Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Hesaid,Whatcanyoupayforthewayamanlives?Hesaid,Whatcanyoupayforwhatamanis?Theydidn’tunderstand.Noteventhetribe.Theystoodoutinfrontofourdoorallholdingthosechecksandtheywantedhimtotellthemwhattodonow.Theykeptaskinghimtoinvestforthem,ortellthemwheretogo,ortobuyafarm.Buthewastoolittleanymore.Andhewastoodrunk,too.TheCombinehadwhippedhim.Itbeatseverybody.It’llbeatyoutoo.Theycan’thavesomebodyasbigasPaparunningaroundunlesshe’soneofthem.Youcanseethat."

           "Yeah,IreckonIcan."

           "That’swhyyoushouldn’tofbrokethatwindow.Theyseeyou’rebig,now.Nowtheygottobustyou."

           "Likebustin’amustang,huh?"

           "No.No,listen.Theydon’tbustyouthatway;theyworkonyouwaysyoucan’tfight!Theyputthingsin!Theyinstallthings.Theystartasquickastheyseeyou’regonnabebigandgotoworkingandinstallingtheirfilthymachinerywhenyou’relittle,andkeeponandonandontillyou’refixed!"

           "Take‘ereasy,buddy;shhh."

           "Andifyoufighttheylockyousomeplaceandmakeyoustop—"

           "Easy,easy,Chief.Justcoolitforawhile.Theyheardyou."Helaydownandkeptstill.Mybedwashot,Inoticed.Icouldhearthesqueakofrubbersolesastheblackboycameinwithaflashlighttoseewhatthenoisewas.Welaystilltillheleft.

           "Hefinallyjustdrank,"Iwhispered.Ididn’tseemtobeabletostoptalking,nottillIfinishedtellingwhatIthoughtwasallofit.