All language subtitles for -The.Running.Man.2025.1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC5.1-[YTS.LT]

I’m not angry.

I’m not asking for special treatment,

I’m just... Begging.

You said I was one of your best guys.

Was.

Look, if you can’t hire me back,

just ask them to take me off the blacklist.

You say that again

and I’ll kick you and your kid out on your ass.

Bringing her here to guilt me.

Look, I need to work.

She’s had a fever for the last week. No, no, no.

That ain’t on me.

I’m not the jerk that spoke to a union rep about radiation exposure.

One time.

You got your daughter. Your nuts didn’t fry.

Take the win.

Bye-bye.

A sick kid in my office.

You know, I didn’t bring her here to guilt you.

I brought her to stop myself from bouncing your face off this desk.

And this is you... not angry?

Next!

Next!

Hey, you! Tough guy!

Are you man enough to risk it all?

Today is your last chance of the year

to be onThe Running Man!

If you can duck the boys in black, the public,

and McCone’s Hunters for thirty days,

you’ll run away with a billion new dollars.

Go on.

I’ll give you a head start.

Catch me if you can, motherfuckers.

Whoo! Come on!

We’ve got the cash if you’ve got the balls.

Don’t miss the final run of the season.

The Running Man. Don’t worry.

Tomorrow, eight o’clock. Daddy’s not that crazy.

It’s okay.

It’s gonna be okay.

Welcome back toSpeed the Wheel

where a big-boned badass bets bravely to bag big bucks.

Am I right, Bud?

Yeah.

And away "wheel" go!

I know, I know. Mommy’s coming right back.

Mommy’s coming.

Bud, for 100 new dollars

the capital of France...

...is A, Marseilles,

B, Lyon, or C Paris?

Paris. C.

Correct!

Paris for a hundred new.

Cynthia, drop a hundo in the Hammy!

Feed me!

Oh! Look at the fuzzy hamster!

Mm...

Do you see the fuzzy hamster?

Bud, next question... I know, it’s scary.

...for one thousand new dollars.

How many lavatories does a Net-Air

Flying-V luxury jetliner have?

Is it A, four, B, five, or C six?

Oh. Tough one. What?

I’d say B, Bud.

Is it A?

It’s... C, six.

Six toilets.

The rich are even more full of shit than Daddy thought.

It’s time to speed the wheel!

Oh, God.

Bud, in my hand is the question...

...that could change...

...your life.

Who invented the pepperoni? Oh, no--

Oh, no. Whoa...

Bud, we hardly knew you.

I’m here. I’m home. Oh, okay.

Mommy’s here. Here she is.

How’s she doing? Mommy.

Hey, babe. How’s she feeling?

She’s really burning up. Hey. Come on.

Mommy. Oh...

Thank God you’re here. Can I feel?

I think she’s hurting bad. That’s not good.

Two drops.

All right.

Wait, what is this? Look, I know.

Molie said he would have real pharms.

Damn it, real flu meds.

Yeah, well, your little black-market buddy

has all the stuff to kill people

but is sold out of the things to save them.

All right. Thank you.

This stuff doesn’t make her better, babe.

But it makes her feel better.

Look, I just pulled another double at that hellhole club.

And if it wasn’t dead in the morning, I’d still be there.

So that’s what we can afford today.

I talked to him.

You did? Who watched Cathy? I took her with me.

I figured, you know... guilt-trip him.

No, you took her so you wouldn’t beat the crap out of him.

Smart.

I left my pride at the door, I was respectful.

Maybe got a little heated at the end, but...

by then it was game over.

They don’t want us to win.

I’m sorry. I...

I tried. Hey.

You’re just being punished for being a good man.

You were just standing up for your guys.

It just didn’t seem right, you know?

I got to be a dad and they didn’t.

Ben, none of this is your fault.

Doesn’t change our situation. No.

But we’re in this together, right?

Right.

We’ll think of something.

Yeah.Hey.

It’s okay.

Wait. Where’s her sock?

Oh, Ben, those take forever to make.

No, no, it was on when we got home.

Hold on, it’s here. Those are her comfies, babe.

Shit!

Where did you kick that off?

Don’t worry. Daddo’s gonna find it.

Get it together, girl.

Honey.

Are you going back to the Libertine? I don’t want to.

I thought you said that place was dead in the morning.

It is, except for the most desperate, wasted losers.

My friend told me how to get tips out of these guys.

The other waitresses do it all the time. No.

Look, if these jerks can splash 50 ND per bottle,

they can accidentally save a kid’s life.

Babe, I can’t let you do that. Ben, she is burning up.

My friend makes twenty new every shift,

usually from just one customer.

Hey, now you know I’d never do that.

My friend doesn’t even let them grab her ass.

She just charms them into tipping for something that’s not on sale.

And right now it’s prime time for that kind of play.

If the wrong exec thinks you ripped him off

you could end up in the dump

like that girl across the street.

I’m sorry. These men are savages.

If we don’t get real pharms from a real doc, she won’t survive

another night! Hey, you, tough guy!

We don’t have a choice! Are you man enough...

...to risk it all? Today is your last chance...

Yeah, we do. ...to be on The Running Man.

Where are you going?

To get money.

Enough for her to see a real doc before bedtime.

...you’ll run away with a billion...

You lecture me about taking chances?

People on that show never come back.

I’m not trying out for The Running Man.

There’s a ton of other shows. Look.

The lowest amount someone won today,

75 new dollars.

I get on one of those, we get the meds.

Oh, no, people on these games get hurt, too. Like, really bad.

It’s kids’ stuff next to the kind of jobs I work.

Hey. Look.

Promise me you won’t go on that show.

I promise... I’ll get you out of here.

Ben.

We need you.

Watch yourself.

No, I need both of those!

No deal!

No gatherings. No protests.

No exceptions.

Harboring fugitives

is punishable by death.

Scanning.

State your business.

Network Building. Tryouts.

Proceed to your destination.

Loitering will be prosecuted.

Keeping our streets clean.

Welcome to the Network Building,

home to the greatest television station.

The only television station.

Eyes forward! Mouth closed!

Do not sit down! Do not lay down!

Eyes forward!

Mouth closed!

Do not sit down! Do not lay down!

Eyes forward!

Mouth closed!

Do not sit down! Do not lay down!

Eyes forward! Mouth closed!

Do not sit down! Do not lay down!

Oh, shit.

I can still try out.

Hey. This guy’s in trouble! Get up and get back in line!

This guy needs help! No helping! Step back!

Get him a fucking doctor and I will!

I said step back now!

Keep moving, people. Nothing to see!

Back of the line, welf!

Eyes forward! Mouth closed!

Do not sit down! Do not lay down!

Eyes forward! Mouth closed!

Do not sit down! Do not lay down!

Next.

Tap each page to confirm the information’s correct.

What’s the triangle mean?

I’ll read it to you, it’ll be faster.

Ben Richards, 35, married.

Employment history: Hired by Sea-Gen,

fired for insubordination.

Why is there a red triangle on my file?

Hired by Net-Utility, fired for...

Hey, man, I asked you a question.

...insubordination.

Hired by Defense-Net, birth of daughter.

Fired for insubordination. Poor kid.

You mention my daughter again,

they don’t make glass thick enough

to stop me from choking you out.

Elevator six. Send him up.

Elevator six.

Next.

Proceed directly

to your designated elevator.

Proceed directly to your designated elevator.

Please stay in your allotted zones.

Hey.

Co-Op 27, right?

Yeah.

Twenty-nine, neighbor. Laughlin.

Ben.

All right, Ben.

Elevator six.

Ooh. This is us. Come on.

Catch me if you can, motherfuckers. Whoo! Come on!

We’ve got the cash if you’ve got the balls!

I... don’t.

Right. Yeah.

I’m Tim.

Tim. Jansky.

Jansky’s my last name and Tim is short for Timothy.

Got it.

Should we all go around and say our names and a fun fact?

We can do it later.

Ha, twinning. Let’s go!

Come on!

Assessment this way.

I got you!

I got you.

This is a rest period.

Assessment resumes in 60 seconds.

Thanks.

You didn’t have to do that back there.

No problem.

Wrong!

No helping, welf!

Obedience.

Never.

Heroism. Useless.

Technology.

Abuse.

Freedom. Nope.

Authority. Burn.

Anarchy. When?

Justice. Hilarious.

Family.

Everything.

Next image, what do you see?

Cutest puppy ever.

What about this one?

Aw. It’s my favorite flower giving me a hug.

Final image. Tell me about it.

Infinite bunnies getting sucked into a knife tornado

spraying blood all over the galaxy.

Um, Mr. Richards,

you are quantifiably the angriest man

to ever audition for our shows.

Well, that really pisses me off.

Proceed directly to your next destination.

