THE RUNNING MAN (1987)
Last edited
5 May 1998
The Running Man – TITLES
Based on the novel “The Running Man” by Richard Bachman
Screenplay by Steven E. deDouza
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser
INTRODUCTION
By 2017 the world economy has collapsed. Food, natural resources and
oil are in short supply. A police state, divided into paramilitary
zones, rules with an iron hand. Television is controlled by the state
and a sadistic game show called “The Running Man” has become the most
popular program in history. All art, music and communications are
censored. No dissent is tolerated and yet a small resistance movement
has managed to survive underground. When high-tech gladiators are not
enough to suppress the people’s yearning for freedom……more direct
methods become necessary.
HELICOPTER OVER CITY AT NIGHT
Over Military-Radio
Yankee-nine-niner. What are your co-ordinates?
Ben
Zero-two-zero, flight level one-five. We’re above release point echo-
bravo-one.
Over Military-Radio
Move in and check it out.
Ben
Roger. Moving in. Food riot in progress. Approximately fifteen-hundred
civilians. No weapons evident.
Over Military-Radio
Proceed with plan alpha. Eliminate anything moving.
Ben
I said the crowd is unarmed! There are lots of women and children down
there! All they want is food for-gods-sake!
Over Military-Radio
As you were Richards. Proceed with plan alpha. All rioters must be
eliminated.
Ben
The hell with you I will not fire on helpless people! Abort mission. We
return back to base.
Over Military-Radio
Lieutenant Saunders do you copy?
Saunders
Affirmative
Over Military-Radio
Take Command. Detain Richards and proceed as ordered
MILITARY PERSONAL IN HELICOPTER ATTACK BEN
Military Passengers
What the fuck are you doing!?! Get him! God damn it! We’re losing it,
tipping over!
Saunders
I got it! I got control! They said detain him, don’t drop him.
Military Passenger
Richards, your going to fry for this.
Another Military Passenger
And I’ll see you in hell.
BEN KNOCKED OUT BY BUTT OF GUN
WILSHIRE DETENTION ZONE (18 months later)
(outdoors)
Guard #1
C’mon, keep digging.
Guard(Charley)
What’s the hold up?
Guard #1
This ones had it.
A GUARD REMOVES DEAD PRISONER’S RESTRAINT COLLAR
Guard (Charley)
Watch the detonator.
Guard #1
Get that garbage out of here. Move!
Guard #1
Hey Charley, did you see the running man last night?
Guard (Charley)
I never miss it. Even won five hundred bucks.
Guard #1
Lucky bastard
Guard #3
Work crew coming through
Guard #4
Prisoner transfer, from post.
Guard (on telephone)
Ok, hang on. Lenny? This is East perimeter. The fresh meat just got
here. Shut down the deadline.
Guard (Lenny)
Affirmative. Shutting down now. Stand clear.
Security System
Access code pending. Verified. Perimeter deactivated. Sonic deadlock is
down. Sonic deadlock is down.
GUARDS INSTRUCT THE GROUP OF PRISONERS
Guard #4
Ok ass-hole, move it.
Guard #3
Move it. Lets go.
Guard #4
Let’s go!
Guard #3
Get off the land or lose your head.
(indoors)
Guard (on telephone)
East perimeter here. Your prisoners are all in compound. We’re clear.
Guard (Lenny – using a suitcase-computer)
Affirmative. Activating deadline. [turns to Weiss] What are you looking
at? Get out of here.
Security System
Sonic deadline is up. Sonic deadline is up. Prisoner restraint collars
armed. Prisoner restraint collars armed.
BEN AND LAUGHLAN START FIGHTING
CHAOS ERUPTS AS PRISONERS ATTACK THE GUARDS
WEISS GRABS SUITCASE-COMPUTER
Ben (to a guard he lifts up by the groin)
Give you a lift?
Laughlan
Get it open.
Weiss
I got it, I got it.
Laughlan
Repeat the code.
Weiss
I did. Six, five, three… shit! It’s not working.
Ben
You’re a hell of an actor Laughlan.
Laughlan
Who’s acting?
Ben
Well you’re still alive aren’t you?
Laughlan
Use that code.
Weiss
Ok.
Ben
Weiss, what’s the hold up? C’mon!
Weiss
The linking computer’s denying the code. It must be the walls in here,
it’s blocking the signal. It’s not happening.
Ben
Then we try it outside. Move!
(outdoors)
Another Prisoner
Open the gate! Open the gate!
Ben
Go ahead! Do it! Shut off the deadline or we all lose our heads!
Weiss
Systems functioning. Must be an encryption lockout. Damn!
Security System
Perimeter deactivated. Perimeter deactivated. Prisoner restraint
collars armed. Sonic deadlock is up. Sonic deadlock is up.
Chico
All right! All right!
Another Prisoner
Not yet…Chico! Chico! Amigo!
Ben
Come back! The deadline’s still up.
Weiss
He’s not going to make it. That collar’s gunna blow.
Ben
Chico!
BOOM! CHICO’S RESTRAINT COLLAR BLOWS HIS HEAD OFF
Security System
…Sonic deadlock is up. Prisoner restraint collars armed. Perimeter
deactivated. Perimeter deactivated. Perimeter deactivated. Perimeter
deactivated.
PRISONERS RUN FREE
LOS ANGELOS JUNKYARD
HUGE TV
Female Announcer
Remember, zone passes are required at all times. Display passes
properly. All inter-zone day workers with zone passes are reminded that
curfews begin at midnight. Anyone without a valid zone card after
midnight will be permanently detained. Cadre kids, don’t forget October
is bonus recruitment month, earn a double bonus for reporting a family
member. ICS your entertainment and information network remind you
seeing is believing.
Damon
What’s the number one television show in the whole, wide world?
Studio Audience
The Running Man!
Damon
Yes!
Phil
Yes, it’s The Running Man. Four hundred square blocks of game-zone…
Stevie
You guys wanna buy a hot stereo?
Laughlan
Stevie.
Stevie
Laughlan. Glad you guys made it.
HUGE TV
Phil
…network stalkers giving criminals, traitors, and enemies of the
state, exactly what they deserve. I’ll be tuned to eleven on ICS
channel one. Produced in co-operation of the zone core department of
justice, all rights reserved. The Running Man, America’s favourite game
show.
Female Announcer
A child, your child, happy, loving, caring…
INSIDE CARAVAN WITHIN LOS ANGELOS JUNKYARD
MIC WORKS ON REMOVING LAUGHLAN’S RESTRAINT COLLAR
Laughlan
Do you believe this shit? Twenty-four hours a day.
Mic
Seven days a week.
Ben
Don’t listen to it.
Laughlan
I worry about the kids. The network shuts down schools. The kids are
either in hiding or getting basic training, brain-washed by the TV.
Weiss
We can jam the network once we find the up-link to the satellite, then
we’ll broadcast the truth.
Ben
The truth, hasn’t been very popular lately.
Mic
Can’t find the code or the up-link. Don’t know where the network hid
something that big, but they managed. Er Stevie, would you mind?
Goodbye my lovely.
BOOM! RESTRAINT COLLAR THROWN IN AS SAFE WHERE IT BLOWS UP
BEN SITS IN CHAIR TO HAVE HIS COLLAR REMOVED
Mic
Your one of the cops who locked up all my friends, burned my songs.
People like you took this country, and turned it into a jail.
Laughlan
We don’t want his death on our hands.
