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One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
by Lawrence Hauben.
Based on the novel by Ken Kesey. More info about this movie on
imdb.comEXT. 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 acrcss
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
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 gungs 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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
Yeah, buddy?
TABER
Are you a doctor?
MCMURPHY
No, 'fraid not...
Taber walks away.
Martini tugs at McMurphy's sleeve.
MCMURPHY (CONT'D)
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 (O.S.) (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
I'm the next one.
MCMURPHY
How do ya know that?
TABER (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
Y-Y-You m-mean th-the pr-president
of the P-P-Patients C-Council?
MCMURPHY
Yeah, that'll do for openers!
BILLY (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
Martini, throw a card!
Martini throws a diamond.
HARDING (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
Mister Fredrickson?
Fredrickson passes.
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
Mister Taber?
Taber passes.
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
Mister Martini?
MARTINI
No!
BIG NURSE
Mister Scanlon?
Scanlon looks at the floor.
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
Mister Cheswick?
Cheswick wags his head 'no.'
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 evere 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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
And if you persist in your ways,
they can always ship you over to
Medical Surgery.
MCMURPHY
What for?
HARDING (CONT'D)
Lobotomy!
MCMURPHY
Lobotomy?
HARDING (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 guillet. 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 (CONT'D)
Tha's your problem.
MCMURPHY
(confidentially)
Who do you like in the opening
game, Sam?
WASHINGTON (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
(politely)
I count only two, including you,
Mister McMurphy. Certainly not
enough to change ward policy.
McMurphy's hand goes down.
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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
McMurpby, who is in bed.
BILLY
M-M-Mack...
McMurphy turns away from Billy, who crosses to the other side
of the bed.
BILLY (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
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
Washington! Miller! Warren!
Big Nurse's last words overload the intercom and the system
peaks out. Big Nurse's mouth continues to work in frantic
circles as Washington, Miller and Warren rush to quell the
uproar.
INT. SPIVEY'S OFFICE - DAY
Doctor Spivey is seated behind his desk, looking over
McMurphy's papers.
McMurphy sits facing him.
SPIVEY
How are you feeling?
MCMURPHY
Just fine, Doc... In fact, I think
I might've put on a couple of
pounds since I got here.
SPIVEY
Good, good, and how are you getting
along on the ward?
MCMURPHY
Come on, Doc, you know as well as I
do what's been comin' down in that
loony bin.
SPIVEY
Yes, well, Miss Ratched feels that
you're a disturbing influence on
the other patients.
MCMURPHY
Shoot, Doc, the only one I'm
disturbing is that old nurse and
her fixed ways. That's all.
SPIVEY
Yes, that may be so, but in making
a careful study of your past
record, along with your behavior
since you arrived here, my feeling
is that you are not mentally ill
and it is going to be my
recommendation that you be returned
to Pendleton where they are better
equipped to handle your case.
This is the kiss of death to McMurphy.
MCMURPHY
Come on, Doc, you must be kiddin'.
SPIVEY
I'm afraid not.
MCMURPHY
Jesus, that old nurse sure wants my
ass in a sling, don't she!
SPIVEY
No, Mister McMurphy, it's just that
we cannot offer you the guidance
and assistance that you would
receive at Pendleton.
MCMURPHY
Guidance and assistance! That's
insane! Doc, ya gotta help me.
SPIVEY
I'm sorry, but I can't keep you
here.
MCMURPHY
When?
SPIVEY
We'll let you know.
REACTION SHOT of McMurphy.
EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY
Washington and Warren are sitting on the grass watching
Martini, Scanlon, Harding and Billy, who are positioned on
the court waiting on McMurphy who is under the board with
Bromden.
Cheswick and the other patients hang around off court as:
MCMURPHY
(with great physical and
vocal emphasis throughout
entire scene)
Okay, Chief. This is your spot! I
don't want you to move from this
spot! Never!... 'Kay, now, take the
ball! Raise your hands, like
this...
McMurphy raises his hands above his head. Bromden follows
suit.
MCMURPHY
That's good! That's a good boy,
Chief! Now jump and put it in!
McMurphy jumps. Bromden doesn't. McMurphy does this a couple
of times. Each time Bromden remains motionless.
HARDING
He can't hear you!
MCMURPHY
I know, goddammit! You don't have
ta tell me that!
HARDING
So why are you talking to him?
MCMURPHY
I'm not talkin' to him! I'm talkin'
to myself! It helps me think!
HARDING
It doesn't help him.
MCMURPHY
Well, it doesn't hurt him either!
(turning to Bromden)
Does it, Chief!
(no response)
See, it doesn't hurt him.
(to Bromden)
Jump! An' put it in!
McMurphy jumps. Bromden doesn't move.
HARDING
Well, I think you're just confusing
him...
Bromden jumps.
MCMURPHY
Ha! Did ya see that!
(calling to Cheswick on
the sidelines)
Hey, Cheswick!
CHESWICK
Yeah, Mack?
MCMURPHY
Come here!
Cheswick runs over.
CHESWICK
Yeah, Mack?
MCMURPHY
Let me get on your shoulders.
CHESWICK
Sure, Mack...
McMurphy climbs on his shoulders.
MCMURPHY
'Kay, wheel me around to the
basket... 'Kay, easy, easy. Hold
it! 'Kay, now.
(he sees Bromden has
walked away)
Hey, Chief, come back!
Bromden doesn't hear.
MCMURPHY
Cheswick, go get 'im!
Cheswick goes after Bromden, catches him, and McMurphy
latches onto him.
MCMURPHY
Now, wheel me to the basket.
Cheswick, straining under the weight of McMurphy, turns
toward the basket.
INT. MEN'S DORM - NIGHT
as Bromden, chewing his gum, watches McMurphy ease his way
out of bed and silently cross down the aisle, past the sleep
patients, toward the day room.
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
as McMurphy crosses the day room, past the nurses' station
where Turkle is asleep.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
as McMurphy crosses down the hallway and stops at the mess
hall door. He tries the handle. The door is locked. McMurphy
looks up at the open transom, ponders it, then jumps up and
grabs the door lintel. He tries to lift himself up, but can't
make it when suddenly he is lifted up to the level of the
transom by Bromden.
McMurphy worms his way through the transom and disappears
down the other side.
CAMERA HOLDS on Bromden who waits. A long beat. There is a
strange HUMMING SOUND HEARD O.S. Another beat, then the door
opens.
McMurphy smiles at Bromden.
MCMURPHY
(pointing to the floor)
Wait here, Chief.
(more to himself as he
starts down hall)
Heh, heh, I'll show 'em who's
crazy.
INT. MEN'S DORM - NIGHT
McMurphy is nudging Cheswick awake.
MCMURPHY
Hey, Cheswick! Wake up!
CHESWICK
(waking up)
Yeah, Mack, what is it?
MCMURPHY
I'm leaving. Goodbye!
CHESWICK
(sitting up)
Where ya goin', Mac?
MCMURPHY
Shhh...
McMurphy turns and crosses to Billy.
MCMURPHY
(waking Billy)
Hey, Billy. Billy boy, wake up and
say goodbye to your ol' buddy.
BILLY
(waking up)
W-w-w-what is it, M-M-Mac?
MCMURPHY
So long, kid.
BILLY
Wh-wh-wh-wh...
MCMURPHY
Shhh...
McMurphy turns from the bewildered Billy and crosses to
Martini.
MCMURPHY
(nudging Martini awake)
Psst! Hey, Martini, wake up!
MARTINI
(waking up)
Yeah, Mac?
MCMURPHY
Bye-bye.
McMurphy turns to Scanlon.
MCMURPHY
Scanlon! Hey, Scanlon, wake up!
SCANLON
(waking up)
Yeah, what's up?
MCMURPHY
Shhhh. See ya around the ball park.
McMurphy crosses to Fredrickson and wakes him.
FREDRICKSON
(waking up)
What? What?
MCMURPHY
So long, Freddy. Don't take any
wooden nickles.
FREDRICKSON
(sitting up)
What?
MCMURPHY
Shhh...
The other patients are sitting up, some of them getting out
of bed as McMurphy turns to Sefelt who is snoring. McMurphy
pinches his nose and Sefelt wakes up.
MCMURPHY
Bye-bye, pussy cat.
McMurphy crosses to Taber.
MCMURPHY
(waking Taber)
Up an' at 'em, Taber.
TABER
(waking up)
What's going on?
MCMURPHY
Shhhh. Time to say goodbye.
McMurphy turns and crosses to Harding.
MCMURPHY
Hey, Hard-on. Wake up, Dumbo.
Harding opens his eyes and looks at McMurphy.
MCMURPHY (CONT'D)
Ya owe me twenty-five bucks.
HARDING
What for?
MCMURPHY
I'm busting outta this place.
HARDING
That's nice. Send me a post card.
Harding turns his back to McMurphy.
MCMURPHY
(turning to the others who
have gathered around)
So long suckers.
BILLY
Wh-wh-where ya going, M-M-Mac?
CHESWICK
How ya gettin' out, Mac?
MCMURPHY
Shhh... That's for me to know an'
you to find out.
TABER
Bullshit. You ain't got no way out!
MCMURPHY
Oh, yeah?
TABER
Yeah!
MCMURPHY
How much ya wanna bet?
TABER (CONT'D)
Ten bucks.
MCMURPHY
You're on.
(to the others)
Let's go! An' keep it quiet.
McMurphy starts down the aisle. The others follow.
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
as McMurphy and the other patients cross the day room, past
the nurses' station, where Turkle shifts in his sleep.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
as McMurphy and the patients cross down the hallway and enter
the mess hall followed by Bromden.
INT. MESS HALL - NIGHT
Cheswick, Bromden, Martini, Scanlon, Sefelt, Fredrickson,
Billy, Taber and McMurphy, stand looking at the dumbwaiter.
BILLY
Wh-wh-what's d-d-down th-there, M-M
Mac?
TABER
Where's it go?
MCMURPHY
Out. It's the way out. So just keep
it in your minds if ya ever wanna
make use of it.
TABER
I don't believe it...
FREDRICKSON
Neither do I...
SEFELT
Me too...
MARTINI
I wanna see it...
SCANLON
Me too! Me too!
BILLY
Y-y-yeah, p-p-prove it, M-M-Mac!
CHESWICK
Yeah, show us, Mac!
MCMURPHY
Shhh. Wait a minute. You guys are
gonna screw up my plans. So just
gone on back to bed like nothin'
happened.
MARTINI
No! I wanna go!
SCANLON
Me too! Me too!
Several of the others chime in.
MCMURPHY
Shhh. Hold it down! I'll take you
guys down, but ya gotta come right
back up! 'Kay?
PATIENTS
(simultaneously)
'Kay, Mac!
MCMURPHY
Shhh... Remember this is a
privilege, so I don't want none of
you goons fuckin' up. Kay?