Final assessment.

Ooh...

Our jumpsuits are in here.

Wow.

You are required to change

into your assigned jumpsuit.

You’re on Bug Out. Spank Bank, nice.

You must wear

your designated jumpsuit to proceed.

Yo, you got a target on your back.

Yo, Richards!

I knew it would be us, man.

I knew it would be us.

Come on. Shit happens, right?

Jansky. Richards. Laughlin.

Ooh. That’s us.

They say you run to add life to your days.

Not days to your life.

I’d say both are pretty fucking true.

Don’t miss the final run of the season.

I always thought this was fake, but...

Hey, runners...

...I don’t know. ...you can’t outrun fate.

It’s feeling pretty real now. And you cannot hide...

Right, guys? ...from destiny.

Feeling realiosa.

Viewer discretion advised.

And it’s feeling realer every second, y’all.

Later.

Miss Laughlin.

Hey, uh, you’re the man, Richards.

I never would’ve made it without you.

You like spaghetti?

I stole a little something for you.

So far, so good.

Don’t worry, we’ll keep it down... neighbor.

Oh, we’re going down...

Mr. Richards?

Vita non est periculum.

It is not death that man should fear,

but never beginning to live.

Dan Killian.

Go ahead. Relax. Sit.

You know, critics say The Running Man

represents a return to the barbarism

of the Roman Colosseum.

I disagree.

I’m not doing The Running Man.

I’m aware of your family crisis.

And I think the contents of this envelope will help.

If we come to an agreement, it’s yours to keep.

Call it a signing bonus.

I’ll do any other show.

The most anyone’s ever won on another show is 1,000 ND.

And I know it sounds like a tremendous sum,

but it’s not enough to get your family out of Slumside for good.

Whereas on The Running Man, merely surviving a single week

would put the Richards in the top one percent of global wealth.

See for yourself. Page 66.

I’m not trying to get myself killed.

Mr. Richards, I’ll be honest with you.

I’ve said this to every contestant,

but this is the first time I’ve really meant it.

You have what it takes to win this game.

Our viewers have a burning desire to see a Runner go the distance.

We’ve had men come close.

Twenty-nine days in season one.

But it’s gonna take somebody special

to go the full thirty.

You tested off the charts,

so I looked through your employment history

and had my assistant shoot me your highlights.

Now, this is the most thrilling ten seconds of video I’ve seen all year.

They fired me for destroying the harness.

But you bounced back. Hired by Defense-Net. The best wages Downtown.

The best dog shit’s still dog shit.

Then why beg to be rehired?

Let’s be honest.

You stuck your neck out one too many times for your coworkers

and got your head chopped off.

Pretty gutsy, considering half the country thinks unions should be illegal.

Well, I come from the other half.

So they can kiss my ass twice.

Right there is why you can win this game.

You’re a fighter, Richards.

The Network blacklisted you from all the corps they own

except for this one.

You’ve risked your life for other men and their families long enough.

Now do it for you and yours.

Put your boots on.

Make them pay, in cash.

Sign the agreement and change your family’s life forever.

What father wouldn’t want that?

And your thumbprint. Just press the box.

Welcome to The Running Man.

This is exciting.

Ah, there you are.

This is the fun bit.

I’m married.

I assumed you two had an understanding,

based on her line of work.

She’s a waitress at a club.

I’ve hit a nerve. My apologies.

To mutually profitable collaboration.

I’m Agent Dugg, your Family Alliance liaison.

Family Alliance is the Network’s premium private security service.

It’s included in your contract.

No point winning all that jack just to get your people robbed and killed.

We’ll relocate the fam.

Put them under an assumed name.

That’s the one thing you won’t have to worry about.

You have one call... to the wife.

Let her know we’ll be there in the morning.

Wait, no, I need to bring her this tonight.

I promise, I will be back before the show starts.

No one comes back.

I got to lock you in a really nice apartment.

Come on, man. I have a sick kid.

I’ll deliver it now and bring back a receipt.

Can you give her this, too?

Hey.

You okay?

Where are you?

I’m at the Network Building. I’m fine.

Look, a man named Dugg, he’s gonna bring you 500 new in cash.

Take her to Uptown Mercy. All right?

It’s 24/7. Get her a real doc, whatever she needs.

Ben?

What did you do?

I’m on The Running Man.

Listen to me.

I promise, I’ll be back.

Um...

I got to go get her ready.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Bye, Ben.

We good?

Are those my Jilly Hoobahs?

I don’t know. Are they?

I told you never, ever wear my shoes. Ever!

Your feet smell like dead mice! Now I have to burn them.

You’re an insane person. What is going on here?

Mom, she stole my shoes.

Because Elizabeth put them in my shoe cubby.

Take off my fricking shoes.

Are you serious? Take off my shoes.

Hello, America. You know me. I’m Bobby T.

And if you want to murder your thirst,

reach for an ice-cold Liquid Death.

The official beverage ofThe Running Man.

The starting gun fires tonight at 8:00.

Showtime.

Let’s roll.

Wrist.

Here’s your Running Band.

You’re gonna use it for timers, reminders, and rewards.

Good luck down there.

Are you ready to see some Runners cry?

And are you ready

to see some Runners die?

Ah.

You look great. You look great.

He looks great. One minute warning! Last looks!

One minute. Come on.

Watch your backs, people!

Stand clear!

You got one job out there. Say what’s on your mind.

You’re feeling angry, violent, aggrieved.

Don’t think before you speak. That’s for pussies.

Go off, curse, shake your dick at the crowd.

It’s all good Free-Vee.

Bobby T!

Daniel, you son of a bitch.

How many times I got to tell you,

do not put bluefin in my amuse-bouche?

When I pull a "mercury poisoning" on a show night,

your bouche will not be amused, Dan.

Oh. Is this the one? Mm-hmm.

Is this our star? Yep.

Oh...

I know it’s weird to see me in real life.

But you get used to it.

I’m flesh and blood just like you are.

My robot puts my pants on one leg at a time.

Classic Bobby.

Do not shake your dick at the crowd. That’s a bad note.

He looks great.

Twenty seconds, people!

See you out there.

Are we ready for Bobby T?

This is the kind of energy I want all night long, everybody!

There it is!

The new Colosseum.

Bobby T! Bobby T!

Cue the intro. Five, four, three...

America,

the greatest country in the fucking universe.

We work hard. And after a long day of busting ass

we get to kick back and feel good.

But some don’t want to work for that privilege.

Thieves. Fraudsters. Freeloaders.

And why should they when they can take it from you?

Welcome to the game where we give three of these tough guys

all the freedom they want.

Biodata erased.

No scanners, no trackers.

For 30 days, all that stands between

these men and millions is you.

Record. Report. Reward.

With over 10 million new dollars in prizes won,

the best audience in the world remains

undefeated!

It’s The Running Man!

And now...

Yeah! Bobby!

...your tall, tenacious, trustworthy

trailblazer of the truth,

Bobby T!

Bobby T! Bobby T! Let’s go!

Your fury at the injustice of the world has stopped you

from reaching your full potential, but now?

That anger is your superpower. Embrace it!

Our first Runner hails from right here in Co-Op City.

Ben Richards.

A healthy 35-year-old man who thinks he’s too good to work for a living.

Get him outta here! Fuck you, Ben!

Mr. Richards’s last job was a full-time position at Defense-Net

until he spilled military secrets

to a commie union he’s not even in!

That’s bullshit! That’s bullshit!

Come on, that’s showbiz, kid. Chill out.

That’s right!

He bit the hand that feeds him because that’s what dogs do.

Remember that face.

You win 3,000 new dollars...

...for a verified report

and 10,000 if it leads to a kill.

We doubled the prizes for the last run of the season.

’Cause when the stakes go up...

The shit goes down!

And the stakes be high!

Because the thousands he wins goes to his wife, Sheila...

...a night witch who only takes

the biggest tips at the Libertine.

It’s fake! That’s a lie, you sack of shit! If you comprendo my innuendo.

I’ll fucking kill you.

Abandoned by Richards, it’s up to her now

to raise the tragic kin of their sin.

But what’s that?

I think it’s time for...

Famous last words!

Well, Mr. Richards. Go on, Richards!

Come on, can we hear it?

Do you have any famous last words?

Yeah.

Fuck you, Dan!

How long do you think you’ll last?

Long enough to burn this building down and everyone in it!

How small does your dick have to be to sit out there?

Fuck you!

Holy shit! Save it for the run!

Oh, shit!

Our next contestant...

My eye for talent remains unrivaled.

You, Mr. Richards, are what they used to refer to

as a game changer.

Now listen. I shouldn’t say this,

but when the run begins,

lay low with your own kind. You’ll last longer.

And also, in case you missed it in your contract.

every Goon you kill wins you a 10K bonus.

