Fred's Barbershop

My trip to the Barber Shop

The other day, I was in Los Angeles, CA (about 3000 miles from where I live). I was in need of a haircut, and asked my friend where he got his hair cut. The barber shop was very old. When I walked in, they had those massive old style barber chairs with ashtrays, an old 1960's television and each barber station had glass shelves with vintage hair tonic bottles. There were two older men, probably in their 60's cutting hair. I placed my fedora on the chrome coat hanger, and sat to wait for a barber. As soon as one customer stood from the chair, the barber swiped his towel across the chair as a signal for me to sit down while he brushed off that customer, and worked out the payment. I sat, and he came over to me and asked "What'll it be?". I told him "my buddy told me to come down here and get the works", and he got to work cutting my hair. He took his time, using scissors, and electric clippers. After my hair was done, he brushed my hair with a soft boar bristle brush, and splashed some talc on my neck. He then used his chrome hot lather machine to lather up the back of my neck, and around my ears, then proceeded to use a freshly stropped straight razor to shave both of those places, followed by a splash of nice smelling after-shave. This was followed by a 3 or 4 minute back of the neck electric massage. He then put a steaming hot towel around my face to soften up my beard. This stayed on there for about 3-4 minutes, after which he coated me well with hot lather, and shaved my face with the straight razor. I have never had such a fine shave in my whole life. After a splash of after shave, he offered me a ice cold beer. He then pulled the cape off of me, allowing me to stand, as he swiped the chair clean with his towel to signal another customer. As I was standing, he then took a small whisk broom to swipe off any hairs that were still clinging to me, as there is no air hose with which to do so in this vintage barber shop. I asked what this treatment cost, and he said "That'll be $15 bucks sir". I gave him $20, and he handed me back the $5 bill, saying "No, just $15." I thanked him, and informed him I'd be back as I had just found my new barber. I grabbed my hat, and walked out into the city, looking clean, smelling good, and feeling like a Man. Fred's Barber Shop
L.A.