The Cutter Blade #3 - Ray's First Shoe by Manny

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The Cutter Blade - Chapter #3 - Ray's First Shoe

The next day at lunch, Ray saddled up behind Andrew, leaned over and purred in his ear, "CLICK! Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

Andrew cringed.

Then Ray asked, "What sort of haircut are you going to ask for today, Andrew? We leave in half hour for Rod's Barber Shop. Remember, it needs to be a length Commander Jarvis will find appropriate on a cadet."

Andrew's instinct informed him that Ray was subtly reminding him about the awful information he held and was fear-struck! He could not get tied to Michael's contraband cell phone. One word from Ray, and he was sunk. There were lots of whispers that Michael was getting kicked off the ship in Port Superior (without a refund!) for violating rules.

"I'm going to ask for a high 'n tight," Andrew forced himself to say.

"A longish one or a very tight one?" Ray pressed.

"As short as it gets," Andrew gulped.

Then Ray turned to Eddie, who was sitting next to Andrew. He grasped the silken shaggy mop that looked as if it hadn't been properly crop in years. "And what about these treasured locks?" Ray asked.

The cadet swallowed hard, not knowing how to answer. Finally, Eddie said, "Whatever you think is best, Ray."

Ray grinned broadly, and Eddie knew he'd given the right answer. Suddenly, he felt a bit of anticipation for the haircut. He'd never been cropped ultra-short before, and the prospect excited him a bit.

"That's an excellent answer, Eddie! You two are becoming model cadets!" Ray exclaimed as he tussled both moptops. "I think a deep pile flattop with beveled edges and a faint landing strip will be perfect for you."

Eddie squirmed in his chair at the thought of getting a flattop. It was definitely not nervousness that he felt, but excitement! He looked forward to shedding his long locks. He trusted Ray's expertise and knew the flattop would suit him perfectly.

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Half hour later, the trio was marching down the gang-plank and heading straight to Rod's Barber Shop.

"It's just around the back side of that gas station," Ray said, pointing across the street.

They walked through the gas pumps and skirted the building. Rod's Barber Shop appeared to be a hole-in-the-wall place, an awkward add-on that jutted from the back of the service station. A big silver truck with a tongues of fire leaping across the engine and down the sides was parked next to a smallish, rusting sign that read ROD'S BARBER SHOP.

"Good, Rod's in," Ray said, pointing to the truck. There was no whirling barber pole, but a faint glow of neon inside indicated the shop was open for business.

Ray pushed the door open to reveal the one-chair establishment. On a dull gray linoleum floor sat their destination, a traditional barber chair with a sturdy yellow enamel base, lots of chrome, and deep olive vinyl upholstery. Apart from the chair, the rest of the place seemed dingy. There was no proper counter -- just some simulated wood paneling covered, in part, by a large mirror topped with a neon light fixture. To the left of the mirror were some built-in shelves covered with an assortment of dusty cards, soccer balls, paint cans, binders and other bric-a-brac. The only thing that looked like it had been touched in the last ten years was a large, open Bible. There were lots of Bible verses and other inspirational quotes around the shop. "If I were humble, I'd be perfect," the one taped to the top of the mirror declared.

"Howdy, fellows," Rod said quickly rising from his relaxation between clients. He was clad in a proper barber jacket that was a bit snug due to some weight gain. The blue and maroon panels matched the cape that was draped over the back of the chair.

"Oil up those clippers, Rod," Ray said cheerfully. "There's some heavy-duty shearing that needs to happen here."

Eddie shuffled on his feet at the mention of heavy-duty shearing.

"I thought I might make some aspiring navy cadets look the part today! It's like clockwork when the tall ship with those nice sails comes into port. And you look overdue yourself, Ray," Rod replied in a chatty tone.

"You know I wouldn't miss a chance for you to take the clippers to my thatch, Reverend Rodney!" Ray said, running his fingers through his bushy, black hair.

"Come, take a seat then," Rod said. "The barber I am by training works on outer transformations. The preacher I am by vocation works on inner transformations."

"Fellows, sit there!" Ray said, pointing to a row of folding chairs that looked as they'd been salvaged from a high school auditorium demolition.