Mic
He’s a cop. He’s the Butcher of Bakersfield.
Weiss
C’mon Mic. Now you can see through that crap. It’s network propaganda.
Laughlan
We don’t know that.
Weiss
We know we wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t helped us.
Laughlan
We also know he’s not one of us.
Mic
Perhaps now he’s seen too much.
Ben
I’ve seen to much? All I’ve seen is a bunch of low foreheads who think
they can change the world with dreams and talk. It’s too late for that.
If you’re not ready to act give me a break and shut up.
Mic
Nothing worth losing your head over though, aye?
Ben
You got it.
ROAD LEAVING LOS ANGELOS JUNKYARD
UTILITY VEHICLE ARRIVES
Laughlan
Well, there’s your ride. It’s all set.Ben
Whoa, nothing like first class.Mexican Guy
Senorita, senorita. You want to come in? Yeah. Hey, you too?
Ben
I guess this is it. Now you, Weiss, stay out of the national database.
And you, Laughlan, stop trying to teach the constitution to the street
punks. See you at the ten year prison re-union.
Weiss
You can still join us if you want to.
Ben
No thank you. My brother’s going to get me out of the city. Plus I’m
not into politics, I’m into survival.
Laughlan
Nowadays friendship’s the same thing.
Ben
Laughlan, save it for the written test. Good luck.
Laughlan
Yeah, to all of us.
BEN LEAVES ON THE BACK OF UTILITY VEHICLE
OUTSIDE ICS BUILDING
DAMON ARRIVES IN A RED LIMO AND WAVES TO CROWD
ICS BUILDING ENTRANCE
WALKING TO ELEVATOR
Damon
Brenda have you got this weeks ratings or do I have to guess.
Brenda
They’re the same as last week and those were the same all last month. I
guess we’ve just peeked, but it’s not like withdrawal.
Damon
Not with you, beautiful sweet-heart. Woooooh!
Cleaner
Oh, I’m sorry Mister…
Damon
That’s okay, what’s your name.
Cleaner
Stan.
Damon
Stan, you’re doing good work, your works beautiful. Don’t worry.
Cleaner
Thank you.
Damon
Ok?
Cleaner
Thank you.
IN ELEVATOR
Damon
Brenda if that ass-hole is mopping the floor tomorrow you will be
mopping it for the rest of the week. [to Sven] Let’s go!
AMBER’S APARTMENT
BEN UNLOCKS DOOR TO APARTMENT
Door Lock
Security code acceptedBEN ENTERS APARTMENTBen
Edward?BACKSTAGE AT ICSBrenda
Damon, were you down in wardrobe yet? They’ve got your new jackets.
They’re fantastic!
Damon
Who chose the colours? Hey. How are my people today?
One ISC Employee
Fine sir.
Damon
Haha, you’re looking good. Love that unif…Tony! Tony! What have you
got for me?
Tony
Damon, thank god. The justice department’s been calling every ten
minutes.
Damon
Just give them an evasive answer. Tell them to go fuck themselves. You
got my coffee? I wanna know what we got all right?
Tony
All right, let’s see.
AMBER’S APARTMENT
AMBER ENTERS
Amber
Lights. (softly) Oh God. Kitchen, toast and coffee. ICS, channel one.
AMBER BEGINS DOING SIT-UPS INFRONT OF HER TV
AMBER’S TV:Captain Freedom
Are you ready for pain? Are you ready for suffering? If the answer is
yes, then you’re ready for Captain Freedom’s Work-out. Phil
Yes it’s America’s own, Captain Freedom. Ten time national champion.
The greatest stalker to ever play the game. All right now all you
runners, ready, get set, go!
TV News announcer
We interrupt Captain Freedom’s Work-out to bring you this urgent news
bulletin.
Female News Reporter
The city police are engaged in a door-to-door search for a Benjamin A.
Richards. Known as the Butcher of Bakersfield, Richards, a former
police officer, was the helicopter pilot who went berserk eighteen
months ago firing without warning on a crowd of innocent civilians.
If you see this man do not approach him, contact your local law
enforcement agency. He is considered armed and dangerous. We will now
return…
BEN PUTS A HAND OVER AMBER’S MOUTHBen
Don’t make a sound, you understand? Who are you? A friend of my
brothers?
AMBER SLAPS BEN’S HAND AWAY
Amber
What are you talking about? Ben
This is his apartment.Amber
I moved in last month. They said the last tenant was taken away
for…Ben
…yes…Amber
…for re-education.
AMBER IS CHASED AROUND HER APARTMENT
Amber
Help! Are you the man!?! He’s entered and is in my house! And Butcher
of Bakersfield is in my bathroom!
Captain Freedom (on Amber’s TV)
That’s the ticket, no pain, no gain.
AMBER IS CAUGHT BY BEN
Amber
Let go of me! Let go! Let go!
Ben
Listen to me because I’m only going to say this once. This is all a
lie, I was framed, I’m completely innocent.
Amber
Yeah sure.
Ben
Now be quiet and stay still. I’m out of here in five minutes.
AMBER’S TELEPHONE RINGS
Answering machine
Hi, this is Amber. I’m not home right now, I’m out somewhere having a
wonderful time with glamorous people at fabulous places. So, when you
hear the tone contain your jealousy and leave a message. (beep)
AMBER IS CHASED AROUND APARTMENT AGAIN
BACKSTAGE AT ICS
A COMPUTER SCROLLS THROUGH PROFILES OF CRIMINALS
Computer
Baby-face March.
Damon
Are you kidding me? Next.
Tony
How’s this one? Case one-fourteen. School teacher. Killed his wife and
mother-in-law at a faculty dinner with a steak knife.
Damon
See I like that quality. He’s the sort that the neighbours say ‘such a
nice man and never too busy to say ‘hello”. But look at him he weighs
a hundred and twenty pounds, he wouldn’t last thirty seconds. Who else?
Brenda
What about those bank robbers? The ones that made that suicide pact.
Damon
Did they commit suicide?
Brenda
Obviously not Damon.
Damon
Then they’re unreliable.
Tony
I got a friend at a talent agency, maybe they’ve got an axe-murderer or
something…
DAMON’S ATTENTION DRAWN TO A TV IN THE NEXT ROOM
Damon
Hello Gorgeous.
Tony
…somebody with stamina.
Damon
Tony. Tony. Pipe that feed in here now! Take a look at this. This is
footage of yesterday’s prison break. Hey. Look! Look at that mother
move. Is he beautiful? Who is he?
Tony
Are you kidding? That’s Ben Richards.
Damon
The cop from the massacre. Sensational. Perfect contestant. I want ‘im!
Brenda
You can’t have him.
Damon
Why not?
Brenda
Damon, you know our contract, we never get military prisoners.
Tony
Who’s a military prisoner? He’s still at large.
Damon
Yeah, well they’ll get him for me. Cadre’s can’t have it both ways.
They want ratings, I can get ten points for his biceps alone. Hello?
This is Killian. Get me the justice department, entertainment division.
No hold that. Operator, get me the president’s agent.
AMBER’S APARTMENT
AMBER IS TIED TO BENCH
Ben
What is this?
Amber
It’s my synthesiser set-up. I’m a musician. Well I’m really…I’m
really…a singer. I…I…I write music for the network. Have you
heard the theme song ‘You give me joy, you give me strife’? Well I
wrote that.
Ben
You must be very proud of yourself.
Amber
It’s really nothing.
