"You are connected with the reception of Beautysalon Ramona. Good morning."
"Hallo,this is Vivian speaking."
"Hi Vivian, do you want to make an appointment?"
"Yes, only for a trim this time."
"Is it? Well, I could fit you in for five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Does that suit you?"
"Yes, that would be great. But....errrr...do you think that Diana could take me? She is my favourite stylist, you know."
"I know. Well, I think so but I'm not sure. By the way, we have a new girl in the salon. She is very good too and I think she is free to take you."
"Mmmm...I don't know, I'm accustomed to Diana and ...well."
"Marsha likes to experiment with different styles. That's you do have a liking for too, don't you?"
Yes, Vivian liked to stunt with her hair. She had sported many different styles and colours but now her hair had to be restored and grow before she would try something else.
"Well Cindy, we'll see. Nevertheless I would appreciate it if you could arrange that Diana is free to do me."
"I'll do my best, Vivian. But Marsha really is very good."
"Oh, I don't doubt it but nevertheless....""
"Okay, okay! I told you I'll try. Ciao, see you later."
Why would Cindy try to force her to be treated by Marsha? Vivian was a little irritated. A stylist she didn't know at all!
Marsha was with her 28 years a little older than most of the other girls in the salon, Helen, Julie and Diana. Only Linda, the team leader, surpassed her in years. Although Marcia was the youngest by seniority she was very self-assured and sharpley aware of her qualities. Which she undoubtedly had but the other girls hated it that she was always making a display of her capacities.
"She should know her place," Julie said, "she has been here since six weeks and yet she behaves as if she is the leading lady."
It was lunchtime and only Marsha was still busy finishing a new hairstyle. At that moment Cindy, the receptionist, showed up.
"Linda, think of something to do," Helen supported Julie, "we are a good team and we want to keep it like that. Marsha should be teached a lesson."
"I've an idea," Cindy interposed. "Vivian has just called to make an appointment. She is scheduled for five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. I tried to persuade her to let Marsha take her but she insisted that Diana should be her stylist."
"That's right, she always wants me," Diana confirmed.
"I told her that you would possibly not be available at that time and that Marsha would be free."
Marsha just came in and hearing her name she asked: "Free to do what?"
Cindy explained the matter to Marsha.
"No problem," Marsha laughed, "I'll convince her, just leave that to me."
"That won't be so easy, Marsha," Diana contradicted her, "She always wants to be attended by me. I lay a wager that she will wait for me."
Marsha looked at Diana: "Okay, I'll bet you anything you like that I can persuade her to choose me."
"You are on," Diana answered.
"What if I win?" Marsha asked.
"Well, you think my hairstyle is too conservative. You may cut my hair in any style you want."
"Okay. And if you win you will cut my hair, I suppose."
"No I won't. If you lose you have to dance for us while stripping to your skin."
The other girls looked surprised at Diana. What was she up to? They all knew that Marsha had wanted to become a professional ballet dancer when she was young. Though she certainly was talented it just didn't reach to the required level. She had to choose another profession but in her spare time she practised jazz ballet.
Inquiring Marsha looked at Diana: "Only for you but further no onlookers."
"Except us only Vivian may stay if she wants."
"And that's all?" she asked incredulously. "Okay, it's a deal." They shook hands.
When Vivian arrived the next afternoon Cindy told her: "I'm sorry but Diana still is engaged. But I want you to meet Marsha of whom I spoke to you before. She indeed is free to take you."
"Well.... glad to meet you," Vivian wavered, "But I prefer waiting till Diana is available. Sorry, Marsha, but I'm very attached to Diana. Don't blame me for that."
Whatever Marsha tried, she couldn't persuade Vivian.
So Marsha had lost and had to dance and strip for the other girls, including Vivian!
It took not much time to give Vivian a trim and soon afterwards the last customer of that day left. Vivian had been asked to stay and watch; after all she had elicited the bet.
Cindy locked the door and closed the window screens so that nobody was able to look inside the salon. She selected a CD with appropriate music.
"Well Marsha, you may start your show," Linda said.
Marsha began to dance, in the mean time slowly undressing: her shirt, skirt, bra, shoes, stockings and at last her panties. After making a number of more movements she stopped.
"Are you satisfied?"
"No, you have not yet stripped to the skin," Diana answered.
"Well, I have nothing more to take off."
"Marsha, not all of your skin has been exposed. Parts of it are sill hidden."
Marsha's eyes widened when the meaning of these words sunk in.
"No! You can't do that to me!" she cried.
"Oh yes, the deal included a total stripping to the skin. Everyone present can confirm that."
"You won't cut my hair, that's what you have said."
"That's true and I will not do it. But Linda will."
"That's ridiculous."
"A deal is a deal, Marsha," Linda said.
Marsha pondered for some time and then she said: "I think I have no choice, have I?"
"None at all."
"Okay, do it. Shave me."
"What shall we do first, her pubic region or her head?" Diana asked.
"Pubes," Linda decided. "Sit down, Marsha and spread your legs across the armrests."
She pointed to a chair and Marsha obeyed. Linda caught a pair of small clippers and buzzed her pubic and perianal areas. Then she lathered and shaved them smooth. She told Marsha to lower her legs and to take up a normal sitting position. Next Linda took the Wahl clippers and switched them on, reached for the curly hair of Marsha that cascaded across her shoulders, bent her head to her chest and put the clippers at her nape. She moved them to her crown, path after path, leaving only stubble in its wake. After the backside of Marsha's head had been denuded Linda turned to the right side and then to the left. Wthin ten minutes all of Marsha's beautiful locks were lying on the floor.
"Do you want me to shave her head?" Linda asked Diana.
"It won't be necessary, her skin is adequately exposed," Dia
na answered."Shave me," Marsha unexpectedly declared, "I've always wanted to know how it feels when your head is shaved but never had the guts to do it. Now the opportunity is there. I'm already totally humiliated, shaving doesn't add any more."
"Okay, I"ll do it," Diana said. "Bald like a cueball you shall be. I hope it will teach you modesty."
"You are connected with the reception of The Cueball Salon. Good morning."
"Hi Cindy, Vivian calling."
"Hi Vivian, do you want to make an appointment again?"
"Not really. I received a prospectus announcing the new name of your salon. Why this change to Cueball Salon?"
"You initiated it with your column in the Daily Wanderer. Though you didn't mention names describing the event you witnessed some weeks ago in our salon some people recognized the location and were curious to see the result with their own eyes and that brought about a rush on us. You wrote about a stylist bald like a cueball and this brought the proprietor to the idea to transform the salon into a really progressive hairstyling one and change the name. Well, that's the explanation."
"I see. It sounds interesting."
"And there is an other change, Vivian. Linda didn't approve of the transformation and quit. Marsha is now the leading lady."
"Marsha!?" Vivian exclaimed. "That must put a heavy strain on the relation with the other girls."
"No, on the contrary. Her behaviour has improved since she is in control. The sky has cleared up and the girls accept her being in charge."
"You know Cindy, after all I think I want to make an appointment. Time for a change."
"There is little room, Vivian, but for you I'll make an exception. Tomorrow at one o'clock, does that suit you?"
"Marvellous, I'll be there."
"I'll see if Diana is free to take you."
"Oh, I'm sorry Vivian, I would prefer Marsha, if that's possible."
"Cindy! Is it really you? My god, what happened to your hair?"
"This is the Cueball Salon, you know? Everyone working here has to have a shaven head."
"That was the reason for Linda to quit?"
"Yes indeed, she refused to do it. Maybe her husband objected. Anyway, he has a good job that brings in alot of money. So she doesn't need the work properly. But we all had to choose: shave or leave."
"And they all shaved their heads?"
"No, Helen quit also. Diana and Julie agreed and there are two new stylists: Phoebe and Ray."
"Ray? A man?"
"Indeed. Soon we shall need more of them. The proprietor has bought the adjacent property and he will alter and equip it as a barbershop. He expects men to like it to have a haircut by bald girls. He thinks it will cause a run."
"Yeah, maybe. Tell me, the idea of bald stylists, has Marsha prompted this to the proprietor?"
"You mean as a revenge for shaving her bald? I don't know but it is possible. Whatsoever!"
"Hallo Marsha. I heard that you have got a promotion. Congratulations."
"Thanks Vivian. I must say that I'm amazed that you have asked for me to take you."
"That's not so surprising: I know that you like to experiment and so do I."
"And what do you have in mind to day?"
"I don't know exactly. Do you have an idea?"
"Certainly. This is the Cueball Salon, isn't it?"
"Does that mean.............?"
"Indeed. What do you think?"
"I leave it to you but I don't want to be totally bald."
"We could start with a Chelsea."
"How is that?"
"Trust me. You will keep some hair on the front: bangs. Also called: bald with a quiff. Is that okay?"
"I don't think so. Listen Marsha, the idea of a beautysalon with bald stylists entered your mind when you lost your hair and you spoke to the proprietor and persuaded him to adopt it. Isn't that right? You had nothing to lose and you had your revenge on the other girls who would be forced to have their heads shaved too."
