This is the follow on story to "The Purge", thanks for the many e-mails I have had encouraging me to continue my reminiscences.
Being marches down the road by Gramps, was no easy option. Having just had six stingers across my bare arse, each step seemed to reverberate and make the cheeks of my arse wobble and hurt more.
Sids was a traditional barbershop situated on the corner of a busy road junction. Once inside it was typical of most barbers of the time. Red Rexene benches for waiting seats, two big leather and chrome barbers chairs, and large mirrors on the wall.
A bench displaying scissors of various types with clippers hanging from hooks, took up one wall. Straight razors, various tonics, Brylcreme, and Durex, all had pride of place along with a large fish tank of tropical fish.
A table of dog-eared magazines, mainly Parade, Men Only, Penthouse or football mags were in the center of the shop. I think it was the opportunity to see naked women that took the discomfort out of visiting the barbers for most lads
Sid was know to be a butcher amongst barbers, but he was cheap and a friend of Gramps. As we entered the chop, Sid acknowledged Gramps and smiled at me. A smile I did not like, it sort of said "wait till I get my hands on you lad!" Two elderly gentlemen were seated waiting and we took up our places on the red seats as Sid finished up a gent in the chair.
As I sat down, I felt a slight twinge in my arse cheeks. Anyone who has been caned, will know that you can sit down after the cane, it is just warmer than usual and after a while gets uncomfortable.
We watched as the next two gents had their cuts and during this time three other elderly men and a balding chap around 30 came in. I did know that Sids was popular with balding guys as he gave them a cheap buzz over.
It was 1970 and my hair was cut in the longer style of the day, long all over, well over the collar with a long fringe (bangs). I did not need to shave then but had enough dark bum-fluff on my face to pretend I had sideburns and a downy tache.
Sid nodded to indicate it was Gramps turn for the chair, he quickly told Sid he was not here for a cut, and that he had brought me for a "decent haircut". Those words hung in the air for me, as I was propelled by Gramps into the chair. As my arse hit the hard leather of the seat I instinctively winced – perhaps my biggest mistake. Sid noticed and enquired of my Gramps what that was all about. To my horror as if I was not in the room a conversation broke out amongst Sid, the remaining three customers and Gramps about how he had to "cane my bum"
My face just grew redder and redder and as I squirmed in the chair, now with barbers cape tightly around my neck, my arse seemed to get hot and more sore. Suddenly I realized Sid was talking to me "was it sore", "was it on my bare bottom" etc etc – Gramps seemed to find his center stage with the group and explained his technique, how he aimed, how high on the back of the legs hurt most, and then to my horror explained why he had caned me. This caused much laughter and a discussion on puberty ensued, how some lads had more hair than others at differing times and some even hairy lads had no beard growth etc.
Sid was combing my hair by now and having styled a nice side parting, seemed to have it all in place for the cut to begin. Just a Trim? He asked Gramps, then I heard the words I was dreading – No, A mans cut – Short Back and Sides!
With one hand firmly pushing my chin onto my chest the clippers went to work, in no time clumps of hair were falling into my lap, when released I watched in horror as my ears came into view for the first time in months. It was still salvageable though so I thought it ok. Only then did I realize this was just the beginning as Gramps instructed Sid, "higher over the ears and up the back please" Soon I could see the white of my scalp showing all around my head. The top now trimmed was slicked with Brilliantine and combed flat. Sid then commented on the facial bum fluff, which Gramps gave him right to remove.
In one swift movement, the chair tipped back and gave me my first barber shop shave – it took all of two minutes!
As I got out of the chair, laughter erupted amongst the customers and Sid as Gramps remarked that it was the second shave of the day for me, and the top of my head was about the only place I had hair now. My protests at this point fell on deaf ears – unless I wanted another 6 on the bare bum before I went to bed!.
As Gramps paid, Sid gave me hard smack across the bum and as the door opened I felt the cool air around my ears for the first time in years.
Comments welcome....