Chapter 17

           ThewaytheBigNurseactedsoconfidentinthatstaffmeeting,thatworriedmeforawhile,butitdidn’tmakeanydifferencetoMcMurphy.Allweekend,andthenextweek,hewasjustashardonherandherblackboysasheeverwas,andthepatientswerelovingit.He’dwonhisbet;he’dgotthenurse’sgoatthewayhesaidhewould,andhadcollectedonit,butthatdidn’tstophimfromgoingrightaheadandactinglikehealwayshad,holleringupanddownthehall,laughingattheblackboys,frustratingthewholestaff,evengoingsofarastostepuptotheBigNurseinthehallonetimeandaskher,ifshedidn’tmindtellin’,justwhatwastheactualinch-by-inchmeasurementonthemgreatbigofbreaststhatshedidherbesttoconcealbutnevercould.Shewalkedrightonpast,ignoringhimjustlikeshechosetoignorethewaynaturehadtaggedherwiththoseoutsizedbadgesoffemininity,justlikeshewasabovehim,andsex,andeverythingelsethat’sweakandoftheflesh.

           Whenshepostedworkassignmentsonthebulletinboard,andhereadthatshe’dgivenhimlatrineduty,hewenttoherofficeandknockedonthatwindowofhersandpersonallythankedherforthehonor,andtoldherhe’dthinkofhereverytimeheswabbedoutaurinal.Shetoldhimthatwasn’tnecessary;justdohisworkandthatwouldbesufficient,thankyou.

           Themostworkhedidonthemwastorunabrusharoundthebowlsonceortwiceapiece,singingsomesongasloudashecouldintimetotheswishingbrush;thenhe’dsplashinsomeCloroxandhe’dbethrough.