"ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST" by Lawrence Hauben & Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey EXT. WORK FARM - NIGHTFALL All we SEE is an ELEVATED SHOT of the distant mountains, rolling landscape and McMURPHY -- one cheek laid-open and crusted over with dried blood, his face and prison work clothes caked with dried sweat and dust -- as he sits on the very top of a water tower watching the last rays of sunlight. A long moment passes before McMurphy's attention is drawn elsewhere and he looks down. REVERSE SHOT - MCMURPHY'S POV Far below, in the prison yard a MAN is SEEN hurrying across the yard where he joins a group of men composed of armed prison guards, officials, and medics -- a stretcher, an ambulance, a fire truck and safety nets spread out at the base of the water tower. The man is seen talking to the officials, then a bullhorn is handed to him and they all look up at McMurphy. MCMURPHY As he looks down at them, a searchlight is turned on him. MAN (V.O.) (through bullhorn) McMurphy! This is Doctor Shankle, from the infirmary. Can you hear me? McMurphy doesn't respond. SHANKLE (V.O.) (through bullhorn) Can you hear me, McMurphy? McMurphy doesn't respond. Another searchlight goes on as a SECOND VOICE is PICKED UP on the BULLHORN. SECOND VOICE (through bullhorn) Why don't we blast 'im, for Christ sake, he ain't gonna come down... you... The BULLHORN is TURNED OFF. A long moment passes as McMurphy continues to squat on the tower and wait. He shivers against the coming night when... SHANKLE (V.O.) (through bullhorn) McMurphy! I have the warden's promise. If you come down, nobody will hurt you! You'll be in my custody! I promise! An imperceptible smile appears on McMurphy's face. INT. MEN'S DORM - OREGON STATE HOSPITAL - DAWN Strange HUMMING SOUNDS, CLANKING PIPES and HISSING RADIATORS as we see beds, with patients lying asleep, line two walls. The third wall is a heavy gauge steel grill, with a door that opens on to the day room. The door is open. On the far side of the day room, a long hallway with other doors opening into rooms: the latrine, washroom, tub room, mess hall, seclusion room, psychiatrist's office, visitors' room, etc. Across the day room, a glass enclosed nurses' station where TURKLE, a Negro night attendant, is seen preparing to go off duty. The CAMERA PANS the beds in the men's dorm. One man turns, another twists, a third lies as if dead. CAMERA PAN ENDS on BROMDEN, who lies still, eyes wide open, very alert. He reaches down, plucks a stale piece of gum from under the bed frame, puts it in his mouth and starts chewing. A beat, then Bromden carefully undoes the leather strap which binds him to the bed. He slips out of bed and quietly makes his way down the aisle, paying no attention to the other patients, some of who are beginning to stir awake. Ahead, at the end of the hallway, the door opens and three Negro day attendants, WASHINGTON, WARREN and MILLER, dressed in white uniforms, enter and move down the hallway and disappear into a side room. Bromden continues his silent journey towards the day room as Turkle emerges from the side door to the nurses' lounge, goes up the hallway as MISS PILBOW, the day nurse, comes in, passing Turkle on the way out. She crosses to the nurses' station and enters as Bromden reaches the day room. INT. DAY ROOM - DAY as Bromden makes his way across the day room, past the nurses' station, unnoticed by Miss Pilbow who is busy preparing the day's medication. Bromden is sliding along the hallway wall, when he is suddenly cut off by a mop which THUDS against one side of his neck. A second mop yokes him on the other side. Bromden freezes. Terrified. MILLER Where you goin', Chief? WARREN You goin' t'see the Big White Fathuh? WASHINGTON He goin' t'see the Big White Muthuh... They cackle, legs jiving, as the ammonia stings Bromden's eyes and burns his nose. He tries to twist his head, but Washington jams the mop harder. Bromden freezes, panic spreading across his face. WASHINGTON Haw, look at 'im, big 'nough to eat apples off my head an' he mine me like a baby... A KEY is HEARD hitting the lock in the main door. Washington very adroitly releases Bromden, hands him the mop, and turns, along with Warren and Miller, to their duties, as BIG NURSE enters the ward. THREE ATTENDANTS (simultaneously, as Big Nurse passes) Mornin', Miss Ratched... BIG NURSE Good morning, boys. She sweeps by and disappears into the nurses' station. The three attendants put their mops and rags aside and start towards the men's dorm, leaving Bromden pressed against the wall, mop in hand. INT. NURSES' STATION as Big Nurse enters to be greeted by Miss Pilbow, who wears an enormous cross between her breasts. MISS PILBOW Good morning, Miss Ratched. It's a beautiful day, isn't it? BIG NURSE Mean old Monday, Miss Pilbow, mean old Monday... (she flips on the intercom) Good morning, boys. Rise and shine. Rise and shine. INT. MEN'S DORM - DAY as Washington, Warren and Miller roust the patients out of bed. BIG NURSE (V.O.) (through loudspeaker) Time to get up! Come on now, it's a beautiful day! Let's not straggle! Everybody up, up, up! The Chronics are physically helped out of bed as the Acutes, who can handle themselves, cross out into the Day Room, rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. Big Nurse steps out of the Nurses' Station. Washington and Warren are hustling the patients toward the washroom. Miller stays behind, stripping Blastic's bed and rolling up his mattress. INT. DAY ROOM - DAY as the Acutes straggle past Big Nurse. BIG NURSE Good morning, Mister Sefelt... Good morning, Mister Fredrickson. Good morning, Billy, I spoke to your mother last night and she sends her love... Good morning, Mister Harding... Good morning, Mister Cheswick. Mister Scanlon... Bromden comes drifting by, going in the opposite direction. Big Nurse takes his hand and reaches up and pats his face. BIG NURSE Oh, Mister Bromden... (calling out) Mister Washington! Washington comes running. WASHINGTON Yes, Miss Ratched? BIG NURSE Mister Washington, why don't we get a good head start on the day by shaving Mister Bromden and see if we can't avoid a disturbance. WASHINGTON (taking Bromden by the hand) Yes, Miss Ratched... INT. WASHROOM - DAY The patients are busy washing and shaving. Warren is assisting a vegetable wash himself as Washington guides Bromden through a cage-like partition... where an antique barber chair stands. WASHINGTON (calling as he goes) Warren! He sits Bromden down and straps his bands and legs in, then plugs the electric shaver in and turns it on and brings the BUZZING instrument towards Bromden's face. Bromden turns away. WASHINGTON (shouting out) Get your black ass in here! Warren props the vegetable up against the sink. WARREN Tha's it... be right back! Warren leaves; the old man starts sliding. QUICK CUT TO: BROMDEN as Warren enters and takes a firm grip on Bromden's head and Washington goes to work on Bromden's face. CAMERA PUSHES INTO EXTREME CLOSEUP of Bromden's fearfully distorted face as the BUZZING SOUND of the electric razor INTENSIFIES until it is INSUPPORTABLE. QUICK CUT TO: INT. DAY ROOM - DAY No sound as we SEE Big Nurse watch the last few patients file past the side door to the Nurses' Station where Miss Pilbow hands out little cups with pills. Washington stands by, checking to see each man takes his pills before filling their cups with orange juice. The last patient takes his pills and returns to his place in the Day Room. Miss Pilbow closes the window. Satisfied that all is well, Big Nurse turns on an old 45 record player with a stack of records, then she settles down to her work as a SOFT, NOSTALGIC NUMBER from the '40's is HEARD OVER LOUDSPEAKER. CAMERA BEGINS SLOW PAN of the Day Room. The patients, under the influence of drugs, have settled down for the day. HARDING is playing cards with MARTINI, CHESWICK and BILLY. SEFELT and FREDRICKSON are putting a jigsaw puzzle together in brotherly love. SORENSEN is off by himself, rubbing his hands clean. TABER, pencil in hand, sits pondering over a blank piece of paper. SCANLON paces back and forth. On the Chronics' side of the room, RUCKLY is turning a grimy photograph over in his hands. BANCINI sits wagging his head, mumbling over and over, "Tired, awful tired..." ELLIS stands against the wall, arms