And it’s a hundo per Hunter.

I don’t know how yet,

but I am gonna fuck you up someday.

That’s the spirit.

The Rules of the Run!

Rule one:

Running Money.

Runners get a 1,000 new dollar advance

and a 12-hour running start.

The Hunters don’t hunt until the Record and Report App

goes live tomorrow morning!

Rule two:

The Running Cam.

You must tape ten minutes

of on-cam-ham per day.

These envelopes cannot be tracked.

Drop them in a Network Drone Xpress mailbox before midnight

or you’ll be disqualified... Thank you.

...from further winnings, but still hunted for 30 days.

Don’t die for free. Get your tapes in!

Rule three:

Run Far, Get Rich.

Make it to midnight tomorrow and win 5,000 new dollars.

Awards increase by a 1,000 per day

and double at the end of each week.

The grand prize for surviving day 30 is now

a billion new dollars!

But, before they can win that,

who do they have to get past?

The Hunters!

Ladies and gentlemen,

meet... the Hunters!

Five men who fight for real freedom.

Deep undercover where you least expect them.

In fact, they may be amongst you right now!

And their leader,

the ghost haunting every Runner’s dreams,

Chief McCone!

Search and destroy, gentlemen.

Look at them go!

Take a last look at these thugs.

Observe the typical disguises

their kind use to escape justice.

In mere moments, they will walk among you

free to do whatever they want until we stop them... together!

Let them run! Let them run!

Suck it!

Let them run! Let them run!

On your marks!

Get set!

Run!

13th and Obama.

Whoa! Hey, Running Man!

What?

I-I-I was watching you on-- on the Free-Vee!

13th and Obama.

Okay.

Yeah.

What’s up, man?

Take a pic with me. It’s okay.

What do you mean, "No, it’s okay"?

You got to be nice, man, so people don’t report you. Okay?

’Cause people will do that. Not me, though, man. I’m a nice guy.

No, you know what, you’re right.

We should pull over, pick up one of these hookers.

She can take the pic.

Yeah! Sickest idea ever, man!

Yeah!

I like the way you think, man.

Hey! Where you going, man?

Yeah, you’d better run!

I hope they burn your ass!

You’re dead meat, pal!

You’re dead!

Yo, Molie, let me in!

Hello?

Molie?

Yo, Molie. What?

You didn’t see me on the hatch?

I saw you two blocks away on the infrared. What do you want?

Look, I need...

two I.D. cards and a gun.

Forget it. I don’t do guns.

Go see Mickey on Third.

What in the hell is your problem, man?

The Running Man? What are you thinking?

I had you pegged for smart.

Look, I didn’t have a choice. Cathy was sick.

Do you know how much danger you put me in, coming here?

If you want to kill yourself, fine.

But leave me out of it, okay?

You got it?

Goddamn it, Ben.

I.D.s are a hundred.

It’s 30 each for costumes and accessories.

I got a priest, I’ve got a combat veteran,

I’ve got an exec.

And the rush order makes it two hundred new all in.

Okay.

Go hide out in Survival.

It’s aisle five.

I’m gonna lock the incinerator. Oh, I already did.

You don’t mind if I check, do you?

Hey, where you going?

All right, you heroes, come and get it!

Listen to him! If he lets go, we’re all dead.

You sell a lot of these?

I can’t keep them in stock.

Those TVs don’t watch you back.

Come on.

Is this gonna work?

Absolutely.

Stand over here.

Okay, you ready?

One, two, three.

All right.

Let’s test out those contacts.

Okay.

Can you read anything on that shelf?

All right.

Holy shit! How do you have Black Irish?

That’s not for sale.

Yeah, like I’d put that shit in my pocket.

Only took a couple grams to blow up fatbergs in the sewers Uptown.

BFE. Big Fucking Explosion.

So what’s your plan?

I don’t know.

Lay low with my own kind?

Your own kind will sell you out in a heartbeat.

I’d find the busiest place you can

and disappear in the crowd. That’s my advice.

Well...

you can leave the same way you came.

Molie...

I had to do it.

No, you didn’t.

I was gonna bring you on here...

...sort of as a partner.

I should’ve told Sheila yesterday,

but I wanted to tell you myself.

Hey, too late for that now.

Well...

Godspeed.

See you on the big screen.

New York City, one way.

I.D. and cash in the tray, please, sir.

Safe travels, Mr. Springer.

Thank you.

Mister.

Hey, mister.

Your face.

Forget you ever saw it!

You say anything, I will kill you so fast your mom won’t even wake up.

But your mustache.

Oh, shit.

So sorry about that.

Want my snack pack?

Now arriving at New York Penn Station.

This is the final stop for this train.

Welcome to the Brant Hotel, Mr. Springer.

Hm. You shaved your mustache.

It fell off on the train.

I hate when that happens.

Everything okay, Mr. Springer?

Yeah, yeah. Just, uh...

...have a good night. Day.

You know what, have both.

Rules say I have to be on camera ten minutes a day.

They didn’t say which part, so...

I guess you can watch my ass take a nap.

...and he said to Him,

"All these things I will give to Thee...

if You fall down and worship me..."

Thank you.

That thou shall worship thine Lord,

thine God, and only Him shall you serve.

Previously on The Americanos...

I love you. I love you.

Don’t worry about it.

I just hate that--

You should have thought about that before you spread your legs.

Mom!

One down. Twenty-nine to go.

Gah!

Fuck off!

John Springer!

John Springer!

John Springer!

Green light.

Live update! Let’s go!

Our Hunters are hard at work near a Co-Op City Netmart

where Mr. Jansky is flirting with the clerk that just reported him.

Let’s find out if he’s also flirting with death.

Do you watchThe Running Man?

Uh... I guess.

I heard there’s this guy on there who kinda looks like me

and he’s really hot or something, I don’t... I don’t know.

I don’t know. I’m gonna come back

in a little bit and I’m gonna try to ask you out again.

Jesus, Tim. Yeah?

And that’s Jansky!

Stepping out with his breakfast burrito.

Green light on Jansky.

Will it be his final meal?

Come on.

The fuse has been lit.

It’s just a matter of time.

Get out of there, buddy.

Better eat up, Tim.

Enjoy those last bites before it’s last rites.

Move, move. You’re walking. It’s the fucking Running Man.

Here we go. Oh, man.

Bang!

God!

And Jansky crosses the finish line.

That’s one down and two to go!

Watch tonight at 8:00 to see if Jenni Laughlin...

and Ben Richards are still on the run.

How long do they have left? Tune in and find out.

Hi. I’d like to extend my stay for three days.

I’d be happy to arrange that for you, Mr. Springer.

In the same room if possible.

Of course. Let me see what I can do. Thank you.

You’re in luck.

Look like I can keep you in the same room, Mr. Springer.

Great.

Can I get you a car this morning?

Uh...

You know what? I think I’ll walk.

Attention, passengers,

this is our final stop, Boston.

Please check your personal belongings before leaving.

Thank you for traveling with Netbus.

Hey, brother, I need to get off the street.

Oh, yeah?

I’m looking for a place to rack out for a month.

Mm-hmm.

Off-Net, if you know what I mean.

Oh, is that so?

I’ll give you a hundo new for your room

and another hundo for your jacket.

A deuce hundo for this rat-ass jacket

and that rat-ass room?

Fella, you need to get to Jamaica Plain,

pick up your head meds.Come on.

Put that shit away.

What, are you trying to get us killed?

Let me see your face.

Where’d you deploy?

Alaska. Ate shrapnel.

You ain’t seen combat.

But I reckon it ain’t stolen valor

if you pay me for it.

Thanks.

Hey! I’m talking to you!

I’m talking to you!

Come back here, you little shit!

You listen to me. You stay out of my stash.

I catch you in that basement again,

I’m gonna stomp you.

And I’ma get big bro to take care of you!

He’ll kick your cow ass over the moon!

Beat it!

Ah...

Yeah, good luck with that.

Idiot.

Floor two.

Okay, then.

Guess I gotta make another one of these tapes.

I’ve always been a guy who followed the rules.

I showed up to work first, I left last.

Nice.

It hasn’t done much for me, obviously.

I mean, I’m on the murder show.

But what are you gonna do? Take on the whole world?

Sweet.

So here I am, a grown-ass man playing hide-and-seek for money.

Please don’t.

Thank you.

I think I’ll just lay low, keep it cool.

Try not to burn out.

Depraved.

Demonic. Deceased.

What havoc will the remaining Runners wreak?

Tune in and find out.

Next up, rich and bold,

it’s those Americanos.

"Hey, Jim."

"How do you like this energy wine?"

"I’m a big fan. Love it."

"How about you, Bill?"

"It’s pretty much my favorite thing, Jim."

