A Whole New Look - part five by Titan

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This is where I end the story for now though I'm not happy with the ending so I'll explore an alternative in the future on my tumblr.


The very next day I was outside the barbershop in a run-down area of town that looked like a plague had swept through it.
It was still early though the shop was open, the barbers pole spinning in the window.
It was called 'Michel Patterson's Barbershop.
He'd obviously changed the name from 'Michel's Barbary' and by the look of things, was very quiet at the moment though not surprising for the area; many businesses were closed down or boarded over.
Well at least nobody I knew would see me here, I thought to myself as I cautiously opened the door.

The warm air of the shop greeted me along with the smell of cologne and antiseptic.
"Good morning Sir, step right up - you'll be my first customer today." The barber said warmly as he patted the lone pedestal chair.
He was a genial gent, about 50 or so, male pattern balding and wearing a dark, carefully stylized handlebar moustache.

Something about him looked very familiar but due to my nerves I didn't dwell on this as I climbed into the chair.
"So, how would you like me do your hair today Mr ....ah..?" He said as he drapped a cape over him.
"Call me Eric."
"Okay Eric my name is Sid." The barber replied as he stroked the curl in his mustache.
"Is....is this your shop? I mean the name outside says Michel."
"Yes, I took it over some years ago. Michel wanted a change of careers." He smiled as he turned to the counter.
"Well this may sound strange, but you....ah you have a.....um....customer named Sidney Danvers?" I stammered.
"Sidney? Well..he has been a customer of mine for many years. Did he recommend me?" The barber was eyeing him in the mirror. Usually Sidney warned him of any customers beforehand.

Where had I seen this barber before? I wondered as I looked at him in the mirror.
"Not exactly. You may have also looked after a friend of his, Michael?"
"Michael? No....ah I don't think so. Do you know his last name?" The barbers tone seemed to change.
"Well it may have been along time ago I think. Look, this is a picture of him when he was younger." I produced the photo I'd copied from the internet.
"Certainly a good-looking boy....ah but I don't think I recognize him, the memories not as good as it used to be." He said barely looking at the photo. "So where did you...ah find this photo?"

I proceeded to tell him some made up story about a friend at the bank.
"Oh, ah sorry... I know this is strange its just I thought you may have been his barber.
"Did Sidney tell you that?" The barber asked in a curt tone.
"No...no ah .....it was his secretary that referred me."
"She did did she." He was now rubbing the top of his head.
You see, I rather like his hairstyle and was wondering if you could do the same for me."
"I see. Well, it is a pretty radical haircut for today but if that's what you want?" The barber said with a smile on his face.

"So you like this Danvers?" Sid asked.
"Oh....no I mean I'm not into that, I just heard Michael use to be a friend of the bank manager and you are his barber." I said very nervously.
"Not to worry Eric, I've been gay for years....nothing wrong with it." The barber started sorting his clipper attachments.
"Oh, ah sure..." I just said.
"Your secret is safe with me." And with that he put a firm hand on my shoulder. I detected a slight squeeze and suddenly felt a little turned on.

Pumping the chair up he then said, "So you want to look like this Michael guy?" The barber pressed. "Did Ms Harwood suggest it?"
"She mentioned the similarity but I kind of like his look, and I want a change." I said as I looked at the enlarged photo then the mirror. "And it definitely suits him so I think it may suit me." I decided to keep my plan to appeal to Danvers to myself.
"Oh yes, this Michael is very handsome. So you want me to make you look just like this picture of him? It is definitely a big change."
Still caught up in the thought of a radical haircut I nodded my head looking at him in the mirror.
"Well I think you look fine as you are, maybe a shave and a trim, but you're the client. Getting rid of the straggly goatee is the right step though." Then he looked closer noting the mustache growth. "The mustache grows a lot fuller though, more like the photo."

As he readied the Andis clippers I wondered how much I would look like the photo.
He then added, "Now you are sure you want to look just like the man in this photo?"
"Yes, I really like his whole look and I want a change." I tried to lie.
"Well it will be a big change but if it's what you want."
Without another word the barber started the transformation.

