Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Butthenewguyisdifferent,andtheAcutescanseeit,differentfromanybodybeencomingonthiswardforthepasttenyears,differentfromanybodytheyevermetoutside.He’sjustasvulnerable,maybe,buttheCombinedidn’tgethim.

           "‘Mywagonsareloaded,’"hesings,"‘mywhip’sinmyhand...’"

           How’dhemanagetoslipthecollar?Maybe,likeoldPete,theCombinemissedgettingtohimsoonenoughwithcontrols.Maybehegrowedupsowildalloverthecountry,battingaroundfromoneplacetoanother,neveraroundonetownlonger’nafewmonthswhenhewasakidsoaschoolnevergotmuchaholdonhim,logging,gambling,runningcarnivalwheels,travelinglightfootedandfast,keepingonthemovesomuchthattheCombineneverhadachancetogetanythinginstalled.Maybethat’sit,henevergavetheCombineachance,justlikehenevergavetheblackboyachancetogettohimwiththethermometeryesterdaymorning,becauseamovingtargetishardtohit.

           Nowifewantingnewlinoleum.Norelativespullingathimwithwateryoldeyes.Noonetocareabout,whichiswhatmakeshimfreeenoughtobeagoodconman.Andmaybethereasontheblackboysdon’trushintothatlatrineandputastoptohissingingisbecausetheyknowhe’soutofcontrol,andtheyrememberthattimewitholdPeteandwhatamanoutofcontrolcando.AndtheycanseethatMcMurphy’salotbiggerthanoldPete;ifitcomesdowntogettingthebestofhim,it’sgoingtotakeallthreeofthemandtheBigNursewaitingonthesidelineswithaneedle.TheAcutesnodatoneanother;that’sthereason,theyfigure,thattheblackboyshaven’tstoppedhissingingwheretheywouldstopanyoftherestofus.