"So, guys, you mind if I ask you a personal question?"

"Why do we all have the same voice?"

Relax, Ben.

Mail later.

Who am I?

Good to see you, too, Frank.

I’m the dog!

The rats!

Him!

I demand an apology!

Give it a rest, Frank.

At least you got someone to talk to.

Damn, son.

You can’t hide!

You think I don’t see you!

I’m gonna find you!

Key, duh.

I’m gonna burn down your house

and everyone in it!

You’re a weird guy, Frank.

We interrupt "The Americanos"

for a live update from The Running Man.

Running fans,

we catch up with an undisclosed Runner

at an undisclosed location in an undisclosed city.

The tension is so thick,

you could cut it with McCone’s knife of destiny.

The Hunters are currently descending

on the location.

Orders have been given.

They’re entering the premises now.

Chief McCone is directing them

to fan out through the building.

Get in your fucking room... now!

Rover cams have been deployed and are waiting for the signal

that the Hunters have found their prey.

I’m on three.

There’s no way out for this Runner.

But never underestimate a cornered rat.

Fuck!

Fuck!

I need to get the bag.

I need to get the bag.

I’m getting word now

the Hunters believe they’ve located the room

this Runner is hiding in.

The suspense is thick, Running fans.

I saw him! I saw Ben Richards! He’s heading downstairs!

Will this Runner even have a chance to run?

The fuse has been lit. It’s just a matter of time.

Shit.

Our Hunters

are triangulating the Runner’s exact position.

Confirming their location.

I can reveal to you now the Runner is Ben Richards.

I knew it.

Mr. Richards talked the talk.

We’re about to find out if he can...

...walk the walk.

I need a rover on three.

Chief McCone has confirmed.

The Hunters have found their man.

Things are heating up. Things are getting warmer.

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

The Runner is trapped inside of the building.

But what’s this?

McCone’s given the signal.

The rover cams have entered the building.

Any moment now.

This is why we play the game, Running fans.

The moment of truth when these animals

find out we live in a society with rules,

a society where actions have consequences.

And there they are, the Hunters,

posted up outside Richards’s room.

We’re going in.

Here we go.

Go!

Hold fire!

Why?

He’s not going anywhere.

Bravo.

Hey, buddy. You’re on Free-Vee.

The Hunters are racing to intercept their prey.

Better run, Mr. Richards.

This is why we watch, Running fans.

He’s on two. Go, go!

Stop filming me!

Going down.

We got him.

He’s headed for the lobby.

You have reached the lobby.

Richards,

you’re going down.

I got a grenade!

Back at you.

Have the boys in black breach the basement.

Get a backup rover online.

I want an NCG tactical team ready at the bottom of the stairs.

Go! Go!

Get two guards in the lobby elevator.

Report to me if he tries to climb the shaft.

All Hunters rally at staging one and stand by for the breach.

You heard the man! Tac-One on me!

Let’s go, go, go!

Bring down the auto-ram!

Stairs are clear.

Fuck. Tac-One standing by.

Ready to breach. Action is go.

Auto-ram hot! Hit it!

No go! No go!

Hit it again. Oh, shit.

He’s got a gun!

Light him up!

Oh!

Reload! Reload! Reloading!

Get out of here! This place is about to blow!

I’m still here, you shit-eaters!

Hah!

Tragedy strikes as an explosion

at the YVA in Fenway takes the lives

of eight Network Community Guards.

Belinda Brave coming to you live from the scene...

...of a powerful blast

that shook Boston to its core earlier tonight.

No confirmation yet on whether

Richards’s body...

...has been recovered. As far as we know,

the Runner is still at large.

A thrilling live update ofThe Running Man

turned deadly...

Hey, come on out.

I know you’re here.

Come here, you little rat! Get off me!

You the one who reported me? It wasn’t me!

I ain’t no rat! Oh, yeah?

Let me go! I’ma get big bro to take care of you.

You think your big bro can kick my ass after what I just went through?

He’s not gonna kick your ass, he’s gonna save it!

You need help!

Suspect at large. Curfew enforced.

We’ve got to get off these streets, man.

Goons and zooms all up in this bitch.

Everyone’s looking for you.

Curfew enforced.

Hey. Hey, yo, stay here. I’ll be right back.

I got you, Richards.

Hunt him down! Hunt him down!

Thank you.

Hunt him down!

Remain indoors. He’s in here.

Remain indoors.

Nah. Told you.

Ben Richards?

No Runner ever survived a live update. How the hell--

Remain indoors!

Inside, inside, inside!

I can pay you.

Just get me off the street for the night.

Hell, nah. Five nd.

Boy! We need street meds.

Our sister got cancer, real bad.

Make it ten.

Get her the good stuff. Goddamn.

Hell of a price on your head.

How fast can you run, Richards?

Faster every day.

Just a shocking amount of destruction here.

The NCG on tactical alert

as units pour in from neighboring districts,

seeking justice for their fallen brethren.

The NCG bomb squad is on the scene

combing through the rubble for evidence.

Preliminary reports indicate Richards

set off the explosion in the basement.

His body is yet to be found. But as one specialist

told me off the record...

Baby. It’s time.

I don’t get it. You could set your grandkids up for life...

with one Record and Report.

You think the Network would rather pay us reward money

or make up some bullshit and arrest us?

What if I gave you enough to get your sister real pharms?

Say 500 new.

I can get you out of Boston,

but it won’t be for money. Bro.

This dude ain’t going nowhere.

Goons got the hood surrounded. Reality.

Stop.

Just a little pinch and everything’s gonna be okay.

Does Richards live?

Find out tomorrow night onThe Running Man, 8 o’c...

You know, you seem like a smart cat.

What made you sign up to be a cog

in their propaganda machine?

I’m just trying to take care of my family.

Just like you and your sister.

June.

When my kid was sick,

I sent my wife enough to get her well.

Now I’m trying to win enough to get them out.

She’s only two. So if I do my job,

she’ll never even remember Slumside.

Okay, Richards.

I can get you past that blockade.

But I’ll need a couple days to set it up, so hide out here in the meantime.

You know, you could go the full 30 if you play it smart.

And what makes you such an expert?

Tune in and find out.

Welcome to the Pulpit.

What goes on behind the scenes

of the biggest Free-Vee show of all time?

Welcome toThe Apostle, episode 30.

"Real Rules of the Running Man."

If you dig, dupe and distribute.

The Network has three types for every run.

Oh, my God.

Type one: Hopeless Dude.

Hopeless Dude is cursed with a fatal misunderstanding

of human nature. Enjoy your...

Tim?Yup.

He usually lasts less than 48 hours.

Come and get me.

Dinner is served, pal.

Aw... Damn.

Pa-pow! That’s a take out.

Woof. Oh!

He is cooked.

Type two: Negative Dude.

Negative Dude knows he ain’t got a chance in hell.

He just wants to go out with a bang or two!

Make life greater.

Leave a fucking crater.

Bro gets smoked by the end of week one

’cause he buys too much ass

and not enough food with his running start.

A slave to his appetites,

he often serves himself up on a plate.

Suck dicks in hell!

Ka-boom! Runner down!

Type three:

Yeah!

Final Dude.

Final Dude has a fierce will to survive.

Yet he never wins.

The Network cheats.

They can find anyone anytime.

But if a Runner’s getting good ratings, they let him run.

Thirteen days.

And just like Papa always said,

"You can try, but you can’t catch a ghost."

So by the end of week two, ratings usually peak.

Oh, shit.

The crowd wants blood,

and Final Dude becomes a victim of his own success.

They might hide from Destiny,

but they never outrun Fate.

That’s me, McCone! I’m the Running Man, bi--

Double kill!

Rest in pieces.

That’s game.

Is that supposed to inspire me?

Oh, come on, man! Don’t you get it?

After that escape tonight, live, prime time, you...

You... are...

Final Dude.

And they’re gonna squeeze

every last drop of ratings out of your ass.

So you got at least until Negative Dude flames out

to get somewhere safe.

Which gives us enough time to set you up

for the biggest underdog win in game show history.

So where the hell is "safe"?

I’m working on it.

Hey, pen pal. It’s been a while.

You sure you know what you’re doing?

Guess we’ll find out.

Got a package headed your way.

Yeah, special delivery, as seen on Free-Vee.

Okay. I see you.

And pickup location B.

Got it.

Mama’s coming, baby.

Okay, okay.

So, how does a five-year-old get lung cancer?

Radioactive dust.

From the Rhode Island explosion.

Never heard about that.

Yeah, you never heard of it ’cause the Network owns the news.

Just like they owned that munitions factory.

Just like... they own the government.

So why bother complying with safety regs, right?

That’s how June got sick.

For all you watching...

not the execs, not the technicos.

If you live in a tower Uptown, I’m not talking to you.

