Stephen King: The Long Walk: Warnings

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Compares Most Common interpretation to what actually happens

Notes:
  • This lists most of the main warnings in the book with any details.
  • Page numbers are from Kindle for Windows
  • Excerpt content was copy/pasted from ePub book, and sometimes edited down to be brief and clear.
  • There are two types of Warnings
    1. Timer Warning: when walker timer counts down to 90 (first), 60 (second), or 30 (third).
    2. Violation Warning: A violation that causes walker timer to drop to 90 (first), 60 (seconds), 30 (third), or 0 (ticket) depending if walker timer is more than 90, 60, 30 or 0.
      Examples:
      1. Hindering, attacking or endangering another walker
      2. Accepting assistance from a spectator (includes food, drink, and medical assistance)
  • Timer starts at 120 seconds then counts down when walker speed in the correct direction, drops below 4 mph
  • Walking 4+ mph in the correct direction for 1 hour, removes a warning (adjusts walker timer)
    • 1 warning: timer 90 or less and greater than 60 - resets to 120 (no warnings)
    • 2 warnings: timer 60 or less and greater than 30 - resets to 90 (1 warning)
    • 3 warnings: timer 30 or less and greater than 0 - resets to 60 (2 warnings)
  • 4 Excerpts which establish that each walker has a 2-minute timer
    1. Even when you’re walking with no warnings, there’s only two minutes between you and the inside of a cemetery fence.
    2. Kid was so scared he just froze up at nine o’clock. Just couldn’t move. He took his three warnings and then at 9:02 AM they gave him his ticket.
    3. He was being second-warned, but of course he was beyond hearing, and when his two minutes were up they shot him like a dog.
    4. Two minutes you’ll have to see her, unless you should miss her in the crowd
  • These excerpts are actually oversimplified and misleading and therefore wrong, and cause people to think about warnings the wrong way.
    1. They gave you three warnings. The fourth time you fell below four miles an hour you were ... well, you were out of the Walk. You don't get warnings each time you fall below 4 mph. See above for how it really works.
    2. He hadn't expected anyone-not even Stebbins-to get a ticket until late afternoon at least. He thought of Barkovitch. All he had to do was fall below speed once in the next hour. This is wrong because Barkovitch still had maybe 10 seconds left on his timer. Falling under 4 mph would not buy him a ticket unless his timer counted down to zero.
Page Walker What happened Excerpt Most likely interpretation Actual reason warned
p016 Stebbins Slowed to test speed Warning! Warning 88! Olson: Smart. The guy takes a warning while he’s still fresh and gets an idea of where the limit is. Warned for slowing (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p019 Barkovitch Stopped to remove stone from shoe Warning! Warning 5! Barkovitch: I’ve got a stone in my shoe!. Barkovitch stopped completely and took off his shoe. He shook a tiny pebble out of it. Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p019 Barkovitch Smoothed sock Second warning, 5. He smoothed his sock carefully over the arch of his foot. Warned for not walking (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p019 Barkovitch Brush off pants Third warning, 5. Final warning. He paused to brush some road dirt from the knees of his pants. Then he broke into a trot, caught up with the group, and settled back into his walking pace. Warned for not walking (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p025 Garraty Stops to kiss a girl Hardly aware of what he was doing, he put one hand on a round buttock and squeezed gently. Warning! Warning 47! Warned for kissing a girl or touching her buttock (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p031 Curly Slowed due to leg cramp Warning! Warning 7! Curly: I’ve got a charley horse! Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p031 Curly Slowed due to leg cramp Warning! Warning 7! Third warning, 7! Curly: It ain’t no fair if you’ve got a charley horse! Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p044 Ewing Slowed due to blisters Warning! Warning 9! This is your third warning, 9! Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p051 McVries Slowed to urinate walking backwards McVries pulled a warning for slowing down too much to zip up his fly Warned for slowing down too much (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p053 Zuck Slowed due to stumbling Somebody stumbled and fell and was warned and got up and went on walking with a bleeding knee. Warned for stumbling (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p059 Zuck Slowed due to blood loss from open cut on knee Warning! Warning 100! Your third warning, 100! Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p060 Gribble Slowed to a stop while ranting at soldiers Warning! Warning 48! Gribble: I want to see the Major, goddammit! Where is he? Well, he’s a murderer! I’ll tell him right to his face! Warned for calling the Major a murderer (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p067 Travin Stopped to have many bowl movements from diarrhea Every time he squatted he picked up a warning Warned for squatting (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning), 60 (second warning), 30 (third warning), and 0 ticket, when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
Page Walker What happened Excerpt Most likely interpretation Actual reason warned
p079 Fenter Slowed due to stiff foot Warning! Warning 12! This is your final warning, 12! Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p084 Garraty Slowed while dozing Warning! Warning 47! McVries: That’s you, boy. Rise and shine. Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p086 Garraty Slowed to urinate walking backwards Warning! Warning 47! Second warning, 47! Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p088 Olson Slowed walking up the hill Warning! Warning 70! McVries: They’re playing your song, Olson Warned for walking too slow (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p089 Larson Stopped to rest Warning, 60, Second warning. Larson: I can’t walk anymore right now, okay? Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p091 Tubbins Fainted shot after the soldier left beside him had warned his unconscious body three times Ticket at 3rd warning Timer-Warned 3 times when timer reached 90, 60, 30, then ticket at 0
p101 Harkness Slowed from laughing This got Harkness laughing so hard he drew a warning. Warned for laughing (wrong) Timer-Warned: Timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p104 Rank Interfered with walker progress Rank took a swing at him—something expressly forbidden by the rules—and was warned for it. Warned for taking a swing at a walker (right) Violation-Warned: Timer dropped to 90 (first warning)
p104 Rank Interfered with walker progress Rank threw another punch. Warned for taking a swing at a walker (right) Violation-Warned: Timer dropped to 60 (second warning)
p105 Rank Interfered with walker progress Rank suddenly turned around and charged Barkovitch. Warned for charging at a walker (right) Violation-Warned: Timer dropped to 30 (third warning) for interference, not back-tracking
p121 Number 45 (wore a ridiculous loden-green trenchcoat) Slowed due to exhaustion Finally he did fall over and was warned. Warned for falling over (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
Page Walker What happened Excerpt Most likely interpretation Actual reason warned
p134 Garraty & McVries Laughing They both laughed then, long and hysterically, clutching each other and trying to keep walking at the same time. It was as good a way as any to put an end to the night once and for all. It went on until Garraty and McVries were both warned. Warned for laughing (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p137 McVries Stopped to fight soldiers McVries: Come on down here! Put down those rifles and come on down here! I’ll show you what’s funny! Soldier: Warning, Warning 61. Second warning. Warned for threating soldiers (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p137 McVries Stopped to fight soldiers McVries: Come on down here! One at a time or all at once, I don’t give a shit! Soldier: Warning! Third Warning, 61, final warning. Warned for threating soldiers (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p137 Garraty Walked in wrong direction Garraty turned and ran back, drawing his own warning. Warned for reversing direction (wrong) Timer Warning: Timer counted down to 60 (second warning). Warning not for back-tracking.
