The Running Man
by Stephen King
Contents
…Minus 029 and COUNTING… The first-class compartment was long
Overview
Richards enters the cockpit of the seized plane and confronts a crew that believes he may doom them all. With the jet preparing for takeoff, Richards escalates his bluff by demanding that McCone and Amelia board the aircraft or face destruction.
The chapter tightens the standoff into a final gamble: Richards knows that asking for Amelia may expose weakness, but he commits anyway, forcing McCone to decide whether to call him or comply.
Summary
Richards moves through the luxurious first-class compartment of the commandeered plane, noting the parachute pack in seat 100 and the galley coffee before entering the forward crew area. The radio operator and navigator regard Richards with open hostility, and the navigator bluntly says Richards is going to get everyone killed.
Richards reaches the cockpit and meets Flight Captain Don Holloway and co-pilot Wayne Duninger. Holloway remains controlled and observant, while Duninger is openly resentful. Richards asks whether the cockpit is patched through to McCone and orders the crew to continue preflight preparations within five minutes.
Duninger eagerly asks whether Richards wants the rear loading door’s explosive bolts armed, but Richards shuts him down. Knowing the bluff must be pushed to its limit, Richards asks communications man Kippy Friedman to connect him to McCone.
After a tense silence, McCone comes on the line. Richards raises the stakes by ordering McCone to bring Amelia and board the plane within three minutes, threatening to pull the ring if they do not comply. Duninger reacts with terror, and Richards waits to see whether McCone has the nerve to challenge the bluff.
Who Appears
- Ben RichardsWounded fugitive who commandeers the plane and escalates his bluff against McCone.
- McConeNetwork security figure contacted by Richards and ordered to board with Amelia.
- Don HollowayFlight captain who remains controlled while preparing the aircraft under threat.
- Wayne DuningerCo-pilot who resents Richards and becomes terrified by the boarding demand.
- Kippy FriedmanCommunications man who patches Richards through to McCone.
- AmeliaOffstage hostage figure whom Richards demands McCone bring onto the plane.