I’m talking to the people in the Co-Ops.

The ones who can’t get a job, the squatter tribes,

the kids getting shot for looking at a Goon the wrong way.

There’s something you all need to know.

The Network is giving our kids cancer

and they are covering it up.

Previously onThe Running Man.

I’m still here, you shit-eaters! Hah!

Yeah! Richards is the man! Ben! Ben! Ben!

Ladies and gentlemen,

last night seven men and one woman

gave their lives to protect ours,

their love for their country only matched

by the love for their children.

Uh-oh.

Someone chose to end the lives of these eight heroes.

And that someone was Ben Richards.

His new tape just arrived.

Let’s hear what he has to say about it.

For all you watching,

not the execs, not the technicos.

If you live in a tower Uptown, I’m not talking to you.

I’m talking to the people in the Co-Ops,

the squatter tribes, the ones who can’t get a job,

the kids getting shot for looking at a Goon the wrong way.

There’s something you all need to know.

I laughed my ass off smoking those Goons.

Whoa. I wasn’t just laughing

at their screams, I was laughing at their kids.

Now you know how it felt when Daddy did it to someone else!

Damn, cuz.

I didn’t say that, okay?

I made a video about the Network giving kids cancer. It’s all fake!

Disgusting!

You got to get him out of here. Ma!

Tonight! Right now!

I want him gone!

Bring them all on!

What kind of world are we living in?

Running fans,

I’ve just heard from producer Dan Killian

who has personally doubled the reward for Ben Richards.

Now 20,000 new dollars for any confirmed Record and Report

that leads to a kill. Get in, get in!

Come on, come on.

It’s getting crazy out here.

Yeah, man. The gangs are out tonight.

We got to roll. You ready?

Here we go.

Okay, keep your eyes open.

Those biker boys are on a bounty hunt for the reward.

Got it.

Yo, they’re following us. I know, I know.

Stay cool.

They’re on us, they’re on us!

You got to be shitting me.

When we hit the alley, yell which way to turn next.

Don’t stop till we’re out.

Hang on, Richards! A pothole! Yo, what’s going on?

They’re still on us! I know!

Go right!Okay!

Left!

Pothole! Sorry, sorry.

There’s two of them! There’s two of them!

I see them, I see them!

They’ve got guns!

Give him up!

Straight! Floor it!

Go, go, go!

Look out!

Richards lives! Pull over!

¡No hablo inglés!

Hold on!

You good? You good? Yeah.

Karma delivery, motherfucker!

Oof.

Yeah!

Floor it!

Whoo!

Y’all messed with the wrong brothers!

Yeah, that’s the stuff!

Whoo!

Hey, Richards! We’re through!

Go, go, go!

My pen pal needs a day to prep transport to a shelter.

You can trust him with your life.

Just don’t mention hot dogs around him there.

You say, "hot dogs?" Yup.

Go catch that slow train to Maine.

Less people in the sticks, but keep your head down and don’t trust anyone

but this guy.

Name’s Elton. Hardcore. Down for the cause.

You really think this will work?

Look, we know they track the envelopes.

You pre-shoot the rest of your self-tapes,

my man heads south, drops them on the way

while you’re safe underground. They won’t know what hit ’em.

Oh. Almost forgot.

Just in case.

Why are you helping me?

You seen the power they have.

We don’t got each other’s backs,

this game is over before it even begins.

Hey.

Done.

What’s up, America?

I was about to tell you the Network fakes these self-tapes,

but if I did, they’d just fake this one, too.

So...

I’m just gonna read you something instead.

"Dear Diary: I woke up with the blahs today.

My regular gig of killing heroic Goons

was feeling... too routine.

Time for a ‘me’ day.

So I ate my favorite breakfast in bed:

Defenseless puppies. I could have eaten twenty.

Then I did yoga. I blew up a courthouse.

I know, creature of habit.

But tonight...

I am gonna make love... to an illegal...

immigrant... sheep."

You know how a sheep tells you it’s horny?

Mr. Richards thinks he’s funny.

But we’ll see who has the last laugh when

McCone catches him lacking.

Now, let’s see if Miss Laughlin has burned through the last of her running money.

We’re still here, you shit-eaters!

Damn, Richards, that’s a tough act to follow, but...

...challenge accepted!

Yeah! Ooh!

Go off, neighbor.

Oh, my God! Look at it!

Who dies next?

Definitely her.

Laughlin? Get real. Sheep boy’s going down.

No way. I got ten clams says

Ben Richards dies next. Oh, come on.

He’s pissed the Network off, all the way. That’s why he’s gonna win.

The guy’s got moxie. Yeah, he’s one of us.

Taking on the boys in black. Giving the world the finger!

He’s your final Runner.

That’s a bet. Damn straight.

What do you think, Reverend? You seen this Richards guy?

No. But he sounds like quite the character.

What’s wrong with you?

He’s blind, you fucking idiot.

Me again. Look, here’s the real deal.

I’m not out here trying to fight the power.

I’m not out here to have fun.

I’m here to win and get back to my family.

So you won’t see me throwing Molotov cocktails,

you won’t see me throwing parties.

In fact,

you won’t see me at all.

Just in time, Father.

The best takeout in Maine.

Bless you, my son.

Keep clear.

Keep clear. This is a self-driving vehicle.

Hey, Father. Can I ask you something?

Of course, my son.

So I got this girlfriend, okay?

Am I going to hell for using rubbers?

You may well go for not using them.

I’ve ten brothers and sisters.

My father said he was in hell every single day.

Thanks, Father. Mm.

Have a good night. Careful out there.

You think you’re the guy

who stops me from seeing my daughter again?

Thank you.

It’s him! It’s him!

There he is! Run him down!

We got him!

Get him!

I got him.

Fuck you, Richards! Die!

Die!

This is a message for my fellow citizens.

And let me make this clear for the cheap seats.

If I die on this show, I died for the two things I believe in.

My wife and my kid.

Everything else and everyone else can fuck off.

It’sThe Running Man!

Game on! Friday night!

Here we go!

We all know what that sound is.

We’re giving Miss Laughlin a run for her money.

She rolled the dice on a very public appearance at the Holy Grail Casino

but didn’t gamble that our Hunters would be there.

Shit.

Move, asshole! What are you--

Oh, she’s a wild one. Whoa!

She’s on the run!

Fuck. Oh!

Lordy, Lordy.

Looks like she went bust. Or did she?

Go, they got guns! Go!

Fucking shitbag!

Yeah!

Suck it, McCone!

Kiss my ass!

Hold it right there.

No...

Not so fast, Miss Laughlin.

No blaze of glory for you, just a human candle

fizzling out on a lonely Nevada road.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

"Bobby T, you didn’t get the kill."

No, we didn’t.

But they did.

Meet Jeff and Jeeto.

Brave defenders of their community.

Roll the tape.

Sorry, Hunters.

All you managed to kill was my vibe.

Remember, kids, don’t drink and drive.

Unless you’re good at it.

Get her!

That’s some hot footage, kids!

Beyond their cash reward,

Jeff and Jeeto will receive a lifetime supply

of Fun Twinks cereal!

And then...

...there was one.

That’s right. Ben Richards is your final Runner.

Richards lives!

If he survives till midnight,

he’ll be our most successful contestant since season one!

Richards lives!

Come on, hurry.

Hunters will be out for blood.

They hate civilian kills.

Things are gonna start ramping up.

Come on.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they fire up

the DNA sniffers tonight.

I don’t want anything else. I don’t need anyone else.

What a tough guy.

Is that clear?

I’m not looking for new friends. Don’t ask for an autograph.

Eltie! What if he’s in Derry? He’s not in Derry, Mom.

Don’t worry, it’s fine.

She thinks you’re an actual demon,

but she’s fairly deaf.

We can use our normal voices.

Kill him. Welf bastard.

Hunt him down!

She used to be a kind, clever woman.

This is where it all happens.

Amateur lab for making handcrafted soap, far as you know.

Some normal non-revolutionary literature.

Wink, wink.

Copier for my harmless community newsletter,

if you follow my drift. Uh-huh.

So what’s a DNA sniffer?

Black ops scanners that I.D. highly fragmented strands of DNA.

These things are hidden in every streetlamp across the country.

Which is why you got to get underground ASAP.

Man, if you want to ask, just ask.

What is up with the hot dog cart?

My dad was a cop.

A good cop.

He quit in protest when the Network privatized local police.

He believed officers should be accountable

to the towns that pay them, not the government.

And sure as hell not some mega-corp.

So he bought the cart.

Busted his ass. We never missed a meal.

Better an honorable hot dog vendor than a crooked Goon.

But his friends who signed on with the NCG didn’t appreciate his choices.

And they let him know every chance they got.

He made damn sure we were safe in this house.