p138 Garraty Stopped to help McVries Garraty drew his own third warning Warned for not walking (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p145 Harkness Slowed from cramp in foot Harkness: I got a cramp in my foot Soldier: He stopped, kneeled, and fumbled off his loafer. Soldier: Warning! Warning 49! Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p145 Harkness Slowed from cramp in foot He was massaging his foot now. Solider: Warning! Second warning, 49! Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p145 Harkness Slowed from cramp in foot He dropped his shoe, grabbed for it, got two fingers on it, juggled it, and lost it. He stopped to pick it up and got his third warning. Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer dropped to 30 (third warning)
p157 Gribble Stopped to kiss girl Gribble put his hands over her breasts. She made no effort to stop him. He was warned Gribble was warned for touching her breasts (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p157 Gribble Stopped to kiss girl Gribble took a second warning Gribble was warned for kissing a girl (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p157 Gribble Stopped to kiss girl then a third Gribble was warned for kissing a girl (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
Page Walker What happened Excerpt Most likely interpretation Actual reason warned
p165 Baker Stopped to move bowels Baker dropped his britches and squatted. He was warned. Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p165 Baker Stopped to move bowels the soldier warn him again. Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p185 Garraty Stopped from laughing fit Garraty nearly collapsed with laughter and drew a warning. Warned for laughing (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p185 Garraty Stopped from laughing fit Garraty fell to his knees and was warned again. Warned for laughing (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p186 Garraty Stopped from laughing fit His knees buckled. McVries ripped him to his feet once more. Garraty’s collar tore. They were both warned. That’s my last warning, Garraty thought dimly. Warned for laughing (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p198 Number 38 Stopped because feet were crushed by halftrack My feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee— Soldier: Warning! Warning 38! Warned for yelling (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning), 60 (second warning), 30 (third warning), 0 (ticket) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p228 Walkers including Abraham and Parker Walked in wrong direction Several of the Walkers, Abraham and Collie Parker among them, broke for the shoulder at a dogtrot. All were warned. They were doing better than four an hour, but they were doing it in the wrong direction. Warned for walking toward shoulder (wrong) Timer-Warned because timers hit their warning thresholds
p228 Walkers including Abraham and Parker Standing The Long Walkers milled outside the restraining ropes, second warnings were parceled out Warned for not walking or not heeding first warning (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p230 Walkers including Abraham and Parker Accepted food from spectator Others were third-warned for stopping to pick up chunks of watermelon Warned for picking up chunks of watermelon and accepting outside aid (wrong) Timer-Warned because walker's timers counted down to warning thresholds
Page Walker What happened Excerpt Most likely interpretation Actual reason warned
p250 Walkers Slowed their pace under 4 mph Warnings cracked out right and left, and Garraty realized he would be getting one for his very own soon enough. He kept his eyes fixed on Olson, forcing himself to match his pace to Olson’s. Warned for walking under pace (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning), 60 (second warning) or 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p254 Olson Slowed his pace under 4 mph He began to walk off the road. He was walking at the halftrack. Soldier: Warning. Warning 70! Warned for walking at the halftrack (wrong) Timer-Warned: Since Olson is no longer walking in the correct direction, his speed in the correct direction dropped under 4 mph. He might be walking greater than 4 mph, but in the wrong direction. As soon as a walker vectors off parallel to the white-line, they drop speed measured in the correct direction. Timer-Warned because his timer counted down to 90 (first warning). Note that he didn't walk off the road. If he did, he would have gotten a ticket.
p256 Stebbins Slowed his pace under 4 mph Stebbins dropped back quickly. Soldier: Warning! Warning 88! Warned for dropping back too quickly (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p257 Garraty and McVries Garraty stopped to kneel besides Olson, and McVries stopped to get Garraty walking again He ran over to Olson and fell on his knees beside him. “Warning! Warning 47!!” “Warning! Warning 61!!” McVries was pulling at him. Warned to get walking again (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p272 Garraty Garraty stopped to move his bowels He nervously unbuckled his belt, paused, then, grimacing, shoved his pants down with one hand held protectively across his genitals, and squatted. Soldier: Warning! Warning 47! Warned for moving bowels (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p283 Garraty Slowed to let others catch up He dropped back too fast, got a warning Warned for dropping back too fast (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p290 Scramm and Mike Walked the wrong direction then stood Mike and Scramm did an abrupt about-face and began to walk toward the crowd. The