outstretched, hands nailed to the wall by imaginary nails. Bromden is pushing a mop around. Washington, Warren and Miller are in the men's dorm making up the Chronics' beds when O.S. the TELEPHONE RINGS. CUT TO: INT. NURSES' STATION - DAY as Miss Pilbow picks up the phone. MISS PILBOW Eighty-two, Miss Pilbow speaking... Yes... (she makes a note and hangs it) ...New admission, Miss Ratched... Miss Pilbow goes to the mirror, quickly preens herself, then turns and flips the intercom on. MISS PILBOW (over loudspeaker) Mister Washington! Mister Warren! She exits. CUT TO: INT. DAY ROOM as Miss Pilbow exits nurses' station and heads down the hallway, Washington and Warren on her heels. Miller looking wistfully after them. CUT TO: INT. MAIN ENTRANCE - STATE HOSPITAL - DAY Staff personnel are SEEN moving in and out of the main entrance where a state penitentiary car is parked. A DEPUTY SHERIFF leans on the fender smoking a cigarette as SECOND DEPUTY SHERIFF comes out of the building and motions down to First Deputy, who crushes his cigarette out, then opens the rear door to the car. DEPUTY SHERIFF (to an unseen occupant) Okay, let's go. A long beat, then McMurphy slowly emerges from the car. He's wearing handcuffs and dressed in faded jeans, flannel work shirt, leather jacket, black motorcycle cap, and heavy black boots. He's been scrubbed clean and has a Band-Aid on his cheek. McMurphy does a couple of knee bends to get the kinks out of his legs as Deputy reaches in the car and takes out a small gym bag containing McMurphy's belongings. DEPUTY SHERIFF Let's move it... McMurphy goes up the stairs, followed by the Deputy, and crosses into the building. INT. MAIN BUILDING - DAY as McMurphy enters the building followed by the Deputies, where Nurse Pilbow, McMurphy's folder in hand, and Washington and Warren stand waiting -- all in a pleasant, receptive mood. First Deputy hands McMurphy's gym bag to Washington, who hands it to Warren. SECOND DEPUTY Okay, this is it! McMurphy turns and holds out his hands. As cuffs are removed, McMurphy impulsively takes hold of the Deputy's head and plants a kiss on his forehead. SECOND DEPUTY (squirming out of McMurphy's grasp) Jesus, you're crazy, McMurphy. MCMURPHY Yeah, ain't that the truth. DEPUTY SHERIFF (to Miss Pilbow) He's all yours, Miss. MISS PILBOW Thank you, Officer... The two Deputies start down the stairs. MCMURPHY So long, fellas... The two Deputies merely shrug their backs at McMurphy who takes a deep breath of fresh air. MCMURPHY Yes, sir, it's a mighty nice fall day... MISS PILBOW This way, Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY Yes, ma'am... McMurphy follows Nurse Pilbow into the hallway as the door closes behind them. CUT TO: INT. HALLWAY - DAY Other STAFF MEMBERS are administrative personnel are SEEN as McMurphy walks alongside Nurse Pilbow, who is noticeably nervous by his close proximity. Washington and Warren casually bringing up the rear. MCMURPHY (as he peels the Band- Aid off, revealing a scar) I tell ya, these goons showered me at the courthouse this morning, last night at the jail, and I swear they'd have swabbed my ears out on the way over if they could've found the facilities... A young Japanese nurse, named ITSU, passes by. MCMURPHY (to Nurse Itsu) Hey, how ya doin', cutie? NURSE ITSU Okay. How you doing? MCMURPHY Just great! (calling after her) See ya around! Nurse Itsu laughs and disappears around the corner. MCMURPHY (to Nurse Pilbow) Yes, sir, I sure am gonna enjoy my stay here. MISS PILBOW I'm sure you will. MCMURPHY (to Nurse Pilbow) Ya know, I ain't never been in an institution of psychology before. MISS PILBOW Oh... They arrive at the ward door. Nurse Pilbow unlocks the door and opens it as... MCMURPHY Yeah, I'm here on a ninety-day observation period. Short-timer, like they say... Soft nostalgic MUSIC is HEARD OVER. MISS PILBOW Of course. (indicating door) Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY After you, ma'am. MISS PILBOW Thank you. Nurse Pilbow enters the ward and McMurphy watches her cross the visitors' area to a heavy-gauge steel screen wall, with security gate which she opens. MCMURPHY (to Washington and Warren as they step into ward) Man, there sure is an awful lot of poontang around here. SPIVEY (calling) Hold it! McMurphy turns to see DOCTOR SPIVEY approaching. SPIVEY Good morning, boys. WASHINGTON AND WARREN (simultaneously as Spivey passes into the ward) Mornin', Doctor Spivey. SPIVEY Great day for fishing. WASHINGTON AND WARREN (simultaneously) Yes, sir! The door closes. CAMERA HOLDS on sign that READS: SMILE AT THE NEXT FACE YOU SEE. IT MAY SAVE HIS LIFE. MCMURPHY (O.S.) Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing, Doc... CUT TO: INT. WARD - DAY as McMurphy, Spivey, Washington and Warren cross the visitors' area towards Nurse Pilbow, who stands holding the security gate open. At the far end of the hallway, which opens into the day room, patients can be seen. SPIVEY (to McMurphy) Oh, what's that? MCMURPHY Why, I'll betcha there must be a million albacore and tuna running of the coast right this minute. SPIVEY Oh, do you do much fishing? As they pass through the security gate: MCMURPHY Fish! Hell, Doc, I'd like to have a nickel for every fish I landed between Point Conception and the Alaska coast... Washington and Warren continue down the hallway, passing SEFELT, who shyly approaches and waits at a respectful distance. SPIVEY (to McMurphy) Is that so? MCMURPHY Yup! Worked right outta Depoe Bay for just about every season since I was able to haul my own weight. SPIVEY My, my... Ah, who are you? MCMURPHY McMurphy, Doc. R.P. McMurphy. They shake hands. NURSE PILBOW Mister McMurphy is a new admission. SPIVEY Ah, yes. Well, we must talk soon, Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY You bet, Doc. Spivey turns to Sefelt. SPIVEY Good morning, Jim. How are you feeling? SEFELT (approaching and pointing to his mouth) Doc, my gums hurt me. Spivey starts checking out Sefelt's mouth. NURSE PILBOW This way, Mister McMurphy. As McMurphy follows Nurse Pilbow down the hall, Spivey's voice trails after him. SPIVEY (O.S.) Have you been taking your Dilantin, Jim? SEFELT (O.S.) Uh-huh... SPIVEY (O.S.) Well, we'll send you over to the dentist and see what he can do. Okay? SEFELT (O.S.) Okay, Doc! McMurphy and Nurse Pilbow reach the day room. MISS PILBOW Make yourself at home, Mister McMurphy... MCMURPHY Thank you, ma'am, Nurse Pilbow enters the nurses' station, closing the door behind her. Next to the door is a bulletin board which, among other bits of information, READS: TODAY IS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 1963. THE NEXT MEAL IS LUNCH. THE NEXT HOLIDAY IS HALLOWEEN. ANOTHER NOTICE READS: SIGN UP NOW! BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT STAFF VS PATIENTS. WASHINGTON, WARREN, MILLER. There are no other names listed. Sefelt passes by. MCMURPHY Hi. SEFELT Hi. Sefelt crosses into the day room where he joins Fredrickson, who is putting a jigsaw puzzle together. INT. DAY ROOM - DAY as McMurphy drifts into the room and looks around. The room is as it was. The MUSIC ENDS. There is a CLICK. McMurphy's attention is drawn to the nurses' station. MCMURPHY'S POV OF NURSES' STATION where Miss Pilbow is SEEN through a large plate glass window, busy typing a nameplate for McMurphy. Big Nurse, her back to McMurphy, is turning over a stack of records. She presses the phonograph button. A record falls on the turntable and MUSIC BEGINS as she turns and sees McMurphy. ANOTHER ANGLE McMurphy smiles and tips his hat to Big Nurse. Big Nurse smiles back and takes her seat. McMurphy turns and drifts into the day room. Big Nurse looks up and studies him. McMurphy catches the eye of a PATIENT, sitting by himself. MCMURPHY How ya doin', buddy? PATIENT Poorly, thank you. MCMURPHY Oh, yeah? What's ailing ya? PATIENT I got the fever. MCMURPHY Well, that's too bad... Taber, pencil and paper in hand, crosses to McMurphy and taps him on the shoulder. MCMURPHY Yeah, buddy? TABER Are you a doctor? MCMURPHY No, 'fraid not... Taber walks away. Martini tugs at McMurphy's sleeve. MCMURPHY Yeah, buddy? MARTINI Can you borrow me a dime? MCMURPHY Sorry, buddy, I'm clean outta change... Scanlon moves in. SCANLON Got a cigarette? MCMURPHY Sure... MARTINI Me too! Me too! As McMurphy hands out his cigarettes