Welcome changes by Layton leib

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INT. MILITARY BARBERSHOP - DAY

SOUND of buzzing clippers, muffled patriotic music (faint, from the radio)

The bell above the door JINGLES as ETHAN (16), still in his slightly rumpled school uniform, walks into the MILITARY BARBERSHOP. The air inside is a comforting mix of bay rum and talcum powder. SERGEANT BETTY, a woman with decades etched into her face and a keen eye that misses nothing, sits behind the counter, polishing a set of clippers. The shop is a cozy, cluttered space, a shrine to military service with faded photos, medals, and vintage posters covering every inch of wall space.

SERGEANT BETTY > Well, look what the cat dragged in. Afternoon, son. School let out already?

Ethan shuffles into the shop, backpack slung over one shoulder. He drops it to the floor with a THUD and stands awkwardly for a moment.

ETHAN > Yeah, just finished.

SERGEANT BETTY > Have a seat, Ethan. What can I do for you? Ditching the books for a bit of grooming?

ETHAN > I want to go short.


SERGEANT BETTY > (Eyes him shrewdly) > Short, huh? Trading in the surfer look for something a little more...grounded? How short are we talking? You thinking just a trim? Maybe take a couple of inches off?

ETHAN > No, shorter than that.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Raises an eyebrow) > Okay...shorter. Like, above the ears short? We could do a classic taper, keep it neat and tidy.

ETHAN > No, shorter. Military short.

SERGEANT BETTY > You sure about that, son? That's a big commitment.ETHAN > (Shifts in his seat) > Yeah, I'm...pretty sure.

SERGEANT BETTY > Alright then. Military short, eh? We got a few options. You thinking a buzz cut? Clean and simple. Or maybe a high and tight? Little more style, faded on the sides.

ETHAN > I don't know...skin, but with hair still.

SERGEANT BETTY > Hmm, something with a bit of an edge, huh? Well, if you're feeling adventurous, there's always the horseshoe.

ETHAN > (Hesitates) > A horseshoe? What's that?

SERGEANT BETTY > Short flattop on top, back and sides shaved to the skin, with a landing strip in the back. It's a classic.

ETHAN > Skin? Like, bald?

SERGEANT BETTY > Clean shaven. You want it buzzed or flattoped?
Ethan fidgets with the hem of his t-shirt, avoiding eye contact.

ETHAN > (Mumbling) > I don't know...what do you think?

SERGEANT BETTY > (Leans forward, studying his face) > With your hair? Flattop would look sharp. Give you some height. Make a statement.

ETHAN > (Takes a deep breath) > Okay...let's do it.

Sergeant Betty grabs heavy-duty clippers.

Ethan takes a deep breath, his knuckles white ashe grips the arms of the chair.ETHAN > Ready.
Sergeant Betty snaps the clippers on. The BUZZING fills the small shop, a sound that vibrates in Ethan's chest. She starts clipping the back of Ethan's head, the long strands of hair falling like golden rain around him.

SOUND of clippers intensifies, hair falling

SERGEANT BETTY > You know, hair's just dead protein. Don't get too attached. But I gotta ask, why'd you let it grow so long in the first place?

ETHAN > (Quietly) > I don't know...guess I was afraid to change.

SERGEANT BETTY > Afraid, huh? What changed now? What made you walk in here today?

ETHAN > (Hesitates) > I just...I've been looking at these old military haircuts, you know? And I just thought...I want to try something different. Something...stronger.
Sergeant Betty nods, her expression softening slightly. She switches to a clipper and comb, beginning the flattop. The clippers WHINE as they work against the resistance of his hair.

SOUND of clippers leveling hair

Sergeant Betty nods, her expression softening slightly. She picks up a spray bottle and lightly mists Ethan's hair.

SERGEANT BETTY > Gotta dampen it down. Helps the clippers do their job.

She takes a comb and vigorously combs Ethan's hair straight upwards, lifting it away from his scalp. She works section by section, ensuring each strand is standing as upright as possible.

SERGEANT BETTY > Alright, let's get this thing squared away.

