OMAM A1:S2 Flashcards

0
Q

I don’t know.

A

Says “positively kills lice roaches and other scourges.” What the hell kinda beds you givin’ us anyway? We don’t want no pants rabbits.

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1
Q

The boss was expecting you last night. He was sore as hell when you wasn’t here to go out this morning. You can have them two beds there.

A

I’ll take the top one . . . I don’t want you Fallon down on me. Say, what the Hell’s this?

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2
Q

Tell you what . . . Last guy that had this bed was a blacksmith. Helluva nice fellow. Clean a guy as you’d want to meet. Used to wash his hands even after he ‘et.

A

Then how come he got pillow-pigeons?

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3
Q

Finally quit about the food. That’s the kind if guy Whitey was. Clean. Used to dress up Sundays even when he wasn’t goin’ no place. Put on a necktie even, and then set in the bunkhouse.

A

I ain’t so sure. What da’ ya say he quit for?

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4
Q

Why . . . he just quit the way a guy will. Says it was the food. Didn’t give no other reason. Just says “give me my time” one night, the way a guy would.

A

Well, if there’s any grey-backs in this bed you’re gonna hear it from me!

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5
Q

I guess the boss’ll be out here in a minute to write your name in. He sure was burned when you wasn’t here this morning. Come right in when we was eatin’ breakfast and says, “Where the hell them new men?” He give the sable buck hell, too. Stable buck’s a nigger.

A

Nigger, huh?

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6
Q

Yeah. Nice fellow, too. Got a crooked back where a horse kicked him. Boss gives him hell when he’s mad. But the stable buck don’t give a damn about that.

A

What kind of guy is the boss?

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7
Q

Well, he’s a pretty nice fella for a boss. Gets mad sometimes. But he’s pretty nice. Tell you what. Know what he done Christmas? Brung in a whole gallon of whiskey right in here and says, “Drink hearty, boys, Christmas comes but once a year!”

A

The hell he did! A whole gallon?

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8
Q

Yes, sir. Jesus, we had fun! They let the nigger come in that night. Well, sir, a little skinner name Smitty took after the nigger. Done pretty good too. The guys wouldn’t let him use his feet so the nigger got him. If he could a used his feet Smitty says he would have killed the nigger. The guys says on account the nigger got a crooked back Smitty can’t use his feet.

A

Boss the owner?

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9
Q

I wrote Murray and Ready I wanted two men this morning. You got your work slips?

A

Here they are.

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10
Q

Well, I see it wasn’t Murray and Ready’s fault. It says right here on the slip, you was to be here for work thi morning.

A

Bus driver give us a bum steer. We had to walk ten miles. That bus driver says we was here when we wasn’t. We couldn’t thumb no rides.

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11
Q

Well, I had to send out the grain teams short two buckers. It won’t do any good to go out now until after dinner. You’d get lost. What’s your name?

A

George Milton.

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12
Q

George Milton. And what’s yours?

A

His name’s Lennie Small.

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13
Q

Lennie Small. Le’s see, this is the twentieth. Noon the twentieth. . . . Where you boys been workin’?

A

Up around weed.

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14
Q

You too?

A

Yeah. Him too.

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15
Q

Say, you a big fellow, ain’t you?

A

Yeah, he can work like hell, too.

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16
Q

He ain’t much of a talker, though, is he?

A

No, he ain’t. But he’s a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull.

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17
Q

You are, huh? What can you do?

A

Anything you tell him. He’s a good skinner. He can wrestle grain bags, drive a cultivator. He can do anything. Just give him a try.

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18
Q

Then why don’t you let him answer? What’s he laughing about?

A

H laughs when he gets excited.

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19
Q

Yeah?

A

But he’s a goddamn good worker. I ain’t saying he’s bright, because he ain’t. But he can put up a four hundred pound bail.

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20
Q

Say, what you sellin’?

A

Huh?

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21
Q

I said what stake you got I this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?

A

No, of course I ain’t!

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22
Q

Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your percentage is.

A

He’s my . . . cousin. I told his old lady I’d take care of him. He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid. He’s alright. . . . Just ain’t bright. But he can do anything you tell him.

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23
Q

Well, God knows he don’t need no brains to buck barley bags. But don’t you try to put nothing over, Milton. I got my eye on you. Why’d you quit in Weed?

A

Job was done.

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24
Q

What kind of job?

