Chapter 22

           IrememberitwasaFridayagain,threeweeksafterwevotedonTV,andeverybodywhocouldwalkwasherdedovertoBuildingOneforwhattheytrytotellusischestX-raysforTB,whichIknowisachecktoseeifeverybody’smachineryisfunctioninguptopar.

           We’rebenchedinalongrowdownabailleadingtoadoormarkedX-RAY.NexttoX-rayisadoormarkedEENTwheretheycheckourthroatsduringthewinter.Acrossthehallfromusisanotherbench,anditleadstothatmetaldoor.Withthelineofrivets.Andnothingmarkedonitatall.Twoguysaredozingonthebenchbetweentwoblackboys,whileanothervictiminsideisgettinghistreatmentandIcanhearhimscreaming.Thedooropensinwardwithawhoosh,andIcanseethetwinklingtubesintheroom.Theywheelthevictimoutstillsmoking,andIgripthebenchwhereIsittokeepfrombeingsuckedthroughthatdoor.Ablackboyandawhiteonedragoneoftheotherguysonthebenchtohisfeet,andheswaysandstaggersunderthedrugsinhim.TheyusuallygiveyouredcapsulesbeforeShock.Theypushhimthroughthedoor,andthetechniciansgethimundereacharm.ForasecondIseetheguyrealizeswheretheygothim,andhestiffensbothheelsintothecementfloortokeepfrombeingpulledtothetable—thenthedoorpullsshut,phumph,withmetalhittingamattress,andIcan’tseehimanymore.

           "Man,whattheygotgoingoninthere?"McMurphyasksHarding.

           "Inthere?Why,that’sright,isn’tit?Youhaven’thadthepleasure.Pity.Anexperiencenohumanshouldbewithout."