Marsha had listened, smiling enigmatically:"The truth, Vivian, is different. The proprietor called me as he wanted to speak to me after he had read your article in the newspaper. It is you who brought him to this idea, not me."
Diana suddenly appeared: "Marsha is right, Vivian, in fact you are responsible for the change which carried with it the need for us to shave our heads."
Cindy joined them: "You were curious to see what the change implied and you made an appointment. But you asked for Marsha and not Diana. So you knew more than you seemed to know when you called me. Well, you are in the lion's den now and we think that you should at least declare you solidarity with us."
Vivian was amazed and felt uneasy.
"I had no intention to harm you by writing that article. I'm a journalist and it belongs to my work. I couldn't anticipate that it would have those consequences."
"Yeah, but they are reality. So, what will you do now?" Diana asked her.
"What do you expect me to do?"
Marsha interrupted: "Vivian, you did come here today for a haircut and you will get one but don't you think it to be right that you show your feelings of solidarity with us as I told you before?"
"You want to shave my head? But my job! My boss could fire me!"
"When he threatens you to do that you can always buy a wig. But why should he? I presume that he did read your column so he is well informed about the subject. And I suggested a Chelsea."
But Diana and Cindy objected: "We think she has to go all the way just like we had."
"Okay, you heard the verdict, Vivian. Your doom is sealed and I'execute it."
Vivian was trapped and she couldn't resist three determined women.
In a short time they had in a joint action Vivian's head changed into a beaming cueball.
"Huh?" Lorna had understood what the guy, who had taken a seat next to her in the bus, had said to her. But she didn't know what to answer. For the first time she made the journey in the Greyhound from New Jersey to Boston alone. In former years her mother had brought her or her grandmother had come to collect her when she spent the summer holidays there.
"I said that you could look much prettier by changing your hairstyle. I'm a stylist, you know."
"Are you? Well, I don't know........maybe....but my mother likes it this way.... At least I think so."
Lorna was 15, not a stunning beauty, at least not yet, but she had a pretty face which was framed by her long, straight dark coloured hair (by nature) which was parted in the center and was hanging down to her butt.
"You don't even know if your mother wants you to wear it like this? Well, you are a big girl. Did you never consider a change?"
"Not really. I never visited a beauty parlour, my mother always trims my hair when necessary."
It is true that Lorna envied girls with wavy or curly hair. She had rather fine hair and it hung down limply.
"Do you think a perm would do me good/"
"Hmmm....maybe but I should have to know more about the texture of your hair."
This was not what Ray, the guy's name, had in mind.
They chatted during the journey about this, that and the other. They exchanged their names and it came out that Ray worked in a beauty salon in Boston, the city where Lorna's grandmother was living. When he got off the bus he said: "In case you want to do something to your hair, the salon is called The Cueball."
Grandma's house was situated in a suburb, not far from the busstop. She came outside to wellcome her grandaughter: "Well, well, you didn't change much since the last time we have seen each other. Just a little taller."
Grandmother! It hardly was an issue to call her granny. Paula was 48 and looking younger with a slender body. There was some grey hair but it had been dyed into a dark colour. At the age of 15 she had got pregnant and could not marry the student who had been responsible. His father had bought her out for $ 15000, which had been reasonable. An abortion was out of the question, so she raised her daughter alone, supported by her parents. When she was 20 she married a grocer, a widower who was 30 years older. She had been his shopgirl. She didn't love him but he treated her well. His wish that she sould give him a son and successor was not complied. Her daughter Patty remained her only child. Her husband died some ten years later and Paula took over the grocery which had expanded into a supermarket. Paula developed enough business qualities to establish a number of supermarkets at several places in the city. Some years ago she had agreed with a take over by a federal supermarket chain and had got a position in the board of directors.
"Hi Paula, still going strong, I see," Lorna said, kissing her grandmother.
"How was your trip? No trouble with changing?"
"No problems. I'm no more a child, you know."
Paula smiled, she loved her granddaughter. But she had to be protected for the fate that had hit herself and her daughter Patty.
Patty, Lorna's mother, now was 32. She too had caught an unwanted pregnancy at a young age. She had been 16 at that time and it had been her own fault. She had been careless with contraception and she could choose the creator out of three possibilities. She had not been a slut but she had many boyfriends and regularly sexual intercourse with some of them, her sexual behaviour being very liberal. Fortunately one of her boyfriends took care of her and they lived together for a number of years. Later she was married but divorced about two years later. At present she lived together with Jim who was two years younger than Patty. For his work he had to travel much, also abroad, and often was away for days or even weeks.
"Do you have a boyfriend, my dear?"
"Not really, Paula. I'm acquainted with a lot of boys and some want to date me but mom doesn't approve."
"Right she is! Your time will come, you are young enough."
"But I'm already fifteen, Paula!"
Paula though about her own youth and that of Patty. Both were dating boys at an early age and look what had happened to them! No, that shouldn't happen to her grandaughter if she could help it!
Lorna told her grandma about the hairdresser in the bus and his remarks about her hair.
"A new look? Which one?"
Lorna shrugged: "I don't know. But I would like a change, I think now it is boring as it is. I have this style since I don't know how many years. But mom doesn't allow me to visit a beautysalon. What do you think about a perm?"
"I don't think it to be good idea, darling. How about a shorter style?"
"Do you think mom would approve?"
"What is the opinion of Jim?"
Again Lorna shrugged: "I don't know. He doesn't speak to me often anyway."
"Why not?"
"Well, maybe he is afraid to make my mother jealous."
Yes, Paula thought, that's a point. A young girl, not notoriously beautiful but nevertheless cute and likely attractive to a man, in the same house! Perhaps Patty didn't want her daughter to change her hairstyle for that reason: it might increase her appeal. No, not a perm, a short cut, very short, that would be better!
"Sit down, sweetheart, let me see how I could dress your hair."
Paula began to brush Lorna's tresses and the girl relaxed. Next she pinned up her hair and fixed it with hairgrips and small combs. She gave Lorna a handmirror and let her look.
Lorna frowned: "I don't like it, it looks foolish."
"Maybe you're right. You look much older too."
Paula pulled out the pins and let the limp strands fall down across her back. She gathered the bulk into a ponytail. Suddenly Lorna felt her grandma pulling the tail taut and she heard the sound of cutting through hair. Startled she jumped and turned towards Paula, only to see her triumphantically holding the severed ponytail in one hand.
"Why did you do that?" Lorna wailed and while she began to cry she reached with both hands for her head...........
She woke up with a start. A bad dream, a nightmare! Her locks were still at
tached to her scalp. Lorna sighed reassured. The experience had been horrifying but when she though about it she became aware of another emotion. The sudden and unexpected event had startled her but basically had aroused her too.........Next morning she told Paula her dream.
"Maybe a haircut wouldn't be such a bad idea," Lorna stated, "But what would mom say?"
"Well, she is on vacation with Jim and she has left you under my supervision."
"Would you allow me to visit a beautysalon?"
"Why not? But only for a haircut, no perm or dying or whatsoever. Do you understand?"
"Yes granma, only cutting," Lorna answered obediently.
Lorna took the bus to the Cueball Salon. She would inquire after Ray and see if he could help her. She had no idea of the course of events in a salon. The first one she saw was the receptionist.
"Hi, I'm Cindy. Do you have an appointment?"
Lorna lookd at her wide-eyed. The girl's head was as bald as a ........cueball. Lorna gazed at her flabbergasted and Cindy had to repeat her question.
"Oh.....no....I'm wondering if Ray.......if I could speak to him."
"Ray? Usually he works here in the salon but today he is next door in the barbershop. You may enter there without an appointment."
"A barbershop?" Lorna gasped. "Don't only men enter there?"
"Not necessary, though most of the clients indeed are males," Cindy smiled, "Don't worry, it is the same business."
Reluctantly Lorna entered the shop. Fortunately she saw one other woman in the waiting area, a blonde of about thirty years. Lorna sat down and looked around. She saw Ray cutting the hair of a man. Three other barberchairs also were occupied by men who were served by barberettes with shaven heads. Aghast Lorna looked at them. She was startled when one of the girls called: "Next!"
The blonde woman looked at Lorna: "I think it is your turn, I'm waiting for my husband."
"Oh...errr.....I would like to wait for Ray," she faltered.
"Of course, just like you want," the barberette smiled.
Ray had finished the haircut of his client. He greeted Lorna smiling: "Well, you have decided to change?"
"Yes, but may I pose a question? Why have all the barberettes shaven heads?"
"Well, this is the Cueball Salon and Barbershop. It is a rule that all the co-workers have to submit to."
"But you have hair."
"I'm the exception that fixes the rule."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know, I didn't make the rule. You should ask the owner. But let's turn to your hair. What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know. A change. What would you suggest?"
"Ah, I could shave you bald."