PATIENTS
(simultaneously)
'Kay, Mac!
MCMURPHY
'Kay, let's see...
(he checks the men out)
Cheswick first ... then Billy...
Martini... Scanlon... Sefelt...
Fredrickson... Taber an' the
Chief... 'Kay
PATIENTS
(simultaneously)
'Kay!
MCMURPHY
Shhh!
INT. TUNNEL - NIGHT
The patients are waiting in the tunnel, which is used as an
underground connecting system to the institutional buildings,
as McMurphy gets out of the dumbwaiter.
MCMURPHY
(looking around)
Where's Martini and Scanlon?
CHESWICK
(pointing)
They went that way.
MCMURPHY
Charlie, ya can't ever let those
goons outta ya sight! Understand!
CHESWICK
Right, Mack!
Far down the tunnel Martini and Scanlon are briefly SEEN as
they skitter across the tunnel.
SEFELT
There they are!
MCMURPHY
Hey, Martini! Psst! Scanlon! Ya
dumb goons, come back here!
(starting after them)
Come on, let's get 'em!
McMurphy starts down the tunnel. The others don't move.
MCMURPHY
(calling back)
Come on, you guys, let's stick
together.
The Acutes follow McMurphy. They run down to the intersection
and turn the corner.
No sign of Martini or Scanlon.
Somewhere a DOOR is HEARD SLAMMING CLOSED and FOOTSTEPS are
HEARD coming their way.
TABER
Somebody's coming!
MCMURPHY
Shhh!
(he listens then)
This way!
McMurphy hustles the men round the corner as two aides
pushing a gurney come wheeling by.
BILLY
I-I-I th-th-think we sh-sh-should
go back!
SEFELT
Yeah, my feet are gettin' cold.
FREDRICKSON
Mine, too!
MCMURPHY
We'll go back just as soon as we
find those guys! 'Kay?
ACUTES
(simultaneously)
'Kay, Mack!
The band takes off down tbe tunnel, calling out in loud
whispers, "Martini! Scanlon! Psst! Where are you?"
Down one tunnel and up another -- till they turn a corner and
see an open door.
They go to the door and peer out. Steps lead up to the
outside world.
MCMURPHY
They must be up there!
CHESWICK
Yeah!
BILLY
L-L-Let-'s go b-back!
Several Acutes express the same desire.
MCMURPHY
Come on, don't crap out on me now.
We got two buddies out there!
BILLY (CONT'D)
I-I d-d-don't know! M-M-Miss R
Ratched g-g-g-g...
MCMURPHY
Fuck Miss Ratched!
McMurphy crosses out and up the stairs.
The Acutes look at each other. A beat, then:
MCMURPHY (O.S.)
Wow! Look at this!
The Acutes don't move.
MCMURPHY (O.S.)
Hey, you guys, come on up here and
take a gander at this!
The Acutes inch their way out the door and up the steps.
EXT. INSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS - NIGHT
as the Acutes join McMurphy to see the moon low in the sky,
silhouetting the trees and buildings, and Martini chasing
Scanlon across the wet grounds.
CHESWICK
There they are!
MCMURPHY
(his attention elsewhere)
Hey, what's that?
SEVERAL ACUTES
(simultaneously)
What? Where?
MCMURPHY
(pointing)
Over there!
SEFELT
(squinting)
I don't know...
BILLY
I-i-it's a b-b-bus!
MCMURPHY
A bus?
BILLY (CONT'D)
Y-y-yes, a b-b-bus!
MCMURPHY
Well, shoot, man! Whadaya say we
take ourselves a little spin around
the place.
TABER
We'll get in trouble...
CHESWICK
Yeah, maybe we ought to go back,
Mac...
FREDRICKSON
Yeah, my feet are cold...
SEFELT
My feet hurt...
BILLY
I-I-I'm w-w-wet...
MCMURPHY
(walking towards the bus)
Go ahead! Go back!
The Acutes cast frightened looks at each other then go after
McMurphy. Martini and Scanlon join them.
BILLY (CONT'D)
H-H-How d-d-do we g-g-get b-back?
McMurphy has reached the bus and begins checking it out.
TABER
Yeah, take us back to the
dumbwaiter, Mac.
MCMURPHY
I'm not going back in there. I told
ya this was a one way trip. Now
stand aside.
McMurphy lifts the hood to the bus and begins jumping the
wire. The Acutes stand helplessly by as the engine turns over
and catches. McMurphy closes the hood and gets on the bus to
a chorus of, "Please, Mac, take us back... Please..."
McMurphy puts the bus in gear and the bus starts moving. The
Acutes start running alongside of the bus calling out for
McMurphy to take them back.
MCMURPHY
(shouting to them)
Get on assholes!
They leap on.
EXT. INSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS - ANOTHER ANGLE - NIGHT
As the bus makes a full circle and stops alongside of
Bromden.
MCMURPHY
(waving Bromden onto the
bus)
Come on, Chief! Let's go!
Bromden boards the bus. McMurphy lets out a war whoop as he
closes the door and starts the bus moving.
EXT. INSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS - NIGHT
as the bus picks up speed and churns across the grounds.
INT. BUS - NIGHT
the Acutes look out with wild-eyed excitement.
EXT. INSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS - NIGHT
as the bus careens out the main entrance and down the
thoroughfare.
INT. BUS - NIGHT
as the Acutes cast worried looks at each other.
EXT. HIGHWAY
as the bus turns a corner past a sign that reads:
DALLES 6, SALMON CREEK 8, DEPOE BAY 11, CAPE LOOKOUT 22,
PORTLAND 46
INT. BUS - NIGHT
McMurphy is singing at the top of his lungs.
MCMURPHY
(singing)
Your horses are hungry,
That's what she did say,
Come sit down beside me,
An' feed them some hay.
My horses ain't hungry,
They wontt eat your hay-ay-aeee...
BILLY
H-Hey, M-Mack.
MCMURPHY
Yeah, kid?
BILLY
W-W-Where we g-g-going?
CHESWICK
Yeah, where we going?
MCMURPHY
I dunno. Where do ya wanna go?
MARTINI
I wanna go home!
SCANLON
Yeah, it's cold!
MARTINI
I'm hungry.
TABER
Yeah, we'll miss breakfast!
MCMURPHY
Breakfast! Hell, I know just the
place where we can chow down an'
thaw out before we shoot back on
home. 'Kay?
BILLY
'K-Kay, M-Mack!
MCMURPHY
(singing)
Soo, fare-the-weel, darlin'.
I'm gone on my way,
My wagons are loaded,
My whip's in my hand...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DEPOE BAY - DAWN
The dawn is just cracking the horizon as the bus pulls up
behind a corroded tin sheet building. A sign reads:
DEPOE BAY, SEAMANIS SERVICE, SPORT FISHING, BOATS FOR CHARTER
Beyond the boathouse is the dock with several fishing
trawlers and beyond that -- the open sea.
The door to the bus opens and McMurphy gets out.
MCMURPHY
(as he steps out of the
bus)
This is it!
as McMurphy walks directly to the wall, alongside the door,
lifts the edge of the siding, comes up with a key, opens the
door and enters.
A beat, then the lights go on inside the building.
SHOT OF BUS
The Acutes' faces pressed against the windows, looking out.
INT. SEAMAN'S BUILDING - DAWN
as McMurphy lifts a cold bottle of beer out of a Coca-Cola
cooler, opens it, takes a long pull on the bottle, then
crosses to the heater and turns it on.
Nearby, a sign reads: ALL EQUIPMENT CAN BE RENTED
On the walls are old photographs of people with their prize
catches. Fishing equipment, tackle and wet weather gear crowd
the room.
There is a counter which McMurphy walks behind and takes a
bag of potato chips off a wall rack, full of beer nuts,
hostess cupcakes, etc.
McMurphy eyes the keyboard to the fishing boats. Several keys
are there.
INSERT - KEYBOARD
with the names of the fishing boats: The Lark. Mary Ann.
Noel. Annabella. The Capri.
INT. BUILDING DEPOE BAY - DAWN
McMurphy studying the board as the Acutes stick their heads
in the door. They're all miserable and cold.
MCMURPHY
Come on in an' warm up. You can put
some of that gear on to keep warm.
An' there's beer an' Coke in the
cooler an' some food over here...
They hesitate.
MCMURPHY
Come on, don't be shy now, you're
among friends.
The Acutes come in, Bromden bringing up the rear.
Martini goes for the candy. Scanlon goes for the Coke. Sefelt
and Fredrickson go for the wet weather gear and boots. The
others go to the heater. Bromden stands in the middle of the
room.
MCMURPHY
Why don't one of you boys help ol'
Chief there get warmed up?
Billy goes to Bromden's aid as McMurphy crosses to a window
and looks out.
McMurphy turns and looks out the window. A long beat.
CHESWICK
When do you think we'll be going
back, Mack?
MCMURPHY
(looking out the window)
Come here a minute, Cheswick. You,
too, Sefelt. Hey, all you guys,
come over here, I wanna show you
somethin'.
The Acutes cross to the window and look out, saying, "What?
What is it? Whadaya lookin' at? I don't see a thing."
MARTINI
Oh, look at the pretty boat.
ACUTES' POV
Nestled against the dock is a trim fishing trawler,
beautifully framed in the bay window.
MCMURPHY (V.O.)
Yeah, did you ever see a boat like
that? Why, I'll bet you could go
all the way to Hawaii in that boat!
Tahiti... the Philippines...
Tibet...
CAMERA HOLDS on FULL SHOT of the boat.
BACK TO SCENE
A long beat, then we SEE the Acutes, wearing wet weather
gear, complete with boots and squall hats, each man carrying
soda pop, food, fishing equipment, etc., being led onto the
boat by McMurphy who carries a case of beer.
EXT. FISHING BOAT - DAWN
as a white gorge of smoke and water pours from the stern and
the boat pulls away from the dock, leaving a boiling foam of
water.
INT. SHIP'S BRIDGE - DAWN
The entire crew is jammed into the bridge, McMurphy behind
the wheel.
McMURPHY'S POV
as the dock and other fishing boats slip by.
EXT. HARBOR JETTY - DAWN
as the boat passes out of the harbor and heads for the open
sea.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BOAT DECK - DAY
The sun is up. The engine is dead. The ballgame is HEARD OVER
ship's RADIO. The men are scattered over the boat. Taber and
McMurphy, beer in hand, are sunning themselves, listening to
the ballgame. On the stern Martini and Scanlon are trying to
rig up a pole. Fredrickson gives them a hand. Billy has a
line out. So does Bromden and Sefelt who is seated nearby,
fishing the ocean floor when he suddenly gets a bite and
looks over the side, surprised. His line goes straight down
into the depths. His glasses fall off into the water. Sefelt
sighs and slowly begins reeling his line in.
Billy gets a strike and starts fighting the fish.
BILLY
H-H-Help!