Bromden drifts by, mop in hand. MCMURPHY Hey, how's it look up there, big boy? SCANLON He can't hear you. He's just a deaf and dumb Indian! MCMURPHY That right? HARDING (O.S.) Martini, it's your turn! Martini is staring off into space. HARDING Martini! MCMURPHY (to Martini) Your buddy is callin' ya. Martini crosses back to the card game as Taber returns. MCMURPHY What's troubling ya, buddy? TABER I want you to write me a letter to my brother for a hundred dollars to bury me. MCMURPHY You look pretty healthy to me. TABER I'm the next one. MCMURPHY How do ya know that? TABER Because I quit breathing. MCMURPHY You're breathin' right now. Taber walks away. McMurphy watches him go. Nearby, an OLD VEGETABLE squeaks. MCMURPHY (crossing to him) What's that, Pop? The old man squeaks again. MCMURPHY (leaning in close) Can't hear ya, old-timer. OLD VEGETABLE Ain't this a pisser? MCMURPHY Hell, compared to where I just come from, this is a country club. McMurphy crosses to the card game and stands watching the game. MCMURPHY Whatcha boys playin'? BILLY H-H-Hearts. MCMURPHY Shoot! No wonder you don't care nothin' 'bout showin' your hand. Billy holds his hand close to his chest. MCMURPHY What's your name, buddy? BILLY B-B-Billy. MCMURPHY Well, put 'er there, Billy boy, my name's McMurphy. They shake hands. MCMURPHY What I wanna know is who's the top loony around here? BILLY Y-Y-You m-mean th-the pr-president of the P-P-Patients C-Council? MCMURPHY Yeah, that'll do for openers! BILLY (to Harding) H-H-Harding, the m-m-man w-wants to t-talk to you, y-you're the pr-pr pr... HARDING Does he have an appointment? CHESWICK Yeah, do you have an appointment? MCMURPHY What for? CHESWICK (to Harding) What for? HARDING I'm a busy man! CHESWICK (to McMurphy) He's a busy man! A beat; then: MCMURPHY I can wait... McMurphy picks up a chair and sits down right next to Harding and looks at him. Another beat; then: HARDING (to McMurphy) What are you doing? MCMURPHY I'm seeing what a busy man does. Harding, very nervous at McMurphy's proximity, turns back to the game. HARDING Your turn, Martini! Martini is lost in the clouds. HARDING Martini, throw a card! Martini throws a diamond. HARDING No, throw a club! CHESWICK Yeah, throw a club! Martini throws a spade. HARDING Don't you have any clubs? MARTINI No! HARDING Let me see your hand! MARTINI No! HARDING (slamming his cards) Well, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have some pressing matters to attend to. Harding gets up and crosses to the hallway, gathering his pride as he goes. McMurphy slides into Harding's seat and rakes all the cards in. MCMURPHY Yessir, that's why I came to this establishment for, to bring you birds fun and entertainment 'round the gamin' table... McMurphy fans the deck out and lays it on the table. Everyone's eyes pop as he scoops the cards up in one movement -- he's a card shark, a magician -- leaving the Acutes with their mouths hanging open. MCMURPHY Easy now, don't smudge 'em, we got lots of games ahead of us... BIG NURSE (O.S.) Mister McMurphy! McMurphy turns to see Big Nurse approaching, Washington casually bringing up the rear. MCMURPHY Yes, ma'am... BIG NURSE (handing him his bag) Will you come with me, please. MCMURPHY (rising) Hold the fort down, will ya, fellas! BILLY Sure, Mack! McMurphy walks with her toward the men's dorm. BIG NURSE My name is Miss Ratched. I'm the head nurse here. You've already met Miss Pilbow and Aides Washington and Warren. MCMURPHY Yes, ma'am. Big Nurse and McMurphy stop at the security gate to the men's dorm where Miller opens the gate. BIG NURSE Mister Miller, this is Mister McMurphy, who'll be staying with us. Greetings are exchanged as they pass through. INT. MEN'S DORM - DAY as Big Nurse and McMurphy cross down the aisle. BIG NURSE We do appreciate the way you have taken it upon yourself to meet the other patients. MCMURPHY Thank you, ma'am... Big Nurse stops at an empty bed where Warren is turning the mattress down. BIG NURSE This is your bed. You may leave your things in that cabinet. MCMURPHY Yes, ma'am... BIG NURSE Please use your time to familiarize yourself with your new home and if there is anything you need to know, don't hesitate to ask us. MCMURPHY Now that you mention it, I sure would like to call my aunt up in Portland and tell 'er where I am so she can come visit me. BIG NURSE All in good time, Mister McMurphy. All in good time. MCMURPHY Yes, ma'am. BIG NURSE Good. Now if you'll just go along with Mister Washington, he'll see that you're properly oriented. McMurphy doesn't move. BIG NURSE Is there anything else? MCMURPHY Just that I'm glad to be here, Miss Ratched. I really am. BIG NURSE Good. I'm sure we'll be friends. They smile, sizing up each other. MCMURPHY Yeah, you ain't half so bad looking for a head nurse. BIG NURSE Yes. Now go along, Mister McMurphy. Go along. MCMURPHY Yes, ma'am. (to Washington) Lead the way, Sam. They cross out of the men's dorm. Big Nurse watches them go. SPIVEY (V.O.) What other work have you done? INT. DOCTOR SPIVEY'S OFFICE - DAY Doctor Spivey is seated behind his desk, on which are several glass-framed photos of Spivey's family, plus a nameplate: JOHN M. SPIVEY, M.D., and McMurphy's papers. McMurphy, freshly showered and wearing hospital-issue clothes, sits facing him. MCMURPHY Hell, Doc, I've been everything from a hoopla man with a two-bit carny show to a top mechanic and bull goose catskinner for every gypo loggin' operation in the Northwest till the Army taught me what my natural bent was. SPIVEY Oh, what was that? MCMURPHY Poker! SPIVEY I see. MCMURPHY Yeah, but you know how society persecutes a dedicated man. SPIVEY In what way? MCMURPHY They say I'm a habitual hassler. Like I fight some. Sheeut. They didn't mind so much when I was a dumb logger and got into a hassle. That's a hardworkin' feller blowing off steam, they say. But if you're a gambler, all you have to do is spit slantwise and you're a goddamned criminal. SPIVEY I see... MCMURPHY To tell the truth, ever since I found my natural callin' I done time in so many small-time jails I could write a brochure... SPIVEY Yes... Ah, do you know why you're here? MCMURPHY Well, ya know, Doc... (indicating his papers) Doesn't it say so there? SPIVEY (looking over papers) Well, according to the Warden at Pendleton, you were a disturbing influence on others. 'It appears that there is a potential in him for instigating a revolt among the other inmates.' (looking up at McMurphy) What do you think of that report? MCMURPHY I don't, Doc... SPIVEY (goes back to papers) Arrested on an assault charge five times... MCMURPHY That's correct, Doc... SPIVEY (reading from folder) The doctor at the prison states: 'Don't overlook the possibility that this man may be faking psychosis to escape the drudgery of the work farm...' What do you say to that? MCMURPHY Doc, what can I tell ya? SPIVEY Ah, it seems you have no other psychiatric history, Mister Murphy? MCMURPHY No, this is my first trip, Doc. SPIVEY (closes folder and sits back) Well, you're here for a ninety-day observation period, Mister McMurphy. I'd like you to understand you are here on a court order and we are responsible to the state. So, I'd like your cooperation! MCMURPHY You bet, Doc! SPIVEY Good. Good. INT. DAY ROOM - DAY CAMERA is on Big Nurse as she stands, in front of a chair, doing a deep breathing exercise. The patients and staff, standing in front of chairs arranged in a circle, follow suit as best they can. After a couple of exercises Big Nurse sits. The others do the same except Bancini, who remains standing, wagging his head back and forth. BANCINI I'm tired. Whew. O Lord. Oh, I'm awful tired... BIG NURSE (busy with her papers) Somebody please see to Mister Bancini, so we can start the meeting. Billy does... gently laying a hand on Bancini. BILLY T-t-t-take it e-e-easy, P-P-P Pete... BANCINI Awful tired... Billy gently eases Bancini into his chair and sits beside him, patting his skinny knee. BIG NURSE At the close of Friday's meeting, we were discussing Mister Harding's problem, concerning his wife... (reading from logbook) Mister Harding stated that his wife made him uneasy because she drew stares from men on the street. Is that correct, Mister Harding? HARDING Yes, that's perfectly correct. BIG NURSE (reading) He also thinks he may have given her reason