"Oh no!" Lorna exclaimed horrified, "I would never do that."
Ray laughed: "It is only a proposal."
"You are kidding, aren't you?"
"Okay, then say what you do want."
"No curls and no dying, so I think somewhat shorter."
"How short are you willing to go?"
Lorna felt uncomfortable but at he same time excited too: "Shoulderlength perhaps?"
"Hmmm....why not shorter? When you want a real change you should be more radical."
"But not shorter than chinlength."
"Okay, I'll cut a chinlength bob and we'll see how it looks. Personally I'd rather go shorter."
Ray started to cut in front of her right ear and cut around her head to the left side. About two feet of hair slipped down in her lap and to the floor. Lorna watched it with a mixture of fear and excitement. Next Ray combed a part of her hair at the frontal side across her face and cut it just above her eyebrows into a fringe.
Lorna looked at her image. She turned her head from left to right, shook it:"I don't like it."
"No, I told you."
He brushed the hair backwards and made her ears visible: "Your face still is partially covered by hair and look at your ears, they are cute. I want to cut them free and denude your nape."
Lorna got more and more excited at the prospect of losing more hair. Once the cutting had started her fear had diminished.
"Okay, I'm ready for it."
The scissors began to cut away the hair around her ears, next at the nape and the back of her head. Ray tossed the on the counter and grabbed a straight razor. Lorna's eyes widened: "What are you going to do?!" she cried out, startled.
"Take it easy, darling, I won't shave you," he soothed her, "I'm going to cut your hair shorter to unequal and uneven wisps with this razor. I need them to give you a nice pixy look."
"What is a pixy look?" Lorna asked suspiciously. She had never been interested in the different hairstyles and she really had no idea.
"Just trust me," Ray said, "You'll look marvellous. It is a short style but you'll keep some hair."
Some hair! Her excitement increased: "Okay, go on!"
Longer and shorter tufts of hair rained down while Ray wielded his razor throughout Lorna's hair on top which he had wetted. At last he put down his razor and combed wih his fingers through the remnants of her hair, just a few inches long, unequal and uneven, no one longer than four inches.
"Well, what do you think?"
Lorna looked at her image: "My god, is that me? I look like somebody else!"
You look gorgeous! This is what I meant when I spoke to you in the bus."
"Oh thank you! I'm so happy!" Lorna exclaimed, "I feel.......well like new........ as if I were another person."
"You are your real self now, no longer disguised by all that hair. Would you come back for an update after six weeks or so?"
"Of course, you needn't doubt that."
"Is that you, Lorna?" Paula asked when the girl had returned, "Good heavens, you look gorgeous!"
But she thought: 'She is still more attractive than I had ever imagined! Well, there are two things that I shall have to do. First I will go with her to see my physician and let him prescribe a contraceptive as a precautionary measure. And secondly I have to make an appointment at the Cueball. I'm in need of a haircut.'
Towards the end of the summer holidays Lorna's hair had grown about an inch.
"I have to go back to the beautysalon for a tidying up," she told her grandmother.
"Sure darling, make an appointment."
However, before she had done this Patty and Jim suddenly and unannounced appeared in front of the door which was opened by Lorna.
"Gosh Lorna, I hardly recognize you! You look great with that short hair. Why didn't do you that earlier?" Patty exclaimed, while kissing her daughter.
"You never told me."
"You never asked."
Jim jumped in: "You look like a boy. A little make-up and girl's clothes would make the difference."
"Granma likes me this way and why should girls not wear trousers?"
Meanwhile Paula had joined them and greeted her daughter and Jim: "I shouldn't ask about your journey to Europe, I suppose. You sent us so many postcards."
"It has been marvellous," Patty answered, "We have seen so much, Rome, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Kopenhagen, Stockholm, all those wonderful cities. We'll show you the video's, we have lots of them. But first I must tell you something else which is of more importance."
She paused for a moment while Paula and Lorna questioningly looked at her.
"It could be that Lorna gets a little brother or sister."
"Oh mom!" Lorna screamed, "That would be wonderful! A baby!"
"I'm not yet sure," Patty stated, "but I assume that I'm right."
"You should do a test," Paula suggested.
"Of course I'll do that. But I had some fear. If it wouldn't be true I couldn't bear the disappointment. So I waited till I would be pretty sure about it."
Later, when Paula and Patty were alone, the former said: "Lorna wanted to change her hairdo and I had the idea, which turned out to be false, that a short haircut would diminish her sex-appeal. Well, the contrary seemed to be true. That's why I didn't allow her to use make-up and encouraged her to wear blue jeans, T-shirts and Doc Martens boots.. And I took her to see my physician."
"I guess you did the right things."
"She was rather upset when the doctor told her to undress for a gynaecological examination. Well, I stayed with her to hold her hand, so I could reassure her."
"Thank you, Paula. Do you think she has an intimate relationship?"
"No, as far as I know she still is a virgin. So there is no reason to bother."
The next day Lorna said to her mother: "Mom, your perm has grown out. Why don't you come with me to a beautysalon/"
Patty and Jim had decided to spend a few days with Paula and afterwards take Lorna with them home.
"Yes, you're right, I think it's time for a new hairstyle."
"I'll make an appointment."
Lorna called Cindy: "Tomorrow at eleven? That's okay."
Patty gasped when she entered The Cueball Salon and was confronted with Cindy.
"Hi Lorna, I assume that you are Mrs. Rodgers?"
"Yes, I'm Patty."
"Well, take a seat please. Marsha will meet you in a few minutes."
"You go first, mom," Lorna said, "Marsha will take you."
Patty was shocked again, seeing the stylists: "They are all bald," she whispered.
"The salon is called the Cueball, mom, that's why."
"Does that mean that the customers are persuaded to go bald also? In any case I have no intention to do that."
"No," Lorna laughed, "But it is a fact that they like extravagant styles. So be prepared."
In spite of herself Patty descried some excitement.
"Hi, I'm Marsha."
"Glad to meet you, my name is Patty."
"Okay, will you come with me?"
"Well Patty, what do you want me to do?"
"I have no exact ideas. What would you suggest?"
"What would you say to an asymmetrical bob? A parting on the left side and that side clippered short and angled towards the back. The right side longer."
"It sounds good. Do you think it suits me?"
"It certainly will. You'll love it."
While Patty was treated by Marsha, Lorna had looked around but she couldn't discover Ray. She went to the barbershop, hoping that he could be found at that place. She took a seat in the row but didn't see him either.
One of the stylists, a tall black girl (of course with a shining bald head) cutting the hair of a young man, saw Lorna inquirinly gazing around and asked her: "Looking for some one in particular, sweetheart?"
"Yeah, I'm trying to spot Ray."
"Ray? Well, you wouln't find him here. He refused to shave his head so had to quit, ha, ha! But I'll help you as soon as I've finished this guy."
There was nothing for it but to wait.
"Well sweetie, I'm Trisha and what is your name?"
"It's Lorna."
"Exactly, I thought so. Your grandma has called us."
Lorna was surprised: "My grandma? Why?"
Trisha grinned: "About your haircut. What d'ya want? She would like a shorter style."
"Strange, she didn't tell me anything."
"Well, sweetie, tell me what to do."
"Okay, if she wants short then really short. How about a flattop? With shaved back and sides!"
Trisha grinned: "Sure, I love it. No problem, honey."
She took a pair of clippers and removed the attachment, pushed Lorna's head to her chest and flicked on the switch. The machine moved up her nape and the back of her head to her crown leaving in its wake pale skin and very short dark stubble. Track next to track was shorn and then the left side of her head, next the right one. Trisha took a flattop comb, inserted it horizontally into the hair on top and mowed off the hair sticking out above the comb. With scissors she constructed a perfect flattop no longer than 3/8 inch. She lathered and shaved the back and sides smooth and clean. With a moist towel Trisha wiped Lorna's head clean and she applied a gel to make the short remaining hair stand erect.
"All done, dearie. What do you think?"
"I think it is very short and I hope that my grandma will be satisfied
.""If she's not then the only solution is to shave to baldness," Trisha said with a broad grin.
The men waiting their turn laughed while Lorna returned to the salon. Her mother wasn't ready yet, so she took a seat in the waiting area.
As soon as Patty got her daughter in view she was flabbergasted.
"Honey, what happened to your hair!?" she exclaimed, "You are as good as bald!"
Lorna grinned somewhat uncertain: "Did you know that Paula had called about my visit?"
"No, she didn't tell me. Why did she call?"
"She should have said something like a short style. So if that's true, I hope this is short enough."
"Darling, you have hardly any hair left. But what do you think of me?"
"Mom, you are stunning with that short hair. You could be my elder sister."
"And you my younger brother." But she smiled as she though of what Paula had said about Lorna's attractiveness to boys. "It's okay, it suits you."
She gave her daughter a hug and with their arms around each others waists they walked out of the salon.
"You look like a recruit," Paula said when they had returned. She gave Patty a wink but Jim remarked: "Why didn't you shave it all off?"
