Of Mice and Men: Part 2

George and Lennie arrive at the ranch the next morning. At the bunkhouse, an old man with no right hand and a crippled dog greets them. His name is Candy. He says the boss was angry when they didn’t show up last night.

The boss enters. George blames the bus driver for their lateness. When the boss asks about their skills, George speaks for Lennie. The boss gets suspicious when Lennie repeats something George says.

The boss has never seen a man go out of his way for another man like George does for Lennie, and suspects that George might be taking advantage of Lennie. George lies, and says that Lennie is his cousin. The boss is still suspicious, but lets them stay.

After the boss leaves, Lennie asks George if what he said was true. George says they were just lies, and notices that Candy has been listening to their conversation. He tells Candy to mind his own business. Candy assures him he wasn’t eavesdropping.

Curley, the boss’s son, enters, looking for his father. Curley, who wears fancy boots, quickly starts picking on Lennie, who refuses to speak. After Curley leaves, Candy says Curley is a lightweight boxer and has a history of picking fights with men larger than him.

Candy adds that Curley has only gotten worse since his recent marriage to a pretty “tart” who flirts with the ranch hands. Candy also reveals that Curley keeps vaseline in his left glove to keep his fingers soft.

When Candy leaves, George tells Lennie to stay away from Curley. Fighting with Curley, he warns, will get them fired. Lennie promises. George again tells Lennie to hide and wait for George in the bushes by the river if he ever gets into trouble at the ranch.

Just then, Curley’s wife enters. She is very pretty and wears a lot of makeup. While asking where Curly is, she moves to ensure that she shows off her body.

Slim tells her that Curley is back at the main house. When she’s gone, Lennie calls her “purty.” George warns him to stay away from her. Lennie, frightened, begs to leave the ranch. George says first they have to make enough money to buy their own land.

Slim is a leader and authority among the other ranch hands. After talking to George and Lennie and seeing their friendship, Slim is impressed. He says it’s rare to see two men travel together because most people are scared of each other. George agrees that it’s better to travel with a friend.

Carlson, another ranch hand, introduces himself to George and Lennie, then asks Slim about his dog. Slim says she gave birth to nine puppies, but that he had to drown four because there wasn’t enough food for them all. Carlson proposes shooting Candy’s crippled dog and replacing it with one of the puppies. Lennie wonders if he can get a puppy of his own.

Curley enters again, looking for his wife. When he leaves, George says he might end up in a fight with Curley himself. The triangle rings, signalling that it’s time for dinner.