Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Wednesday’sthedaytheypackeverybodyupwhohasn’tgotsomekindofrotandmovetotheswimmingpool,whetherwewanttogoornot.WhenthefogwasonthewardIusedtohideinittogetoutofgoing.Thepoolalwaysscaredme;IwasalwaysafraidI’dstepinovermyheadanddrown,besuckedoffdownthedrainandcleanouttosea.IusedtoberealbravearoundwaterwhenIwasakidontheColumbia;I’dwalkthescaffoldingaroundthefallswithalltheothermen,scramblingaroundwithwaterroaringgreenandwhiteallaroundmeandthemistmakingrainbows,withoutevenanyhobnailslikethemenwore.ButwhenIsawmyPapastartgettingscaredofthings,Igotscaredtoo,gotsoIcouldn’tevenstandashallowpool.

           Wecameoutofthelockerroomandthepoolwaspitchingandsplashingandfullofnakedmen;whoopingandyellingbouncedoffthehighceilingthewayitalwaysdoesinindoorswimmingpools.Theblackboysherdedusintoit.ThewaterwasanicewarmtemperaturebutIdidn’twanttogetawayfromtheside(theblackboyswalkalongtheedgewithlongbamboopolestoshoveyouawayfromthesideifyoutrytograbon)soIstayedclosetoMcMurphyonaccountofIknewtheywouldn’ttrytomakehimgointodeepwaterifhedidn’twantto.

           Hewastalkingtothelifeguard,andIwasstandingafewfeetaway.McMurphymustofbeenstandinginaholebecausehewashavingtotreadwaterwhereIwasjuststandingonthebottom.