MCMURPHY
Ease up on the star drag, keep the
tie up, up and work hell outta that
fella.
Martini gets a strike and loses it. Scanlon comes up and
starts to take the pole from him.
SCANLON
My turn.
MARTINI
(hanging onto the pole)
No.
They start a tug of war. Fredrickson tries to break it up,
when he gets a strike and his line spins out.
Billy's fish breaks into the sun in a shower of silver
scales, and he gets so excited he lets the end of the pole go
down and the line snaps.
MCMURPHY
Up, I told you! Keep that tip up...
up! You had you one big silver
there.
Fredrickson lands his salmon in a spray of scales and blood.
The fish is flopping all over the deck. Billy grabs the fish
and wrestles it down.
Bromden lands a fish when --
SEFELT (O.S.)
Oh, my God! I see something!
Everyone rushes over to Sefelt and looks down into the water.
REVERSE SHOT
Deep down in the water a gigantic white form slowly rises out
of the depths, becoming solid, alive.
SCANLON
Jesus God...
MARTINI
What is it?
FREDRICKSON
We'll never get that on the boat.
The fish is now clearly SEEN.
BILLY
(calling)
M-M-Mack! M-M-Mack!
McMurphy pulls himself up.
MCMURPHY
What is it, kid?
BILLY
C-C-Come here and l-look at th
this!
McMurphy crosses down and looks over the side.
MCMURPHY
He's a big flounder. Could weigh
two, three hundred. You got to lift
him in with a winch.
FREDRICKSON
Does that mean we have to cut him
loose?
MCMURPHY
Like hell we will! We got the
muscle standing right here. All we
need is a couple gaffin' hooks and
some rope.
BILLY
I-I-I'll get them.
MARTINI
Me, too.
SCANLON
Me, too.
McMurphy turns to Sefelt who is sweating under the strain.
MCMURPHY
Steady does it, Sefelt!
SEFELT'S POV
The massive fish is closer to the surface.
DISSOLVE TO:
BACK TO SCENE
All the men are standing by as gaffing hooks and rope are
made ready. The fish is gaffed and slowly hauled out of the
water.
McMurphy and Bromden lean over, held by the others, grab the
big fish by its gills and, with a heave-ho, the fish is slid
in and flopped to the bottom of the boat. The men go
sprawling over the big fish. There's a lot of laughter,
handshakes and back-slapping going on when --
VOICE
(over bull horn)
All right! Stand to! Stand to!
The men look up.
REVERSE SHOT - ACUTES' POV
Off the bow is a Coast Guard cutter, and on the deck stands
Doctor Spivey, Washington, Warren and several other aides
dressed in white.
INT. HALLWAY - STATE HOSPITAL - LATE AFTERNOON
as the Acutes, sunburned and covered with dried brine and
fish scales, are escorted down the hallway by Washington,
Warren and Doctor Spivey.
It's a triumphant procession as they wheel the giant flounder
with a sheet over it on a gurney, holding up their catches
for all to see.
McMurphy is lagging a bit behind as they pass the mess hall
where workmen are busy installing a security screen over the
transom, while inside the mess hall another workman is SEEN
welding a lock on the dumbwaiter.
INT. DAY ROOM
as Big Nurse steps out of the Nurses' Station.
SPIVEY
(to Big Nurse)
Here they are, Miss Ratched. Safe
and sound!
BIG NURSE
Good. Well, boys, did you enjoy
yourselves?
A burst of exuberance as the inmates hold up their fish.
FREDRICKSON
(to Sefelt)
Show her the one you caught, Jim.
Sefelt whips the sheet off the big fish.
BIG NURSE
My, my...
No one can find superlatives or gestures big enough to
describe his catching of the big fish, "brought it in
himself" AD LIB.
MCMURPHY
Yeah, ya should've come along with
us, Miss Ratched, an' gotten a
little sun on your cheeks and maybe
caught a fish or two.
BIG NURSE
Mr. McMurphy, you had no right to
take these men out with you!
MCMURPHY
(loudly)
Yeah, that's kind of crazy, ain't
it!
BIG NURSE
No, it was irresponsible!
Big Nurse turns to the others, leaving McMurphy dangling.
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
(respectfully)
That's quite a catch, Jim. Whaat
are you going to do with it?
MARTINI
(crossing to McMurphy)
Gimme a cigarette!
SEFELT
I thought I might donate it to the
mess hall.
MCMURPHY
(reaches in his pocket; he
has none)
I don't have any.
AD LIBS: "They could use it." "Take a picture first."
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
That's an excellent idea. Now, why
don't you boys place your fish on
the gurney and we'll see to it that
everyone enjoys a fresh fish
dinner.
The men toss their fish on the gurney as Martini joins the
group and starts hitting the others up for a cigarette. All
he gets for his troubles are a series of "No," "Get lost," "I
don't have any."
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
Thank you, boys. Now if you'll just
go along with Mister Washington to
the showers, supper is in half an
hour.
The inmates start AD LIBBING and laughing, "We're not
hungry," as Martini sees Harding light up a cigarette and
crosses to him.
MARTINI
(to Harding)
Gimme a cigarette!
HARDING
No!
MARTINI
Why not?
HARDING
I'm not running a charity ward...
Martini snaps the cigarette out of Harding's hand, and takes
off with Harding chasing him.
Martini dashes around the room, pulling chairs in Harding's
way, taking a drag on the cigarette whenever he can.
Harding corners Martini, but Martini tosses the cigarette
over Harding's head to Scanlon.
Scanlon takes off with Harding after him, absolutely livid.
Scanlon passes to Billy who passes to Martini. Everyone in
the room is getting wired.
Martini throws it away as Harding jumps him and nails him to
the floor.
MARTINI
(holding his hands up;
empty)
All gone! All gone! Don't hit!
Don't hit!
Harding starts pounding Martini's head on the floor when
Billy and Scanlon jump Harding and start pounding him.
Fredrickson picks up the cigarette and stands there watching
the fight as he smokes the cigarette as Washington, Warren
and Miller move in and start separating the men.
McMurphy, watching the fight, sighs, then deliberately
crosses toward the Nurses' Station.
INT. NURSES' STATION - MISS PILBOW'S POV - DAY
as McMurphy reaches the Nurses' Station and puts his hand
through the plate glass window, his fist stopping inches from
Miss Pilbow's startled face. Miss Pilbow's scream is added to
the SOUND OF THE SHATTERED WINDOW.
INT. DAY ROOM - DAY
McMurphy reaches in and picks up his carton of cigarettes.
MCMURPHY
I'm sure sorry, ma'am. Gawd, but I
am. That window glass was so clean
I didn't even see it...
McMurphy turns and crosses back to the day room, opening the
carton of cigarettes as he goes.
MCMURPHY
You guys want cigarettes! Here's
the goddamn cigarettes!
McMurphy starts tossing packages of cigarettes into the mass
of struggling bodies as Washington grabs McMurphy by the arm
and tries to wheel him away.
McMurphy shakes him off and throws a pack of cigarettes in
Washington's face.
Washington goes after McMurphy, grabs him, and drives him
against the wall, right next to Bromden, who watches as
McMurphy shoves Washington away, goes into a crouch and
starts circling Washington. Washington dances in and out,
chipping away at McMurphy's face until McMurphy drives his
fist square into Washington's white, starched chest, drawing
him against the wall.
McMurphy moves in for the kill.
WASHINGTON
Warren! Miller!
The Acutes have stopped fighting and are watching.
McMurphy tags Washington, then is grabbed from behind by
Warren, who pulls him back.
Washington moves in and goes to work on McMurphy, when
Bromden grabs Washington, from behind, in a bear hug.
Miller jumps on Bromden's back. Bromden, still holding
Washington, backs up into the wall, squashing Miller, who
screams out.
EXT. HALLWAY TO DISTURBANCE WARD - LATE AFTERNOON
as McMurphy, bruised from the fight, and Bromden, handcuffed
to a special belt, wait while an aide unlocks the first of a
double set of heavy security doors.
The first door is locked, leaving McMurphy, Bromden, and the
three aides crammed in the small space between the two doors
while another aide opens the second door and McMurphy and
Bromden step through, followed by the aides.
INT. DISTURBANCE WARD - LATE AFTERNOON
As the aide locks the door behind them, the other aides lead
Bromden and McMurphy toward a bench, where they unshackle
them.
AIDE
(pointing to a bench)
Wait over there...
The three aides go down the hall, leaving McMurphy and
Bromden who sit and look at their new surroundings. There is
a man sitting next to them.
McMURPHY'S POV
The architecture is the same as the ward we left below, but
it is the atmosphere that is different. A heaviness pervades
all. Heavily sedated patients sit isolated from each other.
Others stand shifting from one foot to the other, while
others walk up and down the hallway, their locomotive powers
not unlike that of Parkinson's Disease (caused by too much
sedation).
Suddenly, one patient gets up, speaking very angrily,
shouting incoherently at no one; he crosses the hall and
enters a side room. An aide goes in after him. A long beat,
then the aide comes out with the patient and gently leads him
back to his seat, talking softly to the man.
Further down the hallway, a gurney is wheeled out of the east
room with a patient lying on it, out cold; he is wheeled
further down the hall to the men's dorms, where he is left to
sleep it off.
Two aides come out of the EST room and head in McMurphy's
direction, where one of the aides motions to the patient
sitting next to McMurpby.
AIDE (CONT'D)
(approaching him very
gently)
Come on, Joey... this isn't going
to hurt you... good for you... make
you feel better...
The patient clings to the bench, terrified, weeping.
The aides peel him off the bench and escort him down the hall
to the EST room.
ANOTHER ANGLE
As McMurphy watches the patient go, he takes out a package of
gum. Takes a stick for himself and gives Bromden one.
McMurphy turns back to his own thoughts.
BROMDEN
Thank you.
McMurphy looks up. A long beat.
MCMURPHY
Say it again.
BROMDEN
Thank you.
Another beat.
MCMURPHY
Say... God Bless America!
BROMDEN
God Bless America.
MCMURPHY
(slapping his thigh)
Goddammit, you sly son-of-a-bitch!
Does anybody else know?
BROMDEN
No.
MCMURPHY
Shit! This is too much!
(his mind going a mile a
minute)
Chief, I tell you we're gonna bust
outta this place an' make it all
the way to Canada before they know
what bit 'em.
BROMDEN
Ca-na-da...
MCMURPHY
Ya like that, Chief, huh?
BROMDEN
Yeah...
MCMURPHY
Yeah, well, well, well. 'Bout time
the rest of the world got a gander
at Big Chief Bromden cuttin' down
the boulevard, stopping just long
enough for virgins... Oh, man, I
tell you, I tell you, you'll have
women trippin' you and beating you
to the floor...
BROMDEN
Ca-na-da...
MCMURPHY
Shhh, Chief, don't talk. Never
talk! Remember, this is just
between you an' me. Do ya
understand?