But every time he took that cart out

well... you see what it did to my mom.

And this is what they did to my dad.

His buddies on the force never solved the case

’cause they’re the ones who killed him.

But you can’t kill an idea.

Dad was their worst nightmare. A free man with a conscience.

And everything they destroyed in him lives on in me.

Like a nuclear blast... that never burns out.

Monster?

I’m good.

Hey, Runners.

You can’t outrun Fate. And you cannot hide...

from Destiny.

That’s actually not true.

Before he was killed, Dad refurbed this Cold War shelter

he found in a nearby forest.

I have a detailed map for how to get there.

You could survive down there for three years.

But you’ll only need it for two weeks.

We’ll pre-shoot the rest of your tapes tomorrow.

What do you think?

Um...

Or...

Maybe just... white.

Hardcore.

Check this out.

You can be arrested just for having

"The Truth" in your house.

So these won’t be distributed until right after you win.

What the hell?

It’s a special issue on the Network’s most heinous crimes.

What does that have to do with me?

A bomb’s chemicals hold great power.

But without an initiator to make it go boom, it’s harmless.

You know why they cheered for you down there? They think you just might win.

And if you can survive against those Goons so can they.

The people have had it.

This country’s ready to blow... and you’re the initiator.

I’m not the initiator!

I’m a guy trying to get back to his family.

It’s you against the world either way, brother.

Why not be both?

Come on.

My mom thinks the bathroom across the hall is haunted, so that’s all you.

If the light in the hallway is off, she’s asleep.

Hey.

I appreciate what you’re doing.

But if they find out you helped me,

those same Goons that got your dad...

they’ll come for you.

One can hope.

This message is for Cathy.

In case you see this someday.

I wanted to impart a little dad advice.

Rule one:

Take care of your mom. She’s your best friend.

Rule two: Bullies are cowards.

Hit back.

Rule three:

You can be kind and strong at the same time.

Rule four: Don’t trust the Network... ever.

And rule five:

You remember...

your dada loves you a whole lot.

I’ll be looking out for you. No matter what.

Ha!

I knew it was you.

Devil. Murderer!

You stay away from my Eltie. Ma’am?

You savage!

Wait! Mom!

You’ll never eat puppies again.

Mom, no! No!

Mom, it’s okay! He’s a friend!

Eltie, no!

Ma’am, ma’am!

If you press that button, the NCG will come in firing.

Okay? They will not care who gets caught in the cross fire.

It will be a bloodbath.

We don’t need every Goon in the state

coming through that door, right?

Don’t.

Network Community Guard. What crime would you like to report?

Ben Richards just broke into my home!

Okay, stay where you are.

Why? Ma saw you.

We got to get going.

I just need five minutes of fun with these guys before we do.

Fun?

Grab your stuff! I’ll get the ’zines!

They’re coming to get you!

You’re not listening. It’s dangerous!

No!

Mom, get in the safe room!

No, Eltie, I want to see him die!

You hear that, welf? You’re gonna die!

They’re here.

Mom!

He’s here! Richards is in the hall!

Mom! Kill him!

Come on! No! Let me go!

No! I don’t want to miss it!

I want to see!

Let’s move!

This way. Come on.

Yo, dipshits! You shot up the wrong hall!

We’re over here!

" by The Rolling Stones plays]

Here we go.

Are you crazy? We don’t have time to play games!

Oh, yes, we do.

Fastest the Hunters ever arrived on-scene

was 4 minutes 30 seconds.

We’ll be long gone by then.

Go! Go! Move!

Yoo-hoo! Hey, big boys!

I like my bacon extra crispy!

We got to go, man! Follow me.

Shit!

Shit!

Come on!

Yeah!

Let’s go!

Whoo!

Why are we upstairs?

Go! Go!

Yes! Yes!

Elton! Why are we upstairs?

For this!

You brought us up here so you could slide down a pole?

I brought us up here so we could slide down a pole!

See? Four minutes flat. Told you we’d be long gone.

Long gone? We are still in the goddamn house!

Not for long!

Tactical flashlight.

Pretty powerful. Yeah.

Come on.

I’m gonna sever your Achilles and drag you outside.

Chief wants to end your run in person, on camera.

Don’t let him answer that!

Still there?

Yeah. Put him on.

It’s for you.

Ah! There he is.

Incredible work, Mr. Richards. You are killing it.

Killing it? People are dying, you fucking psychopath!

If you can fake everything, why don’t you just fake the whole show?

Believe me, we have tried.

But humans bring that special unpredictable spark.

The audience lives for these happy accidents.

A little advice? I’ll pass.

Make sure my family gets the money.

Richards, don’t go.

You can still win this game, but you have to play it smart.

I just sent a rover into that tunnel.

Now finish off that Hunter and wait for my cue to exit.

You want me to off one of your own guys?

It’s all good Free-Vee.

Okay, on you in five... four...

three...

two...

one.

And action.

Get in!

Floor it! What about the doors?

Oh, shit!

Hold on!

Where are we going? Down the dirt road.

They’re all dirt roads! There!

The trail! Okay.

Son of a... bitch.

Cross the bridge and drop me off.

I can slow them down.

Take back roads to the shelter.

Survival is the win!

This way!

Take this map.

Dad’s bunker is in the middle of the forest.

Remember, Richards... you’re the initiator.

Green light on Richards.

It’s the end of your run, Richards.

Fuck it.

I am the initiator.

The thrill of the hunt.

Can you feel it?

Your heart beats faster.

Bright red blood pumps adrenaline through your veins.

This game is no game.

Life and death are on the line.

Can you feel it, Mr. Richards?

Congratulations. You took out a Hunter.

Now it’s down to four of them.

Plus every citizen of this great nation.

"Hundred and five paces west of big rock.

Bunker’s dug into the hill."

Well, shit.

Can you smell it?

The acrid stink of fear

as the prey animal realizes he’s surrounded by predators.

Reality sinks in as he scurries to hide,

desperately hoping to survive.

But deep down, he already knows it’s too late, because...

this is America, goddamn it,

and we don’t put up with no bullshit!

Bloodlust is our birthright. Set it free.

Richards chose this path,

and it’s up to you to show him where it ends.

Keep your eyes open so you can see the terror in his,

and hunt him down!

Hunt him down! Hunt him down!

I see, yeah.

I see! Wow!

Look, it’s dada.

Yeah!

Look. Look.

I told you I’d get you out of there.

People on this show never come back.

This is a message for Killian.

Hey, Dan.

I’m starting to get how this game works.

It’s not about me winning or losing.

It’s about your ratings.

About how much chaos I can cause.

I’m taking this thing all the way to the end.

And I am done playing defense, I promise you that.

So here’s the deal.

I will see my family again.

And as long as they keep getting paid,

you can put whoever you want in front of me.

I will run through all of them.

I know you fight dirty.

Well, guess what, you son of a bitch.

I’m from Slumside. Let’s throw the rule book out.

Here’s to mutually profitable annihilation.

You want a show? Damn it.

I’ll give you a show.

Whoo-hoo!

Sing it, girl.

Yes! Here we go! Let’s do this!

We interruptThe Americanos for a live update fromThe Running Man.

Boring!

Who even likes this show? The poors. Duh.

Zaza! They’re the only ones dense enough to think it’s real.

I know. It’s so fake.

Stop!

What is happening? Are you okay?

Oh, my God!

What’s happening, Amelia? Don’t hurt her, please!

Go, go! Take it off autopilot!

Drive! Take the next back road north.

I can’t. My power’s on empty.

Your battery is 93% charged. Nice!

Those Goons are going to frag us

if you don’t back this car up right now!

Whoa!

They’re here!

Your car is damaged. Your car is damaged.

Go, go! Keep it moving!

Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

Left!

Jesus!

Now I see why you people need self-driving cars.

Recalculating.

Keep it pointed north. All the way to the border.

Go ahead. Say what you got to say.

Why?

So you can go crazy and kill me?

No.

You have one minute to speak freely.

How do you live with yourself? Hmm?

You dare sit there and criticize my driving?

Tell me how to operate my own car?

I am a member of society!

You disgust me!

You abandoned that starving baby,

that horrible wife of yours.

So you can what?

Kill people for money?

And you only kill the best people!

The people who protect us from...

from welfs like you!

And that’s not a word I use!

That is my family.

Our number finally came up for the park.

I watched Cathy try ice cream for the first time.

That was the best day of my life.

So yeah, you’re right.

The show is so fake.

Not the bullets. Not the death.

Just the part that makes people like you

think you’re better than people like us.

Let me ask you something. How much was that scarf?

Huh?

More than the meds my daughter needed

when she was dying of the flu?

The flu!

That is a human life hanging around your neck!

But you seem to be doing fine.

Who can blame you? It’s a nice scarf.

