Joe orders haircut for the twins by Justis1

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The moment was tense when Joe got home.

Joe had been working out-of-state for a year on a project. The money justified his absence for the family - he could now afford making much needed updates to the house. However, this meant he’d be away from the boys and knew it would be hard on his wife. John and Jake were twins and could be a handful at 17. Joe kept them in line cause they knew he wouldn’t put up with their lazy ways. Joe made the boys agree to behave and help their mother while he was away.

When Joe returned home after the year, he was looking forward to some much needed downtime. However, upon entering the house, he soon would find many changes that made him take note. First, the boys’ rooms were a mess. Jane mentioned that she gave up trying to get the boys to pick up after themselves many months ago - they just kept saying "We’ll get to it" but never did get to it.

He ordered the boy into their room for a chat. They complied and he closed the door.

"What is this all about", Joe said as he pointed throughout the room.

There was no real reply from the boys other than to say they had been very busy.

"Busy doing what? Just look at this mess. This is ridiculous. I want this cleaned up today, you understand me?"

"Ok" John said.

"Ok what?" Joe shot back. "Ok what? I think you boys need to express a little more respect around this house, don’t you?"

"What ya mean?" Jake said sarcastically.

"That’s SIR to you. Got it?" Joe yelled.

"Ok" John replied.

"Ok WHAT? I don’t think you got it at all. Ok WHAT?" Joe was growing impatient.

"Ok, sir?" John timidly replied.

"Is that a question?" Joe grew angrier.

"No sir. Sorry sir." John sheepishly replied.

"That’s better." Turning to Jake, "You got that too?"

"Yes sir’, Jake confirmed.

"Now that we got that understood, will this room be cleaned up today?"

The boys in unison said "Yes sir."

"Good. That’s a start."

The state of their room was not the only thing that caught Joe’s attention. He had noticed their jeans were tattered and torn, their t-shirts were filthy, and their hair was long and unkempt. He had left them over a year ago looking respectable; now, they look like bums to him.

Joe walked over to Jake and said "And what the f&#k is this all about?" As he grabs Jakes hair that flowed over his ears.

The boys looked dumbfounded and did not reply.

"I said, what is THIS?" holding and shaking Jakes hair and then released it as if throwing it away.

"Sorry, we’ve been busy and just forgot." John said.

"Just forgot? How the f&#k do you just forget THIS?" Joe pointing at the hair. He could hardly retain his anger and disdain.

"Well, before you start cleaning this room I think we need to get you cleaned up first, don’t you agree?"

Silence.

"Did you two loose your hearing? I’m waiting."

"Sorry Sir, we hear you." The boys said.

"Good. Now, so you don’t forget, how can we make sure you really do understand? What will help you remember?"

"I know." Joe said as he told John to hold on to the back of a chair.

Joe quickly took off his belt and gave John 20. When he was done he told Jake to do the same. He got 20 as well.

"Now, get your a$$ to the truck. I’ll be down in a moment." Joe commanded.

John and Jake knew to make it double time to the truck.

Joe explained to Jane that he was taking the boys to get a haircut and run a few other errands. He grabbed his key and made his way to the truck where the boys were waiting.

Without a word, Joe would drive towards downtown. He pulled into a parking spot on the street in front of a florist, men’s clothing store, and a barbershop.

"Alrighty, we’re here." Joe said as he got out of the truck.

"Come on." Joe said as he was looking at the boys who were still in the truck.

The boys followed Joe hesitantly. As he opened the door to the barbershop, a bell rang.

The shop had a single chair where a middle-aged man sat reading a newspaper. He wore a white jacket, white shirt, and stripped blue necktie. His hair was immaculately combed, having a razor sharp side part on the left, a quiff that was tall at the front, and held in place, sleek and shiny, from the pomade he used. The aroma of barbercide and hair tonic filled the shop.

As the boys entered, the barber arose from the chair and stood behind it. He took the newspaper and brushed off any hair clippings.

"Welcome Gentlemen. Who will be first, please take a seat."

Joe motioned to John to get into the chair.

John did as ordered. As he sat, the barber took a neck tissue and wrapped it around his neck. Then, with a flowing motion, snapped the barber cape and wrapped it round John and secured it with a metal clip. He had to pull the long hair out from being stuck under the cape at the neck. It flowed down onto his shoulders.

"Well, what will it be today my fine young man?" The barber said.

"He’ll have a High n Tight Flattop with a landing strip." Joe exclaimed.

The barber looked stunned. "Are you sure about that?" Looking at Joe and John alternately.

"Absolutely." Joe said. "Isn’t that right John?"

Looking like a deer caught in the headlights, John replied: "Yes sir."

With that, the barber grabbed a pair of Oster clippers that were hanging at the counter, brushed any remaining hair clippings off, and oiled them up.

The unique sound of the Osters filled the shop as the barber switched them on. With that, the barber placed a firm hand on John’s head and pushed it down. His chin was planted firmly onto his chest. Without further adieu, the barber ran the clippers up the back. Mounds of hair tumbled down. He continued to shear the hair in back with each pass of the clippers. Soon the scalp in back was showing not even stubble compared to the still long dark hair strands that flowed at the side. The barber spun the chair to get a clear view of the hair at the side. He ran the clippers up the side. As he did, cascades of long hair fell and exposed the ear. He spun the chair again to get a view of the other side, and did the same with the clippers. More hair fell and exposed the other ear.

Soon the back and sides were cleared of hair. The barber turned off the Osters and grabbed a pair of Andis Master chrome plated clippers. When he turned them on, they made a low hum rather than the industrial clatter of the Osters. He grabbed sections of hair at the top with the comb and ran the Andis clippers over it shearing off huge lengths of hair. The hair cascaded down to join the hair already accumulated on the cape.

After the length on top had been reduce to maybe an inch, the barber paused turning the clippers off.

He took a blow dryer to blow away loose clippings. Then, taking a bit of pomade, smeared it into the top. Taking the blow dryer, he brushed the slightly greased hair on top so it would stand to attention.

Taking the Andis clippers again, he held sections of hair on top and clippered them off flat. He had to do this a number of times to get the length just right and level. As he cut shorter and shorter, he started to freehand it. Running the clippers straight down the center at the scalp but level to get a perfect landing strip. It was then necessary to tidy up the longer hairs on top to level it out.

A shaving around the ears, at the nape, and at the sideburns finished up the cut. Taking a final inspection, the barber took the Andis clippers to any strays.

John was dusted off and the cape removed. Long clumps of hair rolled off the cape and onto the floor.

John got out of the chair and took a look in the mirror. He couldn’t believe it. The long hair that took a year to grow out was gone. A marine was staring back.

"You’re up next!" Joe motioned to Jake.

Jake sheepishly walked to the chair exchanging glances with John as they passed. A tear could be seen on John’s cheek.

Jake sat and the same treatment was given. When Jakes cut was done and exited the chair, a massive amount of hair laid on the floor.

To Jake and John’s surprise, their father sat in the chair next. Joe’s hair was very neatly trimmed already. Side parted, off the ears, and slightly tapered up the back. It looked like he had had it cut within the last couple weeks at most.

"I’ll have the same." Joe said.

The boys were stunned.

After Joe’s cut, even more hair laid on the floor.

Joe paid and thanked the barber for cleaning up his boys and himself. "We’ll be back in a couple weeks." Joe said.

The 3 left the shop as clean-cut men.

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