Bromden nods.
NURSE ITSU (O.S.)
Mister McMurphy.
McMurphy turns to see Nurse Itsu. The two aides are standing
behind her.
MCMURPHY
(recognizing a long-lost
friend)
Hey, how ya doin'?
NURSE ITSU
Fine, thank you.
(offering pills)
Here, please take these.
MCMURPHY
What are they?
NURSE ITSU
To help you relax... please...
McMurphy takes the pills and downs them. Bromden takes his
pills.
NURSE ITSU (CONT'D)
Please take off your shoes.
McMurphy takes off his shoes.
NURSE ITSU (CONT'D)
Please follow me.
MCMURPHY
(rising, thumbs up)
You an' me, Chief.
McMurphy, flanked by the two aides, follows Nurse Itsu to the
EST room.
MCMURPHY
(to Itsu)
You know, I never got your name.
NURSE ITSU
(stopping at the door)
Miss Itsu.
(indicating the room)
In here, please.
MCMURPHY
You comin' in to hold my hand?
NURSE ITSU
No...
MCMURPHY
Yeah... Well, see ya around, Itsu.
Itsu smiles at McMurphy.
MCMURPHY
Yeah...
McMurphy gives Bromden one last wave and goes in.
Bromden watches the door close behind McMurphy.
INT. EST ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
There are four other aides in there, standing around an empty
gurney.
A DOCTOR is at the head of the gurney, a NURSE alongside of
him.
MCMURPHY
(as he enters)
Hi...
McMurphy looks around at the six aides.
MCMURPHY
You boys can take a cigarette break
now...
The Nurse smiles at him.
DOCTOR
That's all right, Mister McMurphy,
just climb on the bed and lie
down...
MCMURPHY
Whatever you say, Doc...
McMurphy climbs on the bed and lies down.
The Doctor moves around to the side of the bed and takes
McMurphy's pulse, while the Nurse dips her fingers into a jar
of salve.
DOCTOR
(to McMurphy)
This won't hurt you at all...
MCMURPHY
Uh, uh...
The Nurse starts applying salve to McMurphy's temples.
MCMURPHY
What's that for?
NURSE
Conductant.
MCMURPHY
(smiling up at her)
Surely, goodness and mercy will
follow this, eh, honey?
DOCTOR
(holding a mouthpiece)
Please, put this in your mouth...
McMurphy takes the bit in his teeth. The Doctor moves back to
the head of the gurney and places the thongs on McMurphy's
temples.
The Doctor nods to the six aides, who move in and gently
place their hands, in a very professional manner, on
McMurphy's knees, hips and shoulders. Once set, the Doctor
turns to his controls.
SHOT OF McMURPHY
as he looks around, not nearly as scared as he is mystified
by the whole process, when suddenly, without warning,
McMurphy is hit by the shock. His face is a contorted mask of
surprise and pain. His whole body caught in a sudden spasm. A
moment of rigidity, then McMurphy passes out and his body
relaxes. Another moment, then a series of violent body spasms
begin flowing down his body. Now the aides' function is very
clear, as they press down, holding McMurphy firmly to the
gurney, until the last spasm subsides.
SLOW FADE OUT
TO:
FADE IN:
INT. DAY ROOM - DAY
A Group Meeting is in progress. Doctor Spivey is there.
BIG NURSE
(to Sefelt)
It's been brought to my attention
that you're giving Mister
Fredrickson your medication, aren't
you, Mister Sefelt?
SEFELT
It's the Dilantin that makes my
gums soft!
BIG NURSE
Now, Jim, you must be honest with
yourself.
At the end of the hall, the door opens and McMurphy and
Bromden enter the visitors' room, accompanied by Washington
and Warren. They cross to the security gate, open it and pass
into the hallway.
Washington and Warren disappear into a room, leaving McMurphy
and Bromden, who walk slowly towards the day room.
The Group Meeting continues over as Fredrickson raises his
hand.
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
Yes, Mister Fredrickson?
FREDRICKSON
I wanna know why the dorm has to be
locked in the daytime and on
weekends?
TABER
Yeah, why can't a fellow even have
the weekends to himself?
CHESWICK
(standing up)
Yeah, whadabout our cigarettes?
BIG NURSE
Sit down, Mister Cheswick, and wait
your turn!
He sits.
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
If the dorms were left open, you
would just return to bed after
breakfast...
FREDRICKSON
So what? Is it a mortal sin? I
mean, normal people get to sleep
late on weekends...
BIG NURSE
With few exceptions, time spent in
the company of others is
therapeutic, while every minute
spent brooding alone only increases
separation.
CHESWICK
(jumping up as he sees
McMurphy)
Mack!
Everyone looks at McMurphy and Bromden.
Bromden is as he always was, as McMurphy slowly drags himself
into the day room. He looks like a zombie as he takes the
room in. Then, suddenly, he slaps his thigh.
McMURPHY
Hey, hey, you ding-a-lings, you
creeps, you goons...
He enters the room doing a jig. The Acutes' faces light up.
MCMURPHY
I got ten thousand watts and hot to
trot. First woman takes me on is
gonna light up like a pinball
machine an' pay off in silver
dollars...
McMurphy does a full circle of the room, greeting the
Chronics. But it's an effort for him. His voice is slower,
his footwork slightly out of sync.
BILLY
H-h-how's it g-g-going, Mack?
MCMURPHY
Just fine, Billy boy, just fine.
Full of piss an' vinegar! They
checked my plugs and cleaned my
points...
BIG NURSE
Mister McMurphy.
MCMURPHY
(turning)
Yes, ma'am?
BIG NURSE
Welcome back.
MCMURPHY
Thank you, ma'am.
BIG NURSE
I hope everything is settled.
MCMURPHY
Ma'am, I'm as gentle as a puppy
dog. Why, I haven't licked the tar
out of an aide for two weeks! Hi
ya, Doc!
Spivey greets McMurphy.
BIG NURSE
Good. Why don't you join us?
MCMURPHY
Why, thank you, ma'am...
(he gets a seat and sits
heavily)
Whew. Man, I tell you, that place
up there is somethin' else!
(pulling it together)
Well, ya boys been practicin' up
for the big game?
(no response)
I figured as much...
BILLY
W-W-We h-heard y-you w-were n-never
c-c-coming back!
MCMURPHY
Yeah, well, let me tell ya
somethin'... While I was up there
gettin' in-lightened, I came up
with one hellava plan...
A great sadness suddenly sweeps over McMurphy's face and he
breaks off.
BILLY
Wh-wh-what p-plan, M-Mack!
No response from McMurphy.
HARDING
What's your plan, Mack?
MCMURPHY
(coming out of it)
Plan?... Oh, yeah, the plan...
Yeah...
McMurphy gets up and crosses to the window, where he joins
Bromden who is looking out the window.
REACTION SHOT of the others as they look at McMurphy and each
other with quizzical looks.
INT. GYMNASIUM - DAY
On the court both teams are lined up taking photographs for
the local newspaper. The bulb pops a few times.
PHOTOGRAPHER
(wrapping it up)
Thank you, boys.
The line breaks up. McMurphy crosses to Big Nurse, who sits
in the front row.
It's the big Saturday game between the Acutes and Aides, as
spectators enter the gymnasium already half-filled with male
and female patients, staff members and visitors.
Doctor Spivey stands nearby at the timers' table, basketball
in hand, whistle around his neck, talking to the timer.
MCMURPHY
Miss Ratched, would you please save
a space for my aunt? She's comin'
down from Portland.
BIG NURSE
Certainly, Mister McMurphy, with
pleasure.
MCMURPHY
Thank you, ma'am...
O.S. the WHISTLE BLOWS.
MCMURPHY
Gotta go now, ma'am...
BIG NURSE
Yes. Good luck, Mister McMurphy.
MCMURPHY
Thank you, ma'am.
McMurphy crosses onto the court. Big Nurse watches him go.
BASKETBALL COURT
Doctor Spivey is at half-court, basketball in hand as the
players take up their positions: Washington faces McMurphy
for the jump at center. Harding and Billy are playing guard
with Warren and Miller on them. Martini and Scanlon are in
the forward position, with the two white Aides covering them.
The other Acutes sit on the bench as substitutes.
MCMURPHY
(to Washington)
Hey, Sam, bet ya two bucks ya lose.
WASHINGTON
Shit, man, tha' ain't even worth
considerin'.
MCMURPHY
How 'bout twenty?
WASHINGTON
Now you talkin'.
MCMURPHY
Bet!
WASHINGTON
Bet you ass...
MCMURPHY
(to Spivey)
You're a witness, Doc!
SPIVEY
Me? I didn't hear a thing! Let's
play ball!
Spivey checks the court, then blows the whistle as he tosses
the ball into the air.
Washington taps the ball to Warren, who passes to Miller, who
hands off to Washington, who goes up for a layup. Two points.
The Acutes haven't even moved from their spots. The
scoreboard reads: AIDES 2 PATIENTS 0.
MCMURPHY
(taking the ball out)
Come on, wake up, you ding-a-lings.
The game is on.
The Acutes snap to and McMurphy passes the ball into Harding,
who fiercely dribbles down court, McMurphy running alongside
him.
MCMURPHY
Pass the ball, Harding...
(no pass)
Don't hang onto it...
(no response)
Pass it, goddammit!
Harding dribbles into the corner and finds himself bottled in
by two Aides.
MCMURPHY
Harding, here, over here!
The ball is snagged from Harding's hands by an Aide, who
passes it down court to another Aide, who turns and makes
another basket.
Scoreboard: AIDES 4 PATIENTS 0
MCMURPHY
(to Harding)
Ya deaf! I said pass the ball!
HARDING
What are you talking about???
Everybody was covered!!! Everybody
was covered!!!
MCMURPHY
I was open! Come on, let's play
ball!
McMurphy and Harding turn to see Martini, down court, passing
the ball into Billy.
WASHINGTON
(slapping his hands)
Gimme tha' ball!
Billy panics and hands the ball to Washington, who turns
around and makes another basket. Score: AIDES 6 PATIENTS 0.
McMurphy and Harding run down court, McMurphy taking the ball
away from Martini, who would like to bring it in.
MCMURPHY
(to Washington)
What kind of crap is that???
WASHINGTON (CONT'D)
Jus' playin' the game, sucker...
Washington chuckles and trots on down court.
MCMURPHY
(to Martini)
Get down there where ya belong,
Martini. You, too, Scanlon.
(tosses ball to Harding)
You take it out, Harding!
Harding takes the ball and passes it in to McMurphy, who
turns and dribbles down court exactly like Harding did.
HARDING
(running alongside
McMurphy)
Pass the ball!
(no response)
Pass it!
(no response)
Pass it! Pass it! I'm open,
McMurphy, pass the ball!
McMurphy stops dead in his tracks and flings the ball at
Harding. The ball bounces off Harding's head and goes out of
bounds. The WHISTLE BLOWS. Harding spins a few times.
