Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           ThetwobigblackboyscatchTaberinthelatrineanddraghim.tothemattressroom.Hegetsoneagoodkickintheshins.He’syellingbloodymurder.I’msurprisedhowhelplesshelookswhentheyholdhim,likehewaswrappedwithbandsofblackiron.

           Theypushhimfacedownonthemattress.Onesitsonhishead,andtheotherripshispantsopeninbackandpeelstheclothuntilTaber’speach-coloredrearisframedbytheraggedlettuce-green.He’ssmotheringcursesintothemattressandtheblackboysittingonhisheadsaying,"Tha’sright,MistuhTaber,tha’sright...."Thenursecomesdownthehall,smearingVaselineonalongneedle,pullsthedoorshutsothey’reoutofsightforasecond,thencomesrightbackout,wipingtheneedleonashredofTaber’spants.She’slefttheVaselinejarintheroom.BeforetheblackboycanclosethedoorafterherIseetheonestillsittingonTaber’shead,dabbingathimwithaKleenex.They’reintherealongtimebeforethedooropensupagainandtheycomeout,carryinghimacrossthehalltothelab.Hisgreensarerippedclearoffnowandhe’swrappedupinadampsheet....

           Nineo’clockyoungresidentswearingleatherelbowstalktoAcutesforfiftyminutesaboutwhattheydidwhentheywerelittleboys.TheBigNurseissuspiciousofthecrew-cutlooksoftheseresidents,andthatfiftyminutestheyareonthewardisatoughtimeforher.Whiletheyarearound,themachinerygoestofumblingandsheisscowlingandmakingnotestochecktherecordsoftheseboysforoldtrafficviolationsandthelike....

           Nine-fiftytheresidentsleaveandthemachineryhumsupsmoothagain.Thenursewatchesthedayroomfromherglasscase;thescenebeforehertakesonthatblue-steelclarityagain,thatcleanorderlymovementofacartooncomedy.