She switches to a clipper and comb, beginning the flattop. The clippers WHINE as they work against the resistance of his hair. Her movements are precise and deliberate, each stroke of the clippers guided by years of experience.

SOUND of clippers leveling hair

This is where the scene intensifies. Sergeant Betty's brow furrows in concentration, her lips pressed into a thin line. She takes her time, meticulously working the clippers against the comb. The sound is rhythmic, almost hypnotic, a constant BUZZ-SNIP-BUZZ as she sculpts the hair. Each pass of the clippers shapes the flattop, slowly but surely transforming Ethan's hairstyle. The floor around the chair is now covered in a thick carpet of fallen hair.

She pauses, tilting Ethan's head firmly to the side with one hand while holding the comb steady with the other. Her touch is strong and confident. She runs the comb through the freshly cut hair, checking for any stray strands. Then, she resumes the process, the clippers buzzing with renewed intensity.

SOUND of clippers leveling hair

She steps back, eyes narrowed, and surveys her work. She circles the chair slowly, her gaze sharp and critical, examining the flattop from every angle. She runs a hand over the top of Ethan's head, feeling for any unevenness.

SERGEANT BETTY > Hmm, not quite there yet. Alittle high on this side. Hold still.

She adjusts the angle of the comb, attacking a stray tuft with the clippers. More hair falls, a fine golden dust that catches the light.

SOUND of clippers leveling hairETHAN > (Nervously) > Is it supposed to take this long?

SERGEANT BETTY > (Without looking up) > Perfection takes time, son. Can't rush art. Besides, a good flattop is all about the details.

She continues to work, the clippers buzzing with relentless precision. She alternates between long, sweeping motions and short, controlled snips, gradually refining the shape of the flattop.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, she steps back and lets out a satisfied grunt.

SERGEANT BETTY > There. Level as a runway.

Okay, I've added more sensory details to Sergeant Betty's story, focusing on the sound, feeling, and ease with which the clippers went through the young man's hair. Here's the revised section:

SOUND of clippers stops

Sergeant Betty switches off the clippers and sets them down. Her eyes gleam as she picks up a pair of manual clippers, their chrome gleaming under the shop lights.

SERGEANT BETTY > Now, for a little old-school magic!

She runs a comb along the back of Ethan's head, carefully marking the boundaries of the horseshoe. Then, she firmly but gently presses down on Ethan's head, bringing his crown down to her eye level.

SERGEANT BETTY > Gotta get the angle just right.

Ethan leans forward, a bit startled by the sudden pressure.

ETHAN > Whoa! What are those things? They look...antique.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Chuckles) > These beauties? These are how we used to do things, back in the day. Takes a little more elbow grease, but you get a precision you just can't match with those electric gizmos.

With a practiced hand, she begins to work the manual clippers, moving from the back of his head towards the front, creating the landing strip.

SOUND of manual clippers SNIPPING

The manual clippers make a distinct, rhythmic SNIPPING sound as they cut through the short hair. It's a more deliberate, controlled process than the electric clippers.

ETHAN > (Wincing slightly) > Ouch!

SERGEANT BETTY > (Without pausing) > Just a little pinch. You'll get used to it. You know, reminds me of this one time, a young guy, maybe a little older than you, came in here wanting the full military treatment. He was shipping out the next day and wanted to look the part. He had this thick, dark hair, but it was surprisingly soft.

Sergeant Betty works slowly and carefully, shaping the horseshoe with precision. She doesn't just make a single pass; she goes over the same area multiple times, checking for any stray hairs or uneven patches.

The first few snips are definitely uncomfortable, a sharp, unfamiliar sensation against Ethan's scalp. But as Sergeant Betty continues, the discomfort fades, replaced by a strange, almost rhythmic pressure.

ETHAN > (After a moment) > It's...not so bad, actually.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Grinning) > Told ya. These old clippers have a way of growing on you. Anyway, this kid was nervous as hell, practically shaking in the chair. He'd never had his head shaved before, let alone with manual clippers. But he wanted that military look, so I started in on him with these. That first SNIPPING sound was so loud, you could have heard it out on the street! But then, something amazing happened. The clippers just glided through his hair, like butter. Each snip was clean and precise, and the hair just fell away. It felt so good in my hands, like I was sculpting something.