MCMURPHY (O.S.)
Harding, get back here!
Harding turns to see the other team go by. They score another
basket. Score: AIDES 8 PATIENTS 0.
Billy takes the ball and passes into McMurphy, who turns to
see CANDY enter the gym, with her friend, ROSE.
MCMURPHY
(calling out)
Candy. Candy, over here.
(to Doctor Spivey)
Hey, Doc, time out.
SPIVEY
(blowing his whistle)
Time out!
McMurphy tosses the ball to Spivey, then crosses the court to
Candy and Rose, who have had a couple of drinks on the way
down.
CANDY
Mack, you sonofabitch, you ol'
fucker, how've you been?
MCMURPHY
(swinging her around in
his arms)
Terrific, baby, terrific!
(to Rose)
Hi ya doin', Rose?
ROSE
Okay, Mack!
(looking around)
Whoowe, Candy girl, are we in an
insane asylum or ain't we?
MCMURPHY
(to Candy)
How's your ass been holdin' up,
honey?
Candy pokes her ass at McMurphy. He gives it a squeeze. O.S.
a WHISTLE BLOWS.
MCMURPHY
Come on, girls, we're holding up
the game!
McMurphy leads the two ladies across the court.
The entire gymnasium is riveted on the three of them. As they
reach Big Nurse:
MCMURPHY
Miss Ratched, this is my Aunt Candy
and her friend Rose...
Greetings are exchanged.
MCMURPHY
Miss Ratched was kind enough to
save you ladies a seat...
The two ladies wedge themselves in next to Big Nurse. O.S.
the WHISTLE BLOWS.
MCMURPHY
Talk to ya at half time!
McMurphy turns and crosses onto the court.
CANDY
(calling after him)
Sock it to 'em, kid!
ROSE
(taking in the players)
Are they all crazies?
BIG NURSE
No.
ROSE
Oh, just those guys dressed in
white?
BIG NURSE
No, miss, it's the other way
around.
ROSE
Well, you could've fooled me.
On the court, McMurphy throws the ball to Martini.
Martini throws the ball to McMurphy.
McMurphy throws the ball back to Martini.
Martini throws the ball into the stands.
The WHISTLE BLOWS O.S.
MCMURPHY
Whadaya doin', there's no one
there!
MARTINI
I saw 'em! I saw 'em.
HARDING (O.S.)
(shouting)
Mack, get back here!
McMurphy turns to see the other team go by and score a
basket.
Billy passes the ball into MeMurphy.
MARTINI
Gimme the ball!
MCMURPHY
(holding the ball)
Okay, Martini. That's okay. Now you
watch me.
McMurphy dribbles the ball down the sideline. Stops.
Goes into his routine of ball tricks: faking one way, then
the other, over his head, under his legs, finally ending on a
pass behind his back which goes straight into Washington's
hands. Washington dribbles down court for an easy layup.
Score: AIDES 10 PATIENTS 0
MCMURPHY
(to Spivey)
Time out!
SPIVEY
(blowing his whistle)
Time out!
MCMURPHY
(shouting to Timer)
Replacement coming in! Harding out!
McMurphy crosses to Bromden, takes his hand, and leads him
onto the court and under the Acutes' basket, where he
maneuvers him into the proper position. Then McMurphy raises
his hands above his head and Bromden follows suit.
MCMURPHY
(starting back up court)
Time in!
(sees Harding still on
court)
Hold it! Time out!
(to Harding)
I said Harding out!
HARDING
I refuse!
MCMURPHY
I said out!
HARDING
(casting a quick look at
his wife)
No!
MCMURPHY
I'm the coach!
HARDING
I just started!
MCMURPHY
You can come back later!
HARDING
I don't trust you!
MCMURPHY
(looking for another victim)
Scanlon out!
SCANLON
No!
MCMURPHY
Martini out!
MARTINI
No!
McMurphy looks at Billy.
BILLY
I-I-I-I-I'll g-g-g-go, M-M-Mack...
MCMURPHY
Good boy, thank you, Billy.
Billy goes off and sits by Big Nurse. Now, the lineup on the
bench is Billy, Big Nurse, Candy and Rose.
Spivey blows the whistle.
Under the Aides' basket, Harding passes the ball into
McMurphy, who dribbles to half court, takes his mark, and
lobs the ball over the outstretched arms of the Aides right
into Bromden's waiting hands. Bromden turns and slams the
ball into the basket.
The crowd goes bananas. Score: AIDES 10 PATIENTS 2
Bromden walks in majestic dignity the full length of the
court and takes up his position under the Aides' basket,
while McMurphy and his teammates have been putting tremendous
pressure on the Aides, not allowing them to pass the ball in.
As soon as McMurphy sees that Bromden is firmly set, hands
held up, under the Aides' basket, McMurphy turns and runs
down court, followed by the other Acutes, where they take up
their defensive position.
Washington and the Aides easily bring the ball down court,
work themselves into position, and take a shot at the basket,
which Bromden swats aside.
Each Aide gets a shot at the basket, and each time Bromden
swats it aside; sending the last swat into McMurphy's waiting
hands.
McMurphy dribbles the ball up court, where he runs into heavy
pressure from Washington.
HARDING
(off to the side of
McMurphy)
McMurphy, pass the ball!
McMurphy passes the ball to Harding and cuts toward the
basket.
MCMURPHY
(as he cuts past Harding)
Harding, pass the ball!
Harding ignores McMurphy, as he runs by, and throws the ball
to Bromden, who turns and slams the ball into the basket.
The crowd goes bananas.
Score: AIDES 10 PATIENTS 4
CANDY
(at the top of her lungs)
Atta boy, Mack!
(to Big Nurse)
What's he in for?
BIG NURSE
Who?
CANDY
Mack!
BIG NURSE
Miss, it's a complicated case. It
would take too long to explain.
CANDY
Yeah, well, he looks like hell!
CHEERS are HEARD O.S. Candy turns back to the game.
CAMERA HOLDS on Candy, Big Nurse and Billy, who is staring at
Candy.
BIG NURSE
(to Billy)
Billy, it's not polite to stare!
Billy sinks back, thinks it over, then presses forward.
BILLY
(to Candy)
Miss!
Candy looks at Billy.
BILLY (CONT'D)
Hi!
CANDY
(giving him a big smile)
Hi...
Billy sinks back in his seat.
On the court, McMurphy dribbles down to half court where he
is stopped by Washington and Warren, who put the squeeze on
him. McMurphy turns and gives them his ass to contend with,
then manages to throw the ball under his legs and
Washington's legs. The ball rolls to Martini, who scoops it
up and throwing it wildly away, the ball ricochets off the
backboard and goes in for two points.
The crowd goes bananas. Score: AIDES 10 PATIENTS 6
Bromden starts striding down court when the Aides make a fast
break past him, but miss their shot.
McMurphy retrieves the ball as Bromden, not more than several
feet from his own basket, does an about-face and returns to
his basket where he turns to see McMurphy lob the ball full
court to Bromden, who catches the ball on one bounce, turns
and slams the ball in for another basket.
Score: AIDES 10 PATIENTS 8
The crowd goes bananas and Bromden turns and starts striding
down the court when he sees McMurphy at the far end of the
court yelling at him.
MCMURPHY
(yelling and gesturing)
Run, Chief, run!
Bromden gets the idea and starts loping down court abreast of
Washington, who is making another fast break towards his own
basket.
Washington and Bromden go up together and Bromden swats the
ball to Scanlon.
MCMURPHY
(yelling and gesturing)
Run, Chief, run!
Bromden starts running towards his own basket, Washington hot
on his heels, when the ball is passed to him and he goes up,
makes the point, but takes a bad spill, crashing head over
heels to the floor.
The crowd gasps. The WHISTLE BLOWS.
SPIVEY
(shouting)
Foul!
As McMurphy charges across court and grabs Washington by his
shirt...
MCMURPHY
(breathing in Washington's
face)
Ya fuckin' coon, you're not on the
ward now!
WASHINGTON
(cool as a cucumber)
Take you han's offa me!
Spivey comes running, blowing his whistle.
SPIVEY
Break it up, boys!
(to Timer)
Point counts. One free throw!
McMurphy pushes Washington away and turns to Bromden, who is
being helped off the floor by Harding, as...
MARTINI AND SCANLON
Great shot, Chief! Ya okay? You're
doin' great!
They lead Bromden to the foul line.
MCMURPHY
(to Washington as they
line up at the foul line)
We got your black ass now,
Washington, wanna bet another
twenty?
WASHINGTON
No way...
Bromden takes the ball at the foul line. Sets himself up and
lobs the ball underhand. It goes in.
The crowd goes wild.
INT. MEN'S DORM - NIGHT
The patients are asleep except for Bromden who sits on the
edge of his bed watching McMurphy, his face pressed against
the window, looking out.
TURKLE
(approaching)
What you boys doin' up at this
ungodly time o' the night?
MCMURPHY
Prayin', brother. Prayin'.
TURKLE
Well, you boys finish it up an'
climb back into your beds. 'Kay?
MCMURPHY
'Kay...
The men slide into their beds and Turkle goes off, clucking
to himself.
A beat, then McMurphy rushes back to the window and looks
out.
McMURPHY'S POV
Outside, in the dark, Candy and Rose are seen wandering
around.
REVERSE ANGLE - BROMDEN AND McMURPHY
MCMURPHY
There they are, Chief!
McMurphy tries to get the girl's attention and fails.
MCMURPHY
Where are they goin'?
McMurphy takes off, towards the day room, followed by
Bromden.
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
As the two of them cross into the day room heading for the
window, Turkle sticks his head out of the nurses' station.
TURKLE
I thought I told you boys to go to
bed!
MCMURPHY
(flagging the girls)
Our prayers have been answered,
Turkle! Our prayers have been
answered!
McMURPHY'S POV
as we SEE the girls coming.
REVERSE ANGLE
TURKLE
Oh yeah...
MCMURPHY
I tell ya, there's an angel of
mercy standing out there, Turkle.
TURKLE
Hallelujah, brother, now get back
in bed!
MCMURPHY
Come an' see.
Turkle comes out of the nurses' station, leaving the side
window open.
TURKLE
(crossing to McMurphy)
That angel of mercy, he ain't a
she, is he?
MCMURPHY
You's better believe it, brother!
Turkle reaches the window and sees the girls outside.
CANDY and ROSE'S POV - THE MEN looking out.
BACK TO SCENE
as Turkle turns to McMurphy.
TURKLE
Ah believe ya, brother. Ah believe
ya!
MCMURPHY
(taking Turkle aside;
holds up $20 bill)
Now, wouldn't you pray for twenty
bucks, a bottle booze an' a piece
of that angel cake?
TURKLE
(taking the $20 and
reaching for his keys)
Ah'm on my knees, brother, ah'm on
my knees.
