The novel opens with the description of a riverbed in rural California. Two migrant workers, George and Lennie, camp for the night in a river bottom. Lennie is a large, gentle mentally retarded man, devoted to George and dependant upon him for protection and guidance. Lennie is a lover of soft things, and she likes mice, but he often kills the mice accidentally because of his strength. They go to see the boss and hope to find a job so that can save up their money and buy their own farm. They are greeted by Candy who lost his right hand. Unfortunately, they are a day late to see the boss, but because of George intelligence in speaking, the boss hires them. They are assigned to one of the grain teams, working under a man called Slim. They also meet a Curley, the boss's aggressive son. …
