I Texted - He Cut by Be Careful What You Ask For

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I always enjoy reading stories on this site. They are mostly based in fiction. Sometimes you find one that almost seems to be true; or at least you hope it is true. I can't remember a time when I didn't have a barbershop fetish or interest. I love finding new shops and experience the thrill and anxiety of what a new barber will do. Will he cut it short? What type of clippers will he use? Do they straight razor? Do they go shorter then you ask? Will he have a firm grip? Does he take his time? All these questions and many more always run through my mind if I dare to go into a new shop. Being adventurous is difficult for me as I have a job in corporate America. I do pretty well; so I have to be cognizant of my appearance. I will say the clean cut look is VERY acceptable in corporate America. Even military like haircuts are very acceptable. I am not sure a full on regulation or HNT would be; but happy that short is ok.

As the years have progressed I have gotten a bit braver in my type of cuts. Some times I do a low fade or a tight taper. I have even gone as far as low bald fade before. I can't say that I have had anything close to resembling a military haircut; but I have had longish crewcuts before as long as the bangs were long enough to flip up or part to the side. No matter what cut I have had, I have always found a way to STOP from having a real cut.

Fast Forward to this week. John has been my barber for over a year. I will say that is a new record for me. He is actually very good - he is very detailed, takes his time, has a firm grip, and I never worry that I won't look good for work. Occasionally, I tempt fate and ask him to take it a little closer or a little tighter. I mix up the words some times to see if he will interpret it differently. A few times he has shaved some skin above my ears and in the back. The straight razor experience itself feels fantastic and although its short it always quickly blends into longer hair in the sides or top so I never really worry about it being too short. The best part of seeing john is that I can just text him on the way there and he holds a spot in his chair for me: so I never really have to wait. I will say I do tip him well. I give him 15 bucks tip each time; but with my busy schedule (flying all the time) I appreciate the opportunity to cut the line so to speak.

Today was my day to get a haircut. I texted John and told him I was leaving soon and should be there in 30 minutes. He texted back a few minutes later and said 'No problem, I got you covered.' I grinned as I always do bc that is his phrase; but I knew I wouldn't have to wait. I texted back and said thanks I will be there as quickly as I can. I kept driving and hit some traffic; and finally hit a red light. Without thinking I texted him back and asked 'Something Shorter Today'? He promptly text back and said sure I can do that. I thought to myself, ' Hmm that was easy enough and doesn't seem too risky.' I texted back and said cool it's summer so might as well. It's only hair. His only reply was a smiley emoticon.

Before long I was there and John greeted me. I went to his station and sat down. He quickly caped me and wrapped the tissue around my neck. He always has a habit of making it to tight; but I don't I mind. Before long he was reaching around his station for a pair of clippers - can't say I was paying that much attention. I heard the clippers turn on and then I felt the cool steel of bare metal on my scalp. I wasn't alarmed at all bc I have had this done before. He always skins me a little. What caught my attention was how HIGH he started with the clippers. I think he started at least 3/4 of the way up my head. The vibrations coming through the clippers and the sensation of the bare metal touching my skin was almost to much. I thought for a moment - WTF. Did I ask for this? I decided to close my eyes and enjoy the ride - I mean it's just hair, right?

For what seemed like a long time (was probably only a few minutes, the clippers stopped. I was a bit bummed. The next thing I know is he put some shaving prep on the sides and back. I am not sure what he uses but it feels like a lotion and it tingles (in a good way). I knew what was coming next - HOT shaving cream. Always the best part. This time was different though - the warm feeling of the shaving cream was much higher then normal. The scraping of the sides and back came next. OMG - I always love it - it never gets old for me. Before long he was done and I was bummed again; although I had no idea what was about to happen next. He took out what appear to be a rectangle Norelco and just started running it all over the sides and back making sure EVERYTHING was SMOOTH. Damn - this was almost better then the clippers and maybe even better then the straight razor. He really took his time. Finally he stopped and I heard him say there nice and smooth. He looked at me and said I think I like this new look on you. I am going to take the top down and then I will have you on your way. What happened next jolted me. Before I could even blink clippers were running down my head from the front to the back. Hair started falling everywhere. 'Oh yeah - he said - the HNT is definitely a good look for you this summer - not sure why we didn't do this sooner'. I started to sweat - THIS IS SO NOT what I asked for. I think John sensed my panic as he whispered in my ear - don't worry dude - it looks fantastic. In fact it looks so good I am going to take the top down shorter. I meekly smiled and said sure your in charge and I did say shorter for the summer. Before long the clippers turned off and john spun the chair around. What I saw before me was a military HNT crew-cut. He even took the middle shorter although I wouldn't exactly call it a shaved landing strip but damn it was so close it looked like one. There was no flip in the front or any hair to comb to the sides. The sides were completely shaved bald - high over my crown. I smiled and said - 'thanks, I think I needed that'. I started to pay him. I left him a 20 dollar tip this time instead of my normal. I shook his hand as I always do and thanked him and wished him a happy Easter. He wished me a good Easter too. As I was walking out he shouted hey David, remember I need to see you every week if you want to keep it looking sharp - just shoot me a text and I have u covered. I smiled back and said no problem see you next week after Easter.

The END

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