to seek sexual attention elsewhere, but he didn't say how. He has been heard to say to his wife, 'I hate you, I don't ever want to see you again. You've betrayed me.' (she closes book) So. Does anyone care to touch upon this further? Big Nurse waits. A long beat. Harding sits, chewing his nails, tensely waiting, almost wanting someone to begin. The patients shift uncomfortably, looking in all directions. McMurphy looks around to see what will follow, when he sees Ellis, nailed to the wall; his pants leg darkens and a puddle of piss forms at his feet. McMurphy looks to see if Big Nurse or the Aides have noticed. If they have, no one pays any attention. McMurphy fidgets in his seat, then gets up, crosses to Ellis, unhooks him from the wall, and moves him over a few feet. The other patients are aghast at this move, look at each other quizzically. Big Nurse merely watches. McMurphy crosses back to his chair and sits. BIG NURSE Mister McMurphy, this ward is a democratic community run by the patients and their votes, so you should feel at ease in your new surroundings to the extent you can freely discuss emotional problems in front of the patients and staff. However, the cardinal rule, and I must emphasize this: Everyone keeps their seat during the meeting! MCMURPHY Yeah, well, it just pains me somethin' awful to see a full growed man sloshing around in his own water... BIG NURSE Yes... We were discussing Mister Harding's problem with his wife. Now, who will start? (no response) Billy. BILLY M-m-m-ma'am? BIG NURSE Would you like to start? BILLY N-n-n-n-n-no, ma'am. BIG NURSE Mister Sefelt? Sefelt shrugs and sinks into his seat. BIG NURSE Mister Fredrickson? Fredrickson passes. BIG NURSE Mister Taber? Taber passes. BIG NURSE Mister Martini? MARTINI No! BIG NURSE Mister Scanlon? Scanlon looks at the floor. BIG NURSE Mister Cheswick? Cheswick wags his head 'no.' BIG NURSE Am I to take it that there isn't a man among you who has an opinion concerning this matter? (no response; she focuses in on Harding) Mister Harding, you've stated on more than one occasion that you suspected your wife of seeing other men. HARDING Yes, Miss Ratched, this is correct. BIG NURSE But you have no proof. HARDING No, Miss Ratched... BIG NURSE And yet you suspect her. HARDING Yes, that is correct. BIG NURSE Why? HARDING I can only speculate as to the reasons why. BIG NURSE Have you ever speculated, Mister Harding, that you are impatient with your wife because she does not meet your mental requirements? One of the Chronics laughs like a child. HARDING Miss Ratched. Given all the conditions of that sublime relationship, coupled with the subsequent annihilation of all that I held to be sacred, mentally, physically and emotionally, the only thing that I can speculate on, at this late date, is how I will justify the very existence of my life, with or without my dear wife. SEFELT What's he talkin' about? TABER Yeah, Harding, why don't you knockoff the bullshit and get to the point. Several Acutes chime in, "Yeah, get to the point," AD LIB. HARDING The point is, I will carry on until I fully understand what the function of that relationship is regardless of form or content. Several hands go up. BIG NURSE Yes, Billy? BILLY I-I-I-I-I d-d-don't s-s-see how anyone could lu-lu-lu-love a man who t-t-t- talks the way he does. TABER Yeah, Harding, you're so fuckin' dumb I can't believe it. HARDING That's a matter of opinion. SEFELT Yeah, Harding, where do you breathe anyway? FREDRICKSON Through the ass. Sefelt and Fredrickson snicker into their hands. A few of the others laugh. HARDING (smarting) Is that your sense of humor or are you trying to say something? FREDRICKSON (innocence itself) Now what would I be trying to say? HARDING I don't know. I don't know, but it makes me feel very peculiar when you throw in something like that. FREDRICKSON Peculiar? SEFELT Why? TABER Yeah, why? SCANLON Yeah, tell us why. HARDING I hesitate to go on. BIG NURSE No secrets, Mister Harding. Let's get it all out in the open... HARDING I mean, the other day you made an allusion to my wife and the possible sexual problems we might be having. I know that to be the case, but the way in which you broached it, if that's your idea of teaching me something... HARDING (his voice rising as he goes on) ...or making me aware of a condition in my life, then I say, categorically speaking, the hell with you, Taber! I don't have to justify the condition of my life to you or any of you. No matter what I will carry on until I fully understand what that function is regardless of the form or content. Regardless of the fact we must try to understand the function of our capacity to obtain, to personify the condition, the condition of our existence, our existence... TABER You know what, Harding? I think you're some kind of morbid asshole or something. You've been talking about your wife ever since I can remember. You know, she's on your mind and blah, blah, blah and on and on and when are you going to wise up and turn her loose! FREDRICKSON Yeah, wise up, Harding. SEFELT Yeah, turn her loose! ACUTES (start pouring it on) Yeah, who do you think you are anyway?... He thinks he's God Almighty... He's a snob... He's a schmuck... Dumbbell... Creep... Cretin... Idiot... Get rid of him... Ship him upstairs... RUCKLY (chiming in) Ffffffuck da wife... BANCINI (wagging his head) Tired... Awful tired... ACUTES (not letting up) Zap him... Give 'im lobotomy... Cut his nuts off... He doesn't have any... Fag... Pervert. BANCINI (in a strong angry voice) I'm tired! Everyone hushes. BIG NURSE Somebody see to Mister Bancini. Two or three Acutes get up and try to soothe Bancini, but he isn't to be hushed. BANCINI Tired. Tired. Oh God, I'm tired... Big Nurse nods to Washington, who goes to Pete, and gives his arm a jerk toward the door. Bancini is unmovable. Big Nurse signals Nurse Pilbow, who heads for the nurses' station. Washington senses danger, lets go of Pete's arm, backs away. WASHINGTON You a good boy, Mistah Bancini... Nurse Pilbow returns, hypodermic needle in hand. Pete turns to his fellow inmates. BANCINI You see... it's a lotta baloney... It's all a lotta baloney... NURSE PILBOW Yes, yes, Mister Bancini, now if you'll just be calm... BANCINI That's all it is, just a lotta baloney. Ya see, I can't help it, can't... NURSE PILBOW (working her way around Bancini) Yes, I know, I know... She gets him in the ass, with the needle, and springs back. BANCINI ...don't ya see. I was born dead. Not you. You wasn't born dead. Ahhh, it's been so hard... (starts going over, slowly; sighing and crying) Tired... I'm tired... aw-ful tired... McMurphy looks around at the others. Each patient is locked in his own world -- oblivious to Bancini's state. EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY WIDE SHOT of entire court, surrounded by a high fence topped off with barbed wire, as Washington and Warren escort the Acutes -- including Bromden, Ellis, a lobotomy case and several other Chronics -- through the gate onto the court, which is run down, with cracks in its surface and leaves scattered everywhere. Martini, who is carrying the ball, runs ahead, followed by Scanlon, where he starts dribbling the ball in a frantic circle, suddenly passes the ball to nothing. MARTINI (as he throws ball) Catch it! Catch it! The ball rolls to the corner. WASHINGTON Martini, there ain't nobody there, ya dumb goon! Go get the ball! MARTINI No! Martini turns away, his feelings hurt. Washington goes after the ball, when Martini goes running after it. MARTINI I get it! I get it! But Washington gives Martini a body check and beats him to the ball. Martini tries to get the ball from Washington, who is quite agile and teases him as he returns to the court where he and Warren start shooting baskets, freezing Martini and Scanlon out. The other patients just hang around or walk, as if in a prison yard. Cheswick stands in close proximity to McMurphy and Harding, who stand watching the action. McMurphy finally offers a cigarette to Harding, who accepts. They both light up. MCMURPHY Well, say, buddy, is that the usual pro-cedure for those Group Ther'py shindigs? Bunch of chickens at a peckin' party? HARDING A pecking party? MCMURPHY That's right, buddy. And you want to know who pecks the first peck? HARDING AND CHESWICK Who? Who? MCMURPHY Ah, come