BEN SEARCHES THROUGH A CARDBOARD BOX IN A CUPBOARD
Ben
Look at this. They’re all on a censored list. And look what we have
here. This looks like black-market clothing. And you wrote the network
jingle.
Amber
Come on. Everybody does it.
Ben
Money. That’s what I need, money.
Amber
That money’s not going to do you any good. You won’t be able to do
squat. You don’t have a travel pass.
Ben
You do. (Ben un-clips travel pass from one of Amber’s shirts) Now I do.
BEN PRESSES KEYS ON AMBER’S COMPUTER
Ben
Let’s see. Now where should we go. Maybe some place warm. I need to
work on my tan anyway. You see you get so pale in prison. Here you are.
Good. Now, I’m going to untie you, and your going to get dressed, and
your going to come with me.
Amber
Oh yeah? Well why should I?
Ben
Because I’m going to say ‘please’.
BEN LIFTS AMBER AND BENCH UP OFF FLOOR WITH ONE ARM
Amber
Well why didn’t you say so?
AIRPORT
(indoors)
Female Announcer (over PA)
All flights from Toora, Toteral and Medelinburgh are on schedule.
Flights Anacon to Chile are delayed several hours. All Nidus flights
are cancelled until further notice. Passengers are reminded to have
your travel pass ready before boarding…
Amber
You’ll never pull this off you know. You’re unarmed, out-numbered. Face
it, you’re screwed. So why don’t you forget about all this and turn
yourself in?
Ben
You know, you have a very negative attitude. And remember, I can break
your neck like a chicken’s.
Travel Pass Guard
Travel pass.
Ben
What a beautiful day today. I can practically taste the Pina Colada’s
already. Right, sweet-heart?
Travel Pass Guard
Miss.
Ben
Oh you didn’t put it in your purse again did you? Last vacation she put
my credit cards in there and we couldn’t find them for a week. Oh dear.
[to Travel Pass Guard] Could you hold on to this please?
Impatient Lady (behind them in cue)
You wanna move it up there? We’ve got a plane to catch.
Travel Pass Guard
Go on. Go on.
Ben
Can’t live with them, and you can’t live without them.
(in shuttle bus)
Amber
I’m warning you I get sick. Air sick, car sick, I’m going to throw-up
all over you.
Ben
Go ahead, it won’t show on this shirt.
(indoors)
Amber
Help! He’s Ben Richards! He tried to kidnap me! Help!
SIRENS SOUND
Over Military-Radio
Positive ID. Benjamin A. Richards. Area one fugitive. Repeat. All
units…
(outdoors)
GUARDS CHASE BEN ACROSS RUNWAY IN A VANGuard #1
All right. We’re on him. Close it in.Guard #2
Go, go, go. Move!THEY CATCH BEN IN A NETGuard #1 (to Ben)
You move and your dead!
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
BEN IS LOCKED IN CELL
Damon
Hi cutie-pie. You know one of us is in deep trouble. Do you know who I
am?
Ben
Sure, I’ve seen you before. You’re the ass-hole on TV.
Damon
That’s funny, I was going to say the same thing about you. I saw the
video of your prison break. Sensational. Ben, I think we might be able
to help each other out. I’ve got brains and you’ve got talent. No,
you’ve got more than that, you’ve got talent, you’ve got charisma, and
you’ve got balls. That’s why I pulled a few strings to get you here.
And that’s why I’d like you to volunteer to appear on tomorrow’s
broadcast of The Running Man.
Ben
Fuck you.
Damon
Hahaha. You’re a brilliant conversationalist Ben. A trifle limited but
brilliant. Take a look.
ON A TV INSIDE CELL
Weiss
How long are they going to keep us here?
Laughlan
They’ve got Richards too.
Weiss
I hope not. Lord knows what they’d do to him.
Damon
Isn’t that your old school teacher buddy there, huh? And there’s that
other one who helped you in the prison break.
Ben
Weiss, Laughlan. What are you going to do with them!
Damon
Well, that’s really up to you, Ben. You see, I created The Running Man,
but I don’t make the rules. I’ve got a contract with the government,
they send me the convicts and I put them on the show. Well you’ve seen
it right? You know at least you’ve got a chance, but your buddies, Ben,
they’re the B-list. So if you don’t do the Running Man tomorrow, Weiss
and Laughlan are gunna go on in your place. What do you say?
PREPARATION ROOM
BEN IS RESTRAINED AND BEING GIVEN INJECTIONS
Med Tech #1
We’ll see how far this clown runs when where done with him. Starting
Barium I.V. That’s a go.
Med Tech #2 (sitting at a computer)
Reading all systems down the line. Your bird is singing loud and clear.
Med Tech #1
All systems check out.
Med Tech #3
Mandibular restraints. Inter-vanadic injection.
Ben
Aaahhh fck.
Med Tech #3
Deltoid Thyam injection. Procedure completed
Med Tech #2
That takes care of him. (short chuckle)
THROWN BACK INTO CELL
Ben
Sons-of-a-bitches.
Med Tech #1
He’s wrapped. Knock him out ’til show time.
AMBER’S APARTMENT
AMBER’S TV
Damon
These guys, they never stop competing, you get thirsty just watching
them. Now in my line of work I can’t afford that felled up
feeling…that’s why I drink Cadre Cola. It hits the spot.
Female News Reporter
The capture of renegade police officer and mass murder Ben Richards,
was filmed yesterday by runway security cameras. Richards’ hostage
Amber Mendez was unharmed. Some airport personal were not so lucky,
like the Ticket Agent and Security Guard which Richards shot at point
blank range when he arrived at the airport.
Amber (to herself)
But that’s not true.
AMBER’S TV
Female News Reporter
They were taken to CADRE memorial hospital where they remain in a
guarded condition. And now back to Climbing For Dollars.
TV
Woof! Woof! Woof! Aaaahhhh!
On screen
‘Climbing For Dollars will be right back…’
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
CELL IS OPENED
Agent
Mister Richards. I’m your court-appointed theatrical agent. It’s time.
THE RUNNING MAN STAGE
MUSIC AND DANCING
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Tony
Digital effects number one (click). Roll process mod (click).
ISC Woman
Big crowd tonight.
ISC Man
Better there than in the streets.
OUTSIDE ISC BUILDING
A CROWD OF FANS CHEER
Buzzsaw
Who’s the number one stalker?
Excited Fan
Buzzsaw. Slice those ones for me, man.
EXCITED FAN HIT IN FACE BY BUZZSAW
Excited Fan
He touched me! Did you guys see that? Buzzsaw touched me!
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Damon (to make-up guy)
Don’t touch the hair!
CORRIDOR IN ISC BUILDING
Amy (at cola can machine)
Look, do you have any more change? I ran out. Six dollars, jeez this
place. You’re lucky to be alive. I mean that guy just killed, what,
sixty, eighty, a hundred people?
Amber
Not according to him he hasn’t.
Amy
Well that’s what they all say.
BEN IS ESCORTED PAST AMBER AND AMY
Agent (reading legal contract)
…and whereas the victim can contest this, where in the network and
victim have in past been in combatants. Ad hoc defacto, the parties
here in have agreed to disagree, this is now mutually consented to be
diseur and therefore both parties have obligations to each other.
Respective rights and obligations, ‘A’ the victim has no rights, ‘B’…
Amy
Boy, you’re lucky he didn’t kill you too. Or rape you, then kill you.
