Devin Alexander

Of Mice and Men Dialog Project

** Willy is sitting at a coffee shop by himself, whispering. George enters and sits at the table next to him.

George: “ I’m exhausted! I work my whole life and I ain’t got much to show for it, that’s for sure.” (leaning over talking to Willy, like one of those overly friendly strangers) “ Say, what’s your name and your story?”

Willy: “Uh? Hello?” (Willy momentarily snaps out of his trance) “I’m Willy.”

George: “So what do you do for a living?”

Willy: “ I used to work as a salesman, but I was recently let go.”

George: “Aw. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to touch a touchy subject.”

Willy: “It’s ok. It’s just I had such high hopes for the future. I just don’t know where I went wrong. You see, my son, Biff, bright boy, well liked in high school, now can’t hold down a job. He was my pride and joy and now I’m ashamed of him.”

George: “Is there something wrong with him? My pal Lennie had got some problems, but he was a right good worker.”

Willy: “Nah, nothing wrong. He is just so damn lazy. I just can’t understand how he got this way. He was supposed to be a successful businessman. I was supposed to be a successful businessman.”

George: “Well, shoot! I never cared for business, Lennie always seemed to get us into some sort of trouble, you see with his problems. I was always meant to be doing something with my hands, like building something or labor work. I think I like to be outside.”

Willy: “No offense. Labor work is not for my boy. He says he likes it. Likes being outside and all. I just can’t see the prestige in it.”

George: “Well have you ever tried it?”

Willy: “Of course not! I’m a businessman.”

George: “Well ok.”

[There is a seemly long silence while the two men are left to their thoughts.]

Willy: “Say. You said your pal, Lennie, was it? Was a good worker?”

George: “Well, you see. Its rather a long story, but to make it short Lennie got us into some trouble, deep trouble. Almost cost me my life. Well, you see. I had to kill him so that I wouldn’t be killed.”

Willy: “Well, if it was your life or his then I would say I would probably do the same thing if I were you.”

George: “Really? Its been eating me up inside. Lennie and I always had this plan, where we would save up enough money workin’ to buy our own farm. We would live off the land. I even told Lennie he could have rabbits that he could tend to. But that future is gone. I don’t even know where to go next!”

Willy: “Well, you got to make your new path in life. Whatever sounds good to you and is feasible then shoot for it.”

George: “Your right. I can still work my ass off to try to get a place of my own. I can try and get a girl for myself too!”

Willy: “That’s the spirit! My man.”

George: “Say. You have a chance to start new too. So what if you lost your job, you can always find another that better suits your needs.”

Willy: “You know what? I’m going to take my own advice this time. Tomorrow I’m going to make some calls and get out there and find a new job!”

George: “Now what do you say we go down the street to the bar a get us a few drinks. What do ya say my friend?”

Willy: “Let’s go!”