"Should I go back?" Lorna asked, "I don't mind," she continued defiantly. What the heck, she had gone so far that she got reckless.
"No need," Jim answered, "I can do that as well."
It was not clear whether he was joking or meant business.
"Mom, what do you say?" Lorna asked her mother.
Patty revolved in her mind: could a bald girl be attractive?
"Honey, it's up to you. Do you really mean it?"
Lorna hesitated one moment, then said: "Okay, let's do it."
"Are you sure?" Jim asked.
"Yeah, I am. After all I visited the Cueball with the bald stylists and I want to have the same experience."
Jim tookher to the bathroom. With scissors he cut the small amount of hair on her head as short as possible, covered the area with shaving gel and shaved her bald.
"Do you like that, Jim? Shaving a girl's head?" Lorna sked him. She enjoyed again the scraping of the razor across her scalp.
"I've never before done that. But if you want to stay bald for some time you should find someone to shave you or do it yourself. You know that I'm often away."
"Oh well, mom will help me."
Some days later Patty and Jim returned to their home taking Lorna with them. Calling her best friend Joyce was the first thing Lorna did when she was home again.
"Yes, I'm back and you'll be surprised seeing me. My appearance has radically changed."
"What do you mean? What is different?"
"Well, come and see."
"Oh, I'm so curious! I can't wait, I'll come over to you immediately."
Joyce stood dumbfounded when she got her friend in view.
"Why on earth did you do that?"
"I wanted to look totally different. So I went from short to shorter and shortest."
"And to nothing at all! I wonder what one will say when you enter class on Monday."
"Yeah, I'm a little nervous to do so. Will you support me?"
"Of course."
Indeed Lorna was teased with her bald look but it didn't last long. Soon everyone had been accustomed to it. After the first astonishment there also was admiration, especially from the side of certain boys.
Lorna remained bald for some time but as it got colder she let grow her hair. After the turning of the year she got 16 and Patty assented her to date with boys. After some time Brian became her boyfriend.
When spring had arrived Brian asked Lorna whether she would shave her head again.
"Do you want me to do that?"
"Only when it is your wish too."
Lorna pondered on it. Her hair still was rather short and she didn't like it. But when she shaved it off again ........Nevertheless she understood that Brian would like to see her without hair again.
"Okay," she said, "But you have to do it yourself."
The idea aroused Brian: "So, what are we waiting for?"
He took her with him to his room, knowing that his father was in the possession of clippers. He had Lorna sit on a stool in the bathroom and moved the clippers criss-cross over her scalp. Next he covered her head with shaving foam and shaved it as smooth as a babybottom.
That night Lorna didn't only lose her hair for the second time but also her virginity.......
Lorna's relation with Brian didn't last a long time. When it ended she stopped shaving her head and let her hair grow out. At last, when it was long enough, she had it shaped into a short bobstyle which she kept during her further years at high school. She was surprised that the quality of her hair had improved and thanks to the good care of the hairstylists the shape was irreproachable. Every summer Lorna stayed with her grandma in Boston and of course she then visited the Cueball.
After graduation from high school Lorna told her mother that she wanted to become a hairstylist and to work in that well-known and much appreciated salon, especially visited by youngsters, the Cueball. Patti didn't like the idea, she wanted her daughter to go to college and follow an academic study. They extensivily discussed the matter but couldn't reach an agreement.
Of course Lorna visited her granma that summer too and she asked Paula's advice. This one convinced Lorna to follow her mothers wish.
"Go to college for one or two years and in the mean time you can take lessons at a beauty institute with evening courses. When you succeed in being matriculated at the university here in Boston you may stay in my apartment."
Lorna did as her granma had suggested and everything went according to plan.
Towards the end of her first year at the university, where she had chosen to study history of art and culture, the beauty institute asked volunteers for demonstrations. Lorna enlisted and asked for which styles she would be available she answered: "Every style, I don't care which."
"Well, that's very convenient. You'll get an appeal from us."
It didn't take not much time. Lorna didn't know what she had to expect but certainly she never had imagined that she should be chosen as a model to demonstrate hair-extension! After the demonstration she found herself with long hair, several inches past her shoulders!
Shortly after she got a message that there would be a vacancy at the Cueball. Would she be interested? So Lorna had to decide: another year at the university or take the offered position?
It wasn't that simple. The sudden extension of her hair had elicited a desire to let it grow. Afer all those years of short styles or a shaven head it was intriguing to have long hair again and working at the Cueball required a shaven head.
Then she really did like studying history of art and she considered to continue it, strongly supported by her mother who urged her to obtain a university degree.
And a last but not the least important factor was Charles, her new boyfriend. She had met him at college and when she had told him that she had enrolled as a hair-model he had feared that her hair should be cut short. He had been delighted to see her back with longer locks. He loved long tresses! And Lorna loved him and she didn't want to disappoint him.
And that settled the matter: not the Cueball but the university. A second and third year.
Lorna graduated at last cum laude and was offered a position at the university. Lorna loved it. She loved Boston and she loved Charles above all. Soon her hair had grown to waistlength again.
Lorna was married to Charles and soon he expressed his wish that they should try to get a baby.
"No, I'm 23. We have enough time, I should like to wait a few years," Lorna answered.
But Charles was insistent. Again and again he tried to persuade Lorna to stop contraception. Before she was married she had asked her gynaecologist to insert a capsule under the skin of her arm which would make her infertile for at least three years.
At last Lorna gave in and had the capsule removed.
A few months later, at the start of November, she got a positive result of a pregnancy test.
When her pregnancy reached its eighth month in July and her abdomen expanded more and more a heatwave came to development. The temperature sometimes rose to 35* C and at night it hardly cooled down. For Lorna it was almost unbearable. Every movement consisted of a torment to her.
One morning she said sighing: "A woman experiences much discomfort bearing a child. I have done it for you, my love, as you want a baby so much."
"I know, darling. I wish I could do something to make you more comfortableas long as it is so hot."
"You can do something."
"Name it, sweetheart, I'll do anything you want except divorce and leave you," he laughed.
"I know you wouldn't do that. If you will do everything, please, cut my hair. This mass of hair makes me crazy in this heat."
"Cut your hair? Me? I don't know how to do that. Shouldn't I ask if a stylist is willing to come over?"
"No, you can do it. Just cut it very short and shave my head."
In bewilderment Charles looked at her: "Shave your head? I thought.....a nice short style."
"No!" Lorna said resolute, "I have thought back and recalled the time that I had no hair and how I enjoyed that and I want to have the experience again. I want my scalp totally hairless and smooth."
Charles couldn't make her change her mind.
"You said you would do anything for me. I bear our child , earlier than I would have wanted, to please you. Now you have to make a sacrifice, I know that you love my long hair. I promise that I'll let it grow again as soon as our baby has been born and when it is long enough I'll have it extended . Please my love, I beg you."
"I hadn't thought of extensions. Okay, I'll do it, just say when."
"Do it now. I can't bear another hot day with this mop of hair."
Charles gathered her hair and tied it into a big ponytail next to her crown.
"Cut it with clippers, darling, the bulk is too thick for scissors. It would take so much time severing it from my head."
"It hurts, sweetheart, nevertheless I'll do it."
Charles put a number 4 guard on the clippers after having got the ponytail out of the way, switched them on and placed them at the hairline. In one sweep he brought them across the top of her head to her nape, went back and repeated the movement just to the right of the first several times. Then he turned to the right sideburn and ran the clippers in front of her ear to her temple, above and behind her ear and down to the nape. He cleaned up the remaining hair on the backside of her head and nape and turned to the left side. Soon all of Lorna's hair had been reduced to a length of 1/2 inch.
"We could leave it as short as it is now," Charles suggested.
"No
way," Lorna was again determined. "I told you that I want a totally smooth scalp. Remove the guard!" Charles sighed but obeyed. This time he started at her nape. Lorna began to purr like a kitten when she felt the clippers running across her scalp, shearing the short hair to stubble. Charles got aroused seeing his wife's bare skin appearing. He could hardly stop moving the clippers again and again across her scalp and Lorna didn't mind. But once every hair had been removed there no longer was any reason to continue.
"My goodness, this is crazy! I've never known how good you look without hair. The scape of your head is so beautiful and your nape! Graceful like a swan!"
"Glad that you like it. But you are not yet ready. Shave me!"
"Oh yes!" Charles exclaimed. "I'll love to!"
He spread shaving gel out across her head and shaved her with a safety razor, with short strokes just as he did shave his face. Lorna nearly exploded while feeling and hearing the scraping and Charles apparently enjoyed it ever so much.
"I never saw you with a shaven head. You look marvellous!" He was delighted and kissed her passionately.
"Oh my darling, I'm so glad that you did this for me, thank you, thank you!"
Both were so aroused that in spite of the heat and the problems Lorna's bulging belly caused they succeeded to have a stormy intercourse!