Or kill you, then rape you. I mean, a guy like that, what would stop
him?
Amber
Yeah, what would. Look Amy, I..I have to pass on that drink I just
remembered that I have some paperwork to do. So I’ll catch you
tomorrow.
STAGE
Phil
..and now the producer of The Running Man, and everyone’s favourite
showman, Damon Killian.
Damon
Yeah! Thank you. Your beautiful. I love you. Yes! Your beautiful. Thank
you. Hahaha. Shhh…it’s show time!
STAGE LIGHTS UP
Damon
Now tell me, what’s the number one television show in the whole, wide
world?
Studio Audience
The Running Man!
Damon
And who loves you and who do you love?
Studio Audience
Damon!
Damon
One more time!
Studio Audience
Damon!
Damon
Yes!
APPLAUSE
Damon
Phil, my announcer. Heard the warm up today, and honestly Phil, I don’t
think I’ve ever heard you funnier. I’m just kidding guys your great at
your job, to bad it isn’t music!
BACKSTAGE
Agent
…for cassettes, video tapes, bubble-chip, or all other methods of
recording known or unknown. Sign here. Here, here. Here use my back
victim. Ahh!
BEN STABS AGENT’S BACK WITH THE PEN
Ben
Don’t forget to send me a copy.
Agent
Ahhhh!
STAGE
Damon
…the love of my life, my number one fan, Mrs McArdle. How are you
doin’?
Mrs McArdle
Just fine.
Damon
I want a kiss now, a big kiss, but remember, no tongues.
Mrs McArdle
Bless you.
Damon
Sit down little darlin’. We have one hell of a show for you tonight.
Phil, please, if you will, introduce tonight’s guest runner. And watch
that screen.
Phil
Our star runner tonight needs no introduction he is Ben Richards the
brutal slayer of sixty men, women and children in the Bakersfield
massacre.
STUDIO TV SCREEN
Ben (in helicopter over city at night)
Food riot in progress. Approximately fifteen-hundred civilians. Moving
in.
Over Military-Radio
Yankee-nine-niner, the crowd in unarmed. Repeat unarmed. Abort attack.
Acknowledge, Yankee-nine-niner.
Ben
The hell with you!
Over Military-Radio
Lieutenant Saunders, take command, detain Richards and return to base.
PERSONAL FIGHT
Over Military-Radio
Acknowledge, Yankee-nine-niner. Acknowledge. Return to base. Those are
innocent unarmed people down there! Cease fire! Cease fire!
HELICOPTER BEGINS SHOOTING INTO CROWD OF PEOPLE
Damon
Well, we all know the aftermath. Grieving parents, orphaned children, a
nation shocked to it’s very core. Here he is. Ready to pay the price
for our home audience, in person, the Butcher of Bakersfield!
BEN ESCORTED ON STAGE
Studio Audience
Booo!
BEN CLOTHES TORN OFF TO REVEAL A ‘RUNNERS’ OUTFIT
Studio Audience
Yey!
Damon
Now Ben Richards could have gone to prison and paid the penalty but
instead he volunteered for The Running Man…and have a chance at our
fabulous prises like a trial by jury, suspended sentence, maybe even a
full pardon like our previous winners, Wittman, Price and Hadad. You
remember them, Wittman, Price and Hadad, there they are, and at this
very moment they’re basking in the beautiful Maui sun, their debt to
society paid in full. Speaking of prises, you don’t have to be a menace
to society to be a winner, you folks in the audience, you’ll get a
chance too. Phil tell our friends what they can win today.
Phil
Damon, how about a years supply of Orgofura procreation pills, both
adult and kiddie sizes, and the latest edition of The Running Man home
game.
Damon
Ben, I know you’re just dying to get into that game-zone and show us
that same determination you showed up in Bakersfield, well first I’ve
got a little surprise for you.
BEN IS CLAMPED INTO A VACCUUM SLED
Studio Audience
Hahahaha.
Damon
Haha. We all know you’re a big, tough guy, Ben, but that doesn’t mean
that your a loner, and it takes a big man to admit that he needs his
friends. We didn’t want to break up a winning team Ben, so here they
are ready to go for broke right by your side. Ladies and gentlemen,
Ben’s buddies, Harold Weiss and William Laughlan!
Ben
Son-of-a-bitch.
Damon
You know how this works. The game-zone is divided into four hundred
square blocks, left over from the big quake of ninety-seven, and I
don’t think any of us will ever forget that one.
Studio Audience
Hahahaha.
Damon
Once inside the zone the runners have three hours, they’ve got to go
through all four game quads, three hours or less, and they’re going to
need every second because you know who’s on their tail.
Studio Audience
The stalkers!
Damon
Who!?!
Studio Audience
The stalkers!
Damon
And you know what happens then.
Studio Audience
Anything goes!
Damon
What!?!
Studio Audience
Anything goes!
Damon
Right! Without further ado, it’s time to start running!
APPLAUSE
Damon
On your marks…get set…
Ben
Killian, I’ll be back.
Damon
Only in a re-run. Go! Go!
Laughlan
You son-of-a-bitch!
Damon
Go! Yes!
THREE CONTESTANTS ARE SUCKED INTO VACUUM SLED TUBES
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
ISC Woman
All systems go.
ISC Man
Vacuum sleds passing check point one.
DOWNSTAIRS AT ISC
AMBER IS SEARCHING THROUGH DRAWS OF VIDEO CARTRIDGES AND FINDS
“BAKERSFIELD MASSACRE”
Amber (reading)
Edited for television…(reading next cartridge) Raw footage.
SHE GETS CAUGHT SNOOPING AROUND
GAME-ZONE
THREE RUNNERS REACH END OF VACUUM SLED TUBES
Hooded man (to runners)
C’mon get up!
STAGE
Damon
Edith Wiggins, come on down!
Edith
Eeeeek!
Damon
Wooh their Edith, you look like you may have done a little stalking
yourself. Now, we need you to give the name of the stalker who we send
out to hunt down those three desperate criminals. Give me ten seconds
please.
Mexican Guy (at huge TV in junkyard)
Place your bets…that’s it no more bets.
Edith
I don’t know they’re all so good.
Damon
Quickly.
Edith
Well, my husband and my little boy, they have their favourites, but I
like my men big and cuddly.
Damon
Yeah? Who is it?
Edith
Subzero!
Damon
Yeah all right. Let’s hear it for Subzero!
SUBZERO ENTERS STAGE
Phil
And now out first stalker of the evening, a CADRE trophy champion with
over thirty life-time kills. Let’s welcome the incredible ice-man who
slices his opponents limb from limb into quivering, bloody sushi,
professor Subzero!
Hooded Man (at end of vacuum sled tubes)
Move. Move it. Come on.
STUDIO TV SCREEN
Captain Freedom
Haha Damon, here in the locker-room there’s a lot of excitement here, a
lot of adrenalin. The stalkers know there’s four hundred square blocks
of game-zone out there and anything can happen in the next three hours.
I remember once when I was in the…
Damon
Ah sorry Cap, I’ve just been informed that the runners have entered the
first quad. Let’s go there now, live!
GAME-ZONE
THE THREE RUNNERS ARE CHASED BY MEN ON BIKES
Ben
Faster. Keep going.
RUNNERS COME TO A HUGE ROOM WITH AN ICE FLOOR
Mexican Guy (at huge TV in junkyard)
C’mon give me your money. Give it to me. C’mon.