Turkle unlocks the security screen and raises the window.
McMurphy sticks his head out the window.
CANDY AND ROSE
(both slightly tipsy)
Hiya, Mack.
MCMURPHY
Hiya, girls...
TURKLE
Shhh...
Candy passes a heavy bag of bottles in. Then McMurphy and
Turkle help her in. Her dress is above her thighs, her ass
visible as she swings over the windowsill and into McMurphy's
arms.
CANDY
Whew! Made it!
MCMURPHY
(embracing Candy)
Man, you look good 'nough to eat!
CANDY
Yeah, well you look like hell
warmed over...
ROSE (O.S.)
Hey, pssst! Whadda 'bout me?
Turkle turns to help Rose in, but she's not as easy to
handle, being a good deal heavier and twice as plastered as
Candy.
TURKLE
Hey, Mac! Gimme a hand, will ya!
McMurphy disengages himself from Candy and lends Turkle a
hand. Rose is finally hauled into the room.
ROSE
(giggling; loud)
Whew! Hiya, boys!
TURKLE
Shhh... let's move it away from the
window...
The group shifts a few feet as Turkle closes the window and
locks the screen. McMurphy turns back to Candy.
MCMURPHY
(arms open)
Come here, sugar...
Candy moves into McMurphy's arms as Rose, straightening her
dress, turns to see Bromden looming. Rose SCREAMS.
TURKLE
What happened?
ROSE
(backing into Turkle)
What's that?
TURKLE
(mystified)
What?
ROSE
(pointing at Bromden)
That!
TURKLE
Oh, that. That ain't nothin' to be
afraid of, ma'am. Just ol Chief
Bromden. That's all...
ROSE
Is he one of the loonies?
MCMURPHY
He's a patient, Rose...
ROSE
Oh, yeah...
MCMURPHY
Yeah...
ROSE
(approaching Bromden
tentatively)
Hi ya, big boy? How's it goin'?
Like it in here?
MCMURPHY
He can't hear you, Rose. He's just
a big deaf an' dumb indian...
CANDY
Pssst! Hey Rose! There they are!
ROSE
(looking around)
What? Where?
CANDY points to the patients sleeping in the men's dorm.
CANDY
In there.
ROSE
Wow! They're so quiet.
TURKLE
They're sleeping, Miss. They're
sleeping. An' we gotta keep it down
so we don't disturb their sleep.
ROSE
Are they dangerous when they're
awake?
TURKLE
Oh, no, Miss. Not these loonies.
These are nice guys. Nice guys.
CANDY
What's that smell?
TURKLE
What smell?
CANDY
Smells weird. Smells like
pneumonia.
TURKLE
Ammonia, Miss...
ROSE
Smells like piss. Is this real,
Candy? Is this really real? I mean
we are in an insane asylum, an' I
wanna know how we got ourselves
into this scene.
TURKLE
Shhh, please, Miss. Keep it down...
Rose turns to McMurphy who has opened a bottle of booze and
is taking a long pull.
ROSE
(to McMurphy)
Who is he?
MCMURPHY
(passing the bottle to
Turkle)
He's in charge.
ROSE
Are you a doctor?
TURKLE
(passing the bottle to
Rose)
Not exactly, Miss. Not exactly.
ROSE
(drinking and passing the
bottle to Candy)
Yeah, well, I'll tell ya somethin'.
I'll tell ya somethin'. I had this
boyfriend, Chuck.
(to McMurphy)
Ya know him, Mac. Ya remember,
Chuck.
MCMURPHY
Sure, I know Chuck. I know him.
ROSE
Well, listen to this. He got mad at
me one day. Boy, did he get mad at
me. He took the light bulb, ya
know. I thought he was going to
cram it right up me, ya know. But
he ate it. He ate the whole fucking
light bulb.
(to Turkle)
Now, tell me! Is he crazy? Tell me!
Is he crazy?
TURKLE
Well, Miss... I would say... I
would say, yes. Yes, he's crazy.
ROSE
I thought so.
TURKLE
Is he in an asylum?
ROSE
He's dead.
TURKLE
Oh, I see. He was a very sick man.
Very sick.
ROSE
That's what I told his mother. And
she said I was crazy. Her son ate
the whole fucking light bulb and
she said I was crazy.
TURKLE
I don't know anything about that,
Miss. I would have to examine you
first...
ROSE
You ol' fucker!
TURKLE
Well, I'm running a risk by letting
you in, Miss. You know I'm runnin'
a risk of gettin' my black ass
fired. If you understand what I
mean...
MCMURPHY
Sure, she understands what you
mean. She's not dumb. Why do you
think Rose came to visit us? Rose
is very interested in hospitals and
hospital facilities. Aren't you,
Rose?
ROSE
What?
TURKLE
I'll be very glad to show you
around, Miss...
MCMURPHY
Yeah, that's a good idea, Turkle.
Why don't ya take Rose on a little
tour of our facilities...
ROSE
Wait a minute...
CANDY
It's okay, Rose. You can go with
him.
ROSE
Oh yeah! Well if ya don't mind,
I'll decide on my own date!
CANDY
Shit, Rose! What's there to decide?
There's only four of us.
ROSE
Whaddaya talkin' about? There's at
least twenty guys in there. Let's
wake 'em up and get this party on
the road.
TURKLE
Now, Miss. What do you want with
twenty zombies when you got a
twenty gun salute looking you right
in the face.
ROSE
Oh, yeah...
TURKLE
You better believe it, you sweet
little thing. You better believe
it...
ROSE
Don't you sweet talk me you ol'
spook, you!
TURKLE
Oh, I'm all through talkin'. Now,
let's just you an' me trip on down
that hall.
CANDY
Go with him, Rose. Go with him.
ROSE
Well, okay, but I just want to look
at the facilities. That's all.
TURKLE
That's all I'm going to show you.
McMURPHY'S POV - TURKLE AND ROSE
as the two of them cross out of the day room toward the
hallway, Turkle suddenly turns and hurries back to McMurphy,
takes the bottle of booze and hurries off clucking to
himself.
BACK TO McMURPHY and CANDY.
MCMURPHY
'Kay, lets get under way.
McMurphy crosses to package of booze, selects another bottle,
unscrews the top and takes a long pull, then hands the bottle
to Bromden.
MCMURPHY
Down the ol' hatch, Chief.
Bromden takes a long pull on the bottle, gags and passes the
bottle to McMurphy who crosses to the nurses' station and
peeks around the corner.
McMURPHY
as he peeks around the corner.
McMURPHY'S POV - TURKLE AND ROSE
far down the hallway, as Turkle shows Rose one room, then
another, and then the seclusion room, into which Turkle
playfully lures Rose, who playfully resists, but finally
enters. A beat passes and they don't come out.
BACK TO McMURPHY
Satisfied, he crosses to the nurses' station, reaches in the
open side-door window, opens the door and enters.
INT. NURSES' STATION - NIGHT
as McMurphy enters the nurses' station and looks around.
INT. MEN'S DORM - NIGHT
The patients are all asleep. A very long beat, then --
MCMURPHY (V.O.)
(through loudspeaker; very
low, ominous, drawn out)
Who knows what evil lurks in the
hearts of men...
Ominous LAUGHTER, then the lights go flashing on and off.
MCMURPHY (V.O)
(through loudspeaker)
Medication time! Medication time!
Rise and shine! Rise and shine!
Time to say goodbye... Everybody
up, up, up!
Some of the patients immediately pop awake as Candy comes in
and starts hustling the patients out of bed.
CANDY
Up and at 'em, boys.
BILLY
(waking up)
H-H-Hi, Candy...
CANDY
Hi, Billy.
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
MUSIC OVER as the patients are queued up at the nurses'
station where Candy is handing out cups full of whiskey,
McMurphy backing her up, pouring the booze into the cups.
Harding takes his cup and moves back into the day room as
Ellis automatically downs the booze, gags and goes spinning
off across the hallway and is nailed to the wall.
QUICK CUT TO:
DOWN THE HALL - TURKLE
sticks his head out the door to check the scene out. Sees
what's happening and comes rushing down the hallway, without
his shirt, and zipping up his pants.
INT. NURSES' STATION - NIGHT
as Turkle shoves his way to the intercom system and switches
off the lights and music.
TURKLE
(furiously pushing them
out)
You crazy goons... shut up an' get
outta here... Out! Out! Out!
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Silence as the last man is driven out of the nurses' station.
Down the hallway, a light goes on in the visitors' room.
TURKLE
Shit, it's the soo-per-visor come
to fire my black ass.
A KEY is HEARD hitting the lock at the end of the hallway.
Without losing a beat, Turkle reverses his movement and
starts pushing everybody back into the nurses' station.
TURKLE (CONT'D)
(pushing)
Get back in there! In! In! In!
As Turkle pushes the last man into the nurses' station, he
sees Rose stick her head out of the seclusion room.
TURKLE (CONT'D)
(motioning and shouting)
Stay in there! Stay in there!
Rose ducks back into the seclusion room as, simultaneously,
Turkle closes the door behind him to the nurses' station as
the door to the ward opens and the NIGHT SUPERVISOR, a middle
aged woman, enters the ward.
INT. NURSES' STATION - NIGHT
as Turkle, shushing the crowd, makes his way to the nurses'
lounge and opens the door.
TURKLE
(harsh whisper)
Alla ya goons, get in here!
The patients pile into the nurses' lounge, Turkle cramming
the last one through the door and closing it. He turns and
crosses to the side door and steps out.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
as Turkle steps out of the nurses' station, closing the door
behind him.
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
Oh, there you are, Mister Turkle.
TURKLE
Evenin', ma'am.
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
Is everything all right?
TURKLE
(blocking her way to the
day room)
Why, sure, ma'am...
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
The lights were flashing on and
off, Mister Turkle.
TURKLE
Jus' cleanin' up, ma'am.
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
At this hour?
TURKLE
Cleanliness is a twenty-four-hour
job, ma'am...
Harding passes by and enters the latrine.
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
What are these men doing up
wandering around?
TURKLE
(leaning in)
Ah guess the natives are restless,
ma'am...
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
(getting a whiff of his
breath)
You've been drinking on the job
again, haven't you, Mister Turkle!
TURKLE
Ah, no, ma'am... well, yes,
ma'am...
(leaning in close)
A man get awful lonely at night, if
ya know what Ah mean, ma'am...
Down the hall, Rose sticks her head out the door, sees what's
happening, and ducks back in as the Night Supervisor turns on
her heel and starts back down the hallway, Turkle at her
heels.
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
I want those men put back to bed,
Mister Turkle!
TURKLE
Yes, ma'am...
NIGHT SUPERVISOR
And you haven't heard the last of
this!
TURKLE
Yes, ma'am...
She opens the gate, slams it behind her, crosses to the main
door, opers it and exits to:
TURKLE (CONT'D)
(calling after her)
Night, night.
