In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Smalls, migrant workers in Depression-era California. George is small, cynical and quick-witted while Lennie is large, gentle and mentally challenged. Lennie has an overbearing love of soft things, and often becomes overly affectionate, forgetting his strength.

Lennie’s love for soft things led to trouble at his and George’s previous place of employment. When they were working in Weed, California, Lennie attempted to touch a woman’s dress—an action that led to an accusation of attempted rape. George and Lennie fled; as the novel begins, they camp out before approaching a new ranch to inquire about work. George designates the camp site as a meeting place in the event that trouble arises again.

Trouble seems imminent when George and Lennie arrive at the ranch and meet the owner’s son, Curley. Curley is a small, aggressive man who dislikes large men and immediately distrusts Lennie. Curley is also possessive of his wife, who is attractive and flirtatious. Lennie comments that she is pretty, but George warns Lennie to stay away from her. George and Lennie also meet Slim and Candy, other ranch hands. Slim’s dog has recently given birth, and he agrees to give Lennie one of the puppies.

George and Lennie’s dream is to own their own farm. George narrates this dream repeatedly to Lennie, who only wants to hear about the bunnies that George promises he can take care of. They are getting closer to achieving this dream when Candy, a ranch hand, says that he wants to go in on the farm with them. The addition of Candy means they can buy the farm at the end of the month. George begins to feel confident in their place at the ranch with the dream of the farm so close. Because of this confidence, George leaves Lennie behind on the ranch while he goes into town with the other hands.

When George leaves Lennie alone for the evening, Lennie accidentally kills his puppy. Curley’s wife finds Lennie and comforts him. She admits she is disappointed in her life because she failed to follow her dreams of becoming a movie star. She allows Lennie to stroke her hair but becomes frightened of his size and strength. She screams, and Lennie attempts to cover her mouth but instead breaks her neck unintentionally.

Lennie flees to the designated spot hoping that George finds him there. Curley is enraged and out to lynch Lennie. George finds him first and tells Lennie again about the farm and the bunnies. As Lennie is lulled into a peaceful reverie, George quietly pulls out a gun and shoots Lennie in the back of the head.

When the men discover George with Lennie’s body, he allows them to believe that Lennie had the gun and George wrestled it away and shot Lennie in self-defense. Only Slim realizes that George killed Lennie out of love in order to protect him from a more painful death at the hands of the lynch-mob.

Most people already know the freedom and convenience of using smart- and mobile cellphones. Today, it is possible to have a Los Angeles phone number, but live in New York. One number is available wherever you go. The convenience can be extended by using international wireless phones. Many of these programs and contracts require specialized phones that are equipped to operate on the various protocols used by different countries and wireless companies. Luckily, there are phones that do this. Before you use one though, learn a little about the potential costs and fees associated with the service.

Most US and North American based carriers offer international roaming or international contracts. Be aware that many of the contracts and services are only for the ability to use the phones in various countries, not for the actual usage fees for each minute or text used while traveling. For example, on major American wireless company offers a $5.99 per month “World Traveler” option. This $5.99 fee only covers the ability of the phone to pick up the foreign signals, not for the actual minutes used. It does however, give a discounted minute rate for each country. Even with the discount, if the user is not aware, high monthly bills can be accrued.

There are some international use packages that allow pay-per-use functions. With these programs you simply pay as you go for any minutes used overseas. This takes away the “surprise” factor of receiving unwanted high phone bills. To use such programs, call your provider and give them your request along with the type of phone you use. Certain phones may look similar, but operate under different protocols. For example, on major US carrier carries one popular type of smartphone that operates on the CDMI protocol, while two other major carriers use the GSM protocol. Ask your provider if your particular phone is prepared for international use. If it is, request information on how to switch it over upon arrival in the foreign country.

In North America, use of smartphones between Canada and the United States is possible, but often with roaming fees. Heading down to Mexico requires a special signal, and comes with higher fees. In the Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico operate under standard US protocols, but most other countries require international service for US based smartphones.

One other option for international cell phone use is to rent internationally equipped phoines. Benefits of using such a service include paying only for the time you are away or using the phone, and not having to invest in new equipment.

Another option is to purchase “burner” phones upon arrival in the foreign country. These are pre-pay, pay-as-you-go cell phones. Such phones are more popular in many foreign countries than the United States. This option gives a local number with the ability to use it throughout the country or continent. For example, throughout much of Western Europe, burners function in each country in the region.