off it! It's that Big Nurse, that's who... The other Acutes have gathered around McMurphy and Harding. HARDING It's as simple as that. You've been on our ward six hours and have already simplified the work of Freud, Jung and Maxwell Jones in one grand analogy: it's a pecking party. MCMURPHY I'm not talking about Fred Yoong or Maxwell Jones, buddy, what I'm talkin' about is that crummy meeting and what that nurse did to you! HARDING Did to me? MCMURPHY Did to you and all the rest of you guys. BILLY Y-y-yes! Yes! Y-y-y-you s-s-saw wh wh-what she c-c-can do to us! MCMURPHY What did I see 'cept a grown man gettin' whipped so bad he can't laugh anymore. FREDRICKSON It's the questions she asks. MCMURPHY Tell 'er to go straight to hell! HARDING Miss Ratched is a competent psychiatric nurse, not some, some kind of monster pecking out our eyes! MCMURPHY (as calm as blue waters) She ain't peckin' at your eyes, buddy. McMurphy grabs Harding by his balls and Harding goes up on his toes. MCMURPHY She's peckin' at your balls, buddy, at your ever-lovin' balls. Harding is doubled over. SEFELT That kind of behavior will get you a P.A. rating, my friend. MCMURPHY P.A. What the hell is that? SEFELT Potential assaultive. FREDRICKSON Which gets you shipped up to Disturbed for a nice little zap job. MCMURPHY Huh? HARDING Electro-Shock Therapy, my friend. Five cents' worth of electricity and you are out of everybody's hair. MCMURPHY Tell 'er to go to hell anyway! HARDING And if you persist in your ways, they can always ship you over to Medical Surgery. MCMURPHY What for? HARDING Lobotomy! MCMURPHY Lobotomy? HARDING (pointing to lobotomy case) That! McMurphy looks. SHOT OF A LOBOTOMY CASE A vegetable, complete with two half-dollar scars in his forehead. MCMURPHY As he absorbs this bit of information the basketball rolls to his feet and he picks it up. MCMURPHY (to Harding) Is that your sense of humor or are you tryin' to say somethin'? HARDING Now, what would I be trying to say? Martini and Scanlon rush over and try to get the ball. SCANLON Gimme the ball! MARTINI No. Me! Me! WASHINGTON (O.S.) Pass the ball, McMurphy. McMurphy crosses to the court, bouncing the ball as he goes. When he reaches the court he holds the ball out to Washington, who reaches for it, but McMurphy snaps it back over his shoulder to Martini. MCMURPHY (turning to Martini) Pass it to me, Martini. Martini holds back. MCMURPHY C'mon, I'll give it back! Martini passes to McMurphy. MCMURPHY Atta boy, Martini. He passes it back to Martini, who laughs and passes it back to McMurphy, who passes it to Scanlon, who passes to McMurphy, who passes to Billy, etc. Bromden just stands watching. MCMURPHY (encouraging them) Back and forth, that's it. Shoot, man, we'll be takin' on the New York Knicks before we're through... McMurphy looks to see Big Nurse looking out a window at them. He catches her eye. She turns away. MCMURPHY (V.O.) Hey-ya, hey-ya, come on, come on, I'm waitin' on you suckers, you hit or you sit... INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT The MUSIC is PLAYING. The TV is on the six o'clock news as McMurphy, cards in hand, is dealing blackjack to Cheswick, Harding, Sefelt, Billy and Martini. Fredrickson and Scanlon are looking on as Bromden eases up to the game. Cheswick is at the nurses' station talking to Big Nurse. SEFELT Hit me! MCMURPHY Hit, you say? Well well well and with a king up, the boy wants a hit. Whadaya know. So comin' at you and too bad, a little lady for the lad and he's over the wall and down the road, up the hill and dropped his load. SEFELT Boogered! McMurphy rakes in Sefelt's cigarettes, adding them to a pile of loose cigarettes, packs of cigarettes, several cartons of cigarettes. As Cheswick sits down, depressed: MCMURPHY 'Kay, place your bets. MARTINI (holding up a cigarette) What's this? MCMURPHY That's a dime, Martini. Martini breaks a cigarette in half. MARTINI Bet a nickel! MCMURPHY (to Cheswick) Whadaya bet, Cheswick? CHESWICK She won't give me any more cigarettes! MCMURPHY That okay. I'll take your marker. How many ya want? CHESWICK Lend me twenty. McMurphy counts out twenty cigarettes, marks it down on a piece of paper, and passes the cigarettes to Cheswick, who bets all twenty. The Sports have come on TV and McMurphy's attention is divided. MCMURPHY (checking the board) 'Kay, all bets are down, let's wheel 'em an' deal 'em. He deals the cards out, the first one face down, then the next one face up. MCMURPHY Big king... little deuce... another king... a lovely lady... big ten... and a trey... hey, hey, whadaya say? Ya hit or sit, Martini? MARTINI Hit me. MCMURPHY (hits with a picture) That's twenty up, Martini. (turning to TV, he shouts across room) Hey, Taber, who's pitching the opening game? Taber calls back something but it's lost in the other sounds. MARTINI Hit me! MCMURPHY Wait a minute, Martini, I can't hear a thing. (turning back to Taber) What? TABER (shouting back) Koufax against Ford! MISS PILBOW (V.O.) (over loudspeaker) Medication time! Medication time! Medication! MARTINI (simultaneously with Pilbow) Hit me! McMurphy slams his cards down, stands up, crosses the day room, heading for the nurses' station. He passes Washington, who stands there waiting to dispense orange juice. INT. NURSES' STATION - NIGHT as McMurphy enters. Nurse Pilbow is the only one there. MCMURPHY Pardon me miss, but would you mind turning... NURSE PILBOW (scared out of her wits) Stay back! Patients aren't allowed to enter the... Oh, stay back! MCMURPHY All I'm askin' is... Nurse Pilbow grabs at her cross, screams and shuts her eyes, holding the cross in front of her. NURSE PILBOW Oh, stay back, I'm a Catholic! Big Nurse enters from the nurses' lounge. BIG NURSE Mister McMurphy. Patients aren't allowed in here. MCMURPHY Sorry, ma'am. McMurphy steps out of the station, closing the door behind him. INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT as McMurphy goes around to the front of the nurses' station and queues up behind the other Acutes who are getting their medication. McMurphy reaches the window, takes the cup, but doesn't take his pills. MCMURPHY (to Big Nurse) Pardon me, ma'am, can I ask you somethin'? BIG NURSE (politely) Yes, Mister McMurphy? MCMURPHY How 'bout turning off that music for a while so a man can hear himself think? BIG NURSE (pleasantly) That music is for everyone, Mister McMurphy. McMurphy leans in, placing his hand on the window. MCMURPHY (confidentially) Well, say, how 'bout easin' it down a bit so a man don't have to shout! BIG NURSE (aware of his physical proximity) Mister McMurphy, there are old men here who couldn't hear the music at all if it were lower. That music is all they have, and I wish you wouldn't lean against the glass there, your hands are staining the window. McMurphy jerks his hand away. MCMURPHY Sorry, ma'am... Sorry 'bout that... McMurphy breathes on the glass and wipes it clean with his sleeve. MCMURPHY Sorry to have bothered you. BIG NURSE Not at all, Mister McMurphy... McMurphy turns to walk away. NURSE PILBOW Your medicine, Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY (turning back, he examines the contents of the cup) What's the horse pill for, honey? NURSE PILBOW It's just medication, Mister McMurphy, good for you. Now down it goes... MCMURPHY Look, miss, I don't like swallowing something without knowing what it is! NURSE PILBOW (stepping back a little) Don't get upset, Mister McMurphy... MCMURPHY I'm not upset. All I wanna know, for the lovva Jesus... BIG NURSE That's all right, Miss Pilbow, if Mister McMurphy does not wish to take his medication orally, he may... MCMURPHY No, that's okay, ma'am. Down it goes. McMurphy makes a big show of popping the pill in his mouth, holding his paper cup upside down, for all to see, then moving on to Washington, who fills it with orange juice. McMurphy gulps it down, not without some difficulty, then he smiles at all the concerned faces and crosses the room to the card table, where he sits to see the Acutes looking at him. HARDING Why didn't you tell her to go to hell, lover boy? TABER Yeah, whattsa matter, Mack, she too much for ya? McMurphy holds the pill up and flicks it into Harding's forehead. MCMURPHY You boys seem to think you've got a champ in there, huh? HARDING I don't see you scoring any points, buddy. And you're just