* Curley confronts Lennie: After Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, Curley, driven by rage and grief, sets out to hunt Lennie down.
* George finds Lennie: George discovers Lennie hiding by the river and realizes the gravity of the situation.
* George's decision: Understanding the consequences Lennie faces, George makes the heartbreaking decision to end Lennie's life himself, preventing a brutal and painful death at the hands of Curley and the other ranch hands.
* The final act: George shoots Lennie in the back of the head, putting him out of his misery. The story closes with Slim, a wise and empathetic ranch hand, comforting George, acknowledging the immense burden he now carries.
The ending of "Of Mice and Men" is a stark reminder of the harsh realities of life in the 1930s, showcasing the brutal consequences of social injustice, prejudice, and the vulnerability of the marginalized.