About six weeks later Lorna was admitted to hospital to give birth to her baby. She delivered a beautiful boy after she had got an epidural analgesia. She was totally enraptured and only wished that she had got pregnant sooner.
"You see?" Charles said, "I told you so often!"
"Yes darling, you were right, I'm sorry that I hesitated so long. Forgive me."
Of course he did, he was too happy with his son.
As soon as she was back home Lorna asked her husband: "Would you do me one favour?"
"Of course, my dear, what do you want?"
"I promised to have my hair grow back after our baby was born but I would love it to experience a headshaving one last time."
Charles facial expression got sterner; "Lorna, I think we should talk."
Lorna got worried:"Is something wrong?"
"You forced me to cut off all of your hair. You know how I loved your beautiful tresses."
"Oh darling, I'm so sorry to have been so selfish. At that time I was so upset by those high temperatures that I was unreasonable. Can you forgive me?"
"Listen Lorna, it is not enough to say sorry or to ask for forgiveness. You deserve a punishment, don't you agree?"
Lorna bent her head: "Yes darling, I think you are right."
"Well, say it!" Charles shouted in an angry voice.
Lorna was startled. Never before he has shouted at her like that. She began to cry.
"I should be punished because of my disbehaviour," she sobbed.
"Okay," Charles said, milder now,"Hear my verdict: you will remain bald for an indefinite time and I'll shave your head every day."
Lorna sobbed unceasingly and concealed her head against Charles' chest.
"No need to cry, sweetie, don't be sad," Charles said while he caressed her head.
Lorna lifted her head and looked up at her husband with eyes wet of tears: "I'm not sad, I cry of joy."
Charles laughed: "I'm not cross with you. Your scalp tingles like sandpaper."
"Oh darling, arrange that! I hardly can wait for you to shave me."
"Okay, don't let us waist any time. Sit down and I'll fetch my tools."
While he lathered her scalp Lorna asked: "How long is indefinitely?"
"Just what it says. But as your trespasses have been severe it shouldn't be shorter than a year."
"Oh sweetheart, you make me a happy girl!"
"A happy mother. But we are not alone. We must consider other people's feelings. What will your colleages say when you return to work at your institute? What will be the reaction of your professor?"
"They already know! They have visited me to congratulate me and admire our son. And professor White won't object. She herself has short hair and more than once has remarked that it must be very time consuming washing, conditioning, drying and styling that long hair. No, she will be glad!"
But everything took a turn when on account of retrenchement policy the position of Lorna at the institute became superfluous and she was didmissed before the end of her pregnancy leave. Some months later again a vacancy arose at the Cueball and this time Lorna applied and was accepted as a trainee. So she probably became the first stylist with a Master of Arts degree!
About one year later Charles' education as a surgeon was finished and as he got an appointment at a hospital in Atlanta they had to move. Lorna was pregnant again at that time and she didn't look for a job for the time being. Once their second child had been born, a girl, she would see how the land would lie.
During the time that Lorna was employed at The Cueball the prorietor changed his instructions concerning the hairstyle of the stylists: he wanted them to cut their hair in what he called " future and fantasy cuts." They were all short styles, dyed in daring colours, sometimes with shaven patches. But no longer a totally shaven head.
When Charles and Lorna moved to Atlanta he told her he wanted his wife to let her hair grow. Lorna agreed. Afterall she wanted long hair back too.
Being at the age of 26 now Lorna has a beloved and loving husband, two lovely children and beautiful tresses which already pass her shoulders as a result of weaving extensions into her hair. No job yet but the children keep her busy!
The end.
"Hallo,this is Vivian speaking."
"Hi Vivian, do you want to make an appointment?"
"Yes, only for a trim this time."
"Is it? Well, I could fit you in for five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Does that suit you?"
"Yes, that would be great. But....errrr...do you think that Diana could take me? She is my favourite stylist, you know."
"I know. Well, I think so but I'm not sure. By the way, we have a new girl in the salon. She is very good too and I think she is free to take you."
"Mmmm...I don't know, I'm accustomed to Diana and ...well."
"Marsha likes to experiment with different styles. That's you do have a liking for too, don't you?"
Yes, Vivian liked to stunt with her hair. She had sported many different styles and colours but now her hair had to be restored and grow before she would try something else.
"Well Cindy, we'll see. Nevertheless I would appreciate it if you could arrange that Diana is free to do me."
"I'll do my best, Vivian. But Marsha really is very good."
"Oh, I don't doubt it but nevertheless....""
"Okay, okay! I told you I'll try. Ciao, see you later."
Why would Cindy try to force her to be treated by Marsha? Vivian was a little irritated. A stylist she didn't know at all!
Marsha was with her 28 years a little older than most of the other girls in the salon, Helen, Julie and Diana. Only Linda, the team leader, surpassed her in years. Although Marcia was the youngest by seniority she was very self-assured and sharpley aware of her qualities. Which she undoubtedly had but the other girls hated it that she was always making a display of her capacities.
"She should know her place," Julie said, "she has been here since six weeks and yet she behaves as if she is the leading lady."
It was lunchtime and only Marsha was still busy finishing a new hairstyle. At that moment Cindy, the receptionist, showed up.
"Linda, think of something to do," Helen supported Julie, "we are a good team and we want to keep it like that. Marsha should be teached a lesson."
"I've an idea," Cindy interposed. "Vivian has just called to make an appointment. She is scheduled for five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. I tried to persuade her to let Marsha take her but she insisted that Diana should be her stylist."
"That's right, she always wants me," Diana confirmed.
"I told her that you would possibly not be available at that time and that Marsha would be free."
Marsha just came in and hearing her name she asked: "Free to do what?"
Cindy explained the matter to Marsha.
"No problem," Marsha laughed, "I'll convince her, just leave that to me."
"That won't be so easy, Marsha," Diana contradicted her, "She always wants to be attended by me. I lay a wager that she will wait for me."
Marsha looked at Diana: "Okay, I'll bet you anything you like that I can persuade her to choose me."
"You are on," Diana answered.
"What if I win?" Marsha asked.
"Well, you think my hairstyle is too conservative. You may cut my hair in any style you want."
"Okay. And if you win you will cut my hair, I suppose."
"No I won't. If you lose you have to dance for us while stripping to your skin."
The other girls looked surprised at Diana. What was she up to? They all knew that Marsha had wanted to become a professional ballet dancer when she was young. Though she certainly was talented it just didn't reach to the required level. She had to choose another profession but in her spare time she practised jazz ballet.
Inquiring Marsha looked at Diana: "Only for you but further no onlookers."
"Except us only Vivian may stay if she wants."
"And that's all?" she asked incredulously. "Okay, it's a deal." They shook hands.
When Vivian arrived the next afternoon Cindy told her: "I'm sorry but Diana still is engaged. But I want you to meet Marsha of whom I spoke to you before. She indeed is free to take you."
"Well.... glad to meet you," Vivian wavered, "But I prefer waiting till Diana is available. Sorry, Marsha, but I'm very attached to Diana. Don't blame me for that."
Whatever Marsha tried, she couldn't persuade Vivian.
So Marsha had lost and had to dance and strip for the other girls, including Vivian!
It took not much time to give Vivian a trim and soon afterwards the last customer of that day left. Vivian had been asked to stay and watch; after all she had elicited the bet.
Cindy locked the door and closed the window screens so that nobody was able to look inside the salon. She selected a CD with appropriate music.
"Well Marsha, you may start your show," Linda said.
Marsha began to dance, in the mean time slowly undressing: her shirt, skirt, bra, shoes, stockings and at last her panties. After making a number of more movements she stopped.
"Are you satisfied?"
"No, you have not yet stripped to the skin," Diana answered.
"Well, I have nothing more to take off."
"Marsha, not all of your skin has been exposed. Parts of it are sill hidden."
Marsha's eyes widened when the meaning of these words sunk in.
"No! You can't do that to me!" she cried.
"Oh yes, the deal included a total stripping to the skin. Everyone present can confirm that."
"You won't cut my hair, that's what you have said."
"That's true and I will not do it. But Linda will."
"That's ridiculous."
"A deal is a deal, Marsha," Linda said.
Marsha pondered for some time and then she said: "I think I have no choice, have I?"
"None at all."
"Okay, do it. Shave me."
"What shall we do first, her pubic region or her head?" Diana asked.
"Pubes," Linda decided. "Sit down, Marsha and spread your legs across the armrests."
She pointed to a chair and Marsha obeyed. Linda caught a pair of small clippers and buzzed her pubic and perianal areas. Then she lathered and shaved them smooth. She told Marsha to lower her legs and to take up a normal sitting position. Next Linda took the Wahl clippers and switched them on, reached for the curly hair of Marsha that cascaded across her shoulders, bent her head to her chest and put the clippers at her nape. She moved them to her crown, path after path, leaving only stubble in its wake. After the backside of Marsha's head had been denuded Linda turned to the right side and then to the left. Wthin ten minutes all of Marsha's beautiful locks were lying on the floor.