the man for the job, right? MCMURPHY Hell, I couldn't get it up over old hatchet-face if ya paid me! HARDING She's not all that homely, Mister McMurphy. In fact, she must have been a rather beautiful young lady. The men look at Big Nurse. The patients look at the nurses' station. PATIENTS' POV Big Nurse is busy at her work. INT. NURSES STATION - BIG NURSE'S POV - NIGHT The patients looking at her. They turn back to their card game. REVERSE ANGLE CAMERA HOLDS on Big Nurse as McMurphy's VOICE is HEARD over INTERCOM. MCMURPHY (V.O.) (through intercom) Yeah, an' I'm tellin' ya, she's just an icy-hearted over-the-hump gal who never got enough of the old wham-bam to straighten 'er out... Okay, who wants a card? MARTINI (V.O.) (through intercom) Me. Hit me! Big Nurse looks up and studies the men gathered round the table. INT. MEN'S DORM - NIGHT The patients are asleep except for Bromden, who stands by the window looking out. McMurphy is asleep in the bed next to his. A beat when TURKLE, a fifty-year-old Negro night attendant, slightly drunk, lays a gentle hand on Bromden's shoulder. TURKLE Le's get back to bed, Mistah Bromden... Bromden allows himself to be led back to bed. Turkle fumbles around for the security belt, finds it, straps Bromden loosely in bed, then goes off clucking to himself. Bromden reaches under his bed and plucks a stale piece of gum from under the bed frame. He starts chewing it when he sees McMurphy looking at him. Bromden goes right on chewing and looking McMurphy right in the eye. MCMURPHY (whispering) Chief? I wanna ask ya somethin'. (sings) Oh, does the spearmint lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? When you chew it in the morning, will it be too hard to bite? This question's got me goin', won't somebody set me right; does the spearmint lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? McMurphy holds the last note, reaches over and rustles through his nightstand. MCMURPHY Here ya go, Chief... A small object lands on Bromden's bed. It is a fresh package of gum. Bromden picks it up. Examines it. Unwraps it. Deposits his old piece of gum under the bed frame, then inserts the fresh gum in his mouth and starts chewing. SERIES OF SHOTS SHOWING the MEN'S DORM, the empty DAY ROOM, TURKLE ASLEEP in the NURSES' STATION, EMPTY HALLWAYS, the NIGHT SUPERINTENDENT at her desk, MORE HALLWAYS... Ending on: INT. MEN'S DORM - SUNRISE ABERRATED SHOT of INSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS SEEN THROUGH STEEL MESH SCREEN -- as the sun rises above the treetops. REVERSE SHOT - BROMDEN looking out of the window. His face washed by the sunlight. His eyes have a vague look, almost vacuous, as... BIG NURSE (V.O.) (through loudspeaker) Good morning, boys. Rise and shine. Rise and shine. INT. MEN'S DORM - DAY as Washington, Warren and Miller roust the patients out of bed. BIG NURSE (V.O.) (through loudspeaker) Time to got up! Come on now, it's a beautiful day! Let's not straggle! Everybody up, up, up! McMurphy is in bed, not ready for the world, when Washington crosses to Bromden, who is looking out the window, and leads him off. WASHINGTON Le's go, Chief. Le's go get ourselves all nice and clean... (to McMurphy) You too, Mistah Mack-Murphy! Washington goes off with Bromden. CAMERA HOLDS on McMurphy as he slowly pulls it together and sits on the edge of the bed. He's naked as he opens the drawer to his nightstand and fishes around for a cigarette. MCMURPHY (looking in the drawer) What the... (looking around) Who the fuck stole my cigarettes! INT. DAY ROOM - DAY as the Acutes straggle past Big Nurse. BIG NURSE Good morning, Mister Sefelt, are your teeth any better?... Good morning, Mister Fredrickson... Good morning, Mister Harding; my, my, you've been biting your fingernails again... She sees McMurphy approaching, wearing a towel around his waist and a scowl on his face. BIG NURSE Mister McMurphy, patients are not permitted to run around in towels. MCMURPHY I wanna report a robbery! BIG NURSE On this ward? MCMURPHY Yeah, some creep stole my cigarettes! BIG NURSE Oh, I had them removed. MCMURPHY What for? BIG NURSE Patients are rationed to one pack of cigarettes a day. Bromden comes drifting by, going in the opposite direction. Big Nurse takes his hand. BIG NURSE (calling out) Mister Washington! Washington comes running. WASHINGTON Yes, Miss Ratched? BIG NURSE Please see to Mister Bromden. WASHINGTON (taking Bromden by the hand) Yes, Miss Ratched... Washington leads Bromden off. Big Nurse turns to Cheswick and several other Acutes, who have crowded around. BIG NURSE Now you boys hurry along and wash up for breakfast... (to McMurphy) You too, Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY Well, say. How 'bout springing a pack of cigarettes loose? BIG NURSE After breakfast, Mister McMurphy, after breakfast. MCMURPHY You sure run a tight-assed ship 'round here, don't ya! BIG NURSE Yes. Now run along like a good boy and see that you wash up properly. WIDER ANGLE A beat, as the Acutes wait for McMurphy's next move, then: MCMURPHY 'Kay, let's go brush our teeth, fellas... McMurphy turns and crosses toward the washroom, singing at the top of his lungs. MCMURPHY Oh, Lulu had a baby, His name was Sunny Jim, She put 'im in a piss pot, To teach 'im how to swim. Oh, he swam to the bottom, He swam to the top, Lulu got excited, An' pulled 'im by his... Cock-tail ginger-ale, Five cents a glass, An' if ya don't like it Ya can shove it up your... Ask me no more questions, I'll tell ya no more lies. BIG NURSE watching McMurphy who removes his towel as he enters the washroom. INT. WASHROOM - DAY as McMurphy enters to see Warren take a firm grip on Bromaen's head and Washington goes to work on Bromden's face. CAMERA PUSHES INTO EXTREME CLOSEUP of Bromden's fearfully distorted face as the BUZZING SOUND of the ELECTRIC RAZOR INTENSIFIES until it is INSUPPORTABLE. INT. MESS HALL - DAY We SEE the attendants spooning food into the sucking pink mouths of the vegetables, a shade too fast for swallowing. MCMURPHY (O.S.) What's wrong with you guys? We SEE McMurphy seated with the Acutes, shoveling food down his gullet. The others are barely touching their food. MCMURPHY Why, if I'd have known how soft this place was gonna be, I'd have arranged for my transfer sooner... (holding up his orange juice) Look at this here, real orange juice! (slugging it down) Hooee, that's good. Why, you couldn't pay me to leave this place! (slaps his belly) All this place lacks is a couple of sweet gals to liven things up... He gets up and carries his tray to the proper place, where he notices Miller loading several other trays onto a dumbwaiter. Miller pushes a button and the dumbwaiter goes down. McMurphy crosses to the door to find it blocked by Washington. MCMURPHY Stand aside, Sam, Nature's callin'. WASHINGTON Nobody leaves here till seven thirty. McMurphy turns Washington over in his mind, then he looks up at the clock above the door. The time is 7:28. The second hand sweeping its way toward 7:29. MCMURPHY Don't know if I can hold it that long, Sam. WASHINGTON Tha's your problem. MCMURPHY (confidentially) Who do you like in the opening game, Sam? WASHINGTON Huh? MCMURPHY (turning away) Asshole. McMurphy turns and walks away. Washington watches him go. CHESWICK (V.O.) I wanna know about my cigarettes! INT. DAY ROOM - DAY A group meeting is in progress. Doctor Spivey is there. Cheswick is on his feet. BIG NURSE Sit down, Mister Cheswick. CHESWTCK (not sitting) No, I ain't no kid to have my cigarettes keep from me like cookies! Ain't that right, Mack! (McMurphy doesn't respond) Mack??? BIG NURSE Sit down, Mister Cheswick! Cheswick sits -- stunned. A beat; then: BIG NURSE (to Cheswick) You should have thought about that before you gambled all your cigarettes away. Is that clear? Cheswick sulks in his seat. BIG NURSE Mister Cheswick, is that clear! CHESWICK Yeah... BIG NURSE Good... (opens her book) Now, as I recall, we were making quite a bit of headway, last time, with Mister Harding's problem. So, does anyone care to begin? McMurphy's hand goes up. No one else's does. BIG NURSE Yes, Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY Right... I've been givin' some serious consideration to what you told me about the democratic something of this therapeutic community of ours, an' I got a few things I wanna get off