I’m not a bad person.

No, do not start crying.

I will shoot us both if you start crying.

Cry when it’s over.

When will that be?

Shit.

Yielding for an emergency vehicle. Nice!

Disable it! Disable it! Do not pull over! I don’t know how!

Yielding in 100 feet.

50 feet. Pull over!

In 20 feet.

You have successfully yielded. Nice!

Shit.

Oh, hey, Richards.

You’ve been pulled over by the Rustic Rock Mulisha Boyz.

We’re here securing our homestead in the name of the Network.

Don’t worry, lady. We’re the good guys.

Just step out of the car.

You’ll be safe with us.

It’s him we want.

Just go.

What the fuck is happening?

The producers just killed Network militia instead of me.

They wouldn’t do that. Those men were just trying to protect me from you.

What is it gonna take for you to get I’m not the bad guy?

Take the car. Just drive away. I don’t want to hurt you.

You think they’re gonna let you walk after seeing that?

You’re on the show now. No, I’m not!

Richards lives. And this time he’s got a hostage.

Amelia Williams, a 27-year-old realtor from Bangor, Maine.

Help me! He’s got a gun!

Welcome to The Running Man.

Help me, please!

The crisis continues,

as Miss Williams’s gray Alpine heads north on Rustic Rock Siding Road.

The hostage situation has triggered the NCG to go into full tactical alert.

Help me!

Turn it off. He’s got a gun!

Just turn it off!

Miss Williams was carjacked and kidnapped by--

Richards lives! Whoo!

Yeah!

Richards lives! Richards lives!

Go, Richards!

Unbelievable. Goons ahead!

Watch yourself!

Yeah, it’s a circus all right.

So they’re just gonna keep filming us?

If a Runner gets good ratings, they let him run.

Richards lives! Oh, God.

Is that a blockade?

Oh, shit. All right. If we play our parts, they’ll let us pass.

Oh, shit, shit, shit.

Richards lives!

Okay. Just keep driving. They’re not gonna shoot.

How do you know?

’Cause they’re gonna wait for the show to start. Do it live.

Do what live? Kill me.

Richards lives! Open up!

They’re waving us through.

Yo, Richards! We got you, man!

Why are they cheering for you when I’m the hostage?

Unbelievable.

Amelia?

Will you give me the gun?

Why not? You’re obviously the hero.

Trust me.

I don’t think we’re gonna need this anymore.

Record and Report. State your claim.

Oh, my God. I just saw Ben Richards.

I’m sorry, wait. I am Ben Richards.

If you don’t want to be the reason Amelia dies,

get this message to Killian.

Do what he says, please!

You heard the lady.

Richards lives! Richards lives! Richards lives!

Richards lives! Richards lives!

Go, Richards!

Go, Richards!

Before you murder us, make up some bullshit why it had to be done,

look at all these people who know the truth.

Are you willing to kill all of them? Because I am.

I’m holding onto this bullhorn with my right hand.

My left hand is in my front pouch,

wrapped around twelve pounds of Black Irish.

When I used to work in Network Public Utility,

you’d get these two-ton fatbergs,

take less than a gram to blow those up.

Twelve pounds.

It’ll vaporize everything in a half-mile radius.

Bull... shit.

is the most highly regulated industrial explosive.

And you haven’t even set foot in a state that sells it.

I guess Molie didn’t tell you everything.

I got my finger stuck in the detonator ring and it’s on half-cock.

So...

I want one of those big fancy Flying-V airplanes.

I want two autochutes handed to Amelia at the bottom of the ramp.

If the chutes are sabotaged,

if you make any sudden moves,

if you don’t back those trucks up

and let me on that tarmac right fucking now,

you won’t even hear it go boom.

I’ll just see you in hell and laugh in your face.

You got one minute.

Shouldn’t take long.

He’s got a direct line to the boss.

Last chance to run.

No.

You made me feel like I’m the bad guy.

Now I have to prove I’m not.

Why do you give a shit what I think?

You’re not the one I’m trying to prove it to.

So what’s our plan?

Let him through.

I’m gonna convince them your handbag is a bomb

long enough to bail out over Canada.

They’ll never let me win, so I’m gonna slip out the back door and wait out the clock.

We just have to keep the audience entertained

until that jet crosses the border.

What if they call your bluff?

You make sure they know it’s real. Get scared, freak out.

Curse, scream, call me the worst names possible.

Just remember, everything bad,

it’s all good Free-Vee.

Act terrified when McCone hands you the chutes.

I won’t have to act.

He grabs his gun, you’ll know it’s time to go off.

So, you think you’re the guy

who stops me from seeing my daughter again?

Show starts at 8:00.

Get on the plane.

Only if you take your mask off.

Audience will love it.

Keep dreaming.

Do what he says. No copy.

Do what he says. Take it off.

There he is.

Come on, show starts at 8:00.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Richards,

to the Net-Air Flying-V Luxury Jetliner,

the ultimate in private travel.

With state-of-the-art safety features,

this is first-class comfort taken sky high.

So sit back and enjoy the most relaxing flight of your life.

Oh, welcome aboard, Mr. Richards.

I’m Captain Holloway.

You’ll excuse me if I don’t shake your hand.

That’s First Officer Duninger

and Navigation Officer Donahue to your left.

Looks like you’re missing one.

Hey, Captain, how many lavatories are on this rust bucket?

Four. Six.

Why don’t you check them all for stowaways?

Anyone sneaks up on me,

it’s gonna be a real short ride.

So, where are we headed tonight?

Plot a route over the richest homes from here to Canada.

Fly as low as you can.

Let me know when we’re ten minutes from the border. As you wish.

The seat belt sign is now off.

Feel free to move about the cabin.

Hey, Richards. Six minutes to showtime.

You should get that last meal before they clear me to blow your head off

in front of a couple billion people.

Oh, yeah?

You should really put some makeup on before the show starts.

Fuck the show! Let’s go.

You want to go? We can all go right now! No, no, no! Just stop!

Do it! Do it, tough guy!

Why are you doing this? See if I twitch.

Show him the bomb!

Show it to him before he shoots you and kills us all!

Ma’am... No, just show it!

’Cause I don’t want to feel like this anymore! Do you fucking hear me?

I’m done! Let’s calm down.

Calm down. I’m fucking done!

All right, Richards, what if I offer you

an amnesty deal and an exit visa?

You’re nothing but a Halloween costume.

You can’t offer me shit!

Too true, Mr. Richards. He can’t.

But I can. How about I offer you a deal?

You tell your Hunters in the cockpit

to do what I tell them, otherwise,

I blow up this jet and everyone on it!

Ben, I admire your commitment to the bit,

but we’re short on time, so...

I’ll be blunt.

We know you’re bluffing.

The Flying-V Mark 2 has scanners built into the doors.

It’s been wildly entertaining.

But you can give Amelia her lovely handbag back now.

Evan.

Evan, don’t.

That’s game.

Safety that weapon, sir.

Evan, are you insane?

The show hasn’t even started.

Hand over your gun and go to the back of the jet.

Thank you.

You can remain there until I say otherwise.

I need a moment to have a word with Mr. Richards

to discuss a sensitive matter.

Let’s keep this between us.

You know, it wasn’t too long ago that someone with my job

thought it was more important to force some

hypocritical moral message down society’s throat

than to simply entertain them.

They forgot about the power of illusion, the power of the star,

which is what you are, Richards.

And this is why we want to offer you your own show.

Now picture it.

A former Runner redeemed through righteous vengeance,

turns his life around

to become a lethal force for good.

They call him...

The Hunter.

The board has authorized me to pay you 5 million new dollars per season.

There’s only one condition.

Sit back, watch the intro

and when Bobby cues you, kill every Hunter on that jet.

Condition met, I’ll remote-pilot you back to the studio jetport,

where the president of the United States

will induct you as "Hunter Number Six,"

another title idea I’m playing with.

The data says the revenge plot--

Revenge?

Revenge for what?

Who is gonna root for a guy who kills your national heroes?

I call bullshit, Dan.

Let me worry about the creative.

No deal.

The truth, then.

Revenge for your wife and child.

Why would I ever believe you?

Because, if they were still alive,

I’d hold them at gunpoint and force you to do whatever I want.

And torture them right in front of you.

I didn’t want to show you this.

But I’m out of time to save your life.

The Hunter you killed was part of a tight crew.

McCone and the men in that cockpit

flew to Co-Op City

to Sheila and Cathy’s secret Uptown location.

No. They badged their way

past the Family Alliance agents and...

I’m sorry, Ben.

Not all accidents are happy.

No.

We want you to win.

The audience is already on your side.

Once I show them footage of McCone and his men killing your family,

they will follow you into hell.

Think of what this does for your narrative.

