Robert Holdred by burrlypup

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(This is a bridge from Manny's "Robert's Risky Business Backfires" to my story "Manny's Barbershop: Parts I & II", "At Manny's - Part 10" will be finished when I work out what Manny's final cut will be.)

Part I

The strong, robust boss imposed over his prey like a cougar feasting on a carcass. His clippers were hot and dusted in blond stubble after the guard suspiciously went missing. Ralph smiled, but stayed seated on the sideline, witnessing the latest recruit being shorn. He ran his palm over his clipped pate and recalled the past six months. After pledging his loyalty to Robert Holdred and enduring the decimation of his own gorgeous hair, then both being ousted from their firm, surviving that disgrace - Robert and Ralph used a loophole allowing them back in. It took all of 3 weeks for Robert to strongarm the other managing partners out. Robert turned dictator, and imposed new grooming standards for men, amongst other forms of discipline. He was the omnipotent panel, and Ralph remained his sidekick. The shearings occurred in the break room and were a badge of dedication, though much of the staff made a mass exodus in response to the tyrannical leadership unfolding.

This latest recruit would not receive the same clipper cut as Ralph. Robert set down his clippers and reached for a mug of hot lather. He covered the young mans stubbled skull with a generous foam, and razored it gently. Ten minutes later, Ralph splashed the recruit with a bucket of water, rinsing his smooth head and soaking him entirely in the process.

The recruit was jettisoned back to cubicle land, still soaked and gingerly caressing his sensitive white scalp. How would he explain this new look to his wife he wondered?

The next in line was an intern, fresh out of college and eager to please. He was chosen based on looks alone, quite honestly, in particular for his lush, chestnut locks with auburn highlights that rested on his shoulders. This shearing would be epic.

"What's going on here?" The young man asked, staring at the previous fellows shiny clumps of blond hair on the floor. There was so much of it.

"Just strengthening company morale." Robert told him, grasping his shoulder and leaning in, smelling the freshly shampooed hair. Robert's hand crept up and caressed his neck, feeling the soft, silken strands. This would be a shame to shear such gorgeous hair, he thought.

"Have a seat," Robert implored.

"I'm fine thanks. And just an intern, I'll be gone by the end of the week." The intern expressed, intent on keeping his mane intact.

"What's your name?" Robert asked firmly.

The young man defiantly held up his lanyard: "Manny," he said.

"Well, Manny you certainly have a pair. Welcome to management," Robert smirked. "Consider yourself hired."

"I'm not cutting my hair." Manny said sternly.

"I won't expect you to after this. Come to my office and we'll discuss terms." Robert said, leading his new protege from the breakroom down the corridor to his office. Ralph was fuming. How could Robert betray him like this? He got up and headed after Robert's office. The door was closed and before he opened, he heard thunderous smacks emanating from inside. He gingerly opened the door and peeked in.

Manny was bent over Robert's knee, slacks around his ankles, and on the receiving end of an intense spanking. Robert pulled Manny up and gazed into his eyes, then dropped him like dead weight. Manny fell to his knees.

"We are in agreement," Robert told me, smiled and walked out as he adjusted his tie. Manny stood up and smoothed his hair back over his ears.

"Welcome aboard, Manny. I'm Ralph."


Part II

The social climate changed as the years went by and workers rights proved troublesome for the mean, bully Robert Holdred. No longer could he shear potential candidates at will, and his devilish ways were leaving him vulnerable to insurrection. Ralph jumped ship and soon after, Robert handed to company over to the investors. After 5 years, he accepted his own golden handshake.

The only constant was his rebellious, unintimidable Manny. (Well, rebellious until the paddle came out.) Manny would not openly admit it, but Roberts forcefulness in shearing candidates excited him immensely. This excitement led Manny to attend barber college and open his own shop, albeit paid for with Robert's money. Robert was his first customer, and for the first time Manny took his balding clippers to another mans head. It was intoxicating. Without asking, Manny lathered up Roberts head and shaved it clean.

"One day, at my discretion, I will drop in to give you the same haircut. No warning. No outs. You will lose all of this." Robert informed Manny, sniffing his sweet smelling locks. Manny gulped at the assertion.

"Why not now? Just get it out of the way." Manny offered up his hair, unsure if he was even ready to part with it, but uneasy at the idea of Robert potentially humiliating him in such a way.

"Where's the fun in that? No. On a day when you're flying high and carefree, I'll walk in and cape you up. Then you'll know this hair will be history."

Manny swept his golden forelock back and gazed into this reflection with Robert behind him.


Part III

Five more years pass and Manny seems to become more and more attached to his hair, assuming Robert must have forgotten their pact from years earlier. Robert has mellowed with age, nearing 45 now. After a few years of allowing Manny to razor shave his head clean, Robert sprouted a sharp flattop that seemed to rekindle his intensity.

As Manny grew more complacent thinking that he'd keep his hair, his own brutality towards other mens hair started to evolve. Just a few weeks ago, Manny shaved two paying customers slick bald after closing. Robert heard Manny gloating during dinner, detailing the evening and how the poor fellow so desperately wanted a horseshoe flattop; how he had toyed with him, giving him a boxy flattop for years, thus causing him to take matters into his own hands.... only to end up bald.

Robert smiled at his lover, caressing his soft hair, inhaling its sweet scent one last time.

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