She pauses frequently, running her fingers over the freshly clipped area, feeling for any stubble or missed spots. If she finds any, she goes back over them with the manual clippers, ensuring a perfectly even cut.

SOUND of manual clippers SNIPPING

She repeats this process, meticulously working her way around the horseshoe, checking and rechecking her work. She's not just cutting hair; she's sculpting a work of art.

Once she's satisfied that she's removed as much hair as possible with the manual clippers, she sets them down and picks up a smaller pair of electric clippers.

SOUND of small electric clippers BUZZING

SERGEANT BETTY > Now, let's tidy things up a bit.

With the small electric clippers, she carefully refines the edges of the horseshoe, smoothing out any unevenness and creating a crisp, clean line.

SOUND of small electric clippers BUZZING

Once she's satisfied with the shape and definition of the horseshoe
Okay, I've incorporated your request, adding a moment where Sergeant Betty pushes Ethan's head forward, walks in front of him, and shaves the landing strip from back to front, going downwards. Here's the revised section:

SOUND of small electric clippers BUZZING fades

Sergeant Betty sets down the small electric clippers and picks up a neatly folded towel from a warming cabinet.

SERGEANT BETTY > Alright, time to soften things up a bit.

She unfolds the towel and gently places it over the back and sides of Ethan's head, enveloping the freshly clipped area in warmth.

ETHAN > (Sighing) > That feels...amazing.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Chuckles) > Just relax and enjoy it.
While the warm towel works its magic, Sergeant Betty turns her attention to her tools. She pulls out a gleaming straight razor, a puck of shaving cream in a porcelain bowl, and a badger-hair brush. She picks up the razor and runs it along a leather strop with practiced ease.

SOUND of razor stropping

The rhythmic thwack-thwack-thwack of the razor against the leather fills the air. She pauses, holding the blade up to the light, examining the edge with a critical eye. She runs it along the strop a few more times, then tests it gently against her thumb.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Nodding to herself) > Almost there...

She repeats the process, stropping the razor again with deliberate strokes.

SOUND of razor stropping

Finally, she seems satisfied. She sets down the strop and dips the badger-hair brush into the warm water, swirling it around in the shaving cream until it creates a rich, thick lather. The scent of sandalwood fills the air, mingling with the clean, warm aroma of the towel.

SERGEANT BETTY > Now for the fun part.

She removes the warm towel from Ethan's head, revealing the neatly defined horseshoe. She dips the brush into the lather and begins to apply it generously to the back, sides, and the exposed skin of the landing strip. The brush feels soft and luxurious against Ethan's skin.

ETHAN > (Eyes closed) > Mmm, that smells good.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Grinning) > The best. Now, hold still.

With the lather applied, she carefully positions the straight razor against the back of Ethan's neck.

SOUND of razor scraping against skin

The razor glides smoothly, leaving a clean, bald path in its wake. Sergeant Betty works with steady, confident strokes, her hand moving with precision. She rinses the razor frequently in a bowl of hot water, wiping it clean with a soft cloth.

She moves to the sides of his head, carefully shaving upwards towards the horseshoe. Then, she turns her attention to the landing strip. She stretches the skin taut with one hand and gently runs the razor along the edge of the horseshoe, defining the shape with a crisp, clean line.

SOUND of razor scraping against skin

Ethan shifts slightly in the chair, a barely perceptible flinch as the razor traces the sensitive skin.

She continues to shave the landing strip, working her way towards the back of his head.

SOUND of razor scraping against skin

Ethan takes a shallow breath, a subtle reaction to the unfamiliar sensation.

She completes the first pass on the back and sides, then examines her work closely. She lathers up the area again, paying special attention to the landing strip, ensuring every millimeter is covered in the rich, white foam.

SERGEANT BETTY > Second time's the charm.