"Do you want me to shave her head?" Linda asked Diana.
"It won't be necessary, her skin is adequately exposed," Dia
na answered."Shave me," Marsha unexpectedly declared, "I've always wanted to know how it feels when your head is shaved but never had the guts to do it. Now the opportunity is there. I'm already totally humiliated, shaving doesn't add any more."
"Okay, I"ll do it," Diana said. "Bald like a cueball you shall be. I hope it will teach you modesty."
"You are connected with the reception of The Cueball Salon. Good morning."
"Hi Cindy, Vivian calling."
"Hi Vivian, do you want to make an appointment again?"
"Not really. I received a prospectus announcing the new name of your salon. Why this change to Cueball Salon?"
"You initiated it with your column in the Daily Wanderer. Though you didn't mention names describing the event you witnessed some weeks ago in our salon some people recognized the location and were curious to see the result with their own eyes and that brought about a rush on us. You wrote about a stylist bald like a cueball and this brought the proprietor to the idea to transform the salon into a really progressive hairstyling one and change the name. Well, that's the explanation."
"I see. It sounds interesting."
"And there is an other change, Vivian. Linda didn't approve of the transformation and quit. Marsha is now the leading lady."
"Marsha!?" Vivian exclaimed. "That must put a heavy strain on the relation with the other girls."
"No, on the contrary. Her behaviour has improved since she is in control. The sky has cleared up and the girls accept her being in charge."
"You know Cindy, after all I think I want to make an appointment. Time for a change."
"There is little room, Vivian, but for you I'll make an exception. Tomorrow at one o'clock, does that suit you?"
"Marvellous, I'll be there."
"I'll see if Diana is free to take you."
"Oh, I'm sorry Vivian, I would prefer Marsha, if that's possible."
"Cindy! Is it really you? My god, what happened to your hair?"
"This is the Cueball Salon, you know? Everyone working here has to have a shaven head."
"That was the reason for Linda to quit?"
"Yes indeed, she refused to do it. Maybe her husband objected. Anyway, he has a good job that brings in alot of money. So she doesn't need the work properly. But we all had to choose: shave or leave."
"And they all shaved their heads?"
"No, Helen quit also. Diana and Julie agreed and there are two new stylists: Phoebe and Ray."
"Ray? A man?"
"Indeed. Soon we shall need more of them. The proprietor has bought the adjacent property and he will alter and equip it as a barbershop. He expects men to like it to have a haircut by bald girls. He thinks it will cause a run."
"Yeah, maybe. Tell me, the idea of bald stylists, has Marsha prompted this to the proprietor?"
"You mean as a revenge for shaving her bald? I don't know but it is possible. Whatsoever!"
"Hallo Marsha. I heard that you have got a promotion. Congratulations."
"Thanks Vivian. I must say that I'm amazed that you have asked for me to take you."
"That's not so surprising: I know that you like to experiment and so do I."
"And what do you have in mind to day?"
"I don't know exactly. Do you have an idea?"
"Certainly. This is the Cueball Salon, isn't it?"
"Does that mean.............?"
"Indeed. What do you think?"
"I leave it to you but I don't want to be totally bald."
"We could start with a Chelsea."
"How is that?"
"Trust me. You will keep some hair on the front: bangs. Also called: bald with a quiff. Is that okay?"
"I don't think so. Listen Marsha, the idea of a beautysalon with bald stylists entered your mind when you lost your hair and you spoke to the proprietor and persuaded him to adopt it. Isn't that right? You had nothing to lose and you had your revenge on the other girls who would be forced to have their heads shaved too."
Marsha had listened, smiling enigmatically:"The truth, Vivian, is different. The proprietor called me as he wanted to speak to me after he had read your article in the newspaper. It is you who brought him to this idea, not me."
Diana suddenly appeared: "Marsha is right, Vivian, in fact you are responsible for the change which carried with it the need for us to shave our heads."
Cindy joined them: "You were curious to see what the change implied and you made an appointment. But you asked for Marsha and not Diana. So you knew more than you seemed to know when you called me. Well, you are in the lion's den now and we think that you should at least declare you solidarity with us."
Vivian was amazed and felt uneasy.
"I had no intention to harm you by writing that article. I'm a journalist and it belongs to my work. I couldn't anticipate that it would have those consequences."
"Yeah, but they are reality. So, what will you do now?" Diana asked her.
"What do you expect me to do?"
Marsha interrupted: "Vivian, you did come here today for a haircut and you will get one but don't you think it to be right that you show your feelings of solidarity with us as I told you before?"
"You want to shave my head? But my job! My boss could fire me!"
"When he threatens you to do that you can always buy a wig. But why should he? I presume that he did read your column so he is well informed about the subject. And I suggested a Chelsea."
But Diana and Cindy objected: "We think she has to go all the way just like we had."
"Okay, you heard the verdict, Vivian. Your doom is sealed and I'execute it."
Vivian was trapped and she couldn't resist three determined women.
In a short time they had in a joint action Vivian's head changed into a beaming cueball.
"Huh?" Lorna had understood what the guy, who had taken a seat next to her in the bus, had said to her. But she didn't know what to answer. For the first time she made the journey in the Greyhound from New Jersey to Boston alone. In former years her mother had brought her or her grandmother had come to collect her when she spent the summer holidays there.
"I said that you could look much prettier by changing your hairstyle. I'm a stylist, you know."
"Are you? Well, I don't know........maybe....but my mother likes it this way.... At least I think so."
Lorna was 15, not a stunning beauty, at least not yet, but she had a pretty face which was framed by her long, straight dark coloured hair (by nature) which was parted in the center and was hanging down to her butt.
"You don't even know if your mother wants you to wear it like this? Well, you are a big girl. Did you never consider a change?"
"Not really. I never visited a beauty parlour, my mother always trims my hair when necessary."
It is true that Lorna envied girls with wavy or curly hair. She had rather fine hair and it hung down limply.
"Do you think a perm would do me good/"
"Hmmm....maybe but I should have to know more about the texture of your hair."
This was not what Ray, the guy's name, had in mind.
They chatted during the journey about this, that and the other. They exchanged their names and it came out that Ray worked in a beauty salon in Boston, the city where Lorna's grandmother was living. When he got off the bus he said: "In case you want to do something to your hair, the salon is called The Cueball."
Grandma's house was situated in a suburb, not far from the busstop. She came outside to wellcome her grandaughter: "Well, well, you didn't change much since the last time we have seen each other. Just a little taller."
Grandmother! It hardly was an issue to call her granny. Paula was 48 and looking younger with a slender body. There was some grey hair but it had been dyed into a dark colour. At the age of 15 she had got pregnant and could not marry the student who had been responsible. His father had bought her out for $ 15000, which had been reasonable. An abortion was out of the question, so she raised her daughter alone, supported by her parents. When she was 20 she married a grocer, a widower who was 30 years older. She had been his shopgirl. She didn't love him but he treated her well. His wish that she sould give him a son and successor was not complied. Her daughter Patty remained her only child. Her husband died some ten years later and Paula took over the grocery which had expanded into a supermarket. Paula developed enough business qualities to establish a number of supermarkets at several places in the city. Some years ago she had agreed with a take over by a federal supermarket chain and had got a position in the board of directors.
"Hi Paula, still going strong, I see," Lorna said, kissing her grandmother.
"How was your trip? No trouble with changing?"
"No problems. I'm no more a child, you know."
Paula smiled, she loved her granddaughter. But she had to be protected for the fate that had hit herself and her daughter Patty.
Patty, Lorna's mother, now was 32. She too had caught an unwanted pregnancy at a young age. She had been 16 at that time and it had been her own fault. She had been careless with contraception and she could choose the creator out of three possibilities. She had not been a slut but she had many boyfriends and regularly sexual intercourse with some of them, her sexual behaviour being very liberal. Fortunately one of her boyfriends took care of her and they lived together for a number of years. Later she was married but divorced about two years later. At present she lived together with Jim who was two years younger than Patty. For his work he had to travel much, also abroad, and often was away for days or even weeks.
"Do you have a boyfriend, my dear?"
"Not really, Paula. I'm acquainted with a lot of boys and some want to date me but mom doesn't approve."
"Right she is! Your time will come, you are young enough."
"But I'm already fifteen, Paula!"
Paula though about her own youth and that of Patty. Both were dating boys at an early age and look what had happened to them! No, that shouldn't happen to her grandaughter if she could help it!
Lorna told her grandma about the hairdresser in the bus and his remarks about her hair.
"A new look? Which one?"
Lorna shrugged: "I don't know. But I would like a change, I think now it is boring as it is. I have this style since I don't know how many years. But mom doesn't allow me to visit a beautysalon. What do you think about a perm?"
"I don't think it to be good idea, darling. How about a shorter style?"
"Do you think mom would approve?"
"What is the opinion of Jim?"
Again Lorna shrugged: "I don't know. He doesn't speak to me often anyway."
"Why not?"