Weiss
Cold.
Laughlan
What is this?
DOOR SLAMS SHUT LOCKING THEM IN
Ben
Guess they want us to stay.
SUBZERO ON ICE-SKATES KNOCKS THE THREE RUNNERS OVER
Damon (on stage)
Subzero does it again. A triple hit!
Ben
Let’s get out of here. C’mon! Weiss, c’mon!
SUBZERO TRAPS WEISS IN ICE-HOCKEY-GOAL/CAGE
Subzero
Howzat!
Damon (on stage giving prizes to Edith)
Oh look at this, an ICS home video. Yeah. And The Running Man home
version, right here.
Weiss
Look, get me out of here you guys!
Ben
Hang on Weiss, I’m coming.
Old Male (in studio audience)
C’mon big boy!
Female (watching TV in a bar)
Yeah!
Weiss
Richards? Look, get me out of here you guys! Wil, look out!
Male with moustache (in the bar)
Kill that son-of-a-bitch!
Small Crowd (in the bar)
C’mon! Yeah, Yeah!
BEN PULLS BARBED WIRE ACROSS SUBZERO’S PATH AND SUBZERO IS STRANGLED BY
IT
Studio Audience
Ohhh.
Ben (into TV camera)
Hey Killian! Here is Subzero…now plain zero.
STAGE
SILENCE
Damon
Ladies and gentlemen this is just horrible. Words cannot express what
we are all feeling at this very moment. A great champion has fallen.
We’ll be back right after these important messages.
GAME-ZONE
THREE RUNNER’S OPEN DOOR WHICH SLAMMED SHUT BEFORE
Ben
Pull!
Weiss
What the hell is that?
Ben
It’s gas. Lets get out of here. C’mon.
Weiss
I’m sure glad we took care of Subzero.
Ben
Yeah, he was a real pain in the neck.
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Damon (on telephone)
Huh?…I know…I know a stalker died. Well it had to happen sooner or
later. Yeah, well it is a contact sport, right? You see you guys are
justice, you can’t have it both ways. You want ratings, you want people
in their in front of the TV set rather than pickin’ lines. Well you
aren’t going to get that with re-runs of Gilligan’s Island…Gilligan’s
Island…Daa-Da-Da-Da…Yeah, yeah, the one with the boat!
DAMON SLAMS DOWN RECEIVER
STAGE
Studio Audience
Fireball! Fireball! Fireball! Get ‘im Buzzsaw!
Leon
I don’t know. I think maybe Dynamo, but Buzzsaw was last years
champion. I can’t decide!
Damon
Then don’t decide, Leon. Hard decisions call hard solutions. And here
are two hard-asses ready to step in and take charge. You asked for ’em
Leon, you got ’em, here they are Buzzsaw and Dynamo! Phil tell us all
about this champion tag team.
Phil
Let’s give a down home welcome to Buzzsaw, Eddie Vacowski, last seasons
leading stalker. Buzzsaw’s Hammer and Gauge chainsaws are made of
Trylon-coated Duro-steel and can cut muscle, bone, sinew, or even solid
steel!
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Damon
Well?
Brenda
Ratings just jumped eight points right across the board.
Damon
Eight?
Brenda
Make that nine points.
Damon
I love Ben Richards.
Brenda
You want another surprise?
Damon
What?
Brenda
You know that girl who was with Richards at the airport?
Damon
The one with the cute ass?
Brenda
Well this is cuter. They just caught her downstairs she was pulling the
Bakersfield video.
Damon
Sensational.
STAGE
Phil:…Dynamo!
DYNAMO SINGS IN OPERA VOICE AND THROWS ELECTRICITY LIGHTING UP HIS
“Clap if you love DYNAMO” NEON SIGN THEN AUDIENCE CHEER WILDLY
Damon
Thank you, You’re beautiful. Well, it’s been an exciting show so far
right? We’ve had shocks, we’ve had surprises, so we though why not one
more surprise. Will you please help me welcome our mystery contestant,
Miss Amber Mendez!
APPLAUSE AS AMBER STRUGGLES TO FREE HERSELF
Damon
Amber. Amber. Now I understand that your single Amber and that you live
on the West side. And not surprisingly she has flaunted the law and
traditional morality all of her life.
Amber
Go ahead, tell some lies about me now.
Damon
We don’t lie. Phil, tell us all about her.
GAME-ZONE
Ben
It’s clear. C’mon.
Laughlan
Weiss, what is it?
Weiss
The camera relay, it’s pointing into the zone, not up.
Ben
Who gives a damn? Hey, where are you going?
STAGE
Phil
..later she cheated on college exams, had sexual relationships with
two, sometimes three different men in a year, and then she met mad dog
Ben Richards. Her confederate, her lover.
Amber
That was a lie.
Damon
Dear, dear. Let’s re-unite these little love-birds. Go!
AMBER IS SUCKED DOWN VACUUM SLED TUBE
GAME-ZONE
Weiss
It’s got to be here somewhere.
Ben
You want to tell me what the hell is going on?
Weiss
All the relays are the same they point into the middle of the game-
zone. Now sooner or later they’re going to connect. Which means the up-
link to the network satellite is in there.
Laughlan
No wonder Mic’s people couldn’t find it. No one ever comes out here.
Weiss
If we can find the up-link we can crack the code.
Laughlan
If we get it to Mic the hologram will jam the network
Ben
Jam the network? Jam it up your ass! Forget this crazy up-link
business! Your going to get us all killed! We’ve got to move on! Let’s
go, move! Move! Christ.
BEN FOLLOWS LAUGHLAN AND WEISS
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
ISC Man (to Buzzsaw and Dynamo)
Stalkers we have a bead, twenty degrees north mark seven, twelve
degrees east mark two.
Fireball (out of costume)
Let’s win one for the Zero!
GAME-ZONE
Ben
Up-links, underground. Up-links, underground. If you don’t shut up I’m
going to up-link your ass, you’ll be underground. Watch out! The
lights!
Laughlan
Let’s get out of here.
Ben
Shh, some one’s coming.
BEN GRABS AMBER AND RAISES HIS FIST
Amber
Hey! Hey! Richards wait! It’s Amber!
Ben
What the hell you doing here!?!
Amber
Well, you don’t have to belt the crap out of me! You think I’m glad to
be here!?!
Laughlan
Who the hell’s this?
Ben
She’s the one who turned me in at the airport. Guess this is her
reward.
Amber
Yeah go ahead, make jokes. It’s your fault I’m here. They think I’m
helping you out. They even think I’m your girlfriend.
Ben
Well I can straighten that out. See that camera up here? I can strangle
you for the home audience.
WEISS RUNS OFF WITHOUT THE OTHERS
Weiss
Another relay.
Laughlan
Where?
Weiss
They’re out here.
Ben
Weiss!
Amber
What’s he talking about?
Ben
Weiss! Over here! Over here!
BUZZSAW COMES AT THE RUNNERS ON HIS MOTORBIKE AND THEN DYNAMO IN HIS
CAR
Laughlan
You son-of-a-bitch!
Ben
Wait! Back off! Laughlan! Let’s go!
AMBER FOLLOWS WEISS TOWARDS THE RELAY
Amber
Hey man what are you doing? Hey!
Weiss
The resistance has been trying to jam the network for five years. This
could be our chance.
Amber
Let’s go.
Weiss
No. This is more important. It’s the up-link to the network satellite.
Amber
But he’s going to find us. Weiss, come on. Weiss.
