Summary of Chap 1&2

The story begins with the description of a riverbed in rural California. A

path runs to the river, used by boys going swimming and riffraff coming down
from the highway. Two men walk along the path. The first, George, is wiry and
sharp-featured, Lennie is large and awkward.

George and Lennie were left on their journey by a bus driver who dumped
them off far from their goal. As they reach a clearing, Lennie stops to take a
drink from the river. George warns him not to drink too much or he'll become
sick. Because of the larger man's intellectual disability, it becomes clear from
their extended conversation that his friend is worried about his well-being.

Lennie's Aunt Clara used to give him mice to pet, but he tends to "break"
small creatures unintentionally when he shows his affection for them, killing
them because he doesn't know his own strength. George complains that he
could get along much better if he didn't have to care for Lennie. He uses the
incident that got them chased out of Weed as a case in point

After this incident, George regrets losing his temper and offers an apology
by retelling Lennie's favorite tale—the strategy for their future happiness.
Together, they plan to own a farm where they can cultivate their own food,
raise animals, and keep rabbits. Lennie is instructed by George as night falls to
return to this clearing, hide in the bushes, and wait for George to arrive if he
ever runs into difficulties while performing his duties at the ranch.

As George and Lennie get to the property, Candy, an elderly "swamper" or

handyman who has lost his right hand, welcomes them. The bunkhouse is an
austere structure where the men keep their few belongings in apple boxes
fastened to the walls and sleep on "burlap ticking." When George discovers a
can of lice powder in his bunk, he is horrified, but Candy reassures him that he
is not at risk of contracting the parasite.

When the boss asks about their skills and previous employment, George
speaks for Lennie to prevent him from revealing his lack of intelligence. The
boss remains suspicious and warns George not to try to pull anything over on
him. George blames it on the bus driver, who lied to them about their
proximity to the ranch. When the boss asks about their skills and previous
employment, George speaks for Lennie to prevent him from revealing his lack
of intelligence. The boss remains suspicious and warns George not to pull
anything over on him.

Once the boss leaves the bunk house, George berates Lennie for talking
back to him when he tells Lennie that he is glad they are not actually related.
Curley, an aggressive and malicious ex-boxer, immediately senses that he
might have some fun at Lennie's expense, and begins to demand that "the big
guy talk." After Curley leaves, Candy explains that Curley loves beating up big
guys, "kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy."

George is reassured by Lennie that he doesn't want any difficulty, and

Lennie concurs. Then Curley's wife walks in, a lovely, heavily made-up lady
with a nasal voice. She tries to seduce them both while claiming to be
searching for her husband, who has entered the house. Lennie is so terrified
that he wants to run away, but George kindly reminds him that they must first
earn some money in order to purchase their own farm. She leaves right away
as Slim informs her that Curley has entered the house.

Slim's dog, which has just given birth to nine puppies, drowns four of the
puppies because their mother would have been unable to feed them. Carl
Carlson suggests that they convince Candy to shoot her old, worthless mutt
and raise one of the puppy pups instead. George expresses his dislike for
Curley, and comments that he is afraid he will "tangle" with Curley himself.
He converses with Lennie and George, and is quietly impressed by their
friendship, appreciating the fact that they look out for one another.