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Manorfire · 01-06-2007, 05:18 AM

In Stephen King's novella 'The Long Walk', (originally published under his Richard Bachman pseudonym) the characters engage in a ghastly sporting event known as, well, The Long Walk.

This is how the story goes: 100 adolescent males, beginning near the Canadian border in Maine, walk south along the highway, probably US-1. Carefully monitored at all times is their speed - they must constantly walk at 3MPH (IIRC). If they drop below that, even for a few seconds, they are issued with an official warning...and it being Steven King, after three of these warnings, they are shot immediately on the spot.

You can see the motivation to keep walking.

The last person alive wins and can name their prize: a billion dollars, fame, fortune, whatever they like. Such is life for the people in this crazy and evil totalitarian state that it's the only way to get ahead. Overpopulation, high unemployment, and a lack of opportunities for young males means that such a quest seems desirable, right?

In King's book, the competitors, curiously enough for young males, don't really turn up fully prepared for their gruelling test. Some even make poor preparation choices!

So, how would you win The Long Walk?

Other rules to note:

1. You can have warnings removed by maintaining the minimum speed for a hour uninterrupted. So it's possible to get dozens of warnings, but never get shot, if they're evenly spaced out.

2. You are supplied with basic rations three times a day, on a belt you carry around your waist. You're given all the water you want.

3. You cannot physically interfere with the other competitors or spectators, nor can they with you. However, you can otherwise freely talk amongst yourselves. Shooting anybody with a 9mm pistol up your sleeve definitely counts as "interference".

4. Armed soldiers line the streets ensuring that you cannot leave the course. There is no excuse for stopping, even if you have to take a crap. Another warning is issued for every 1 minute you stop. The Long Walk is not delayed for any reason whatsoever, and carries on day and night until a winner is determined. The road ahead is cleared, so you're not dodging cars or anything like that.

5. The only standard that matters is maintaining the minimum speed - no extra credit for walking any faster. There is no finish line, no benefit to being ahead of anyone else, no set course length. It is a pure test of endurance and the walk continues until 99 people are shot. Therefore, it is theoretically possible to be the last one in line for all of the event and win.

6. You can bring stuff with you, if you want: a rucksack, other food if you don't like the rations, your iPod - anything you like as long as you carry it yourself, while walking, and you don't break the other rules. Similarly, you can wear what you want.

7. If you're a wheelie, you'll have to sit this one out, while waiting for the thread on King's 'Running Man' game.

01-06-2007, 05:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Manorfire Upright Location: England	How would you win the Long Walk? In Stephen King's novella 'The Long Walk', (originally published under his Richard Bachman pseudonym) the characters engage in a ghastly sporting event known as, well, The Long Walk. This is how the story goes: 100 adolescent males, beginning near the Canadian border in Maine, walk south along the highway, probably US-1. Carefully monitored at all times is their speed - they must constantly walk at 3MPH (IIRC). If they drop below that, even for a few seconds, they are issued with an official warning...and it being Steven King, after three of these warnings, they are shot immediately on the spot. You can see the motivation to keep walking. The last person alive wins and can name their prize: a billion dollars, fame, fortune, whatever they like. Such is life for the people in this crazy and evil totalitarian state that it's the only way to get ahead. Overpopulation, high unemployment, and a lack of opportunities for young males means that such a quest seems desirable, right? In King's book, the competitors, curiously enough for young males, don't really turn up fully prepared for their gruelling test. Some even make poor preparation choices! So, how would you win The Long Walk? Other rules to note: 1. You can have warnings removed by maintaining the minimum speed for a hour uninterrupted. So it's possible to get dozens of warnings, but never get shot, if they're evenly spaced out. 2. You are supplied with basic rations three times a day, on a belt you carry around your waist. You're given all the water you want. 3. You cannot physically interfere with the other competitors or spectators, nor can they with you. However, you can otherwise freely talk amongst yourselves. Shooting anybody with a 9mm pistol up your sleeve definitely counts as "interference". 4. Armed soldiers line the streets ensuring that you cannot leave the course. There is no excuse for stopping, even if you have to take a crap. Another warning is issued for every 1 minute you stop. The Long Walk is not delayed for any reason whatsoever, and carries on day and night until a winner is determined. The road ahead is cleared, so you're not dodging cars or anything like that. 5. The only standard that matters is maintaining the minimum speed - no extra credit for walking any faster. There is no finish line, no benefit to being ahead of anyone else, no set course length. It is a pure test of endurance and the walk continues until 99 people are shot. Therefore, it is theoretically possible to be the last one in line for all of the event and win. 6. You can bring stuff with you, if you want: a rucksack, other food if you don't like the rations, your iPod - anything you like as long as you carry it yourself, while walking, and you don't break the other rules. Similarly, you can wear what you want. 7. If you're a wheelie, you'll have to sit this one out, while waiting for the thread on King's 'Running Man' game.