The Lost Chapter Of Mice And Men

The Lost Chapter of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The deep green marsh filled pool of the Salinas River was enriched with darkness as murder hovered in the air. Soledad's Gabilan Mountains lay sandwiched in deep redness, above, the heavens wept, below, a harmless creature lay lifeless and bloodless. The river flowed with neglect as did the inoffensive animal otherwise known as Lennie.

The wind sang loud and mournfully to the ears of George and Slim as they returned dejectedly back to the bunkhouse. A small black, work worn man entered the bunkhouse for the first time ignoring the differences between him and the other men, identified as 'Crooks'. Both he and Candy approached George sympathetically;

"You hadda do it, he never meant any meanness, but you hadda do what u hadda do." said Crooks. Very slowly Slim put his hands over Georges shoulder while they all sat in melancholic mood. As once again moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. Along it sound stopped for much more than a moment.

Then, gradually, time awakened and moved sluggishly on. The wind hammered on Georges face and stamped guilt all over it, digging into his emotions he thought sorrowfully about what he had done. All of a sudden George got up; filled with anxiety he crammed his few belongings into a bundle. The rest watched in dejection. Puzzled with his feelings George wiped his tears and said to Candy, "Le's get outta here, le's do this for Lennie." Candy dumbfounded got up and said,

"Where we goin'?" To George it was dejavu, like old times with his old pal, Lennie. Once more he said, "We'll have a cow, an' we'll have pigs an' chickens … and down the flat we'll have a little piece of alfalfa, an' live of the fatta' the lan'. I'll tend the rabbits; look after the pups, feeding them evr'day, but jus for Lennie, jus for the

Well whaddya say Candy? Will you come? Will you come and explore with me? Will ya Candy, will ya? Candy arose mournfully,

"Don't worry George, I'm right beside ya … but wait a minute, we don't have enough money George what we supposed to do?"

"We'll find a way"

It was already nearly as hot as it had been the day before, but clouds were beginning to draw closer from the west. It looked likely to rain. A small man along with a tall stoop-shouldered man scrambled down a steep green bank and plunged into the thick trees below. Their route had been arranged to leave the ranch to their left and to cut slanting through the woods that were clustered along the eastern side of the hills, until they reached the cottage beyond.

The leaves blew upwards in strong gusts of wind and drops of torrential rain began to fall from the overcast sky. They trudged along steadily, after half an hour George said, "I hope we have not directed ourselves foolishly towards South" They walked on for