McMurphy follows Chief to give him five dollars. He asks Chief why all the patients are treating him suspiciously. Chief responds that it's because McMurphy always appears to be winning things. McMurphy responds wearily, "Winning, for Christsakes…. Hoo boy, winning."
The group is led to the showers for delousing. The members taunt the African-American aides by making wisecracks and breaking wind. All is jovial until the aide Washington begins to harass Rub-a-Dub George, who is obsessed with cleanliness but never uses soap. As George becomes more upset at Washington's claims that he is infested with bugs, McMurphy steps in to defend George. Calling Washington several negative sexual and racial epithets, McMurphy shoves Washington away from George. Washington, still angry with McMurphy for bloodying his nose in the basketball game, strikes him.
Noting that McMurphy's voice reveals a "helpless, cornered despair," Chief relates the details of the ensuing fight. The aides outnumber McMurphy until Chief assists him. After they win the fight, McMurphy and Chief are handcuffed and led to the Disturbed Ward.
