Of mice and men Essay Example for Free

Of mice and men Essay Despite the warmth of the early morning sun gradually seeping through the cracks in the bunkhouse walls, it was cold within. George lay awake, he hadnt slept all night, suddenly the door swung open and Carlson steamed in, he glanced at George and shook his head. You plannin on jus lying there all day Carlson grabbed his jacket sum people get away with murder round `ere the door banged and silence followed. George lay still, he hadnt noticed Carlsons intrusion. The door squeaked open and Candy peered in, Slim you in he spotted George and frowned he stood for a moment pondering what to say, Eh George you ok? There was no reply; he looked down at his feet sighed and left. George glanced towards the closing door then rolled to face the wall and lay silent. George felt the sun warming his back and he tilted his head round towards the source. Slim appeared, his figure blocked the brightest most piercing rays but let the warmth and light trickle through. He glided in and sat gently beside George placing his hand on his shoulder the sheriff an his men have gone. Ya gave Lenny the best quality of life possible and it took a hell o a lot guts to do what you did, you know that dont ya? George nodded, his eyes heavy with water, thanks slim George whispered. Tightening his grip on Georges shoulder ya saved him, Slim said Comfortingly. Slim sat with George until the sound of grunting engines acted as alarm clocks. Now we gotta get you up for work or the boss ll give ya hell. George allowed himself to be helped up; he was still wearing yesterdays clothes lets get you all freshed up. No refused George itll do. The sun had begun its descent behind the Gabilan mountains. The sycamores swayed in the chilled wind and over the fields a dark shadow had engulfed the workers. You go to your wifes funeral Curley? asked Carlson. Nah, replied Curley Casually I had a hell of a lot o work. George struggled to hoist the last bag of grain onto the trailer, God dammit snapped Curley hurry the hell up. Slim eyed Curley angrily as he helped George with the burden of his heavy load. Back on the farm the workers were met with the smell of sizzling bacon. A lump of potatoes and a sliver of burnt bacon were slapped onto Georges plate. He nibbled the piece of bacon but it was bitter in his mouth and he returned it to his plate. Cmon George you gotta eat something, encouraged Slim. Im not hungry slim replied George his voice barely audible. if youre not gonna eat none then Ill `ave it, no pigs gonna die in vain `long as Im `ere Carlson declared scraping it all onto his plate. Dammit Carlson, a bit o respect the guys jus lost his buddy, said whit angrily. Ye, giv im back his grub. Ordered Smitty. But he aint even gonna eat it, are ya George? Carlson replied. Just then door opened. In stepped the boss wearing his usual smart attire, his face wore a troubled expression and he scanned the room his eyes resting briefly on George and finally fixing on Slim, Slim,when youre done, a word. His voice held in a concerned tone. The office was small square room, the sunlight glinted off the silver framed paintings which hung on the wall landing some light on the bookcase at the back of the room, the desk in front of it was perpendicular to the opposing wall centred by the mahogany coloured door and the paper work on the desk was organised into alphabetical files. Knock, knock, Cmon in Slim. Curleys bin tellin me bout Georges slackin in the field today, is that right? No sir his efforts jus fine, Listen slim, keep it like that, I cant afford to be payin people for nothing and Ive had a little talk with my good friend the sheriff I ast him to keep bad publicity bout the farm as small as he could an he tol me his evidence has matched our story and has stopped his sniffin around. Thats jus fine sir, is that all? No, jus one more thing, youve bin offered a job by Murray and Ready as head ranch hand, sure as hell the salary is higher than here. You can `ave tonight to think bout it I dont want ya to leave but I aint gonna force ya to stay, thats all Slim left the room and the boss buried his face in his hands. It was Saturday night and as the cheers of the men going into town grew fainter Candy lay on his bed listening to the howling wind. A tear trickled down his old wrinkled cheek. Wiping the tear with his stump he turned his gaze to the box which was almost concealed with shadow beneath Carlsons Bunk. Rigidly he sat up he picked up the box onto the bed sudden with tears. Candy lifted the gun and placed it to his head. Just then George walked in. The Gun slipped Bang Candy shot himself in the stomach startled George looked down at the pathetic Candy. What ya doin yaw crazy bastard, cried George Covering the wound with his shirt. Candy layback on his bed. You dont understand George theyre kickin me out, they got a new cleaner comin on Monday and theyre kickin me out. The boss says he cant afford to pay me for doin nothin. I argued, I said I aint doin nothing be he wudnt listen. Its Ok said George Im gonna get you a doc. That aint no use, Ill be a goner `for hes `ere. George buried his face in his hands. George? Ye, I wish Lenny was still here an we coulda had that farm. Me too Will ya sit with me George? Course. My dog, look its my dog. The old swampers eyes shut and his head dropped. He was dead. George sat for a minute, his face as hard as wood. From outside the barn came the shouts of the men and the clink of beer bottles. The door opened and slim walked in spotting Candy he runs towards him What the hell happened to him? The boss tol him he aint no use no more and he shot `imself George despaired I was jus too late. Its ok George it was for the best He didnt have to die like this, he couldve bin on the farm with me and Lenny. It aint your fault George, none of it is, you hear? George did not answer. Now Ill jus go tell the others an then well go an giv him a good burial. Minutes later Carlson strides in Jesus Christ George, you look like hell. It was Sunday morning and as the sun began its accent in the sky Slim made his way across a peaceful courtyard and into the bunkhouse, George I need a word Whats goin on? George, Im leavin, goin to soledad to work for Murray and Ready. what the hell am I sposed to do here with all them crazy bastards when your gone? I dont like it here no more, jus last night Curley came home drunk and hung crooks like a fish on a line, Im afraid if I dont leave now Ill do somethin Ill regret. I understand sighed George. Maybe some day Ill come back an visit, goodbye George. Some day, whispered George, some day.