my chest, before we get back to Harding's problem. BIG NURSE Certainly, Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY Right! McMurphy takes a folded sheet of paper out of his pocket, unfolds it, studies it and begins. MCMURPHY 'Kay... Item one... I've been thinkin' 'bout the age problem we got on this ward. You know, the young an' old livin' together, an' I was thinkin' what a great thing it would be if the music was turned up louder. Louder so the old fellas could hear better... Doctor Spivey nods with approval. Big Nurse doesn't. The Acutes are bewildered. MCMURPHY But then I got to thinkin', the music is so loud already, it makes it difficult for the young fellas to hold a decent conversation... Nods and murmurs of approval from the Acutes. Big Nurse can only wait for McMurphy's next move. MCMURPHY Well, I was turnin' this dilemma over in my head, when I happened to hit on that old tub room out there, an' I said to myself, McMurphy, I said, that place would make a great second day room. A sort of game room for the young fellas. Whadaya think, Doc? SPIVEY It is worth considering... Miss Ratched? BIG NURSE The point is well taken, Doctor, but do we have the necessary personnel to cover a second day room? SPIVEY Well, since it will be largely the Chronics who remain here, one aide and one nurse should easily be able to handle any situation that might occur. (he turns to the patients) What do you think, men, is it workable? CHESWICK Right, Doc. It's workable. Several other Acutes voice in the affirmative. SPIVEY Fine! BIG NURSE Good. Good. Yes, yes, I think we should give it a trial period. So! May we get back to Mister Harding's problem... (she sees McMurphy's hand up) Yes, Mister McMurphy? MCMURPHY I'm not finished yet. BIG NURSE Go on... MCMURPHY (looking at his list) 'Kay, item two. Tomorrow, and listen carefully to me, you ding-a lings. Tomorrow is the opening game of the World Series an' what I want is to take a vote on switchin' the group meetin' to later on in the day, so we can watch the ballgame. BIG NURSE Just a minute, Mister McMurphy! MCMURPHY Yeah? BIG NURSE Please understand, the schedule has been set up for a delicately balanced reason that would be thrown into turmoil by a switch of routines. MCMURPHY The hell with the schedule, you can get back to the schedule next week when the series is over. What I want is a vote on it right now! CHESWICK I second the motion! MCMURPHY Atta boy, Cheswick! BIG NURSE Very well! All those in favor, please raise your hands. Big Nurse casts a watchful eye over the patients. MCMURPHY (raising his hand) Okay, raise your hands. Only Cheswick's goes up. MCMURPHY Come on', what is this crap? Who wants to watch the World Series? Martini and Scanlon's hands go up. Several Acutes look at them. Scanlon and Martini's hands go down. McMurphy can't believe his eyes. BIG NURSE (politely) I count only two, including you, Mister McMurphy. Certainly not enough to change ward policy. McMurphy's hand goes down. BIG NURSE Yes. Now was there anything else you wanted to discuss, Mister McMurphy? MCMURPHY No way. CHESWICK No way. McMurphy starts tearing his sheet of paper up into a thousand pieces. BIG NURSE (checking her watch) Then I suggest we turn our attention back to Mister Harding's problem. Would anybody care to begin? She looks around. McMurphy is slouched in his chair. Harding puts his hands up. No one else does. BIG NURSE Yes, Mister Harding? HARDING Yes, thank you, Miss Ratched. Since our last meeting I have been reflecting, quite seriously, on the nature of my problem. Naturally, I'm referring to the capacity to obtain the necessary results in order to obtain... No, no. To personify the very existence of that relationship regardless of the function... (he stops, chews his lip, then continues) Regardless of the function, we will confront the question of... Yes. Yes. The question of... Existence... Relationship... Function... Confront... Yes, confronting us in the moment of deepest crisis... Yes, the crisis of our souls. Of our souls, which I am trying to fully understand the problem... the problem. Not to shut ourselves off, but somehow... Somehow to understand fully our capacity... to obtain... to personify... the question... existence depends... depends on the question... to reflect... to reflect... Harding, breaks off, sweating; he begins to knead his forehead and chew his nails. HARDING To reflect... ANGLE Silence as the CAMERA REFLECTS: the room, the patients, the staff, the hallways, the hospital, the grounds, the trees, the sky, ending on. MARTINI (V.O.) Hold it a minute. What's a man need to buy thum hotels? INT. TUB ROOM - NIGHT Bromden is pressed against the wall, watching McMurphy, Martini, Scanlon and Cheswick play a game of monopoly. The others are playing cards or just hanging around, a little chagrined. Billy is most disturbed by this separation. MCMURPHY You need four houses on every lot of the same color, Martini. Now let's go, for Christsakes. MARTINI Hold it a minute. There's a flurry of money from Martini, red, green and yellow bills blowing in every direction. CHESWICK Let's go, for Christsakes... MCMURPHY It's your dirty roll, Cheswick. Cheswick rolls the dice. MCMURPHY Snake eyes! Hoooeee, that puts you on my Marvin Gardens, which means you owe me three hundred and fifty dollars. Cheswick starts counting out the money. MARTINI What's thum other things? Hold it a minute. What's thum other things all over the board? CHESWICK (to Martini) How can a man concentrate with you sitting there hallucinating a mile a minute... MCMURPHY You just come on with that three fifty and Martini will take care of himself... Your dice, Scanlon. SCANLON Gimme those dice. I'll blow this board to pieces. Here we go... (throws the dice) Lebenty leben, count me over eleven, Martini... Martini picks up a house... SCANLON Not that one, you crazy bastard, that's my house... Scanlon grabs Martini's hand and tries to get his piece back. Martini won't let go. MCMURPHY Break it up, God dammit! Ain't I got enough troubles without you guys messin' around... can't depend on nobody. BILLY (from the next table) Some of us ha-ha-have b-b-been here a long t-t-time, Randle, and will b b-be here long after this Wo-Wo World Series of yours is oh-oh-oh, what's the use anyway... McMurphy slams his fist down on the table, sending the monopoly pieces flying. Martini is crestfallen. MCMURPHY What's the use! Hooee! It'd do you birds some good just to get a little exercise lifting your arms to vote! HARDING A baseball game isn't worth the risk, my friend. MCMURPHY It is to me! An' if I hafta bust way outta this place to see it, I will! CHESWICK Right! FREDRICKSON Oh, yeah? MCMURPHY Yeah! SEFELT Big man! MCMURPHY Yeah, how much you wanna bet? SEFELT On what? MCMURPHY That me an' my buddy, Cheswick, we'll be downtown tomorrow watchin' the ballgame while you suckers are sittin' around this goddamn nursery! HARDING And how do you propose to accomplish that little feat, my friend? MCMURPHY That's between me an' myself. So why don't you boys just shove off. I got some planning to do. McMurphy sits and resumes his game of solitaire. Martini and Scanlon are putting the monopoly game back together again. Bromden spots (or he thinks he spots) one of the attendants listening at the door. He wants to warn the others, but doesn't know how. SEFELT Maybe he'll just show Miss Ratched his big thing an' she'll open the door for him. Sefelt and Frederickson smile at each other. Bromden slides along the wall toward the door. MCMURPHY Maybe I'll just use that thick skull of yours as a batterin' ram, Sefelt. SEFELT Why, my head would just squash like an eggplant, McMurphy. Fredrickson and Sefelt snicker in their hands. MCMURPHY You think it's funny, huh? TABER Yeah, you don't know how to get outta this place! Bromden reaches the door and looks out. No one is there. MCMURPHY Put your money where your mouth is, Taber. TABER Yeah, yeah, you're a fucking phony, McMurphy! Bromden turns back to the room to see McMurphy slam his fist down on the table; the monopoly game goes flying. MCMURPHY (rising and turning on the others, who back off) You want me to show ya! You want me to show ya how! TABER Yeah, yeah, show me. Show me how! MCMURPHY All right! He looks wildly around the room, spots the machine, crosses to it and