She carefully positions the razor at the nape of his neck, taking extra care to avoid any nicks or cuts. With a slow, deliberate motion, she begins to shave upwards, following the contours of his head.

SOUND of razor scraping against skin

The sound is slightly different this time, a bit softer, as the razor glides over skin that's already been prepped. She pays close attention to the angle of the blade, making sure to remove every last bit of stubble.

She moves to the sides of his head, repeating the same meticulous process. She stretches the skin taut with one hand and uses the other to guide the razor with unwavering precision.

After the second pass, she steps back and examines the landing strip closely.

SERGEANT BETTY > Hmmm... needs a little extra attention.

She gently pushes Ethan's head forward, tilting it downwards.

SERGEANT BETTY > Just gonna get a better angle here.

She walks in front of him, positioning herself so she can shave from the front of his head towards the back. She re-lathers the landing strip, building up a thick, protective layer of foam.

SOUND of razor scraping against skin

With a steady hand, she begins to shave downwards, from the front edge of the landing strip towards the back of his head. The razor glides smoothly over the lathered skin.

Ethan remains still, trusting Sergeant Betty's expertise. He can feel the cool steel of the razor against his skin, a strange and slightly unsettling sensation.

SOUND of razor scraping against skin

She continues to shave the landing strip, working her way down to the nape of his neck.

After shaving the landing strip, she steps back to assess her work.

SERGEANT BETTY > Almost there...

She feels the area, searching for any remaining stubble. Finding a few spots, she relathers and shaves them again.

SERGEANT BETTY > Gotta get it perfect.

She steps back, surveying her work. She picks up a comb and carefully runs it through the remaining hair on top, checking the blend with the shaved areas. She then grabs the small electric clippers and touches up a few spots on the flattop.

SERGEANT BETTY > You came in here with long hair, looking like you were ready to join a rock band. Now you look like you could lead a platoon.

SOUND of small electric clippers BUZZING fades

Sergeant Betty sets down the small electric clippers and wipes her hands on a clean towel. She steps back, surveying her work one last time.

SERGEANT BETTY > Alright, almost done. Just a few finishing touches.

She picks up a soft brush and gently dusts off any stray hairs from Ethan's face and neck.

SERGEANT BETTY > So, how'd you like that? First time getting a straight razor shave, right?

Ethan leans back in the chair, his eyes still closed, a small smile playing on his lips.

ETHAN > Yeah, it was...amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect, but that felt really good. Especially the warm towel.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Chuckles) > Glad you enjoyed it. Some guys find it a little unnerving, having a blade that close to their skin. But you seemed to handle it like a pro.

ETHAN > I was a little nervous at first, but I trusted you. And honestly, it was kind of... relaxing. I really liked the feeling of the lather and the smooth razor.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Grinning) > Well, you're a natural. So, are you comfortable with the change? It's a pretty drastic difference from what you came in with.

Ethan hesitates for a moment, then nods firmly.

ETHAN > Yeah, I think so. I mean, it's definitely different, but I like it. It feels...clean. And kind of badass, to be honest.

SERGEANT BETTY > (Laughing) > That's the spirit! You know, if you like the feeling of a shaved head so much, you should consider going completely bald for the summer. It's a great way to stay cool, and it's a real statement.

Ethan's eyes widen slightly, considering the idea.

ETHAN > Bald? You think I could pull that off?

SERGEANT BETTY > (Winking) > With that bone structure? Absolutely. You'd look like a movie star. Plus, imagine how good that would feel in the summer heat. No more sweaty hair sticking to your neck.

She leans in closer, lowering her voice slightly.

SERGEANT BETTY > And if you decide to do it, I'll even use the manual clippers to take off the bulk of your hair first. That way, you can really feel the change happening. It's a different sensation than the electric ones, more...intense.

Ethan's eyes flicker with interest.

ETHAN > Hmm... I'll have to think about that. The manual clippers, huh?

SERGEANT BETTY > Just a suggestion. But trust me, it's an experience. Now, enough chit-chat. Time for the big reveal.
She turns the chair back towards the mirror.