"You still leading Bible studies on the boat? I've got a little book you might be interested in." He reached and took it from the shelf. "Remember to take it with you when you leave."

"Thanks, Rev!" Ray replied.

"I got new aprons since your last visit," the barber noted. He shook open a rustic-looking American flag-themed cape.

"Love the new capes!" Ray chirped as he quickly took a seat in the big barber chair. "Your hand will probably have cramps after you finish taking those two down to something decent!"

Rod looked at the two boys, sitting, wide-eyed, staring at the array of clippers the barber had at his disposal.

"You usually bring three recruits. Why only two this year?" the barber asked as he fastened the cape around Ray's neck.

"Commander Jarvis took two down to the wood himself onboard. The snarky little upstarts with their long hair got inducted into his line of stern discipline on day one! And one of the two is getting kicked off in Port Superior," Ray explained.

"Punishment haircuts! I hope he took them down to the wood! So, what'll it be for you?" the barber asked.

"My usual flattop -- zero on the sides, a bit of a pile on top, and a decent landing strip," Ray replied.

"Can't talk you into a shoe?" Rod asked.

Ray hesitated a moment as he examined himself in the mirror.

"Why not? I'm feeling a bit adventuresome. Make it a horseshoe," Ray replied in an upbeat tone.

Rod moved quickly, before Ray could change his mind. He took his powerful Model 10 Oster clippers and brought it right up the back of Ray's head and up through the cowl lick. Tufts of his black fur-like hair fell in rapid succession onto the flag-themed drape. The white scalp covered in peppery stubble contrasted with the uncut dark hair.

"Oh, that feels wonderful," Ray said, referring to the vibration of the clipper teeth on his scalp.

Rod continued removing the growth from the back and sides of Ray's head. Gradually, the cape was covered with small clumps of dark hair. A lush pelt was left on top....but not for long.

Using clipper over comb, Rod began reducing the length, taking the top down to under an inch in length. Ray smiled as he watched the flattop beginning to take place. He was ready to get back to his preferred look and excited that he'd finally let Rod talk him into a shoe.

As he watched the barber work, Ray noticed that Rod's hair was actually quite long and that his sandy curls that were beginning to gray.

"When are you going to have those curls taken off, Rod?" Ray asked. "You seemed so determined to shoe me. But, you're the one who really needs an aggressive barber."

Rod flashed a toothy white smile. "I am getting pretty shaggy, aren't I?" he asked rhetorically. "The deacon at First Baptist who usually keeps me tidy is off on an extended reserve military deployment. Hence, the curls! Suppose I ought to find someone else to clip me down tight one of these days."

"I'd be happy to oblige you -- exchange of services. Just tell me what to do and I'll have you looking streamlined!" Ray offered.

"Tell you what....those two shaggy lads over there...they'll be your guinea pigs. If I see you have a knack for cutting hair, I'll let you mow off the curls! How about that?" Rod asked with an even toothier grin.

Ray loved the idea -- to have Eddie and Andrew squirming under the cape as he reduced their lengthy locks! He had never wielded clippers before. If his work were a success, he could deputize as Commander Jarvis' barber when a new cadet needed some quick discipline (like Michael had).

"Hear that, fellows?" Ray called out from the chair. "I'm going to give your mops a few good whacks and then try my hand with the clippers before turning you over to the professional."

The idea sent both boys into nervous fidgeting. Andrew, in particular, pawed at his pretty blond locks possessively.

After Rod had removed most length on top and carved an initial strip, he applied some butch wax to Ray's hair. After massaging it in thoroughly, he combed all the hair erect. With careful, precise drives, the barber took the clippers to the top and started flattening it out. Shorter and shorter the hair got. Broader and broader the strip became. The finishing touch was to bevel the sides. The only significant length was the very front that stood up like a debutant's tiara.

"What do you think?" Rod asked. "A little too long in front here?"

"Just a bit," Ray agreed.

SNIP, SNIP. And the showy bumper was history!

Holding up a hand mirror so that Ray could see the back and top clearly, Rod asked, "How do you like the shoe?"

"Fantastic!" Ray gushed. "It'll be my new standard request when the ship docks here in Dadeville."

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