Turkle turns and the smile leaves his face as he hurries down
the hallway.
O.S. the TOILET FLUSHES as Turkle stops at the seclusion room
and sticks his head in.
TURKLE (CONT'D)
Be right back, honey...
Turkle closes the door, crosses down to the nurses' station,
and enters as Harding comes out of the latrine.
INT. NURSES' STATION - NIGHT
as Turkle enters, crosses to the nurses' lounge and opens the
door to see the patients, silhouetted against the open
refrigerator light, moving around, pulling the room apart. It
smacks of Dante's Inferno as Turkle snaps on the light and
steps into the room.
INT. NURSES' LOUNGE - NIGHT
as Turkle steps into the room and sees the extent of the
plundering. The filing cabinet is open. So is the medicine
cabinet. Rolls of medical gauze are strewn around, cough
syrup and orange juice are flowing.
The patients start piling out of the room, carrying their
plunder.
Fredrickson and Sefelt are SEEN sitting on the floor, in
front of the open refrigerator, looking through their
dossiers.
FREDRICKSON
Christ, they even got my first
grade report card here...
SEFELT
Lemme see...
Sefelt leans in, unintentionally tipping a bottle of cough
syrup in his hand which goes "glug, glug, glug..." all over
the papers.
SEFELT (CONT'D)
Jesus, they're terrible grades,
Fred...
Turkle stoically takes in the shattered remains of his job,
unscrews the top to his bottle of whiskey, and takes the
biggest swig of his life as, O.S., Rose is HEARD SCREAMING.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
as Rose, naked as the day she was born, runs screaming down
the hall, Ellis loping after her, reaching out his hand.
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
as the others, who are laying out food, drinking booze and
stringing up hospital gauze, turn to see Rose enter the room.
She runs behind McMurphy, pressing her body to his, as he
gently takes hold of Ellis' outstretched hands.
MCMURPHY
(to Rose)
Don't scream, honey...
He gently guides Ellis to the wall, with Rose still clinging
to his back.
MCMURPHY
Ellis ain't gonna hurt you... Ellis
is nice... Nice Ellis... see the
nice lady...
He pins Ellis to the wall.
MCMURPHY
There, see, nice lady touch
Ellis...
Rose reaches out and touches Ellis.
The others stand agog, looking at this Holy Trinity.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
A SOFT NOSTALGIC NUMBER is HEARD OVER LOUDSPEAKER as Harding,
Billy and Cheswick watch McMurphy dance with Candy,
Fredrickson with Sefelt and Rose, who is dressed, dance with
Taber.
Martini and Scanlon are busy draping hospital gauze around
the room.
Bromden sits by the window -- waiting.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
Another SOFT NOSTALGIC NUMBER is HEARD OVER LOUDSPEAKER as
McMurphy, Candy, Harding, Cheswick, Taber, Sefelt and
Fredrickson watch Rose, on a table, doing a solo bump-and
grind dance, while Martini and Scanlon race around the room
in wheelchairs.
Billy sits, watching Candy and McMurphy, who sit across the
room.
Candy is tired and bored.
McMurphy is drunk and starting to fade.
CANDY
It's time to hit the road, Mack...
MCMURPHY
(snapping at her)
Don't worry 'bout the road! We'll
hit the road! It'll be there when
we're ready!
(to the room)
Ain't that right, fellas?
He gets up and crosses to his friends.
MCMURPHY
I jus' want you guys to have a good
time... Are ya havin' a good time?
You... you... good... good... Lez
have some fun...
He turns to see Billy, who isn't having fun.
MCMURPHY
Whatsa matter with ya...
Billy turns away and McMurphy crosses to him.
MCMURPHY
Ain'tcha havin' a good time...
(no response)
Whadaya want? Ya wanna drink? A
cigarette...
Billy looks up at McMurphy, his eyes are flooded with tears.
MCMURPHY
Whatsamatter, kid, what's botherin'
you...?
BILLY
Ah-ah-ah-are y-y-y-you g-g-g-going
t-t-t-to muh-muh-muh-marry her?
MCMURPHY
Marry who?
BILLY
C-C-C-C-Candy!
MCMURPHY
Candy? Hell no, Billy, she's just a
good friend, that's all...
BILLY
Wu-wu-wu I-I-I-I th-th-think sh-sh
sh-she's th-th-th-the ma-ma-ma-most
bu-bu-bu-beautiful wu-wu-wu-woman
in th-th-the whole world!
A long beat as McMurphy looks at Billy, then Candy, then
Billy.
MCMURPHY
(softly)
Why don't ya go tell 'er...
Billy doesn't move.
MCMURPHY
Go on, son, now's your chance...
Billy slowly crosses toward Candy, stopping halfway to look
back at McMurphy, who gives him an affirmative gesture. He
crosses to Candy, who just looks at him.
BILLY
C-C-Candy, wu-wu-will y-y-you mu-mu
marry me!
CANDY
Ah, Billy...
Candy rises, kisses Billy on the cheek, and dances with him.
McMurphy beams on the twosome, unscrews his whiskey bottle,
takes a long pull on the juice, and looks at Bromden.
Bromden sits by the window waiting.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
as the MUSIC ENDS. A long silence, then another NUMBER begins
as McMurphy, who has nodded off, starts awake and looks
around.
McMURPHY'S POV
Bromden sits by the window waiting.
Cheswick is asleep on the table.
Martini and Scanlon are sitting in their wheelchairs filling
their cups from through the enema tube.
Harding sits, maintaining his aloofness, smoking a cigarette.
Sefelt is sitting on the floor, in a drunken stupor, while
Fredrickson dances around him.
Candy and Billy stand, locked in each other's arms, swaying
to the MUSIC.
McMURPHY
struggles to his feet, steadies himself, crosses to the
nurses' station.
INT. NURSES' LOUNGE - NIGHT
as McMurphy enters and goes to Turkle, who is dead asleep.
McMurphy lifts Turkle's keys and leaves.
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
as McMurphy crosses to Billy and Candy, and gently parting
them, he puts his arms around them -- as much for support as
affection.
MCMURPHY
Come on, you lovers, it's gettin'
late...
They move toward the hallway.
Bromden and Harding are the only two who watch them go.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
as McMurphy passes several doors, reaches the door of his
choice, fumbles with the keys, finds the right one, and opens
the door to the seclusion room.
MCMURPHY
(standing aside)
In ya go...
BILLY
(holding back)
M-M-M-Mack?
MCMURPHY
It's okay, kid. Everything it going
to be okay... I'll come back an'
getcha in a while... 'Kay...
Candy and Billy, hand in hand, enter the small room, which
has a bed in it.
McMurphy closes the door, looks at the keys, and pockets
them. CAMERA TRACKS with McMurphy, who is a very weary man,
back into the day room.
INT. DAY ROOM - NIGHT
MUSIC OVER LOUDSPEAKER as McMurphy crashes heavily into his
chair. He can hardly keep his eyes open as he looks around.
Harding sits nearby.
Taber is lying on a couch, his head in Rose's lap.
Cheswick is asleep on the table.
Ellis stands nailed to the wall.
Bromden sits by the window -- waiting. CAMERA HOLDS on
Bromden.
MCMURPHY (V.O.)
Hey, Harding, wake me in an hour.
HARDING (V.O.)
Sure, Mack...
CAMERA PUSHES INTO WINDOW. TIME LAPSE SHOT of the DAWN and
SUN RISING.
WASHINGTON (V.O.)
(very far away; getting
closer)
Bibbit? Where's Bill Bibbit, ya
damn goons?
INT. DAY ROOM - EARLY MORNING
as Washington jostles McMurphy awake.
WASHINGTON
Come on, get over there!
McMurphy allows himself to be led to the heavy security
partition, by the men's dorm, where all the patients are
lined up.
It is morning and the day room is a mess:
A few chairs turned over. Paper cups and empty bottles.
Puddles of cough syrup, orange juice and apple juice worked
into sticky masses.
Rose sits by herself on the couch.
Bromden is the last one led to the lineup, where Big Nurse
waits.
BIG NURSE
Thank you, Mister Washington!
Mister McMurphy, do you know where
Billy is?
McMurphy shrugs "no."
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
Mister Harding, have you seen
Billy?
Harding shrugs "no."
BIG NURSE (CONT'D)
Mister Sefelt...
Big Nurse's question is cut off as all the patients and
attendants turn their heads toward the hallway and start
laughing. Big Nurse turns to see Turkle, without his shirt
on, walk into the seclusion room and close the door behind
him.
Big Nurse turns and starts down the hallway, the laughter
trailing after her when, suddenly, the laughter breaks off as
Big Nurse stops and in the silence, she opens the door.
INT. SECLUSION ROOM - EARLY MORNING
as Big Nurse opens the door to see Candy snuggled up to
Billy, who lies there, eyes closed, a smile on his face.
TURKLE
(buttoning up his shirt)
Morning, Miss Ratched...
He slides out of the room as Billy opens his eyes. A long
beat as they look at each other.
BILLY
M-M-M-M-M-M-
Big Nurse shakes her head and exits, closing the door behind
her.
INT. HALLWAY - MORNING
as Big Nurse heads for the day room, walking straight for
McMurphy when:
BILLY (O.S.)
(shouting)
M-M-M-Miss Ratched!
Big Nurse stops and turns to see Billy, half naked, pulling
his pajama pants up as he runs, stumbling toward Big Nurse.
BILLY (CONT'D)
(crying out as he runs)
P-p-p-please du-du-don't t-t-t-tell
m-m-my muh-muh-muh-mummy!
He trips on his pajamas and falls sprawling at Big Nurse's
feet, his bare ass exposed to all.
BILLY (CONT'D)
(blubbering as he rises)
P-p-p-please du-du-du-don't t-t
tell her, p-p-please...
BIG NURSE
You should have thought about that
before you brought that woman in
here!
BILLY
N-n-n-n-no, no, I du-du-du-didn't,
I didn't!
BIG NURSE
I don't want your mother to believe
something like this but what am I
to think?
BILLY
Sh-sh-sh-she m-m-made m-m-me do it!
BIG NURSE
Billy, that girl couldn't have
pulled you in there forcibly...
BILLY
Sh-sh-she did! Everybody did!
BIG NURSE
Who? Tell me!
BILLY
M-M-Muh-Muh-McMurphy!
MCMURPHY
Ahhh, Billy...
BILLY
(caught in his own
anxiety)
P-p-p-please duh-duh-duh-duh t-t
tell, M-M-M-Miss R-R-Ratched, y-y
you don't need to!
BIG NURSE
Get up, Billy.
BILLY
(screaming)
No! No! No!
Billy pitches forward and collapses on the floor, screaming,
pounding his fists and feet against the floor.
BILLY (CONT'D)
N-n-n-n-duh-duh-duh-pl-pl-pl-pl-muh
muh-muh...
BIG NURSE
(ignoring McMurphy)
Mister Washington.