I watched as my hair was reduced down to a barely a half inch on the back and sides.
Changing attachments he proceeded to run over the top of my head.
He would work a thick, waxy substance through the long hair to make it stand up.
Then he used an oversized comb and ran the bare clippers over it. Leveling then combing to create the exact deck as in the photo, lower and lower.

As I watched I started to wonder if I was going too far. The hairstyle was one thing but when he started to dye my hair, that was another. He said he would need to bleach the hair first before getting the hair ready for the lighter color.
It smelled terrible but I'd already began so there was no going back now.
He stuck some plastic cling wrap over my head before shaving off my prized goatee, leaving only the mustache.
He would dye that blonde as well before placing me under a dryer.

After another hour I was turned towards the mirror.
"So, what do you think Eric."

I just stared at the transformation. My flattop was perfect but the new blonde coloring was the biggest change. As I turned my head I couldn't believe how good I looked as a blonde; it really suited me.
The barber must have thought so too as he couldn't stop looking at me.
As I left the shop he called out behind me, "say hello to Sidney for me. Good luck with the interview."
I waved a hand before stopping to look back. How did he know about the interview?

Two days latter I stepped once again into the outer office of the banks manager, Sidney Danvers ready for my interview.
To say I was nervous would be an understatement.
Of course Ms Harwood was behind her desk busy with a phone call. As she hung up she asked if she could help me.
"Eric Sievers for my interview."
Suddenly her whole face changed. "I never would have recognized you in a million years. Its amazing, you look just like Michael."
Blushing a little I said, "just following your advice. What do you think, too much?"

Before she could answer Danvers came out of his office and stopped in his tracks his mouth opened wide.
"And...ah....you.....you are....?" He tried to ask.
"Oh this is Eric Sievers who had his 10 o'clock interview with you." Ms Harwood turned to him.
"Oh......ah....it's extraordinary.... sorry young man but you look just like someone I use to know." Danvers tried to recover but couldn't.
"And who would that be sir?" Ms Harwood asked.
'None of your concern Ms Harwood." He said gruffly.
She couldn't help herself. "It's uncanny sir but he looks very much like that friend you use to bring in, ah....Michael wasn't it?"
"Well.....yes... I mean you do bare a passing resemblance." Danvers tried to sound in control but his mind was telling him this guy knew about his past.

As he stared at the man he had to admit it was looking in a mirror 15 years ago, but with all the questions and fears looming in his head he knew he had to get him into his office and away from the interfering secretary who apparently knew more than he thought about his past.
"Ms Harwood, hold all my calls." He said as he opened the office door and led the clone of his younger self into the office.
"Certainly Sir." She said with a touch of sarcasm.

FROM SIDNEY DANVERS POINT OF VIEW

As looked at the beautifully sculpted flattop on the man seated across from me, I asked him first where he'd got it done.
As soon as I heard my partners name I knew I was in trouble. How much had my blabber-mouth husband said.
"So, you've met Sid. Now you've come to me looking like that! So what is it you are after young man, be honest now?" I asked a touch angrily. The kid was obviously looking to blackmail me, but how did he know about my past?

"Mr Danvers, I'm only here for the accounts managers job, honest and well Ms Danvers suggested if I.....I really wanted the job I see your Barber."
"She did did she?"
"Well I really liked the look on Michael and I needed a change of style so...."
"You thought you'd appeal to my vanity". I wasn't so sure this Eric was telling me everything.
"No.... I mean sort of look I just really want the accounts manage position."

So my look-a-like tried to convince me he wasn't up to anything shady.
Funny thing is his resolve and determination reminded me of myself at that age.
"You are very young for such a position you know." I pressed sitting on the edge of the desk.
"No younger than you Mr Danvers when you got the same position here."
The kid had done his homework alright. So how much did he know about Sid and me switching careers?
Well best I keep him close. "Mr Sievers, if you are going to become an accounts manager, you are going to have to look the part. So, if you are willing to return to Sids for a more suitable look you can have the job.
"Really?" Eric said excitedly.
"Well you seem very determined." I added with a grin.


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