An Unexpected Audience by Clipperaddict

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Mac is a second generation barber, now the owner of what was his father’s shop. He was on my bucket list of horseshoe flattop barbers I had wanted to try for quite some time. As fate would have it, I secured a client engagement just a few miles from the shop so had to try to get in for a cut. Knowing several weeks in advance that I was going to be near the shop, I went 6+ weeks without a haircut. On a fellow fetisher’s advice, I called a couple of days before. They are walk-in only but I didn’t know what hours he’d be working. I was glad I did, as I’d planned for a late afternoon haircut the day before the workshop I was facilitating. Mac was only working until 2:00 pm that day, however he would be at the shop bright and early at 6:00 am the day of the workshop. Thankfully I wasn’t starting until 9 so I had plenty of time to get my haircut and get back in time. He warned me to be there promptly as there is often a line.

I hardly slept the night before I was so excited. Having seen a few examples of his shaved high and tight horseshoe flats I knew it would be pretty radical (which of course is just what I wanted). I got to the shop early and right on time Mac and a couple of the other barbers arrived. The shop is on a busy main road with large plate glass windows. There are 10 barber stations, 5 down each side. Mac has the prime position next to the window as you enter. He stepped forward to shake my hand and usher me to his bright red leather Koken barber chair. His station was neatly organized, dominated by a selection of Oster clippers. He caped me up and looking at me in the mirror said "Horseshoe right?! Looks like you’re past due." It was definitely more of a statement than a question. I answered, "Yes sir, you come very highly recommended." He smiled broadly, swung the chair away from the mirror, and picked up his Osters 76.

Mac didn’t mess about. He started at my left temple and brought the purring clippers straight back forming the first half of the bald ring he was creating. Pushes the chair so he can access the right temple. Clippers straight back completing the bald ring. In no time all the hair below the line was clippered off landing on the cape or the floor. He swaps the Osters for his edgers and proceeds to run them all over the newly balded sides and back. I’m facing the door and in come two teenage lads. One looking like Annie from the musical with the most incredible mass of bright red/orange curls reaching to his shoulders around the back and sides, and past the tip of his nose in front as he kept batting them away. His buddy has straight shiny dark brown locks with a center part almost reaching his shoulders. He could model for a shampoo ad without any problem. Mac acknowledges them. "I wondered what time you’d get here today. Ready to get spruced up for graduation?". The lads settled into the waiting chairs right in front of Mac’s station. It quickly became apparent that they were waiting for him as there were other barbers open who didn’t call them to their chairs.

With the back and sides cleared Mac continued to phase II slightly wetting my hair and rubbing in some pomade. He grabs a short hard-bristled round brush with the hairdryer and begins blow-drying my hair making sure every last hair is standing at full attention. (It wasn’t just my hair that was at full attention.) As he reaches for his Andis Masters to begin sculpting the top I notice the two lads are fixated on his every move. Their mouths fall open as he takes the clippers about an inch past my hairline and runs them all the way back carving the start of a wide landing strip. They exchange glances with one another and then turn their eyes back to the master sculptor as he takes 15-20 minutes to craft the highest, tightest horseshoe flat. Putting the clippers down he goes to the towel warmer and grabs a hot towel which he proceeds to wrap around my head and over my eyes. That’s when I hear ‘Annie’ ask "What do you call that haircut?". Mac pauses for a moment and says, "Well it’s a real man’s haircut, commonly known as a horseshoe flat top or jarhead haircut. What do you think?". Reactively, Annie’s buddy splurts out, "It’s real bad-ass.". Mac laughs. "It sure is." He removes the hot towel and brushes hot lather over the sides, back, and landing strip. Once again the lads cannot take their eyes off every stroke of the straight razor. Every so often I would deliberately catch one of them looking and they’d blush slightly, and look away but only for a few seconds. I decided to join the conversation. "Hey, it’s OK I don’t mind you taking in my haircut. I’d do exactly the same. You know Mac here is one the top horseshoe flat barbers in the country, possibly the world. I came all the way from Texas to sit in his chair." The guys looked incredulous. "You’re busting on us." Annie exclaimed chuckling. "I swear I’m not." I replied. "If I lived here I’d be in his chair every week getting squared away."

As Mac put down the razor and wiped the excess lather. He turned to his station and selected the Bay Rum aftershave pouring a generous amount into his hand. "You ready." he asked, I nodded, then looking at the lads said "You’ll enjoy this." As he slapped the Bay rum all over my head. Even though I knew it was coming and tried my hardest not to react I let out a tiny squeal as he started to turn the chair back towards the mirror. I was in awe as I saw his masterpiece for the first time. The silhouette was exactly horizontal. The sides were gleaming and as I lowered my chin the incredible landing strip came into view. It was outstanding. Mac grabbed the hand mirror to show me the back. With my head tilted forward I looked completely bald from behind. I was ecstatic. He surpassed my very high expectations. I caught the eyes of my audience in the mirror. They were transfixed. "What do you think?". "Umm yeah, it’s rad" Shampoo boy said. "Looks great on you man." Said Annie.

Mac removes the cape and I stand up. He brushes the chair and invites Annie to take a seat as I get out my wallet to pay. "$30 today." he says. I grab a $50 and tell him I don’t need any change. He leans in to give me a bro hug and I notice Annie is still staring at me. I can’t resist, "If I didn’t know better Mac I’d be pretty sure this young man is about to ask you for a horseshoe flat." Mac takes the bait as Annie blushes and stutters. "I doubt it Scotty he loves his curls way too much and I don’t want to be mean but he hasn’t got the you know what to try it." I stall for a moment and bring my wallet back out. "Well, maybe he just needs an incentive." I say waving 2 X $100 bills. "I’ll pay for your haircut and give you $200 if you get shoed young man." He laughs, "Yeah sure, you’re going to give me $200?". I look directly at him and step towards him offering the cash. I can tell he’s seriously thinking about it so I decide to sweeten the pot and add another $50. "Not bad for just getting a haircut." I tease.

Tune in for part 2 coming soon to find out what happens. 😊

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