Okay, this was originally part of an assignment for my english class last year. My teacher wanted us to write an epilogue for Of Mice and Men that centers on whether or not George got the carefree life he's always wanted. I can't remember what grade I got for it, though... Anyway, this is just a short, pointless ficlet, I guess. It gives a little insight on what I believe George's life is like four years after the end of the book, but it's nothing special. R&R, but please be nice!
Disclaimer: I don't own Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck does. Duh!
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Anniversary
It was four years after Curley lost his wife. The end of the month was near, and so was the monthly earns of fifty bucks for each migrant worker. Not a sound could be heard in the bunkhouse when Slim walked in. He held his crushed Stetson hat under his arm as he combed his damp hair back, and only when he was done combing did he quietly, majestically make his way into the bunkhouse. Slim stopped in front of one particular bunk and asked gently, "George?"
A half-hearted response was lightly murmured through only slightly parted lips, "Eh?" George shifted position on his bunk so that Slim could only see the back of his head.
"T'morrow's when it happ'ned, right? It'll be four years startin' t'morrow?"
For the most part, George stayed quiet. Only his labored breathing gave any sign that he was still alive at all, and the silence subjected even Slim to follow suit and remain speechless. "Four years…" Slim almost didn't hear the pained voice escaping George's lips. "Has it really been four years, Lennie?"
What should Slim say to that? What could he say? "Never you mind," he echoed his past words. "You hadda, George. There wasn't no way around it." Suddenly a triangle began to ring outside, interrupting Slim's train of thought. The sound started slow, but then grew faster and faster until it disappeared just as suddenly as it had began. "You comin' to eat, George? You know if you wait too long that there'll be nothin' left fer you."
The responding silence was all the answer Slim needed. George would come when he was ready. No sooner, no later. Slim smoothed out his hat, creased it in the middle, and put it on before making his exit, leaving George alone with his thoughts.
"It's been four years, Lennie, and lookit where I am. It was just s'pposed to take one month before we could get our place. We just needed fifty bucks to get it. It's been four years. And lookit where I am!" George shouted in disapproval.
As the air grew quiet again, George remembered how much he used to complain about Lennie. "If I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want… An' whatta I got? I got you!"
"I been mean, ain't I? I was jus' foolin', Lennie. I didn't mean a word of it!" George desperately cried. "I promise, Lennie. This month I'm gonna take my fifty bucks and save it for our place."
Shakily getting up from his bunk, George stretched and headed toward the door. His right hand searched his pocket and pulled out five bucks. "One more night at the cat house won't hurt me none. I'll just start savin' t'morrow. I promise, Lennie."
Fin
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Like I said, nothing special. I wasn't even going to post it until I realized how long it's been since I last posted a fic. So, I hope it didn't burn your eyes too bad! ;D
karenstern05