two boys were warned, and as they reached the guardrails that bordered the road Warned for walking toward crowd (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p290 Scramm and Mike Stood giving finger to halftrack saying insults they about-faced smartly and faced the oncoming halftrack. Two middle fingers stabbed the air in unison. “I fucked your mother and she sure was fine!” Scramm cried. Mike said something in his own language. They took second warning. Warned for disrespecting soldiers (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p290 Scramm and Mike Sat down then sat down together, crosslegged, and began to talk together calmly. None of them looked back, not even after it was over. Warned and ticketed to sitting down (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning), then 0 (ticket) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
Page Walker What happened Excerpt Most likely interpretation Actual reason warned
p293 Garraty Stopped for leg cramp My leg, my leg, my leg! Soldier: Warning! Warning 47! Warned for sitting (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p293 Garraty Stopped for leg cramp McVries: What is it? Charley horse? Garraty: Yeah, I guess so. Keep going. It’ll be all right. Soldier: Warning! Second warning, 47! Warned for sitting, or ignoring first warning (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p294 Garraty Stopped for leg cramp Garraty dug his fingers into the frozen straps and harnesses of muscle. He kneaded. He flexed. Soldier: Warning! Warning 47! Third warning, 47! Warned for sitting, or ignoring second warning (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p322 Garraty Slowed to find Barkovitch Garraty felt a sudden urge to drop back and look at Barkovitch. He was hard to find in the dark and Garraty drew a warning Warned for dropping back (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p322 Barkovitch Slowed when stumbled Barkovitch twitched, stumbled, and was warned his third warning. Warned for stumbling (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p337 Garraty Stopped to remove shoe He knelt, took his warning, untied it, and took it off. Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p344 Garraty and McVries Tried to reach girlfriend He could see her lips form his name, and he had to reach her, had to — An arm brought him up short. It was McVries. A soldier speaking through a sexless bullhorn was giving them both first warning. Warned for stopping (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p345 Garraty and McVries Reaching to touch his girlfriend and mother Jan: Ray, I love you. He could see the words on her lips. McVries was still beside him .Second warning, blared from the loudhailer Warned for stopping, or ignoring first warning (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p345 Garraty and McVries Holding hands with girlfriend and mother He grasped them. In one hand he held Jan’s hand, in the other his mother’s hand. He touched them. It was done. Third warning for him and McVries Warned for stopping, or ignoring second warning (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p364 Baker Baker fell down and hit his head on the paving Baker collected three warnings Warned for falling and not walking (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning), 60 (second warning), and 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
Page Walker What happened Excerpt Most likely interpretation Actual reason warned
p373 Stebbins Slowed from staggering He staggered, and for only the second time since the Walk began, he was warned. Warned for staggering (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p378 McVries Slowed from staggering because of gust of wind A hard gust of wind sheeted rain across them, and McVries staggered. He drew a warning Warned for staggering (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p381 Garraty Fell down His vision blurred and his feet tangled up and he fell down. The pavement was hard and shockingly cold and unbelievably restful. He was warned twice before he managed to pick himself up Warned for falling down (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 90 (first warning), and 60 (second warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p386 Stebbins and Garraty Stebbins stumbled and slowed Garraty Stebbins stumbled against Garraty. Both he and Stebbins were warned. Both warned because Stebbins stumbled against Garray (wrong) Stebbins either got a violation-warning for interfering with Garraty's progress, or slowed and got a timer-warning. If he got a violation-warning, his timer immediately dropped to 90 (first). If he got a timer-warning, then he slowed under 4 mph and his timer counted down to 90 (first). Garraty got his second warning when he slowed under 4 mph, from Stebbins stumbling against him, then his timer counted to down to 60 (second)
p387 McVries McVries walked in the wrong direction then sat down McVries’s head had dropped, and he was walking at the crowd, fast asleep. He sat down, cross legged on the pavement. They gave him his third warning. Warned for stopping or sitting (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 30 (third warning) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
p389 Stebbins Fell down “Oh Garraty!” he cried, and fell down. / They finished by shooting the already-dead Stebbins Warned for falling down and not walking (wrong) Timer-Warned because timer counted down to 60 (second warning), then 30 (third warning) then 0 (timer) when moving under 4 mph in the correct direction
Date Created October 13, 2018
Last Updated June 17, 2022
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