Shorter Every Time by Matt Cegelka

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I live in Portugal, near the NATO base in Oeiras. Not speaking the local language has its disadvantages, but on the brighter side, haircuts are fun when communication is `restricted`.

I have been frequenting a barber shop for the past 5 weeks for a weekly `trim`. Actually, week 1 was not at all a trim. I came, sat, and requested (in portuguese) simply `a haircut`...the barber, proceeded with a 1/8 attachment, but curiously started clipping at the hatband....This kind of surprised me as I am used to the `starting gate` being either the nape or a sideburn...but did`nt think to much about the consequence, until the barber finished his clipping all the way around the hatband unloading the top half of my head of all but 1/8 of what was a full head of dark brown hair 2 inches long.

Now I was both curious and aroused. I think the barber noticed that he had drawn my attention down below, because he moved closer to my chair and planted his crotch atop my arm on the arm of the barber chair. I was surprised and momentarily distracted by this invasion of space..before realizing the opportunity this afforded me to rub up against his crotch....and gauge the barbers reaction.

I got immersed with this game of touch, and took my eye off the progress of my cut. As I felt the distinctive bare metal feeling against my nape...I looked up and realized that my barber was finishing off the lower half with bare metal clippers. After mowing down the lower half several times, he pulled out a straight edge razor and began to outline shave my ear arches about 1/2 inch above the hairline. By the time he finished, I was sporting a genuine military low and tight cut.

I glady paid the 9 euro`s for the 30 minute expereince and vowed to myself to keep it tight and return weekly for trim. On visit number 2, a week later, the barber was helping another customer, so I decided to try the other arber out. I considered this low risk as after all, I would simply ask for a light trim, and point to the outline of my hairline so he would get it. He appeared to, until the clippers again came to life and traveled north instead of over the edge. The trim took 30 minutes and ended as a medium tight fade, considerably shorter than the first cut.

Okay I thought, I can live with this length, so I returned to the shop a week later for a trim up....again indicating the outline trim request to the same barber who cut my hair the previuos week. After this explanation, I popped ear buds into my ears and relaxed to classical music with the ipod I received for Christmas....drifting off to sleep quickly. The barber gently awakened me 30 minutes later to show off his handiwork.....this time a hight & tight, clipped to about 1/16 on the sides and about two clipper lengths high on each side. Again, I was surprised by the much shorter length...and frankly turned on by what seemed to be a pattern of ever shortened locks with each passing week. Was the barber aware he had just cut my hair each of the previous two weeks....and this was my third visit to the shop within three weeks. Surely, not many foreigners visit this shop, and he must have mistook me for military given the proximity of the nato base to the shop.

My curiousity and anticipation raged in the week following Christmas, as I tried to determine what would happen on my next visit...and how I should behave in the shop. On each of the previous four cuts (3 with the same barber), I expressed much admiration and appreciation for the cut upon `inspection` with the barber...and I also tipped handsomely by local standards.

Well today was the 7th day and time for the weekly `trim`. I decided to play a I don`t really care/not paying attention approach and arrived to the barbershop wearing my ear buds, playing music on the ipod, and holding a newspaper. I arrived, and was promptly seated as `my favorite` barber was ready and available.

I paid no attention as he caped and papered me in preparation for the cut. I had anticpated no communication today...but the barber, seeking confirmation, used hand signals to trace over his ear hair line and I nodded in agreement sure that this time...length would remain.

I put down my paper, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the loud music plqaying on the ipod. I felt the distinctive bare metal clipper feel again....and it seemed to be traveling quite far north, but I decided to remain with my eyes closed and let the barber finish whatever exactly he had in mind. I opened my eyes about 30 minutes later to a military crisp, clean, extreme high and tight, with bare clipped skin approx two clipper lengths long across the sides and down the back graduating to a terrific taper and eventually into hair about 3/8 long along the crown. Wow..I was surprised, aroused, and very appreciative.

Now..I wonder what next Monday will bring. I think the barber knows I am turned on by the ever shortening cut and having as much fun giving as I am receiving.

To Be Continued.

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