The Running Man
by Stephen King
Contents
…Minus 016 and COUNTING… “You’re dead if you do,” Killian sai
Overview
McCone’s attempt to execute Richards is stopped not by Richards but by Killian, who asserts Network authority over the Hunters. McCone’s breakdown exposes his wounded pride and limited power, while Donahue’s sudden reveal as Games Council Control shows that the Network has had deeper control inside the plane than McCone realized.
Summary
As McCone holds Richards at gunpoint, Killian warns McCone that shooting Richards would get McCone killed. McCone hesitates, steps back, and struggles to speak as his control over the situation collapses.
McCone insists he can kill Richards immediately and make everyone safe, but Killian dismisses the claim. Killian tells McCone that Richards is already under control and that Donahue could have taken Richards earlier if the Network had wanted Richards taken.
McCone, enraged by Richards’s crimes and by his own public humiliation, threatens to appeal to the Council President. Killian coldly reminds McCone who pays his salary, making clear that McCone’s authority is subordinate to the Games and the Network.
Before McCone can continue, Donahue reveals himself as Robert S. Donahue of Games Council Control. Armed with a machine pistol, Donahue orders McCone to drop his gun, exposing that another layer of Games authority has been present inside the hijacked plane all along.
Who Appears
- Ben RichardsFugitive contestant; remains under threat as Network agents fight over his fate.
- KillianNetwork executive; blocks McCone from killing Richards and asserts superior authority.
- McConeChief Hunter; enraged and humiliated, tries to kill Richards before being overruled.
- Robert S. DonahueNavigator revealed as Games Council Control; aims a machine pistol at McCone.