BEN AND LAUGHLAN CRAWL INTO A DAMAGED BUILDING
Ben
Over there.
Weird Echoed Voice (from the stage above?)
Who loves you and who do you love? Let me here it! Ahhhhhh. Who loves
you and who do you love? Let me here it! One more time!
BUZZSAW RIDES WITH HIS CHAINSAW TOWARDS BEN
LAUGHLAN PUSHES BEN CLEAR BUT GETS CUT HIMSELF
Ben
Laughlan! Hang on I’ve got you.
BUZZSAW LASSOES AND THEN DRAGS BEN ALONG BEHIND HIS MOTORBIKE
Damon (on stage giving Leon prizes)
…there you go Leon. And the Running Man home game.
BUZZSAW IS CATAPULTED OFF HIS MOTORBIKE BY BEN
Mexican Guy (at huge TV at junkyard)
Don’t worry. It’s a game. You’ll make more money.
Amber
Let’s get out of here, Weiss. He’s gunna find us.
Weiss
Jackpot.
Amber
What are you doing? Weiss? What’s this, Weiss?
Weiss
It’s the up-link interface. Look out. Great, hexagonal decode system,
not impossible, it’s just going to take a little time. Your name is
Amber right?
WEISS TYPES ON THE UP-LINK INTERFACE AND STARTS DECODING
Amber
Yeah.
Weiss
Ok Amber, I’m going to need you to remember these numbers. We’ve gotta
get them to Mic and the resistance.
Amber
All right, all right, I will. But then let’s go.
BEN AND BUZZSAW WRESTLE WITH CHAINSAW
Buzzsaw
I love this saw. This saw’s a part of me. And I’m going to make it part
of you!
Ben
That’s all right, keep it.
BEN SHOVES CHAINSAW UP THROUGH BUZZSAW’S GROIN
Buzzsaw
Ahhhh
WEISS READS NUMBERS FROM THE UP-LINK INTERFACE’S DISPLAY
Weiss
Eighteen, twenty four. C’mon.
Amber
Eighteen, twenty four.
Weiss
Sixty one, B. Say them. Say them!
Amber
Eighteen, twenty four, sixty one, B. Can we go now?
Weiss
Not yet.
Amber
Not yet? What do you mean, not yet?
Weiss
Seven, seventeen, seventeen, four.
Amber
Seventeen, seven, four.
Weiss
Seventeen, seventeen, four.
Dynamo
Come to me my love.
WEISS IS ELECTROCUTED BY DYNAMO’S ELECTRICAL LAUNCHER
Amber
Noooo! Aaaaaaah. No, no. Let me go! Richards!
Ben
Hey light-head! Hey Christmas tree!
Amber
Richards? Ohhhh.
DYNAMO RENDERS AMBER UNCONSCIENCE WITH ELECTRICITY AND CHASES BEN IN
HIS CAR
Dynamo
Yaaaah!
Ben
Oh shit!
Dynamo (singing in opera voice)
La, la, la, la…
Ben
Follow me light-bulb.
Dynamo
Ahh, got ya!
STUDIO AUDIENCE APPLAUSE
DYNAMO’S CAR FLIPS ON IT’S SIDE
Dynamo
Oh god! Oh god! Somebody help me! Oh cut, cut, go to commercial! Jesus
Christ! I have no power! Cut! Go to commercial!
Female Studio Audience Member
Kill ‘im!
Ben
No. I won’t kill a helpless human being, not even a sadistic scum like
you.
Studio Audience
I my god! Boooo! C’mon! Do it!
Amber
What happened to Buzzsaw?
Ben
Oh, he had to split.
Studio Audience
Boo!
Damon (on stage)
Hey what an incredible battle! Buzzsaw gone, Dynamo down, but the stalk
isn’t over ’til the fat lady sings, and the very last criminal…
PA system (backstage at ISC)
Fireball report to wardrobe at once. Fireball, you are wanted in
wardrobe.
Damon (on stage)
…and our half time show.
Ben
Laughlan, breaks over. C’mon, let’s get going.
Laughlan
I’m going somewhere but not with you. Buzzsaw took care of my
travelling arrangements.
LAUGHLAN SHOWS LARGE GASH ACROSS HIS TORSO
Ben
Oh my god.
Laughlan
Weiss?
Amber
He’s dead. But he gave me the code, the satellite up-link code.
Laughlan
The underground has a broadcast centre in quadrant four. Take her, take
her and the code, to Mic. Don’t let us die for nothing. Listen we’re
counting on ya, don’t let us down, I don’t want to be the only ass-hole
in heaven, Ben.
Ben
He saved my life. It should be me down there.
TV SCREEN IN GAME-ZONE
Damon (from backstage)
I got it? Ben. Ben, I gotta hand it to you pal. Haha. You got the whole
network in an up roar. Why, they’re shipping bi-carb to the justice
department in crates. So that’s why this little call is just between
you and I. It’s not going out on the air. Listen very carefully Ben,
how would you like a three year contract, guaranteed, a CADRE credit
line and a beach-front condo? Sound impossible? That’s the standard
deal for a network stalker. And I know real talent when I see it Ben,
and I’d just hate to see you get cancelled tonight when you could go
the distance. Say the word Ben, and you could be the one doing the
stalking. What do you think?
Ben (holding and speaking into TV camera)
You cold blooded bastard! I’ll tell you what I think of it! I live to
see you eat that contract, but I hope you leave enough room for my fist
because I’m going to ram it into your stomach and break your god-damn
spine!
BEN SLAMS TV CAMERA ON THE GROUND
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
TELEPHONE RINGS
Brenda
Damon, it’s for you.
Damon
Wh…who?
Brenda
It’s the attorney general.
Damon
Get out. Everybody out. C’mon! Move! Yes?
STAGE
Studio Audience (chanting)
…Fireball! Fireball! Fireball! Fireball! Fireball!…
Phil
And there he goes! Fireball’s on his way. And Dynamo’s down but not
out. Back to you Damon.
Damon
Hey! All right Agnus. Listen now, big chance for you now. Win a whole
lotta prizes. Ya know we’ve still got two crack stalkers out there.
Dynamo and Fireball. Who do you think will make the next kill?
Mrs McArdle
Oh boy, that’s a tough one.
Damon
Come on give it a try. You can do it. Who do you think?
Mrs McArdle
Okay…I think…the next kill will be made by…Ben Richards.
Damon
Hold it, hold it. Agnus, Richards is a runner, you’ve got to pick a
stalker.
Mrs McArdle
I can pick anyone a choose, and I choose, Ben Richards. That boy’s one
mean motherfucker.
HUGE TV SCREEN AT JUNK YARD
Gambler
Two hundred dollars on Richards. Come on two hundred on Richards. Two
hundred dollars on Richards. Come on man you gotta do it. Two hundred
dollars on Richards.
Mexican Guy
Let’s do it? Okay, you want it, you got it.
Gambler
Hey man, what have you got?
Mexican Guy
Place your bets. Place your bets, c’mon.
COLUMN DRAWN ON BLACKBOARD FOR ‘RICHARDS’ WITH ODDS ‘100-1’
GAME-ZONE
Ben
Network broadcast centre, my ass. I don’t know what Laughlan was
talking about there’s nothing out here.
Amber
My and my big mouth. We should have taken the trip to Hawaii.
Ben
I had the shirt for it, but you fucked it up.
