5th Story

A First

“Stay still!” demanded the stern man, as his cold spit sprayed across the room.

The small boy squirmed for escape in the black leather chair as he nervously avoided eye-contact with the hostile man. Surrounding the young boy were hundreds of sharp silver tools, gleaming against the fluorescent lights dangling from the cracked ceiling. The man forced the boy onto the chair sinking his small body into the thick rubbery leather. The tangled strands of hair covering the boy’s weeping face soaked the tears which flooded from his eyes.

The boy’s youthful heart pounded vigorously against his tiny, denim overalls which were hidden under a sleek black cloth, strapped tightly around his neck by a rough band of Velcro. Still struggling to escape, he screamed relentlessly for help as a young man approached and squeezed his hand tightly.

“It’s okay, it will be over soon,” he consoled.

The young man’s posture was awkward. His wiry body leant to the left as he gazed into the mirror at the small boy’s reflection. His face was narrow, with vivid blue eyes which stood out against his pale complexion, much like the boy.

As the stern man returned, the boy’s bright blue eyes widened. His eyes instantly began to swell and his thin lips trembled as the man revealed a silver electric razor. Tears poured down the boy’s pale cheeks as he squinted at the light reflecting off the sheer silver.

The boy’s piercing scream continued as he pleaded anxiously for escape, while the razor gradually moved closer in his direction. He looked down to the floor as tears rolled off his face, onto the thin black cloth which was strapped so taut to his neck, it almost choked him. The Velcro scratched the back of his neck every time he attempted to move away from the stern man, who was clenching the buzzing razor.

The buzzing became louder and louder, almost turning into a screech, as it approached the defenceless boy. He tried to block his ears with his child-like hands but they were thoroughly tangled in the silky black cloth, which was wrapped around his entire body. The boy screamed helplessly, once more, as the young man clutched his hand, tightly, hoping to keep the boy still.

Clumps of hair fell to the floor as the boy looked down. The boy’s screaming gradually ceased.

“See? It doesn’t hurt. It’s all over, son,” said the young man, as he released the boy’s hand.

The young man took the boy as they strolled out of the barber shop. The boy watched his father’s proud smile broaden. Relief struck the boy when he realised he had just accomplished his first haircut and the arduous procedure was over. It was worth it, though. At least he obtained a new hairstyle.