Later, Crooks comes in, announcing that Lennie is petting the pups too much in the barn. Whit, another ranch hand, asks George if he has seen Curley's wife yet. George is noncommittal, and Whit remarks on her provocative dress. They discuss going into one of the town whorehouses that evening, and George tells Whit he might go but only to have a drink because he is saving his money for a stake.
Curley enters, looking for his wife. When he hears that she isn't there and that Slim is in the barn, he goes to the barn. Whit and Carlson follow, hoping for a fight. Disgustedly, George remarks that a whorehouse is a lot better for a guy than jailbait, and he mentions the story of a friend who ended up in prison over a "tart." Lennie loses interest and asks George once again about their farm.
Candy overhears their discussion and offers to contribute $300 toward the cost, if George and Lennie will let him join them. George eventually agrees, and then the three men muse on what their place will be like. They agree not to tell anyone of their plans. Candy admits he should have shot his dog himself.
The other guys filter back into the bunkhouse. Slim is angry at Curley for constantly asking about his wife. Curley, on the defensive and looking for someone to fight, picks a fight with Lennie and punches him unmercifully. Lennie doesn't protect himself until George tells him to fight back. When Lennie does, he crushes all the bones in Curley's hand.
Slim says they must get Curley to a doctor, but he cautions Curley that if he tells on Lennie and gets him fired, they will spread the word about how Curley's hand really got hurt and everyone will laugh at him. Badly shaken and in pain, Curley agrees not to tell. George explains to Slim that Lennie didn't mean to hurt Curley; he was just scared.
Because of what he has done, Lennie is afraid he won't get to tend the rabbits on their farm. George tells Lennie that it was not his fault and that he will get to tend the rabbits; then he sends Lennie off to wash his face.