A

Why . . . we was diggin’ a cesspool.

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25
Q

All right. But dot try to put nothing over ‘cause you can’t get away with nothing. I seen wise guys before. Go out with the grain teams after dinner. They’re out pick in’ up barley with the thrashin’ machines. Go out with Slim’s team.

A

Slim?

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26
Q

Yeah. Big, tall skinner. You’ll see him at dinner. Been on the road long?

A

We was three days in ‘Frisco looking at the boards.

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27
Q

Didn’t go to no night clubs, I s’pose?

A

We was lookin’ for a job.

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28
Q

That’s a great town if you got a little jack, ‘Frisco.

A

We didn’t have no jack for nothing like that.

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29
Q

Go out with the grain teams after dinner. When my hands work hard they get pie and when they loaf they bounce down the road on their can. You ask anybody about me.

A

So you wasn’t gonna word! You was gonna leave your big flapper shut. I was gonna do the talkin. . . . You goddamn near lost us the job.

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30
Q

I forgot.

A

You forgot. You always forg,et. Now, he’s got his eye on us. Now, we gotta be careful and no slips. You keep your big flapper shut after this.

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31
Q

He talked like a kinda nice guy towards the last.

A

He’s the boss ain’t he? Well he’s the boss first am’ a nice guy afterwards. Don’t you have nothing to do with no boss, except do your work and draw your pay. You can’t never tell whether you’re talkin’ to the nice guy or the boss. Just keep your goddamn mouth shut. Then you’re all right.

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32
Q

George?

A

What you want now?

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33
Q

I wasn’t kicked in the head with no horse, was I, George?

A

Be a damn good thing if you was. Save everybody a hell of a lot of trouble!

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34
Q

You says I was your cousin.

A

Well, that was a goddamn lie. And I’m glad it was. Why if I was a relative of yours - Say, what the hell you doin’ listenin’?

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35
Q

Naw . . . I wasn’t listenin’. . . . I was just standin’ in the shade a minute scratchin’ my dog. I just now finished swamping out the washhouse.

A

You was pokin’ your big nose into our business. I don’t like nosey guys.

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36
Q

I jest come there . . . I didn’t hear nothing you guys was sayin’. A guy on a ranch don’t never listen. Nor he don’t ast no questions.

A

Damn right he don’t! Not if the guy wants to stay workin’ long. That’s a helluva old dog.

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37
Q

Yeah. I had him ever since he was a pup. God, he was a good sheep dog, when he was young. How’d you like the boss?

A

Pretty good! Seemed all right.

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38
Q

He’s a nice fella. You got ta take him right, of course. He’s runnin’ this ranch. He don’t take no nonsense.

A

What time do we eat? Eleven-thirty?

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39
Q

I’ll try to catch him. You the new guys my old man was waitin’ for?

A

Yeah. We just come in.

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40
Q

My ole man got to get the grain out. Ever bucked barley?

A

Hell, yes. Done a lot of it.

41
Q

I mean him. Ever bucked barley.

A

Sure he has.

42
Q

Let the big guy talk!

A

S’pose he don’t want ta talk?

43
Q

By Christ, he’s got to talk when he’s spoke to. What the hell you shovin’ into this for?

A

Him and me travel together.

44
Q

Oh, so it’s that way?

A

What way?

45
Q

And you don’t let the big guy talk? Is that it?

A

He can talk if he wants to tell you anything.

46
Q

Well, next time you answer when you spoke to then.

A

He didn’t do nothing to you.

47
Q

You drawin’ cards this hand?

A

I might.

48
Q

I’ll see you get a chance to ante anyway.

A

Say, what the Hell’s he got on his shoulder? Lennie didn’t say nothing to him.

49
Q

That’s the boss’s son. Curley’s pretty handy. He done quite a bit in the ring. The guys say he’s pretty handy.

A

Well, let “im” be handy.he don’t have to take after Lennie. Lennie didn’t do nothing to him.

50
Q

Well . . . tell you what, Curley’s like a lot a little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla time pick in’ scraps with big guys. Kinda like he’s mad at ‘em because he ain’t a big guy. You seen little guys like that, ain’t you-always scrappy?

A

Sure, I seen plenty of tough little guys. But this here Curley better not make no mistakes about Lennie. Lennie ain’t handy, see, but this Curley punk’s gonna get hurt if he messes around with Lennie.

