “Tick, tock” repetitively until Katniss figured it out[2]. Knowing this, Katniss and the others were able to predict the devastating obstacles the Gamemakers arranged[3]. Wiress showed that she was always one step ahead of the others, but could only be understood by her loyal companion Beetee, and eventually Katniss[1][2]. She was given the nickname "Nuts" by Johanna over the years since her victory[1].
Biography
Wiress was the victor of an unknown Hunger Games. Since she was in her 40s at the time of her reaping for the 75th Hunger Games, Wiress likely won any Hunger Games between the 41st and 53rd edition of the Games. Wiress most likely won with some sort of technical trap, being from District 3, whose residents are renowned for being proficient with technology. Since her district partner, Beetee, is in his 50s, it is possible that he was her mentor for her games.
Following her victory, she, alongside Beetee, would go on to presumably serve as mentors for several District 3 tributes in the years that followed. Whether or not as a result of her experiences during her own Games, Wiress' mental state deteriorated significantly by the time of Third Quarter Quell. Being a victor of a previous Hunger Games, she was reaped into the 75th Hunger Games along with Beetee, who became her partner.
The Quarter Quell
Beetee and Wiress are reaped for the 75th Hunger Games.
During the chariot rides, Wiress and Beetee were dressed with studded electrical lights, signifying District 3's electrical profession[4]. During the interviews in the film adaptation, she wore a multicolored long sleeved shirt and matching pants[5].
Wiress and Beetee participated in training prior to the actual games, concentrating on the fire-making station, where Katniss met them for the first time. Wiress was able to identify a "chink" in the invisible force field surrounding the Gamemakers, impressing Katniss, and causing her to want to team up with District 3.[1]
Wiress listens to Beetee in the Training Center.
Wiress survived the initial Cornucopia bloodbath, and she and Beetee managed to escape with the help of Johanna Mason and Blight, and they headed into the one to two o' clock section. During the first night of the games, Wiress was able to realize at once the clock like design of the arena, due to the twelve bell tolls, and attempted to communicate this with her allies. However, Johanna dismissed her theory as her acting crazy. As the disasters began, they were caught in a blood rain torrent, and Blight was killed after he ran headfirst into the force field.
They eventually made it back to the beach, and stumbled upon Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and Finnick Odair. Katniss treated and cared for her and Beetee, washing the blood off their bodies. Wiress was splashing in the shallows after Katniss helped treat her wounds. Beetee, however, had wounds that were more serious, having been stabbed by Enobaria during the bloodbath. Wiress continued to try to communicate, uttering, "Tick, tock" every so often. Eventually, Katniss figured out what she meant, concluding the arena's design, and causing Wiress relief.[2]
Death
Wiress's portrait in the sky.
On Day 2 of the 75th Hunger Games, a large spool of wire was specifically placed in the arena by Plutarch Heavensbee, so Beetee could destroy the force field surrounding the arena, and consequentially Katniss' alliance could leave the arena[3]. After Katniss figured out the arena was a clock[2], Wiress went to clean the wire for Beetee, in the water surrounding the Cornucopia. While she cleaned the wire she sang the song 'Hickory Dickory Dock', a children's song that seemed to please her. When the song stopped, it alerted Wiress' allies of impending danger. Katniss was the first who noticed that Wiress has stopped singing. As Katniss turned to look for Wiress, she saw that Wiress' throat had been slit open by Gloss. Katniss avenged Wiress' death by killing Gloss shortly after he killed Wiress. After Wiress died, Katniss had just enough time to say goodbye to Wiress by closing Wiress' eyes and retrieving the wire from her dead body. Wiress placed 12th out of 24.[3]
Personality
Wiress was described to be shy by Katniss, who mentions that in the training room, she seldom completed her sentences and Beetee had to finish them for her[1]. When she, along with Johanna and Beetee, team up with Finnick, Katniss, and Peeta, she could only recite comments and songs about clocks - referring to the clock shaped arena[2]. Beetee said that Wiress was not only smart, but intuitive[3]. She was an intellectual genius, inventive, and clever.
Relationships
Beetee
Beetee, Wiress and Katniss in the Training Center.
Beetee and Wiress were shown to be close friends. They were allies in the 75th Hunger Games and both part of the rebellion. Beetee often finished Wiress' sentences, suggesting then he was used to working with her.
After Wiress dies, Katniss says that Beetee was with her in his thoughts. Also, in the movie, Beetee seems to be saddened by her death.
Katniss Everdeen
Katniss helps wash the blood off of Wiress.
During training, Katniss, Wiress and Beetee were talking together at the fire-making station where Wiress points out a force field, which helps them later in the Games[1].
Katniss later realizes that Wiress' "tick tock," actually hints that the arena is a clock with 12 sections that each hold a new disaster that repeats[2]. She begins to understand Wiress, which no one but Beetee has accomplished. When Wiress' throat is slit open by Gloss, Katniss closes her eyes and says goodbye[3].
Physical description
In Catching Fire, Wiress, like Beetee, is described as having ashen skin and black hair.[1]
Trivia
- Her name includes the word "wire", which is appropriate as she is from the technology district. The suffix "ess" can represent her being a woman.
- She is the only named female from District 3.
- Wiress was one of a few characters to be parodied in the Sesame Street sketch "the Hungry Games". In the sketch she is referred to as the "Tick Tock Lady". She, along with her allies Cookieness, Peeta, and Finicky win the Hungry Games.
- Johanna calls her and Beetee Nuts & Volts[1].
- Wiress is the only one applauding Katniss after she shoots arrows during training, while the other tributes were surprised[5].
- In the novels, Beetee, Wiress and the District 3 male were all described by Katniss to have ashen skin. This was probably a characteristic of the district people.
- She has the same height as the District 3 male, 5'7".