smacks it with his hand. MCMURPHY With this thing! I'm gonna put this thing right through the window, that's how! HARDING You mean you're going to try to pick that thing up and shove it through the window? MCMURPHY You're fuckin' A-right, I am! HARDING With your own two hands? MCMURPHY You heard me the first time! TABER I'll bet a buck you don't do it! MCMURPHY You're on! BILLY M-M-Mack, y-y-y-you c-c-can't l-l lift that thing! MCMURPHY Stand aside, son. Any more takers? SEFELT I'll bet a dollar. FREDRICKSON Me, too... MCMURPHY Right! MARTINI A nickel. SCANLON A dime. MCMURPHY Okay. Who else? HARDING Twenty-five dollars. MCMURPHY (knows he's taking a bad bet) Okay, Harding, you're on. HARDING Okay, sucker. MCMURPHY Yeah... Okay, stand aside, you guys! You're usin' up my oxygen! The Acutes stand aside and McMurphy steps up to the machine. He shifts his feet to get a good stance, wipes his hands on his thighs, leans down and gets hold of the levers on each side, and strains. Bromden watches, in awe of McMurphy. McMurphy turns loose, straightens up and shifts his feet for a better position. HARDING Giving up? MCMURPHY Just warmin' up. He grabs the levers again. His whole body shakes with the strain. For just a second we HEAR the cement GRIND. Then his breath explodes and he falls back limp against the wall. There's blood on his hands. No sound but his rasping breath. He opens his eyes and looks around. Then pulls out a pocketful of IOU's and tries to sort them out, but his hands are frozen into red claws. He throws the whole bundle on the floor and walks out. At the door, he turns back. MCMURPHY But I tried. Goddammit, I sure as hell did that much. Didn't I? McMurphy exits. REACTION SHOT OF ACUTES SHOT OF BROMDEN looking at the machine. A long beat. INT. MEN'S DORM - NIGHT The patients are getting ready for bed when Billy approaches McMurphy, who is in bed. BILLY M-M-Mack... McMurphy turns away from Billy, who crosses to the other side of the bed. BILLY M-M-Mack, I-I-I'm sorry! HARDING Leave him alone, he's pouting. BILLY Y-Y-Y-You leave him alone! MCMURPHY That's okay, kid... BILLY Th-th-then y-y-you're n-n-not m-m mad? MCMURPHY No, kid, it was my own stupidity, that's what pissed me off. BILLY O-o-o-oh... MCMURPHY What we're gonna have to do is pull this ballclub together for our next play. 'Kay! BILLY 'K-k-kay, Mack! INT. HALLWAY - DAY Washington, Warren and Miller are at the end of the hallway, listening to a small RADIO. We can HEAR the SPORTS ANNOUNCER giving the line-up for the opening game of the World Series. WASHINGTON'S POV Way down the hall, the Group Meeting is SEEN in progress. INT. DAY ROOM - DAY A Group Meeting is in progress and Big Nurse is honed in on Billy. BIG NURSE Try, Billy, try... Billy tries, but can't talk. The other Acutes are bored, restive, waiting. McMurphy has ants in his pants as Big Nurse speaks to Billy. BIG NURSE Was it your idea to visit her on Sunday? BILLY Y-y-y-yes... BIG NURSE Tell us about it... BILLY I-I-I-I c-c-c-came over S-S-S Sunday m-m-m-morning after ch-ch-ch church and br-br-brought her s-s some flowers, and I s-s-said, I said, 'C- C-C-Celia, will you muh muh-muh-muh- muh...' till the girl broke out l-l- laughing. Billy laughs at himself. BIG NURSE What was it about her that disturbed you so, Billy? BILLY (rubbing scars on his wrist) I was in luh-love with her. BIG NURSE Billy, were you afraid of her, or of her love? No response from Billy. BIG NURSE That was the first time you attempted to commit suicide, wasn't it? (no response) You must try to talk about it, Billy. MCMURPHY Jesus Christ, the man doesn't want to talk, so get off his back an' let's get on to some new business. BIG NURSE Mister McMurphy, the purpose of this meeting is therapy. Group therapy. MCMURPHY Yeah, yeah, the hell with that crap! The World Series is goin' on right' now an' that's therapy also! BIG NURSE Let me pose a question to the group: do any of you feel that Mister McMurphy is perhaps imposing his personal desires on you too much? MCMURPHY What the hell does that have to do with it? This is an important event and I want a vote on it! CHESWICK Yeah, let's vote on it! BIG NURSE Will one more vote satisfy you? MCMURPHY Yeah, it'll satisfy me. BIG NURSE Very well. What is it you're proposing, Mister McMurphy? MCMURPHY I'm proposing a re-vote on watchin' the ballgame! BIG NURSE (to the patients) A vote is before the group. MCMURPHY Okay, I wanna see the hands. I wanna see which of you birds has any guts. BIG NURSE Everyone in favor of changing the schedule raise his hand. The first hand to come up is Cheswick's. Then McMurphy's. Then Martini, Scanlon, Sefelt, Fredrickson, Billy and Taber. Harding doesn't vote. Big Nurse starts counting the hands. McMurphy, his face beaming, counts the hands. MCMURPHY That's it! We made it! BIG NURSE I'm sorry, Mister McMurphy, I count only eight. MCMURPHY So do I! BIG NURSE But there are eighteen patients on the ward, Mister McMurphy. MCMURPHY (the light dawning) You mean to tell me you're gonna count those old birds over there? BIG NURSE I'm sorry, Mister McMurphy, but you must have a majority to change ward policy. MCMURPHY Well, I'll be a son-of-a-bitch... BILLY B-But, M-M-Miss R-Ratched, y-you n never c-c-counted th-their votes before! A beat. BIG NURSE (losing ground) You mean you don't want their votes to count, Billy! BILLY I-I-I... MCMURPHY Well, screw that noise! McMurphy rises and, taking his chair, he crosses toward the television set. BIG NURSE Sit down, Mister McMurphy! McMurphy turns the TV on, flips the channel, then sits and waits for a picture. BIG NURSE I want you to turn the television off and return to your place! A picture swirls onto the TV screen. The ballgame is in progress (documentary footage to be used). Martini rushes over and joins McMurphy. Scanlon follows hot on his heels as -- MCMURPHY Hoo-wee! Man, all I need me now is a can of beer and a red-hot. Cheswick gets up and starts across when -- BIG NURSE Sit down, Mister Cheswick. Cheswick stops and stands there, helpless to move. CHESWICK Mack... McMurphy is deep into the game. INSERT - TV SCREEN On the screen a great play is taking place, and at the breathtaking moment the TV picture swirls into a little eye of light -- then nothing. BACK TO SCENE The Acutes are left with their mouths hanging open. BIG NURSE (V.O.) (over loudspeaker) I want you men to return to your proper places. The group meeting is not over! McMurphy continues looking at the blank TV screen as the Acutes look from McMurphy to Big Nurse, not knowing what to do next when -- MCMURPHY (jumping up and shouting at the blank TV screen) A hit! It's a hit! He's rounding first, heading for second. Here comes the throw. He's sliding... and... he's safe! He's safe! (McMurphy whistles and claps his hands) Hoo-wee! Whatta game! Whatta game! Come on, Koufax! Strike 'em out! The Acutes are stunned at McMurphy's outburst. BIG NURSE (V.O.) (over loudspeaker) Mister McMurphy, you are deliberately violating the rules!... MCMURPHY He's into his wind-up. Here comes the pitch. Strike on the inside corner! Sefelt, Fredrickson, Billy and Taber get up and cross toward the TV. Harding is the only one who doesn't join them. BIG NURSE (V.O.) (over loudspeaker) You men remain seated! MCMURPHY (focusing in on TV screen) He's into his wind-up. Here's the next pitch... and it's a hit! It's a hit! MARTINI (jumping up and down) I saw thum! I saw thum! SCANLON Me, too! Me, too! SEFELT Yes, I see it! I see it! MCMURPHY (on his feet, shouting) Ya-hoo, let's' play ball! The other Acutes pick up on McMurphy and start shouting at the blank TV screen. ACUTES Ya-hoo! It's a hit! A triple! It's a home run! A double! He's out! Whadaya blind? He's safe by a mile! (AD LIB) BIG NURSE (V.O.) (over loudspeaker) You boys, stop this and go to your assignments! Mister McMurphy, I want you to set an example... MCMURPHY 'Kay, it's two outs, bases loaded as Koufax steps up to the mound... Checks the runners... goes into his wind-up... Here comes the three-two pitch... And it's a fly ball into deep center. Mantle is going back. He's going back! Back! His back is up against the wall... and... he catches it! He catches it! The Acutes are shouting, cheering, stomping and dancing in each other's arms. BIG NURSE'S VOICE (over loudspeaker) You men stop this! Mister Washingt