Пролетая над гнездом кукушки
Chapter 26
Whatpushedhimtokeepupafullheadofsteamwheneverybodyelseonthewardhadalwaysbeencontenttodriftalongplayingpinochleandreadinglastyear’smagazines?Howcomethisoneguy,thisIrishrowdyfromaworkfarmwherehe’dbeenservingtimeforgamblingandbattery,wouldloopakerchiefaroundhishead,coolikeateenager,andspendtwosolidhourshavingeveryAcuteonthewardhoorahinghimwhileheplayedthegirltryingtoteachBillyBibbittodance?Orhowcomeaseasonedconlikethis—anoldpro,acarnivalartist,adedicatedodds-watchergamblingman—wouldriskdoublinghisstayinthenuthousebymakingmoreandmoreanenemyoutofthewomanwhohadthesay—soastowhogotdischargedandwhodidn’t?
Thenursegotthewonderingstartedbypastingupastatementofthepatients’financialdoingsoverthelastfewmonths;itmusthavetakenherhoursofworkdiggingintorecords.ItshowedasteadydrainoutofthefundsofalltheAcutes,exceptone.Hisfundshadrisensincethedayhecamein.
TheAcutestooktojokingwithMcMurphyabouthowitlookedlikehewastakingthemdowntheline,andhewasneveronetodenyit.Nottheleastbit.Infact,hebraggedthatifhestayedonatthishospitalayearorsohejustmightbedischargedoutofitintofinancialindependence,retiretoFloridafortherestofhislife.