Thirty seconds to showtime, Ben.

You’ll find a gun by the coffee station in the galley.

But if you don’t sign before the theme music ends,

I’ll order the bastards that killed your family to kill you, too.

What’s happening?

What’s happening?

Tune in and find out.

Everyone, everyone, please settle.

Now, now.

Running fans!

We start today’s episode with a heavy heart.

We here atThe Running Man believe in following the rules.

So it pains me

to tell you that one of our most important rules

has been broken by the very men we entrust to enforce them.

Chief McCone and his Hunters.

And that rule is

we protect the Runner’s family from harm.

No one would play if we didn’t.

We thought it only fair to let Richards

administer the penalty for this grave infraction.

As we go live to Richards, we pray he has what it takes.

Hey, Richards.

You making coffee?

Yeah.

How do you take it?

Altitude alert.

Remote pilot engaged.

Disengaged.

Altitude alert.

Remote pilot engaged.

And then...

there was one.

Three Hunters down.

But the deadliest among them is still somewhere on this jet.

He took the other parachute. I couldn’t stop him.

Strap that on.

Keep your head down.

The prey has become the predator.

McCone is trapped.

Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.

Mr. Richards is checking

all of the Flying-V’s executive toilets.

That’s four.

The fuse has been lit.

It’s just a matter of time.

Okay, here we go.

The moment of truth.

Six, bitch.

Uh-oh.

That’s got to be disappointing.

The tension is higher than ever,Running fans.

It all comes down to this.

Ben!

Whoa!

No!

You want to know who’s stopping you from seeing your kid again?

You!

That had to hurt!

No!

Oh, no.

Richards has taken a savage blow--

Shut the fuck up, Bobby!

If this is how they fire me, what do you think they’ll do to you?

Chump.

You think you’re the only Runner ever got offered a deal?

You think surviving two weeks and change makes you big shit?

Try 29 days.

What’s more likely?

A. I killed your family.

B. Killian sold you just the right lie

to get a bloodbath season finale.

Or c. You’re too fucking stupid to figure it out?

Take it from someone who took the deal

to be a Hunter instead of the hunted.

The only time you’ll ever see your family again

is when they torture them in front of you.

Fuck with your head enough

to make you wanna kill it all away.

You’re full of shit.

You’re all full of shit.

The truth is...

...I’m doing you a favor.

Cabin pressure compromised.

Emergency doors disarmed.

Hey, Killian!

You think I need a gun to waste this loser?

You outran Fate.

You can’t hide from Destiny!

This is my show now!

Do it, tough guy! See if I twitch.

That’s game.

Can I borrow your scarf?

Uh-huh.

Emergency doors disarmed.

Cabin pressure compromised.

Let’s get you back on the ground.

Door two unlocked.

The chute should open on its own.

But if it doesn’t, just let her rip.

When you get on the ground, just run like hell.

Don’t look back.

When I tell you,

you’re gonna pull that down all the way.

I’m sorry they did this to you!

I did it to myself.

It’s a sign! I’m not supposed to--

Stop fucking filming me!

Assholes!

Richards lives, ladies and gentlemen!

Keep going, kid! You’ve got this.

Ben Richards, you are the man.

We have command of the jet.

Our best trauma surgeons are already on the tarmac,

ready to patch you up as good as new.

But wait!

Making his Free-Vee debut with a special message,

the creator ofRunning Man,

super producer Dan Killian!

Mr. Richards, we here at the Network

believe you embody the raw strength

and salt-of-the-earth, moral backbone

this country stands for.

And we want... no...

we need to see more.

This summer, Ben Richards is...

Hunter Six!

Congratulations, Ben.

And welcome to the Network family.

I already got a family.

Did you kill them or not, Dan?

Fuck you, Dan!

Give it up for Dan Killian!

Come on, Ben.

We’re live.

How many times do you get to tell

two billion people how you really feel?

How does it feel to be a hero, Ben?

Nothing I’ve done on the show makes me a hero.

I tried to be a hero once,

and they blacklisted my ass.

My daughter got sick.

And this is the only job I could get.

Seems like the whole point of Free-Vee

is to make us hate each other

so they can keep stealing from us

while we fight in the mud.

You want the truth?

Turn it off.

We are all being fucked by the Network.

Find out who really runs it.

Record, report them.

Get their names.

You just met one of them. Dan Killian.

You remember that face.

Don’t watch Free-Vee.

Watch who pays for it.

Turn it off.

Turn it--

Great speech.

Too bad I’m the only one who saw it.

We’ve been on an ad break since you said

nothing you did on the show made you a hero.

You think it was worth it?

You think your little rant makes you a martyr?

We’re going live again in 30.

And this time, you’ll play your part,

because if not, I’m gonna run this instead.

I told you I was gonna burn this building down

and everyone in it!

That was fast.

Work with me, Richards. Don’t throw your life away.

Don’t make me fly that jet into the Network Building.

They’ll blow you out of the sky.

Are they dead or alive, Dan?

Who? My family!

Who cares? If I told you they were alive, would you even believe me?

We are live in five...

four... three... two... one.

Okay, have it your way.

I told you, I was gonna burn this building down

and everyone in it!

I will see you in hell

and laugh in your face!

Altitude alert.

Ben, are you insane?

There’s 5,000 innocent people in this building!

Remote pilot engaged.

Look at what you’ve done.

You happy?

I told you I was gonna fuck you up.

Yeah.

Warning. Collision alert.

Remain calm, everyone.

The NCG will blow him out of the sky!

Missile inbound.

Missile inbound.

Okay, true believers.

Let’s wind that back.

Ben Richards! Legend.

The Network wants you to think that on day 18 of his run,

after taking out all five Hunters,

the longest-surviving contestant since season one

committed suicide by surface-to-air missile.

The Apostle calls bullshit.

First of all, they cut to ads six minutes earlier than usual

and ran them for twice as long.

They must’ve needed the time to write this fake-ass shit.

I will see you in hell and laugh in your face!

And then, they swapped the crowd.

Where’d purple-shirt guy come from?

Season five, episode 13 to be exact.

That’s how dumb the Network thinks we are.

Their vile distortions meant none of us knew the truth

about what happened on that jet!

Until a revolutionary riot girl found the jet’s black box

on the roof of her Co-Op.

Her uncle hacked the audio, duped,

distributed and put it on blast.

Turn it off.

And goddamn it, did we ever.

The Network wasn’t about to give us the gospel,

so we learned how to give it to each other.

Ben lit the fuse andThe Truth exploded like a nuclear blast

before the Network even knew it existed.

Don’t watch Free-Vee. Watch who pays for it.

But questions remain about that fateful night.

Keep going, kid!

Did the Hunters really assassinate Ben’s family?

Did Killian sell him just the right lie

for a bloodbath season finale?

And the big one on everyone’s mind:

Did Ben survive?

The Apostle’s research reveals that one of the Flying-V Mark 2

state-of-the-art safety features

was a crew escape pod

just about the size of this so-called debris.

Did Ben cheat death one last time?

Stop filming me!

The Network won’t say. But one thing’s for sure.

Richards lives! Richards lives!

He’s still here, you shit-eaters!

Attention, shoppers.

Our store will be closing in 30 minutes.

Please make your final selections

and proceed to the front registers.

And the belly.

Thank you for shopping with us today.

Yeah.

And what else do we need?

Oh, my God. These are adorable.

Oh, no, sorry, those aren’t mine.

That guy outside bought them for you, Mrs. Richards.

Groceries, too.

That’s...

not my name.

Richards lives!

Richards lives!

Richards lives!

Richards lives!

Richards lives!

Richards lives!

Richards lives! Richards lives!

Goddamn, Richards!

You are indeed a tough act to follow. Thirty seconds!

Where do you think you’re going? You don’t hear that?

I’d say that’s some valuable audience feedback, Dan.

No. You get back out there and you do your job!

How about you do my job?Hey.

Been crushing the ratings for 20 years. I own that audience.

You don’t think I can turn this around?

You’re the one who wanted to make him a star, Dan. Mission accomplished.

It’s his show now.

You think you can just walk?

Sweeties, please.

Take another look at my contract.

Page 42, paragraph 6.

There’s a special clause

in the smallest of print that reads

"Fuck you!"

Ten seconds! Ten seconds, Dan.

Coco! Come on, let’s go.

You know what? Fuck that! This is my house.

I set the rules. Max the theme, drown them out.

Sir, are you sure this is...?

Play the theme, right now.

Fuck you, Dan!

Season seven, let’s go!

Burn it down!

Kill him!

Mr. Killian! No, Mr. Killian, this way!

Fuck!

Richards lives! Turn it off!

Richards lives! Turn it off! Richards lives! Turn it off!

In five...

four...No.

...three...

No.

...two...

one.

And action.