I was cleaning up from my last customer, when someone came in and asked if I was still open. He was medium built with dark brown hair that looked like a want-a-be pompadour. I said sure I could give him a trim.
Since he obviously tried to keep his hair at least similar to a pompadour, the sides and back were relatively short (about 1”) and the top was longish (about 4”). Yes, long, wide and thick sideburns to match.
After he sat down, I ran my fingers through his hair. It was very dry. I told him it wouldn’t hurt to use a little conditioner. He then dropped a bomb. He said that his name was Vince and was friends with Peter and that Peter wanted him to get “the works.” I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Peter was standing in the doorway nodding his head. I said that I would be happy to cut his hair, but since I was already taken, Peter would have to do the rest. Peter nodded his head some more. I told Peter to go back to the front desk and I send him a new man. Peter looked very pleased and left.
I asked Vince what he thought of going a bit shorter say an ivy league or a longish flattop. He said real short all over. Like the man said “the works.”
First, I led him over to the sink and I washed his hair twice and then put a conditioner in and let it set for a while. As the conditioner was doing its job, I massaged his scalp. Slowly, I started at the back of his neck and worked up the back of his head to his crown. I could feel him relax completely. I finished the massage and rinsed out the conditioner. His hair felt completely different.
I got out the blow dryer and styled his hair in as true a pompadour as I could. Then I got out my trusty Oster and put the #1A (1/8”) on and clicked the razor on. I started on his right just next to his ear and slowly moved the razor up the side of his head. I continued around his ear moving slowly up the side of his head. Clumps of hair fell on the cape and to the floor.
I moved around to the back and slowly moved the razor up the back of his head. That beautifully styled and feathered duck tail was reduced to stubble in no time at all. Slowly and steadily I moved around to his left side and I began to buzz away those dark brown locks. Hair fell into his lap as I buzzed up the side of his head.
When I finished cropping the sides down to 1/8”, I took off the guide and shaved off his sideburns. It took two long swipes on each side because those sideburns were so long, wide and thick. I liked how the clean swept look fit him, so I continued with the guide off around the sides and back moving slowly and smoothly up his head. I ran my hand up the back of his head. Nice but rather stubblish.
Then, I got out the shaving lotion and lathered up the sides and back. I took out my straight razor and began taking the stubble down to shiny smoothness. After, I was done, I shaved his face as well.
By this time, I had my own buzz going and I could tell Vince was really into this. Every little bit he would try to readjust his cape so he would not show just how much he was into this.
Then I got wicked. I picked up my Oster and put the 1a (1/8”) back on. I tilted his head forward and clicked the razor on. I started at his crown and slowly buzzed forward. A pile of hair fell on to his lap. He took a quick breath. I was getting red of his pompadour. I repeated again and in five swipes all that beautiful pompadour was in his lap. There was no hiding his excitement. (I stopped trying to hide mine.)
I moved around to face him still tilting his head forward, and ran the clippers back across his head front to crown. This time only little bits of hair fell but with the same result - - he was very excited.
Well, I figured he needed to cool down and I knew I had to cool down. So, I went over and grabbed a couple of cold ones from the refrige in the corner. While I brushed him off and swept up a bit he drank the draft and paid me. He left and I heard a “Wow, man, you look great.” Thank you. That's the best compliment any barber could be paid. Peter came over and told me he owed me one. I smiled told him to have a good time. As they left, I smirked. Yes, you do owe me, Peter.
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