In Richard Bachman's "The Running Man," the characters share a striking similarity in their expressions, which convey a profound sense of incompleteness. They resemble flawed artworks or jigsaw puzzles missing key pieces, suggesting a lack of fulfillment or wholeness in their lives. This imagery reflects their unresolved struggles and the void within them.

Richards observes that what these individuals lack is a palpable sense of despair. Instead of being tormented by chaotic thoughts or unrealistic aspirations, their minds are free from the burdens of false hopes and misguided ambitions. This absence of dreams and desires implies a stark, haunting reality for the characters, highlighting their existential plight.