BEN AND AMBER SPOT FIREBALL FLYING HIGH IN THE AIR WITH HIS JETPACK
Amber
Jesus Christ!
Ben
Guess again. Come on, keep up.
Amber
I’m running too fast, my feet can’t keep up.
Damon (on stage)
There we go. The number one rusher. He smells blood and nothing on
Earth is gunna stop him.
Ben
This way.
Amber
Why here? No I want to go that way. I think that…
Ben
You’re going to get us killed.
FIREBALLS FIRES HIS FLAME-THROWER AT THE RUNNERS
Amber
Ahhh! Stop it! Ahhh! Richards! Let me go!
Ben
Amber! Get out of here.
BEN THROWS BARRELS AT FIREBALL AND THEN TIPS AN OPEN ONE FULL OF LIQUID
WHICH FIREBALL’S FLAME-THROWER IGNITES BUT FIREBALL WALKS OUT STRAIGHT
THROUGH THE FLAMES
Ben (picking up a flare as he retreats)
Amber?
Amber
Richards? Richards? Richards?
AMBER COMES ACROSS THREE DECAYING CORPSES AND READS THEIR DOG-TAGS
Amber
Ahhhhhhhh! Wittman…Price…
Fireball
…Hadad.
Amber
The Running Man, last seasons winners.
Fireball
No, last seasons losers.
BEN PULLS OFF THE TUBE THAT ATTACHES FIREBALL’S FLAME-THROWER TO HIS
FUEL TANK
Fireball
Ahh my gas light! My gas light!
BEN LIGHTS THE FLARE AND THROWS IT AT FIREBALL
Ben
How ’bout a light?
Fireball
Ahhh!
BOOM! FLARE IGNITES ESCAPING FUEL AND THE TANK ON FIREBALLS BACK
EXPLODES
Ben
What a hot head.
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
PA System
Captain Freedom to wardrobe. Captain Freedom to wardrobe on the double.
Captain Freedom
Forget it Killian! I won’t do it.
Damon
It’s not a request moron, it’s an order!
Captain Freedom
I don’t need this crap! This stuff is garbage! I…I was killing guys
like this ten years ago with my bare hands! I’m not going for any of
these tricks! This is a sport of death and honour! Code of the
gladiators!
Damon
Cap, will you spare me the combat Zen speech? What the hell’s the
matter with you!?! Can’t you see what’s going on out there!?! This
isn’t a game! They’re betting on Richards up there!
Captain Freedom
Bullshit!
Damon
Get out of here! [to Sven] Get him out of here! What’s the matter,
steroids make you deaf!?! Get him out of here, now!
GAME-ZONE
Amber
Now what?
Ben
Let’s find Mic’s secret broadcast centre…if it even exists. Oh shit!
Let’s try that way.
GATES SHUT AROUND THEM
Ben
We’re trapped.
STAGE
Phil
Subzero. Fireball. And Buzzsaw. Say their names with reverend pride.
They punished crime and served the law. As patriots they died.
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Tony
This is what I hate. There’s act problems. Roll stock (click). Freeze
in digital memory (click). And…
Damon
…activate travelling map. Tony, this better work pal, or you’ll be a
digital memory.
Tony
Take it easy Damon. We’re loading Richards’ image on to the database
and when he’s mapped on to the stunt double you’ll never know the
difference. All right boys, let’s see you dance.
Damon
Sensational. I love it!
GAME-ZONE – SECRET BROADCAST CENTRE
Mic
Mister Richards, I’m surprised you were so easy caught. Welcome to the
people’s network. We’ve been waiting for you.
Ben
This is nice Mic. But it would have been nicer if you would have gotten
off your asses and helped us out there.
Mic
We couldn’t. We’d have been seen and the government would have found
this place. Laughlan, Weiss, would have died for nothing.
Amber
They didn’t. I have the up-link code.
STAGE
Damon
Woo, hoo. Ladies and gentleman I’ve just got an up date on tonight’s
incredible action. The runners have entered the final quadrant.
Phil
And Captain Freedom has hung up his announcers light and come out of
retirement. He’s suited up and ready for the final conflict.
Damon
Let’s go there now, live to the game-zone.
FOURTH QUADRANT – A MODIFIED WRESTLING RING
BEN AND AMBER FALL THROUGH SHOOTS INTO THE RING WHERE CAPTAIN FREEDOM
SNAPS AMBER’S NECK AND IMPALES BEN ON A WALL OF SPIKES
STAGE
Phil
Yes it’s all over! What a colossal fight! This is an incredible moment
in sports. Captain Freedom out of retirement and still undefeated
champion. Proving once again that right and might are one of the same.
GAME-ZONE – SECRET BROADCAST CENTRE
BEN TURNS AWAY FROM TV SCREEN
Ben
Damn that Killian!
Amber
What’s wrong? You should be happy, we’re officially dead. We can go
anywhere, do anything.
Ben
No, don’t you understand it. He’ll never let us out of here alive, they
can’t afford it. They’ll get the police, the army and hunt us down like
dogs, off camera of course.
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Tony
Ok. Dismantle all the overlays. Put the ah…digital map in the pixel
memory storage. Ya know, the damn thing worked like a charm.
Brenda
It should. Edital charged us an arm and a leg for the software. Damon,
you didn’t have to kill him!
Damon
It’s all part of life’s rich pattern Brenda, and you better fuckin’ get
used to it. That’s the one for the awards show huh? Thank you, you’re
doing nice work. I thank you. Tony, you’re finally (click) getting it.
GAME-ZONE – SECRET BROADCAST CENTRE
Ben
Guns. You don’t need guns to jam a satellite.
Mic
I do, to keep it. The minute I steal the signal, the network will try
to shunt the next one in orbit. Stevie’s group is going inside to stop
them now.
Ben
These kids? That’s a bad move Mic. They need a leader. They need
someone with experience.
Mic
I thought you were looking for the door.
Ben
I told Killian I’d be back…and I wouldn’t want to be a liar.
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Damon
Listen up everybody. I want you to all consider yourselves picked up
for the rest of the season, ok? What, are you my people or an oil
painting? Where up nine points! Come on now. [to Sven] Let’s go champ.
GAME-ZONE – SECRET BROADCAST CENTRE
Mic
We’re going to send the up-link code in twenty minutes. Ten seconds
later I’ll go on the air.
Ben
We’ll be ready.
Amber
If you want to make an impression, forget the speech. Try this instead.
Mic
What is it.
Amber
It’s the original video from the Bakersfield massacre, before they
edited for broadcasting.
Ben
Where did you hide that?
Amber
It’s none of your business.
BACKSTAGE
ISC Security Guy
Hey, what the hell!?!
GAME-ZONE – SECRET BROADCAST CENTRE
Underground Tech
Six minutes.
Mic
Begin the satellite coding sequence. Load up-link code into transponder
grid. Shunt power to main circuits. And Mister Spock you have the com.
Underground Tech
Who’s Mister Spock?
STAGE
Damon
Come on let me hear it now. Oh yeah. Ok, I’ll quickly rap up the show.
Ladies I love ya. Thank you young man. Hello, your on the air.
Female Caller
Hi Damon, my name’s Mandy. Listen I have a question about Dynamo. Is he
seriously hurt or what?
Damon
He’s going to be fine love. But fortunately enough you see, Dynamo is
still under factory warranty.
BACKSTAGE
Amber
Good luck.
Ben
You too.
STAGE
Damon
You’re on the air.