"Well, maybe he is afraid to make my mother jealous."
Yes, Paula thought, that's a point. A young girl, not notoriously beautiful but nevertheless cute and likely attractive to a man, in the same house! Perhaps Patty didn't want her daughter to change her hairstyle for that reason: it might increase her appeal. No, not a perm, a short cut, very short, that would be better!
"Sit down, sweetheart, let me see how I could dress your hair."
Paula began to brush Lorna's tresses and the girl relaxed. Next she pinned up her hair and fixed it with hairgrips and small combs. She gave Lorna a handmirror and let her look.
Lorna frowned: "I don't like it, it looks foolish."
"Maybe you're right. You look much older too."
Paula pulled out the pins and let the limp strands fall down across her back. She gathered the bulk into a ponytail. Suddenly Lorna felt her grandma pulling the tail taut and she heard the sound of cutting through hair. Startled she jumped and turned towards Paula, only to see her triumphantically holding the severed ponytail in one hand.
"Why did you do that?" Lorna wailed and while she began to cry she reached with both hands for her head...........
She woke up with a start. A bad dream, a nightmare! Her locks were still at
tached to her scalp. Lorna sighed reassured. The experience had been horrifying but when she though about it she became aware of another emotion. The sudden and unexpected event had startled her but basically had aroused her too.........Next morning she told Paula her dream.
"Maybe a haircut wouldn't be such a bad idea," Lorna stated, "But what would mom say?"
"Well, she is on vacation with Jim and she has left you under my supervision."
"Would you allow me to visit a beautysalon?"
"Why not? But only for a haircut, no perm or dying or whatsoever. Do you understand?"
"Yes granma, only cutting," Lorna answered obediently.
Lorna took the bus to the Cueball Salon. She would inquire after Ray and see if he could help her. She had no idea of the course of events in a salon. The first one she saw was the receptionist.
"Hi, I'm Cindy. Do you have an appointment?"
Lorna lookd at her wide-eyed. The girl's head was as bald as a ........cueball. Lorna gazed at her flabbergasted and Cindy had to repeat her question.
"Oh.....no....I'm wondering if Ray.......if I could speak to him."
"Ray? Usually he works here in the salon but today he is next door in the barbershop. You may enter there without an appointment."
"A barbershop?" Lorna gasped. "Don't only men enter there?"
"Not necessary, though most of the clients indeed are males," Cindy smiled, "Don't worry, it is the same business."
Reluctantly Lorna entered the shop. Fortunately she saw one other woman in the waiting area, a blonde of about thirty years. Lorna sat down and looked around. She saw Ray cutting the hair of a man. Three other barberchairs also were occupied by men who were served by barberettes with shaven heads. Aghast Lorna looked at them. She was startled when one of the girls called: "Next!"
The blonde woman looked at Lorna: "I think it is your turn, I'm waiting for my husband."
"Oh...errr.....I would like to wait for Ray," she faltered.
"Of course, just like you want," the barberette smiled.
Ray had finished the haircut of his client. He greeted Lorna smiling: "Well, you have decided to change?"
"Yes, but may I pose a question? Why have all the barberettes shaven heads?"
"Well, this is the Cueball Salon and Barbershop. It is a rule that all the co-workers have to submit to."
"But you have hair."
"I'm the exception that fixes the rule."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know, I didn't make the rule. You should ask the owner. But let's turn to your hair. What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know. A change. What would you suggest?"
"Ah, I could shave you bald."
"Oh no!" Lorna exclaimed horrified, "I would never do that."
Ray laughed: "It is only a proposal."
"You are kidding, aren't you?"
"Okay, then say what you do want."
"No curls and no dying, so I think somewhat shorter."
"How short are you willing to go?"
Lorna felt uncomfortable but at he same time excited too: "Shoulderlength perhaps?"
"Hmmm....why not shorter? When you want a real change you should be more radical."
"But not shorter than chinlength."
"Okay, I'll cut a chinlength bob and we'll see how it looks. Personally I'd rather go shorter."
Ray started to cut in front of her right ear and cut around her head to the left side. About two feet of hair slipped down in her lap and to the floor. Lorna watched it with a mixture of fear and excitement. Next Ray combed a part of her hair at the frontal side across her face and cut it just above her eyebrows into a fringe.
Lorna looked at her image. She turned her head from left to right, shook it:"I don't like it."
"No, I told you."
He brushed the hair backwards and made her ears visible: "Your face still is partially covered by hair and look at your ears, they are cute. I want to cut them free and denude your nape."
Lorna got more and more excited at the prospect of losing more hair. Once the cutting had started her fear had diminished.
"Okay, I'm ready for it."
The scissors began to cut away the hair around her ears, next at the nape and the back of her head. Ray tossed the on the counter and grabbed a straight razor. Lorna's eyes widened: "What are you going to do?!" she cried out, startled.
"Take it easy, darling, I won't shave you," he soothed her, "I'm going to cut your hair shorter to unequal and uneven wisps with this razor. I need them to give you a nice pixy look."
"What is a pixy look?" Lorna asked suspiciously. She had never been interested in the different hairstyles and she really had no idea.
"Just trust me," Ray said, "You'll look marvellous. It is a short style but you'll keep some hair."
Some hair! Her excitement increased: "Okay, go on!"
Longer and shorter tufts of hair rained down while Ray wielded his razor throughout Lorna's hair on top which he had wetted. At last he put down his razor and combed wih his fingers through the remnants of her hair, just a few inches long, unequal and uneven, no one longer than four inches.
"Well, what do you think?"
Lorna looked at her image: "My god, is that me? I look like somebody else!"
You look gorgeous! This is what I meant when I spoke to you in the bus."
"Oh thank you! I'm so happy!" Lorna exclaimed, "I feel.......well like new........ as if I were another person."
"You are your real self now, no longer disguised by all that hair. Would you come back for an update after six weeks or so?"
"Of course, you needn't doubt that."
"Is that you, Lorna?" Paula asked when the girl had returned, "Good heavens, you look gorgeous!"
But she thought: 'She is still more attractive than I had ever imagined! Well, there are two things that I shall have to do. First I will go with her to see my physician and let him prescribe a contraceptive as a precautionary measure. And secondly I have to make an appointment at the Cueball. I'm in need of a haircut.'
Towards the end of the summer holidays Lorna's hair had grown about an inch.
"I have to go back to the beautysalon for a tidying up," she told her grandmother.
"Sure darling, make an appointment."
However, before she had done this Patty and Jim suddenly and unannounced appeared in front of the door which was opened by Lorna.
"Gosh Lorna, I hardly recognize you! You look great with that short hair. Why didn't do you that earlier?" Patty exclaimed, while kissing her daughter.
"You never told me."
"You never asked."
Jim jumped in: "You look like a boy. A little make-up and girl's clothes would make the difference."
"Granma likes me this way and why should girls not wear trousers?"
Meanwhile Paula had joined them and greeted her daughter and Jim: "I shouldn't ask about your journey to Europe, I suppose. You sent us so many postcards."
"It has been marvellous," Patty answered, "We have seen so much, Rome, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Kopenhagen, Stockholm, all those wonderful cities. We'll show you the video's, we have lots of them. But first I must tell you something else which is of more importance."
She paused for a moment while Paula and Lorna questioningly looked at her.
"It could be that Lorna gets a little brother or sister."
"Oh mom!" Lorna screamed, "That would be wonderful! A baby!"
"I'm not yet sure," Patty stated, "but I assume that I'm right."
"You should do a test," Paula suggested.
"Of course I'll do that. But I had some fear. If it wouldn't be true I couldn't bear the disappointment. So I waited till I would be pretty sure about it."
Later, when Paula and Patty were alone, the former said: "Lorna wanted to change her hairdo and I had the idea, which turned out to be false, that a short haircut would diminish her sex-appeal. Well, the contrary seemed to be true. That's why I didn't allow her to use make-up and encouraged her to wear blue jeans, T-shirts and Doc Martens boots.. And I took her to see my physician."
"I guess you did the right things."
"She was rather upset when the doctor told her to undress for a gynaecological examination. Well, I stayed with her to hold her hand, so I could reassure her."
"Thank you, Paula. Do you think she has an intimate relationship?"
"No, as far as I know she still is a virgin. So there is no reason to bother."
The next day Lorna said to her mother: "Mom, your perm has grown out. Why don't you come with me to a beautysalon/"
Patty and Jim had decided to spend a few days with Paula and afterwards take Lorna with them home.
"Yes, you're right, I think it's time for a new hairstyle."
"I'll make an appointment."
Lorna called Cindy: "Tomorrow at eleven? That's okay."
Patty gasped when she entered The Cueball Salon and was confronted with Cindy.
"Hi Lorna, I assume that you are Mrs. Rodgers?"
"Yes, I'm Patty."
"Well, take a seat please. Marsha will meet you in a few minutes."
"You go first, mom," Lorna said, "Marsha will take you."
Patty was shocked again, seeing the stylists: "They are all bald," she whispered.