MCMURPHY
(helplessly to Billy)
Hey, Billy, stop cryin'. You don't
have to cry... You ain't got
nothin' to be ashamed of. She ain't
gonna tell you mother... stop
crying...
WASHINGTON
Yes, Miss Ratched!
BIG NURSE
(to Washington)
Put him in Doctor Spivey's office!
WASHINGTON
Yes, Miss Ratched...
Washington nods to Warren and the two of them scoop Billy off
the floor and carry him screaming to Doctor Spivey's office
as Big Nurse crosses into the nurses' station and picks up
the phone as Candy eases her way into the day room and joins
McMurphy.
A beat, then Miller starts herding the patients toward the
washroom, staying clear of McMurphy and Bromden, who don't
move.
McMurphy pulls the keys out of his pocket.
MCMURPHY
(to Candy)
Let's go!
McMurphy checks the nurses' station, sees Big Nurse is busy
on the telephone.
MCMURPHY
(to Bromden)
Let's go, Chief...
McMurphy crosses to the window, followed by Bromden, Candy
and Rose, where he begins fumbling with the lock.
MILLER
as he herds the patients out of the day room. He turns to see
McMurphy trying to open the screen. Miller crosses to
McMurphy.
MILLER
Hey, what's gone here?
McMurphy turns around and punches Miller.
INT. NURSES' STATION - MORNING
as Big Nurse, still on the phone, sees Miller go sprawling
across the floor. She grabs the intercom.
BIG NURSE (V.O.)
(through loudspeaker)
Washington! Warren! To the day
room, immediately!
INT. DAY ROOM - MORNING
McMurphy opens the screen, raises the window, and helps Candy
and Rose out as Washington and Warren converge on them.
McMurphy and Bromden wheel around.
Washington, Warren and Miller appear around the corner, take
one look, and head straight for McMurphy.
WASHINGTON
(stopping just short)
'Kay, let's have the keys an'
nobody get hurt!
Washington's words are cut off as, O.S., Nurse Pilbow
SCREAMS... a bloodcurdling scream. They turn to see Nurse
Pilbow enter the nurses' station, her uniform splattered with
blood, hysterically talking to Big Nurse (we can't hear her).
Big Nurse and Nurse Pilbow rush out of the nurses' station
and head down the hallway.
McMurphy is glued to the spot.
CANDY
(calling from outside)
Come on, come on, let's go!
McMurphy hesitates, then moves across the day room toward the
hallway.
INT. DOCTOR SPIVEY'S OFFICE - MORNING
CAMERA SHOOTING TOWARD the door, crammed full of patients,
who stare at the scene with curious detached looks, as Big
Nurse and Nurse Pilbow force their way through the patients.
The crowd parts and Big Nurse stops in the doorway, horrified
at what she sees. CAMERA HOLDS on Big Nurse's reaction. A
beat, then McMurphy appears alongside Big Nurse and is
stricken by what he sees.
McMURPHY AND BIG NURSE'S POV - REVERSE SHOT - DOCTOR SPIVEY'S
OFFICE
The office is splattered with blood. Billy is lying face up,
hanging over Spivey's desk, dead. His throat and both wrists
are cut. A broken picture frame, containing a photograph of
Spivey's family, lies nearby.
MCMURPHY
Billy, oh, Billy boy...
McMurphy crosses into the room and kneels alongside Billy's
body. He gently lays his hand on Billy's face.
BIG NURSE
Get away from him! Don't you dare
touch him!
McMurphy turns and leaps at Big Nurse, grabbing her throat;
he drives her into the Acutes and Nurse Pilbow.
INT. HALLWAY - MORNING
as McMurphy, Big Nurse, Nurse Pilbow and several Acutes go
down, arms and legs intertwined, kicking, trying to get away
as McMurphy strangles Big Nurse.
Nurse Pilbow screaming, as Washington, Warren, Miller rush
in, trying to break his hold on Big Nurse's throat, her face
turning blue. McMurphy's face, twisted by his passion, when
Washington lands a rabbit punch and MeMurphy's face relaxes
as he passes out.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DAY ROOM - DAY
MUSIC OVER LOUDSPEAKER. The day room is as it was in the
beginning. Harding is dealing out a game of blackjack to
Martini,
Scanlon, Cheswick and Fredrickson.
Taber, pencil in band, sits pondering over a blank sheet of
paper.
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.
HARDING (V.O.)
(over last scene, in
McMurphy's style)
Okay, suckers, place your bets...
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Bromden is mopping the floor near the security gate to the
visitors' room, when a key hits the lock. Bromden looks up
expectantly.
BROMDEN'S POV
as Sefelt and Miller enter the visitors' room, cross to the
security gate and pass into the hallway. Bromden goes back to
his mopping.
INT. DAY ROOM - DAY
as Sefelt jauntily enters the day room.
BIG NURSE (V.O.)
(through loudspeaker)
Did everything go well, Mister
Sefelt?
Sefelt turns to the nurses' station where, inside, Big Nurse
sits very erect, wearing a back brace that reaches up around
her neck. Sefelt shows his teeth and gums to Big Nurse.
BIG NURSE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
(through loudspeaker)
That's very nice. Now, doesn't that
make you feel better, Mister
Sefelt?
SEFELT
Yes, ma'am...
BIG NURSE
Good...
She turns back to her work.
Sefelt crosses to the card game, where he sits and catches
Fredrickson's attention; showing him his teeth. Fredrickson
smiles at Sefelt and blows him a kiss.
HARDING
(who has been dealing)
Big Ace... a lovely lady... another
ace... an' a little trey, hey, hey,
whadaya say... hit or sit?
SCANLON
Hit!
SEFELT
(to Fredrickson)
Ya know what, Fred?
FREDRICKSON
What?
HARDING
(dealing a card to
Scanlon)
Big king, too bad...
SEFELT
Just wait till you hear...
HARDING
Hear what?
SEFELT
McMurphy killed two attendants and
escaped...
HARDING
When?
SEFELT
Yesterday...
HARDING
Who told you that?
SEFELT
Gary Blinker...
SCANLON
Gary Blinker's fulla shit!
MARTINI
He's not!
SCANLON
He is!
Harding slams his card down on the table, rises and crosses
to the nurses' station where he taps on the side window.
Big Nurse gets up, crosses to the window and slides it open.
BIG NURSE
Yes, Mister Harding?
HARDING
Is it true McMurphy killed two
attendants and escaped yesterday?
BIG NURSE
No. Mister Harding, that is not
true.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HALLWAY - LATE AFTERNOON
Bromden is squatting, leaning against the wall near the
security gate to the visitors' room, when a KEY HITS THE
LOCK. He looks up expectantly. This time it is McMurphy. Or
what was McMurphy, for his head is bandaged, and his tongue
hangs out of his mouth as he is led across the visitors' room
by an ATTENDANT.
McMurphy shows Bromden no sign of recognition, which Bromden
pays no attention to, thinking McMurphy is putting on the
same act he did when he came back from Electro-Shock Therapy.
Bromden joyously turns and runs down the hallway to the day
room.
INT. DAY ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
as Bromden crosses into the day room, gets a seat, and sits
facing the hallway, bursting with expectation.
A long beat, then the Attendant appears with McMurphy and
taps at the side door to the nurses' station.
The Acutes break off their card game and look at McMurphy;
their faces hang open at his appearance.
Big Nurse crosses to the side door, opens it, and steps out
into the day room. To the Attendant as she takes McMurphy by
the arm:
BIG NURSE
Thank you...
ATTENDANT
Yes, ma'am...
The Attendant exits.
BIG NURSE
(to McMurphy)
Now, let's find you a place to sit,
shall we, Mister McMurphy?
Big Nurse gently guides McMurphy to a seat on the Chronics'
side of the room.
Bromden can hardly contain himself as he waits for McMurphy
to go into his act.
The Acutes have already absorbed the reality of McMurphy's
condition as they exchange looks with each other.
FREDRICKSON
(whispering)
Lobotomy...
HARDING
Yeah...
SCANLON
Yeah, that Gary Blinker is fulla
shit...
The Acutes turn back to their card game as Harding shuffles
and deals the cards out.
Bromden keeps his eyes glued to Big Nurse and McMurphy.
BIG NURSE
(sitting McMurphy down)
Here now, you sit here... That's
it...
Big Nurse pats McMurphy's face and crosses back to the
nurses' station.
McMurphy just sits there, his head lolling to one side.
Bromden waits for McMurphy to go into his routine.
McMurphy just sits there.
Bromden snaps his fingers and slaps his thigh, then waits for
McMurphy to follow suit.
McMurphy just sits there slobbering.
Bromden slaps his thigh again.
No response from McMurphy.
The MUSIC PLAYS ON.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MEN'S DORM - DAYBREAK
as Bromden stands by the window looking out. A long beat,
then he turns into the room and looks around.
BROMDEN'S POV
The patients are all asleep. The new night attendant is fast
asleep in the nurses' station.
Bromden quietly takes his pillow and goes to McMurphy's bed,
where he kneels and puts his head very close to McMurphy's. A
long beat as Bromden studies McMurphy's face.
BROMDEN
(whispering in McMurphy's
ear)
When I first came here I was so
scared of being lost I had to
holler so they could track me... I
figured anything was better than
being lost...
On the last word, Bromden places his pillow over McMurphy's
face and begins to suffocate him. McMurphy starts thrashing
and Bromden lies full length on McMurphy. A long beat, then
the thrashing ends. Bromden gets off McMurphy, replaces his
pillow, and crosses down the aisle toward the day room.
INT. DAY ROOM - DAYBREAK
The night attendant continues to sleep as Bromden passes the
nurses' station, heading for the tub room.
INT. TUB ROOM - DAWN
as Bromden crosses to the heavy machine which McMurphy had
once tried to lift, sizes it up, then bends over and takes
hold and heaves. The GRINDING WEIGHT is HEARD as Bromden
exerts all his strength, slowly lifts the machine off the
floor, balances it above his shoulders, then crosses out of
the tub room.
INT. DAY ROOM - DAWN
as Bromden comes around the corner and past the sleeping
night attendant in the nurses' station.
Bromden lines himself up with the window across the room,
then starts toward it, picking up speed as he goes. Then, at
the last moment, he stops and, with an enormous effort, he
hurls the machine through the security screen and the window.
A LOUD CRASH.
In the nurses' station, the night attendant starts awake and
looks around. Too late as Bromden vaults through the window.
CAMERA HOLDS on window as Bromden runs across the grounds and
disappears into the pine trees.
INT. DAY ROOM - DAWN
as the night attendant comes out of the nurses' station and
looks confusedly around. Then he spots the shattered window.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - EXTREME LONG SHOT - SUNRISE
Rolling hills, forests and distant mountains, bathed in
sunlight, as Bromden runs across a far-off meadow.
CREDITS OVER.
THE END
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