Caller
I feel so bad about the dead stalkers. Is there anyway I can send a
donation to help out their families?
Damon
Oh what a darlin’ you are. Yes, Gwenda. All you do is you send your
cheques to the patriots fund care of this station, add the number nine,
two, five…
GAME-ZONE – SECRET BROADCAST CENTRE
Underground Tech
…three, two, one. That’s it. We got it! We got that baby!
STAGE
Damon
…and those donations are tax deductable.
ON STUDIO TV SCREEN
TV DISPLAYS “KILLIAN IS LYING TO YOU!”
Recording of Damon
And who loves you and who do you love?
Recording of Audience
Damon!
Recording of Damon
Yes…yes…yes…
Female Audience Member (in studio audience)
Hey what’s going on?
Recording of Damon
We don’t lie…lie…lie…like our previous winners, Wittman, Price
and Hadad. You remember them, there they are and at this very moment
basking in Maui sun, their debt to society paid in full.
THE THREE CORPSES AMBER FOUND ARE SHOWN
Recording of Damon
Watch that screen.
THE VIDEO OF THE BAKERSFIELD MASSACRE IS SHOWN
Over Military-Radio
Yankee nine-niner, what’s the status of the crowd.
Ben
Food riot in progress. Approximately fifteen-hundred civilians, no
weapons are evident.
Over Military-Radio
Proceed with plan alpha, eliminate anything moving.
Ben
I said the crowd is unarmed! There are lots of women and children down
there. All they want is some food for-gods-sake!
Over Military-Radio
As you were Richards. Proceed with plan alpha. All rioters must be
eliminated.
Ben
The hell with you! I will not fire on helpless human beings.
BACKSTAGE AT ISC
Tony
Where’s it coming from?
Brenda
The network satellite.
Ben (background sound – the Bakersfield massacre):…abort mission. We
return to base…
Stevie
Don’t touch that dial.
STAGE
ON TV MONITOR THE VIDEO OF THE MASSACRE CONTINUES
Over Police-Radio
…Saunders do you copy?…Detain Richards and proceed as ordered.
HELICOPTER PERSONAL FIGHT
Passenger
Richards, what the fuck are you doing!?!
Damon
Ladies and gentlemen! Ladies and gentlemen, if you’ll please bare with
us, we experiencing technical difficulties.
Mrs McArdle
Bullshit!
Ben
It’s show time. Get the people out. Come on, get the people out.
THE GUARDS AND STEVIES GROUP BEGIN SHOOTING AT EACH OTHER
CORRIDOR IN ISC BUILDING
Dynamo
Thought it was pretty funny out there in the zone? What’s the matter
now bitch, why aren’t you laughing?
Amber
Because there’s nothing funny about a dickless moron with a battery up
he’s ass.
Dynamo (on top of Amber)
I’ll show you dickless.
AMBER SHOOTS SPRINKLERS IN CEILING WHICH TURN ON AND SHE MOVES CLEAR AS
DYNAMO IS ELECTROCUTED
Dynamo
Ahhhhhhhh! Ohhhhh!
STAGE
One of Stevie’s soldiers
Get out of my way!
Another of Stevie’s soldiers
Get down! Down!
STUDIO EMPTIES UNTIL ONLY BEN AND DAMON ARE LEFT
Ben (to Damon)
Hello cutie-pie. One of us is in deep trouble.
SVEN WALKS ON TO THE STAGE
Damon
Haha. Sven, do you want to talk to Mister Richards? Well?
Sven
I got to score some steroids.
SVEN WALKS OFF THE STAGE
Damon
You look pissed, Ben. Believe me you’ve got every right to be. But hey,
will ya…will you just let me explain? This is television, that’s all
it is. It’s nothing to do with people, it’s about ratings. For fifty
years we’ve told them what do eat, what to drink, what to wear. For
Christs sake Ben don’t you understand? Americans love television. They
ween their kids on it. Listen, they love game shows, they love
wrestling, they love sports, and violence. So what do we do? We give
’em what they want. We’re number one Ben, that’s all that counts.
Believe me, I’ve been in the business thirty years.
Ben
Well I haven’t been in show business as long as you have Killian, but
I’m a quick learner, and I’m going to give the audience what I think
they want.
BEN PUTS DAMON IN A VACUUM SLED
Damon
You bastard! Drop dead!
Ben
I don’t do requests.
Damon
Noooooooo! Ahhhhhhhhh!
KILLIAN SUCKED DOWN VACUUM SLED TUBE AND OUT THROUGH A CADRE COLA SIGN
WHICH EXPLODES
Ben
Well, that hit the spot.
TV AUDIENCE CHEER AND CHANT “…Richards! Richards! Richards!…”
AMBER WALKS IN, BEN AND AMBER KISS THEN THEY WALK OUT
SONG PLAYED DURING CREDIT SEQUENCE – “Running Away With You” by John
Parr
This is no game,
Standing in the dark I swear I heard you calling my name,
And I know things have changed,
No pain, no gain,
Somethin’ in your eyes just told me that this nightmare will end,
And I have found a friend
Shout it from the highest steeple,
Let it to out to all the people,
You hit the right spot
CHORUS
No more lonely nights, with a restless heart,
Roll the dice, make a brand new start,
When the world you knew got shattered,
You and me were all that mattered,
Just one way I’m going to lose this restless heart,
Running away with you
You won again,
I’ll take you in me arms and hold you ’til the fear is all gone,
And now the race is won
Shout it from the highest steeple,
Let it to out to all the people,
Hey, scream it on the loudest speaker,
Burning like the highest fever,
You hit the right spot
CHORUS
GUITAR SOLO
There’s a new horizon that we’ve both entered,
It’s out there in the distance, and it’s playing at you,
Restless heart, running away with you
You won again,
I’ll take you in me arms and hold you ’til the fear is all gone,
And now the race is won
Shout it from the highest steeple,
Let it to out to all the people,
Scream it on the loudest speaker,
burning like the highest fever,
You hit the right spot,
Running away with you
CHORUS
Roll the dice, make a brand new start,
Running away, running away with you,
Running away, running away with you,
Restless heart
VOICE OVER DURING CREDIT SEQUENCE
Phil
The Running Man has been brought to you by; Break-away para-military
uniforms, Orgofura procreation pills, and Cadre cola – it hits the
spot! Promotional consideration paid for by; Kiltem flame-throwers,
Dwainsright electrical launchers, and Hammer and Gauge chainsaws. Damon
Killian’s wardrobe by Shea Zantwan – nineteenth century craftsmanship
for the twenty-first century man. Cadre trooper and Studio guard side
arms provided by Goldchester – the pistol of patriots. Remember tickets
for ISC studio tours are always available for class A citizens in good
standing. If you’d like to be a contestant on The Running Man, send a
self addressed, stamped envelope to ISC Talent Hunt care of your local
affiliate, and then go out and do something really despicable. I’m Phil
Hilton. Good night and take care.
The Running Man – CREDITS
Ben Richards – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Amber Mendez – Maria Conichita Alonso
Laughlan – Yaphet Kott
Weiss – Marvin J. McIntyre
Mic – Mic Fleetwood
Stevie – Dweezil Zappa
Damon Killian – Richard Dawson
Subzero – Professor Toru Tanaka
Dynamo – Erland Van Lidth
Buzzsaw – Gus Rethwisch
Fireball – Jim Brown
Captain Freedom – Jesse Venture