Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Thelifeguardwasstandingontheedgeofthepool;hehadawhistleandaT-shirtonwithhiswardnumberonit.HeandMcMurphyhadgottotalkingaboutthedifferencebetweenhospitalandjail,andMcMurphywassayinghowmuchbetterthehospitalwas.Thelifeguardwasn’tsosure.IheardhimtellMcMurphythat,foronething,beingcommittedain’tlikebeingsentenced."You’resentencedinajail,andyougotadateaheadofyouwhenyouknowyou’regonnabeturnedloose,"hesaid.

           McMurphystoppedsplashingaroundlikehehadbeen.Heswamslowlytotheedgeofthepoolandheldthere,lookingupatthelifeguard."Andifyou’recommitted?"heaskedafterapause.

           Thelifeguardraisedhisshouldersinamuscleboundshrugandtuggedatthewhistlearoundhisneck.Hewasanoldpro-footballerwithcleatmarksinhisforehead,andeverysooftenwhenhewasoffhiswardasignalwouldclickbackofhiseyesandhislips’dgotospittingnumbersandhe’ddroptoallfoursinalinestanceandcutlooseonsomestrollingnurse,driveashoulderinherkidneysjustintimetoletthehalfbackshootpastthroughtheholebehindhim.That’swhyhewasuponDisturbed;wheneverhewasn’tlifeguardinghewasliabletodosomethinglikethat.

           HeshruggedagainatMcMurphy’squestion,thenlookedbackandforthtoseeifanyblackboyswerearound,andkneltclosetotheedgeofthepool.HeheldhisarmoutforMcMurphytolookat.

           "Youseethiscast?"

           McMurphylookedatthebigarm."Youdon’thaveacastonthatarm,buddy."