The show The Running Man symbolizes the decay of society, as well as the divide between the crowd and the show’s creators. The crowd is either unaware that it is being manipulated or willing to be manipulated as long as it is entertained. Ben literally has to run as part of the show, and practically everyone in society chases him. Shows are measured by their run time, and The Running Man has a devoted fan base that hopes for longer run times as the contestants survive for greater lengths of time.

When Ben tells Bradley, “The game’s rigged” (161), he is talking both about the show as well as about the perverse system that it represents. Ultimately, he can’t outrun the forces chasing him, and he declines to join them. The Running Man symbolizes a race that cannot be won without great sacrifice and public support. The Running Man also represents the ways in which the corrupt system feeds itself and perpetuates its existence.

Free-Vee is the name for TV. Its wordplay has disturbing implications. Free-Vee is free, unlike most subscription models providing modern television. However, Free-Vee still has a cost. It controls the population by showing a curated