52
Q

Well, Curley’s pretty handy. You know, it never did seen right to me. S’pose Curley jumps a big guys and licks him. Everybody says what a game guy Curley is. Well, s’pose he jumps ‘im and gets licked, everybody says the big guy oughta pick on somebody his own size. Seems like Curley ain’t givin’ nobody a chance.

A

Well, he better watch out for Lennie. Lennie ain’t no fighter but Lennie’s string and quick and Lennie don’t know no rules.

53
Q

Don’t tell Curley I said none of this. He’d slough me! He jus’ don’t give a damn. Won’t ever get canned because his ole man’s the boss!

A

This guy Curley sounds like a son of a bitch to me! I don’t like mean little guys!

54
Q

Seems to me like he’s worse lately. He got married a couple of weeks ago. Wife lives over in the boss’s house. Seems like Curley’s worse’n ever since he got married. Like he’s settin’ on and ant hill an’ a big red any come up an’ nipped ‘im on the turnip. Just feels so goddamn miserable he’ll strike at anything that moves. I’m kinda sorry for ‘im.

A

Maybe he’s showin’ off for his wife.

55
Q

You seen that glove on his left hand?

A

Sure I seen it!

56
Q

Well, that glove’s full of vaseline.

A

Vaseline? What the hell for?

57
Q

Curley says he’s keepin’ that hand soft for his wife.

A

That’s a dirty kind of a thing to tell around

58
Q

I ain’t quite so sure. I seen such funny things a guy will do to try to be nice. I ain’t sure. But you jus’ wait till you see Curley’s wife!

A

Is she purty?

59
Q

Yeah. Purty but -

A

But what?

60
Q

Well, she got the eye.

A

Yeah? Married two weeks and got the eye? Maybe that’s why Curley’s pants is fulla ants.

61
Q

Yes, sir, I seen her give Slim the eye. Slim’s a jerk-line skinner. Hell of a nive fella. Well, I seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it. And I seen her give a skinner named Carlson the eye.

A

Looks like we was gonna have fun!`

62
Q

Well, I think Curley’s married himself a tart.

A

He ain’t the first. Black queen on a red king. Yes, sir . . . there’s plenty done that!

63
Q

I got to be settin’ out the wash basins for the guys. The teams’ll be in before long. You guys gonna buck barley?

A

Yeah.

64
Q

You won’t tell Curley nothing I said?

A

Hell, no!

65
Q

Well, you look her over Mister. You see if she ain’t a tart!

A

Look, Lennie, this ain’t no set up. You gonna have trouble with this Curley guy. I seen that kind before. You know what he’s doin’. He’s kinda feelin’ you out. He figures he’s got you scared. And he’s gonna take a sock at you, first chance he gets.

66
Q

I don’t want no trouble. Don’t let him sock me, George!

A

I hate them kinds of bastards. I seen plenty of ‘em. Like the ole guy says: “Curley don’t take no chances. He always figures to win.” If he tangles with you Lennie we’re gonna get the can. Don’t make no mistakes about that. He’s the boss’s kid. Look, you try to keep away from him, will you? Don’t never speak to him. If he comes in here you move clear to the other side of the room. Will you remember that, Lennie?

67
Q

I don’t want no trouble. I never done nothing to him!

A

Well, that won’t do you no good if Curley wants to set himself up for a fighter. Just don’t have nothing to do with him. Will you remember?

68
Q

Stable buck! Stable buck! Hey! Stable buck!

A

Here comes the guys. Just don’t say nothing.

69
Q

You ain’t mad George?

A

I ain’t mad at you. I’m mad a this here Curley bastard! I wanted we should get a little stake together. Maybe a hundred dollars. You keep away from Curley

70
Q

Sure I will. i won’t say a word.

A

Don’t let him pull you in-but-if the son of a bitch socks you-let him have it!

71
Q

Let him have what George?

A

Never mind. . . . Look, if you get in any kind of trouble, you remember what I told you to do.

72
Q

If I get in any trouble, you ain’t gonna let me tend the rabbits?

A

That’s not what I mean. You remember where we slept last night. Down by the river?

73
Q

Oh, sure I remember. I go there and hide in the brush until you come for me.

A

That’s it. Hide till I come for you. Don’t let nobody see you. Hide in the brush by the river. Now say that over.

74
Q

Hide in the brush but the river. Down in the brush by the river.

