Chapter 24

           Afterthat,McMurphyhadthingshiswayforagoodlongwhile.Thenursewasbidinghertimetillanotherideacametoherthatwouldputherontopagain.Sheknewshe’dlostonebigroundandwaslosinganother,butshewasn’tinanyhurry.Foronething,shewasn’tabouttorecommendrelease;thefightcouldgoonaslongasshewanted,tillhemadeamistakeortillhejustgaveout,oruntilshecouldcomeupwithsomenewtacticthatwouldputherbackontopineverybody’seyes.

           Agoodlothappenedbeforeshecameupwiththatnewtactic.AfterMcMurphywasdrawnoutofwhatyoumightcallashortretirementandhadannouncedhewasbackinthehasslebybreakingoutherpersonalwindow,hemadethingsonthewardprettyinteresting.Hetookpartineverymeeting,everydiscussion—drawling,winking,jokinghisbesttowheedleaskinnylaughoutofsomeAcutewho’dbeenscaredtogrinsincehewastwelve.Hegottogetherenoughguysforabasketballteamandsomewaytalkedthedoctorintolettinghimbringaballbackfromthegymtogettheteamusedtohandlingit.Thenurseobjected,saidthenextthingthey’dbeplayingsoccerinthedayroomandpologamesupanddownthehall,butthedoctorheldfirmforonceandsaidletthemgo."Anumberoftheplayers,MissRatched,haveshownmarkedprogresssincethatbasketballteamwasorganized;Ithinkithasprovenitstherapeuticvalue."

           Shelookedathimawhileinamazement.Sohewasdoingalittlemuscle-flexingtoo.