Her doll smile is gone, stretched tight and thin as a red-hot wire. If some of the patients could be out to see her now, mcMurphy could start collecting his bets." (Pg. 89) This incident was only the beginning of McMurphy's work to make her "crack" like he said he would, and the battle begins.
Ken Kesey continues to portray Nurse Ratchid as an inhuman and controlling woman. Her main insecurity is the balance of power in the ward. Mcmurphy is the one who threatens this insecurity she has. He proves he could have a significant effect on her power over the staff and the patients. At the next group meeting McMurphy brought up the issue of the music being to loud in the game room. Dr. Spivey was manipulated by McMurphy and agreed with him on the issue of loud music, and that the extra tub room should be opened. The nurses control was being sweep away and she quickly responded with the excuse of not enough security. The Dr. said that wouldn't be an issue, and the changes should be made. Nurse Ratched's hands begin to shake at the meeting, and this showed another significant sign of weakness for her. "One by one the patients are sneaking looks at her to see how she's taking the way McMurphy is dominating the meeting, and they see the same thing. She's too big to be beaten!.
She covers one whole side of the room like a Jap statue. There's no moving her and no help against her. She's lost a little battle here today, but it's a minor battle in a big war that she's been winning and that she"ll go on winning." (Pg. 101) Nurse Ratched is a stubborn woman, unlike Dr. Spivey who bought McMurphys "act" and saw nothing wrong with his suggestions. The nurse looks at McMurphy in a different way, more as a project. Someone who she needs to take over and have under her control. McMurphy continues to behave aggressively, but Nurse Ratched does not respond. He brings up for a possible change in the schedule for the viewing of the World Series.