Lennie and George make it to the ranch and are greeted by a man named Candy, who has lost his right hand. Candy describes how the boss gives them whiskey as a Christmas gift. The boss arrives and questions them but only George is speaking. Later, he questions why Lennie isn't speaking and becomes suspicious. The boss believes that Lennie is taking advantage of George, but he explains that Lennie is his cousin and was kicked in the head by a horse. They are assigned to a grain team with a man named Slim. They then meet the boss's son Curley. He is immediately is jealous of George's side and "picks on him" Candy explains that his attitude has gotten worse since he married a "tart" who flirts with the other ranch workers. George warns Lennie to not fight with Curley because it will cost his jobs. Curley's wife appears and Lennie is intrigued, but George orders him to leave her alone. We are introduced to Slim and another ranch hand, Carson. We learn that Slim's dog gave birth to 9 puppies but they had to drown 4 of them because she couldn't feed all of them.
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