Chapter 2 Summary

     Chapter 2 begins with George and Lennie in the bunk house for the first time getting their beds.  When inspecting the room in walks a stoop-shouldered old man to be revealed as Candy later in the chapter.  Candy serves as a kind of guide to them, filling them in on a little bit of history of the ranch and how things run.  They then meet the boss, who although is upset at them not being there the night before, is just as eager to get them to work.  He does not trust George and Lennie though, and senses something is up.  It is at this time that George comes up with their cover story as to why he and Lennie travel together. 

     Shortly after the boss leaves Curley, the boss's son, enters.  He's a smaller, scrapy man with curly hair.  Curley immediately takes a dislike to Lennie and tries to start some trouble.  George manages to divert the potential situation for the time being.  As soon as Curley leaves he turns to George and makes it as clear as he possibly could that he did not want to see Lennie anywhere near Curley.  Next enters Curley's wife, 'looking' for Curley.  Almost immediately after Slim enters.  Curley's wife leaves, and leaves behind an impression on Lennie.  At this point George gives Lennie a second warning, this one not to even look at Curley's wife. 

     Afterwards there is a little bit more revealed about Slim in that he's the jerkline skinner.  More importantly though, was that he had about him a kind of authority, like he was prince of the ranch.  Slim introduces them to Carlson.  In an exchange between Slim and Carlson Lennie and George hear about Slim's puppies.  It is at this point that Carlson introduces the idea of when you're old you're useless.  He talks to Slim about how Candy's dog is no good any more he's so old and that Candy should just shoot the dog and get one of Slim's pups.  Curley re-enters looking for his wife.  He stirs up a little bit more trouble making George hate him even more.  Curley leaves soon after though.  The end of the chapter is a description of how old Candy's dog is, furthering the idea of the link between age and usefullness.