Paintball Gear (Part 4: The New Barber) by CleanCutTieGuy

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The New Barber

Ten weeks later, on a bright Saturday morning, John was once again clad in his camouflage gear, black boots, and olive T-shirt, ready for another paintball skirmish. He pushed open the door to Mike's, expecting the familiar sight of the older barber. Instead, a younger man, roughly his own age, stood behind the chair, tidying up. He was impeccably dressed in fitted dress pants, a matching vest, a crisp white dress shirt, and a fashionably slim tie. His hair was a conservative faded haircut with a neat side part, styled perfectly with a subtle shine.

"Morning," John said, a little confused. "Is Mike around?"

The young barber looked up, a friendly smile on his face. "Hey there! My dad, Mike, is on a six-week vacation. Said he needed a break." He extended a hand. "I'm Chris, his son. Just out of barber school, filling in while he's gone."

"Nice to meet you, Chris," John replied, shaking his hand. "John." He settled into the chair. "So, your dad normally just gives me a short flattop. It’s currently grown out a bit as I haven’t been able to make it in until today."

"A flattop, huh?" He raised an eyebrow. "It's a bit... old-school, don't you think? Why a flattop?"

John shrugged. "It's what Mike usually does. And it's short, which is good for work."

"So, what do you do for work?" asked Chris with genuine curiosity.

"I’m currently v.p. of research and development at Northern Electronics Systems here in town. I usually stop in mid-week from work wearing a coat and tie. Today I am on my way to play some paintball."

"Ah, so you're the boss at Northern. That makes sense; in my dad's day, flattops were often the cut for the guys in management positions."

Chris continued examining John's hair. "Look, no offense to my old man, but maybe it's time to change things up a bit. With how you dress for work, you could pull off something more modern, but still professional. You are a lot closer to my age than you are my dad’s age. How about something like my cut?" He gestured to his own impeccably styled hair.

John considered it. Mike had always gone for the extreme short, utilitarian look. Chris's style was sharp, but also subtly fashionable. He did not want to be considered 'old-fashioned' quite yet, so he was open to the suggestion. "You know what?" John said, a spark of excitement. "Maybe it is time to change things up. Let's do it."

Chris grinned. "Excellent choice!" He picked up his clippers. The buzzing began, but this time, it was a different rhythm. Chris expertly carved a tight skinfade on the back and sides, graduating the length almost imperceptibly from bare skin upwards. Then, with slow, confident strokes, he used a razor to meticulously cut a hard part into the side, creating a crisp, defined line that separated the short sides from the top. He trimmed the top, leaving enough length to comb, but making sure it flowed seamlessly with the fade.

Once the cutting was done, Chris reached for a jar of product. He scooped out a small amount of shiny pomade.

"This is the secret ingredient which will elevate your style."

He rubbed the product in between his palms, and began working it through John's hair, styling it perfectly into place, giving it a subtle sheen and holding it firmly.

Finally, Chris spun the chair around. John stared at his reflection. It was a complete departure from the flattop, yet it still had an undeniable sharpness. The skinfade was incredibly clean, the hard part was bold, and the styled top looked sophisticated. "Wow," John breathed, touching his head. "I like it. It kinda looks like a military cut, but... elevated."

"Exactly!" Chris beamed.

John chuckled. "This will probably look even more different on Monday when I head to work, dressed more like you." He gestured to Chris's impeccable attire. "Seriously, you definitely got the ‘boss’ look going for you."

Chris adjusted his vest with a confident air. "Thanks! As a young starter in this business, dressing up tends to cause people to take you seriously. It sets you apart, and shows people you know what you're doing."

John nodded in agreement. "I totally get that. So, will you be working in the shop full-time now?"

"Part of the week here, and I'm at another shop the rest of the time," Chris explained. "But when dad finally decides to retire, I'll be here full-time."

John stood up, feeling energized by the new style. "Well, thanks for the fresh new haircut, Chris. I hope to see you again soon!"

Another year passed, and Mike, true to his word, finally decided to hang up his clippers for good, officially retiring and passing the torch to Chris. Chris did not change anything, and the familiar scent of aftershave and the comforting hum of clippers remained. John had been a regular in those intervening months, enjoying the precise fades and the lively banter with Chris. Over time, amidst the discussions of finance, current events, and the merits of various pomades, John had developed a definite crush on the barber. He resolved that the next time he went in for a haircut, he would finally ask Chris out.

That bright Saturday morning, John woke with a knot of anticipation in his stomach. His usual weekend attire of jeans and a polo felt utterly inadequate for this pivotal moment. He needed to make an impression, but he didn't want to seem like he was trying too hard. He lamented not just doing it mid-week when he was already dressed up for work. He stared at his closet, debating combinations, rejecting outfits. After sorting through many permutations, he finally settled on a look that felt both classic and approachable.

He walked into the shop, the bell chiming a familiar welcome. Chris, in his typical work outfit of dress pants, a crisp shirt, a matching vest, and a fashionable tie, looked up with a warm smile. "John! Right on time. Ready for your usual?"

John managed a confident nod as he hung up his jacket. He was wearing a nice, pressed pair of khakis, classic brown Oxford shoes, and a crisp powder blue button-down shirt. It was a smart, casual ensemble â€" perfect for a weekend, but a definite step up from his usual off-duty look.

As Chris draped the cape over him, he couldn't help but notice John's attire. "Looking sharp today, John! Where are you headed after this, dressed so nicely?"

John's heart hammered. This was it. He fumbled slightly with the cape. "Uh, well, hopefully... hopefully dinner and drinks tonight with you?"

Chris froze, his hand hovering with the clippers. His eyes widened, and for a split second, John thought the clippers might actually clatter to the floor. Then, a slow, wide smile spread across Chris's face. "I... I'd like that very much, John." He regained his composure, a slight flush on his cheeks. "Well, in that case, I'd better make sure this haircut is absolutely perfect for your date tonight."

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