Back in the barn house the late night stayed quiet. A gleaming moon had already peaked from the midnight sky. The distant sound of howls from coyotes ripped through the air. Even so the animals on the barn stayed quiet.
A small pup from the barn wandered outside its crate; a look of disgust was written all over its face. Soon enough the pup had already approached a still body covered in the hay, its curiosity grew stronger. The pup finally stood in front of the body only to shriek suddenly and rush back to its crate sniffling. In the bunk house, activity was very limited and talking seemed to be forbidden. George took a slight sip of his drink and rested his head once again. Candy side-eyed him cautiously, to make he was alright.
“Why..? Don’t it smell lika dead rat in her?” George said while managing to crinkle his nose.
Candy said, “Ion know, I s’pose it do smell a bit foul. Dontcha think Slim?!”
Slim said, “Now that I thinka ‘bout it, I s’pose it do smell like sumthin died…Oh gosh! When Curley was runnin’ ta go find Lennie, I ges, nobody thought ta throw out Culey’s wife alright.” Slim’s face was now turning frustrated.
George said, “Well ken somebody put er out, the room smells foul, darn.”
Candy said, “Yea dump that tart’s body in tha woods, will ya?!”
Slim said, “Mmmm…I’d rather not, nun personnel jus’ tryna enjoy ma drink.
Candy called Slim to the side of the room and insisted that he go bury Curley’s wife.
Candy said, “Please Slim, ya ain’t even gotta touch ‘er jus dump her body inna hole dammit.”
Slim replied, “No ken do I’m sure Curley’d love ta bury her much more than I would dontcha think?”
Candy pleaded, “Fine, but ken ya please give me an’ George sum time ta talk.”
Slim answered, “Of course, I’ll jus’ be out near tha barn if ya need me…Oh an’ watch George will ya he’s been actin a lil strange.”

Candy said, “Sure thing Slim.” Candy then turned his body to face George. “So George, how ya feelin’ pal.” There was a brief silence.
Candy continued, “I know ya still mad ‘bout tha hole Lennie thang, but you hadda do it, I swer you hadda. Yous a good man George ya know that. Ya watch’d em and cared from em like ya own brother.”
George managed to make a small grin and nod quickly in apprehension of what Candy had just said. At this moment Curley came through the door with Carlson.
Curley said, “So ya still mournin’ ova the big killer’s death, ain’t ya George, ain’t ya,” he chuckled. “Might ‘swell get ova it he’s gone an’ I’m sure as hell glad of it. If only I coulda kilt him ma self, woulda be much funner to watch hahaha.”
Carlson and Curley continued to laugh while anger filled George’s face. Before George could rise from his bed, Crooks struck Curley at the back of his head with a pistol.
“Curley!” Carlson yelped, while kneeling down to check his pulse. “He ain’t breathin’..that dam nigger! That piece a shit stable buck dun kilt Curley.” Before Carlson could touch Crooks, George stood up and came to Crook’s defense.
George said, “Carlson, ya ain’t gon lay one finger on Crooks ya herd me. Tha boss man’s outta town for a week, hes gonta find out that ol’ Curley here was inna accident, ya hear me.” Carlson groaned but nodded and strut out the barn house.
Candy stared astonished at what had just happened before his eyes, and began to rejoice. “Atta boy, ya tol’ him George, ya did it. That dum bastard had it comin’ for em…pfft tried ta get rid a my ol’ dog tha most.”
George smiled and looked up. “Crooks why’d ya do that ta Curley?” he asked sincerely.
Crooks said, “I seen ya light wen ya came back…but I ain’t seen the big guy so I knew sum was wrong. I figured he dun got into trouble,” he breathed and continued, “I herd how Curley was talkin ‘bout Lennie an’ it made me mad. Lennie talked to me, he…he was mah friend,” he finally said and looked down.
George said looking at Crooks in the eyes, “An’ your mine”.
“Oh…um mine also,” Candy quickly added while smiling widely.
Crooks smiled a huge, honest smile in return to both of the men, for he hadn’t felt love from anyone since his childhood.
George said, “Tell ya what, we gotta week ‘til Curley’s ol’ man gets back. If tha three of us could cough up some cash. I’m sure we’d have a nuf to get that ranch me an’ Lennie was gonta get. Whadya say?”
Candy and Crooks exchange a look of dismay and worry in their eyes. Candy said, “But George…I thought ya said ya ain’t wanta get the ranch. Ya know ‘cus that was yous and Lennie’s dream, ‘member?”
George said, “Ya, I ‘member, but this is important ta me. An’ I’m sure Lennie’d love for us ta live his dream…our dream, wit the people he cared tha most for.”
Crooks noted, “But whadda ‘bout Slim, we gon’ leave em here with Carlson?”
George answered, “Slim’s a great man, an’ when we leave he’ll continya ta run this ranch an’ boss Carlson ‘round all he wants.”
“Thank ya George, if I die on that ranch, imma die a happy man,” Candy managed to say as a joyful tear streamed down his cheek.
George nodded and continued, “So whadya guys think, le’s ditch em cat houses an’ drunk nights n’ go.”
“An live off the fatta the lan!” the three men cheered in unison.