The Long Walk

...spirit of our country.

Fellow citizens,

still today, on the 19th anniversary

of the war that tore this great nation apart,

we continue our nationwide recovery effort.

Right now,

as this country watches 50 of our finest young men

prepare for the ultimate challenge,

let us join together in reflection and hope.

We give thanks for the state

and the opportunity it provides...

...for the order it has instituted

for the good of society.

May it bring us all back to prosperity.

We pray for the poor, the hungry,

the unemployed, and those without shelter.

Help us transform hardship into hope,

scarcity into abundance,

- and division into solidarity. I just...

I still don't understand.

I think you could probably still change your mind.

- I don't think it's... - (SIGHS) The back-out date was yesterday.

But they would let you.

I know it. The Major, he would...

The Major would what?

You know what the Major would say.

This is my decision, okay? Not yours.

This is the best way. It's the only way.

- If your father was here... - Okay, but he's not.

- (BRAKES SQUEALING) - ID, please.

- (BIRDS CHIRP) - (INSECTS TRILL)

You brought the baseball?

- Yeah, I just... I don't know. - I made you these.

Oatmeal chocolate chip, your favorite.

- Thanks, Mom. - (GINNIE SNIFFLES)

All right, come here, baby.

- I love you. I love you too.

- Be a good boy, okay? - Okay, I will.

- Okay. - Okay.

All right, I love you better.

No, you don't. That's a fact.

Okay. All right, I love you, Mom. Bye.

No, wait, wait!

Mom, I can't. I can't.

No! (HYPERVENTILATING)

I know.

It's gonna be okay.

- It's gonna be okay. I can't.

Mom, it's just a few days.

- I'll see you in a few days. - (SOBBING)

I know. I know. I can't. I can't.

I gotta let you go, okay?

- Okay. - Okay. All right, Mom.

Okay. Okay.

- Okay. I love you, Mom. - (CAR DOOR CLOSES)

Hey, uh, I'm Ray Garraty.

Pete. Peter McVries.

Nice to meet you.

You ready for this?

- A little jumpy... - (CHUCKLES) Yeah.

...but maybe that's good?

Hey, what do you weigh?

178.

I'm 177.

They say heavier guys get tired quicker.

- Shit. - (BOTH CHUCKLING)

Look at Superman.

Yeah, he built.

No body fat on that guy. Jesus.

He's gonna be tough to beat.

Hey, what's your name?

Stebbins.

Jesus, Stebbins.

You some kinda fitness nut?

Well, I don't think he wants to talk.

Yeah, all right. Fine by me.

I don't give a shit.

Hank Olson's the name. Walking's my game.

Uh, I'm Ray Garraty. You can call me Ray.

Peter McVries. You can call me McVries.

I'm Art Baker.

Pleasure to meet y'all.

It's fucking terrifying, ain't it?

Yeah. I ain't trying to think about it too much.

Just want to walk and maybe make some friends.

Hey. Hey, are you okay?

Me?

Yeah. You're pacing. Are you okay?

I'm just getting warmed up.

You have a few hundred miles to get warmed up

when we start. What's your name?

Curly.

Okay, Curly. How old are you?

Eighteen.

Yeah. That kid lied to qualify.

Kid, if you're a day over 16, I eat my fucking shoes.

Look at him.

Poor fucker doesn't know what the fuck he's doing here.

Now, me?

I know exactly what the fuck I'm doing here.

Gotta be aggressive.

I... I did my research on the Major.

He says you wanna win this thing,

you gotta be raring to rip.

Fuck, boys, I am raring to rip.

"Fuck, boys, I am raring to rip."

- Hey, fuck you. Just sound like

- what you said, asshole. - Raring to rip.

Yeah.

You sound like my...

my meemaw on the bowl in morning, man.

Right, guys?

The fuck is a "meemaw"?

Fuck you. (CHUCKLING) I was just fucking around.

Hey, here he comes.

Shit on a stick. It's the Major.

Sit down, boys.

- Keep hint 13 in mind. Hint number 13.

That's conserve energy whenever possible.

Yeah, shut up, Olson.

- We all read the rulebook. Now,

as I call your name, step forward and take your tags.

Put 'em around your neck,

and then go back to your place until I instruct otherwise.

Ewing, James. Number one.

Smith, Patrick. Number four.

Barkovitch, Gary. Number five.

Baker, Arthur. Number six.

White, "Curly" Adam. Number seven.

Sanders, Rank. Number 19.

McVries, Peter. Number 23.

Stebbins, Billy. Number 38.

Good luck, son.

Olson, Hank. Number 46.

Garraty, Raymond. 47.

Parker, Collie. Number 48.

Harkness, Richard. Number 49.

Fellas, line up by fives,

in no particular order.

Boys,

it takes heavy, heavy sac to sign up for this contest,

and you've all got it.

You're men now.

As you all know,

our country has been

in a period of financial struggle

since the war,

and we did the first Long Walk

all those years ago to inspire and reintegrate

the value of work ethic.

Each year after the event, there's a spike in production.

We have the means to return to our former glory.

Our problem now,

is an epidemic of laziness.

You boys are the answer.

The Long Walk is the answer.

When this is broadcast for all the states,

your inspiration

will continue to elevate our gross national product.

We will be number one in the world again!

Yeah!

Now, uh...

I'm not going to go through the whole rulebook,

but it boils down to this.

Walk until there's only one of you left.

Maintain a speed of three miles per hour.

If you fall below the speed, you get a warning.

If you can't make speed in ten seconds,

you get an additional warning.

Three warnings, you get your ticket.

Walk one hour at speed,

one warning is erased and so on.

If you step off the pavement,

you will get your ticket without warning.

The goal is to last the longest.

There's one winner and no finish line.

Any of you can win.

Any of you can do it

if you walk long and steady enough.

If you refuse to give up.

I look at each and every one of you,

and I see hope.

Now, boys,

who's set to fucking win?

- (ALL CHEERING) - I said...

- who's ready to fucking win? - (ALL CHEERING)

Luck to all, and remember,

anyone can win.

- (BLADES WHIRRING) - (DOG BARKING)

Hey, Pete.

Pretty fucking desolate.

No shit.

Thought there'd be more people, I guess.

- (PETER CHUCKLING) Major,

he doesn't allow spectators until the final stretch.

Except for the fucking locals.

Hey.

Smile, boys.