Of Mice And Men: A Short Story

The wind was wisping through the people filled streets of Soledad, in the distance George and Slim were trodding towards the saloon. “There’s the place,” Slim announced with a sigh of relief.
“Finally,” said George.
When Slim and George stepped into the saloon they were greeted by the warm, but boisterous environment. Other ranch hands were letting out all of their emotion while they tried to get some satisfaction away from their dead end lives. “Slim, I . . .” George whispered.
Slim quickly said to George, “Let’s talk over a drink.”
They were approaching a couple of open seats at the bar when out of nowhere Curley clambered up onto the bar. He was swaying from side to side and had a droopy expression across his face when he yelled out,

“I went and promised him that if he helped with payment on the house that he could live there an’ do some housekeepin’ too, instead of living on the ranch til the end of his days.”
Slim’s face was blank for a second before he cracked a smile across his face, “Well damn, I guess this ranch is our hell ain’t it.” He said jokingly.
“And Curley’s as bad as the devil!” George exclaimed.
Just moments afterwards Curley barges back into the bar, his eyes were set and a frown was across his face. “George, I wanna have a word with you!” He yelled

George slapped Curley’s hand down and said, “I don’t owe you nothing Curley.”
“As far as I see it, you work for my family, I mean… where are ya gonna run off to? Curley remarked with a sly smile.
George didn’t want to start the whole cycle again, so he bowed his head and said to Curley, “ I guess you’re right for once… but don’t get any ideas.”
Curley let out a boisterous laugh before saying, “You’re no better than the rest of the lot, see ya tomorrow!” Curley turned and walked through the swinging saloon doors laughing all the way, while George just stood there and watched him walk away. Slim came up behind him and placed his hand on George’s shoulder. “Don’t worry bout him, you just work your share and I’ll keep him out of your hair.” Slim said he calmly pushed George out of the bar.
“Slim, you want to try out that cat house next weekend?” George asked.
“Might as well.” Slim said as he let out a sigh.
The two of them continued down the dirt path beaten hard by boys coming from the ranches, and tramps who come wearily down from the highway. A path that people before them have followed until the