Despite the setback in controlling McMurphy, Ratched remains confident that she can break him down in the long run. McMurphy resumes his acts of insubordination, such as leaving vulgar notes in the bathroom, and some of the other patients follow his lead in flirting with the female staff members. When Ratched reprimands him, he asks about her bra size. After Ratched turns down McMurphy’s request for an unaccompanied leave, McMurphy calls a hearing during a group meeting to request a pass for accompanied leave, which is also denied. At the end of the meeting, McMurphy puts his hand through the newly replaced glass window, again pretending that he didn’t see it.

With Spivey’s support, McMurphy organizes a basketball team on the ward. During a game against a team composed of staff, one of the ward’s aides is injured and almost attacks McMurphy. After the window glass is replaced a second time, one of the patients bounces the basketball through the window, leading Ratched to dispose of the basketball.

McMurphy next sets his sites on fishing. With Spivey’s approval, he requests and receives a pass to take several of the patients with him on a fishing trip in the open ocean, accompanied by “two sweet old aunts” (178).