A

If you get in trouble.

75
Q

I’m lookin’ for Curley!

A

He was in here a minute ago but he went along.

76
Q

You’re the new fellas that just come, ain’t you?

A

Yeah.

77
Q

Sometimes Curley’s in here.

A

Well he ain’t now!

78
Q

Well, if he ain’t, I guess I’d better look some place else.

A

If I see Curley I’ll pass the word you was lookin’ for him.

79
Q

Nobody can’t blame a person for lookin’.

A

That depends what she’s lookin’ for.

80
Q

I gotta be goin’!

A

Jesus, what a tramp! So that’s what Curley picks for a wife. God Almighty, did you smell that stank she got on? I can still smell her. Don’t have to see her to know she’s around.

81
Q

She’s purty!

A

Yeah. And she’s sure hidin’ it. Curley’s got his work ahead of him.

82
Q

Gosh, she’s purty!

A

Listen to me, you crazy bastard. Don’t you even look at that bitch. I don’t care what she says or what she does. I seen ‘em poison before, but I ain’t never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her. Don’t you even smell near her.

83
Q

I never smelled, George!

A

No, you never. Buy when she was standin’ there showin’ her legs you wasn’t lookin’ the other way neither!

84
Q

I never meant no bad thing, George. Honest I never.

A

Well, you keep away from her. You let Curley take the rap. He let himself in for it. Glove full of vaseline. I bet he’s eatin’ raw eggs and writing to patent-medicine houses.

85
Q

I don’t like this place. This ain’t no good place. I don’t like this place.

A

Listen-I don’t like it here no better than you do. But we gotta keep it till we get a stake. We’re flat. We gotta get a stake. If we can get just a few dollars in the poke we’ll shove off and go up the American River and pan gold. Guy can make a couple dollars a day there.

86
Q

Let’s go, George. Let’s get out of here. It’s mean here.

A

I tell you we gotta stay a little while. We gotta get a stake. Shut up now, the guys’ll be comin’ in. Maybe we ought to wash up. . . . But hell, we ain’t done nothin’ to get dirty.

87
Q

It’s brighter’n a bitch outside. Can’t hardly see nothing in here. You the new guys?

A

Just come.

88
Q

Goin’ to buck barley?

A

That’s what the boss says.

89
Q

Hope you get on my team.

A

Boss says we’d go with a jerk-line skinner named Slim.

90
Q

That’s me

A

You a jerk-line skinner?

91
Q

I can snap ‘em around a little.

A

That kinda makes you Jesus Christ on this ranch, don’t it?

92
Q

Oh, Nuts.

A

Like the man says, “The boss tells you what to do. But if you want to know how to do it, you got to ask the mule skinner.” The man says any guy that can drive twelve Arizona jack rabbits with a jerk line can fall in a toilet and come up with a mince pie under each arm.

93
Q

Well, I hope you get on my team. I got a pair a punks that don’t know a barley bag from a blue ball. You guys ever bucked barley?

A

Hell, yes. I ain’t nothing to scream about, but that guy there can put up more grain alone than most pairs can.

94
Q

You guys travel around together?

A

Sure. We kinda look after each other. He ain’t bright. Hell of a good worker, though. Hell of a nice fella too. I’ve knowed him for a long time.

95
Q

Ain’t many guys travel around together. I don’t know why. Maybe everybody in the whole damn world is scared of each other.

A

It’s a lot nicer to go ‘round with a guy you know. You get used to it an’ then it ain’t no fun alone any more.

96
Q

Glad to meet ya! My name’s Carlson.

A

I’m George Milton. This here’s Lennie Small.

97
Q

George!

A

Yeah, I heard ‘im, Lennie . . . I’ll ask ‘im!

98
Q

A brown and white one.

A

Come on, let’s get dinner. I don’t know whether he’s got a brown and white one.

99
Q

You ask him right away, George, so he won’t kill no more of ‘em!

A

Sure! Come on now-let’s go.

100
Q

You seen a girl around here?

A

‘Bout half an hour ago mebbe.

101
Q

Well, what the hell was she doin’?

A

She said she was lookin’ for you.

102
Q

Which way did she go?

A

I don’t know. I didn’t watch her go. You know, Lennie, I’m scared I’m gonna tangle with that Curley bastard myself. I hate his guts! Jesus Christ, come on. There won’t be a damn thing left to eat.