SERGEANT BETTY > Well, what do you think?

Ethan looks at his reflection, his eyes widening in surprise. He runs a hand over the smooth, bald skin on the back and sides of his head, then touches the neatly squared-off flattop. A slow smile spreads across his face.

ETHAN > Wow... I... I love it.

He reaches back and tentatively touches the landing strip, his fingers tracing the smooth, bald skin. He pauses for a moment, then begins to rub the area more firmly, a look of genuine pleasure spreading across his face.

ETHAN > (Murmuring to himself) > That feels...incredible.

Sergeant Betty runs her hands along the horseshoe, checking for any imperfections. Satisfied with her work, she gives the landing strip a quick, playful tap with her index finger, a gesture of approval.

SERGEANT BETTY > Perfect.

She steps back, gathering her tools and cleaning up her station.

SERGEANT BETTY > Now, about that flattop... you're gonna want to keep it looking sharp, too.

ETHAN > How do I do that? I've never had a haircut like this before.

SERGEANT BETTY > It's all about the product. You'll need a good strong-hold pomade or wax. Something that'll keep those hairs standing straight up.

ETHAN > Pomade? Wax? I don't even know where to start.

SERGEANT BETTY > Don't worry, I can recommend a few. Just rub a small amount between your fingers and work it through your hair, starting at the roots. Then, use a comb to style it into the shape you want.

ETHAN > And how often do I need to do that?

SERGEANT BETTY > It depends on your hair, really. Some guys need to style it every day, others can get away with every other day. Just play around with it and see what works best for you.

ETHAN > What about when I wash my hair?

SERGEANT BETTY > You'll probably need to restyle it after washing. But don't worry, it'll get easier with practice. And if you're ever unsure, just come back in and I'll give you a refresher course.

ETHAN > Thanks, Betty. I appreciate that.

SERGEANT BETTY > No problem. It's all part of the service. Now, some guys even try to shave the horseshoe themselves.

ETHAN > Really? Is that even possible?

SERGEANT BETTY > It is, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're really confident in your skills. It's easy to slip and mess up the lines, and then you're back to square one.

ETHAN > So, what you're saying is, I should probably just leave it to the professionals?

SERGEANT BETTY > (Laughing) > That's what I'm saying! But if you're feeling adventurous, you could try it. Just be sure to use a good quality razor, plenty of lather, and take your time. And maybe watch a few YouTube tutorials first.

ETHAN > Hmm... I don't know. I'm pretty clumsy. So, when should I come back in for a touch-up?

SERGEANT BETTY

Let's say three weeks? That should give you enough time to grow out a bit, but not so much that it gets out of control. Does that work for you?

ETHAN > Yeah, three weeks sounds good.

SERGEANT BETTY > Alright, let me get my book and we'll get you scheduled.
Sergeant Betty grabs a worn appointment book from the counter and flips through the pages.

SERGEANT BETTY > How about... December 15th? Same time, 3 PM?

ETHAN > Perfect.

SERGEANT BETTY > Okay, you're all set. December 15th at 3 PM. Don't be late!
She writes down the appointment in her book and closes it with a satisfied snap.

SERGEANT BETTY > Alright, that'll be $35 for the haircut and shave. Cash or card?

ETHAN > Card, please.

Ethan pulls out his wallet and hands Sergeant Betty his credit card. She swipes it through the machine and hands it back to him with a receipt.

SERGEANT BETTY > Here you go. Thanks for coming in, Ethan. It was a pleasure.

ETHAN > Thanks, Betty. I really appreciate it. I'll see you in three weeks.

Ethan stands up from the chair, feeling lighter and more confident than he did when he walked in. He runs a hand over his freshly shaved head, a smile playing on his lips.

ETHAN > (To himself) > Maybe I will go bald for the summer...

He walks towards the door, pausing for a moment to look back at Sergeant Betty.

ETHAN > Oh, and Betty?

SERGEANT BETTY > Yeah?

ETHAN > Thanks, you did a great job.

He winks and exits the barbershop, leaving Sergeant Betty chuckling to herself.

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