"The salon is called the Cueball, mom, that's why."
"Does that mean that the customers are persuaded to go bald also? In any case I have no intention to do that."
"No," Lorna laughed, "But it is a fact that they like extravagant styles. So be prepared."
In spite of herself Patty descried some excitement.
"Hi, I'm Marsha."
"Glad to meet you, my name is Patty."
"Okay, will you come with me?"
"Well Patty, what do you want me to do?"
"I have no exact ideas. What would you suggest?"
"What would you say to an asymmetrical bob? A parting on the left side and that side clippered short and angled towards the back. The right side longer."
"It sounds good. Do you think it suits me?"
"It certainly will. You'll love it."
While Patty was treated by Marsha, Lorna had looked around but she couldn't discover Ray. She went to the barbershop, hoping that he could be found at that place. She took a seat in the row but didn't see him either.
One of the stylists, a tall black girl (of course with a shining bald head) cutting the hair of a young man, saw Lorna inquirinly gazing around and asked her: "Looking for some one in particular, sweetheart?"
"Yeah, I'm trying to spot Ray."
"Ray? Well, you wouln't find him here. He refused to shave his head so had to quit, ha, ha! But I'll help you as soon as I've finished this guy."
There was nothing for it but to wait.
"Well sweetie, I'm Trisha and what is your name?"
"It's Lorna."
"Exactly, I thought so. Your grandma has called us."
Lorna was surprised: "My grandma? Why?"
Trisha grinned: "About your haircut. What d'ya want? She would like a shorter style."
"Strange, she didn't tell me anything."
"Well, sweetie, tell me what to do."
"Okay, if she wants short then really short. How about a flattop? With shaved back and sides!"
Trisha grinned: "Sure, I love it. No problem, honey."
She took a pair of clippers and removed the attachment, pushed Lorna's head to her chest and flicked on the switch. The machine moved up her nape and the back of her head to her crown leaving in its wake pale skin and very short dark stubble. Track next to track was shorn and then the left side of her head, next the right one. Trisha took a flattop comb, inserted it horizontally into the hair on top and mowed off the hair sticking out above the comb. With scissors she constructed a perfect flattop no longer than 3/8 inch. She lathered and shaved the back and sides smooth and clean. With a moist towel Trisha wiped Lorna's head clean and she applied a gel to make the short remaining hair stand erect.
"All done, dearie. What do you think?"
"I think it is very short and I hope that my grandma will be satisfied
.""If she's not then the only solution is to shave to baldness," Trisha said with a broad grin.
The men waiting their turn laughed while Lorna returned to the salon. Her mother wasn't ready yet, so she took a seat in the waiting area.
As soon as Patty got her daughter in view she was flabbergasted.
"Honey, what happened to your hair!?" she exclaimed, "You are as good as bald!"
Lorna grinned somewhat uncertain: "Did you know that Paula had called about my visit?"
"No, she didn't tell me. Why did she call?"
"She should have said something like a short style. So if that's true, I hope this is short enough."
"Darling, you have hardly any hair left. But what do you think of me?"
"Mom, you are stunning with that short hair. You could be my elder sister."
"And you my younger brother." But she smiled as she though of what Paula had said about Lorna's attractiveness to boys. "It's okay, it suits you."
She gave her daughter a hug and with their arms around each others waists they walked out of the salon.
"You look like a recruit," Paula said when they had returned. She gave Patty a wink but Jim remarked: "Why didn't you shave it all off?"
"Should I go back?" Lorna asked, "I don't mind," she continued defiantly. What the heck, she had gone so far that she got reckless.
"No need," Jim answered, "I can do that as well."
It was not clear whether he was joking or meant business.
"Mom, what do you say?" Lorna asked her mother.
Patty revolved in her mind: could a bald girl be attractive?
"Honey, it's up to you. Do you really mean it?"
Lorna hesitated one moment, then said: "Okay, let's do it."
"Are you sure?" Jim asked.
"Yeah, I am. After all I visited the Cueball with the bald stylists and I want to have the same experience."
Jim tookher to the bathroom. With scissors he cut the small amount of hair on her head as short as possible, covered the area with shaving gel and shaved her bald.
"Do you like that, Jim? Shaving a girl's head?" Lorna sked him. She enjoyed again the scraping of the razor across her scalp.
"I've never before done that. But if you want to stay bald for some time you should find someone to shave you or do it yourself. You know that I'm often away."
"Oh well, mom will help me."
Some days later Patty and Jim returned to their home taking Lorna with them. Calling her best friend Joyce was the first thing Lorna did when she was home again.
"Yes, I'm back and you'll be surprised seeing me. My appearance has radically changed."
"What do you mean? What is different?"
"Well, come and see."
"Oh, I'm so curious! I can't wait, I'll come over to you immediately."
Joyce stood dumbfounded when she got her friend in view.
"Why on earth did you do that?"
"I wanted to look totally different. So I went from short to shorter and shortest."
"And to nothing at all! I wonder what one will say when you enter class on Monday."
"Yeah, I'm a little nervous to do so. Will you support me?"
"Of course."
Indeed Lorna was teased with her bald look but it didn't last long. Soon everyone had been accustomed to it. After the first astonishment there also was admiration, especially from the side of certain boys.
Lorna remained bald for some time but as it got colder she let grow her hair. After the turning of the year she got 16 and Patty assented her to date with boys. After some time Brian became her boyfriend.
When spring had arrived Brian asked Lorna whether she would shave her head again.
"Do you want me to do that?"
"Only when it is your wish too."
Lorna pondered on it. Her hair still was rather short and she didn't like it. But when she shaved it off again ........Nevertheless she understood that Brian would like to see her without hair again.
"Okay," she said, "But you have to do it yourself."
The idea aroused Brian: "So, what are we waiting for?"
He took her with him to his room, knowing that his father was in the possession of clippers. He had Lorna sit on a stool in the bathroom and moved the clippers criss-cross over her scalp. Next he covered her head with shaving foam and shaved it as smooth as a babybottom.
That night Lorna didn't only lose her hair for the second time but also her virginity.......
Lorna's relation with Brian didn't last a long time. When it ended she stopped shaving her head and let her hair grow out. At last, when it was long enough, she had it shaped into a short bobstyle which she kept during her further years at high school. She was surprised that the quality of her hair had improved and thanks to the good care of the hairstylists the shape was irreproachable. Every summer Lorna stayed with her grandma in Boston and of course she then visited the Cueball.
After graduation from high school Lorna told her mother that she wanted to become a hairstylist and to work in that well-known and much appreciated salon, especially visited by youngsters, the Cueball. Patti didn't like the idea, she wanted her daughter to go to college and follow an academic study. They extensivily discussed the matter but couldn't reach an agreement.
Of course Lorna visited her granma that summer too and she asked Paula's advice. This one convinced Lorna to follow her mothers wish.
"Go to college for one or two years and in the mean time you can take lessons at a beauty institute with evening courses. When you succeed in being matriculated at the university here in Boston you may stay in my apartment."
Lorna did as her granma had suggested and everything went according to plan.
Towards the end of her first year at the university, where she had chosen to study history of art and culture, the beauty institute asked volunteers for demonstrations. Lorna enlisted and asked for which styles she would be available she answered: "Every style, I don't care which."
"Well, that's very convenient. You'll get an appeal from us."
It didn't take not much time. Lorna didn't know what she had to expect but certainly she never had imagined that she should be chosen as a model to demonstrate hair-extension! After the demonstration she found herself with long hair, several inches past her shoulders!
Shortly after she got a message that there would be a vacancy at the Cueball. Would she be interested? So Lorna had to decide: another year at the university or take the offered position?
It wasn't that simple. The sudden extension of her hair had elicited a desire to let it grow. Afer all those years of short styles or a shaven head it was intriguing to have long hair again and working at the Cueball required a shaven head.
Then she really did like studying history of art and she considered to continue it, strongly supported by her mother who urged her to obtain a university degree.
And a last but not the least important factor was Charles, her new boyfriend. She had met him at college and when she had told him that she had enrolled as a hair-model he had feared that her hair should be cut short. He had been delighted to see her back with longer locks. He loved long tresses! And Lorna loved him and she didn't want to disappoint him.
And that settled the matter: not the Cueball but the university. A second and third year.
Lorna graduated at last cum laude and was offered a position at the university. Lorna loved it. She loved Boston and she loved Charles above all. Soon her hair had grown to waistlength again.
Lorna was married to Charles and soon he expressed his wish that they should try to get a baby.
"No, I'm 23. We have enough time, I should like to wait a few years," Lorna answered.
But Charles was insistent. Again and again he tried to persuade Lorna to stop contraception. Before she was married she had asked her gynaecologist to insert a capsule under the skin of her arm which would make her infertile for at least three years.
At last Lorna gave in and had the capsule removed.
A few months later, at the start of November, she got a positive result of a pregnancy test.
When her pregnancy reached its eighth month in July and her abdomen expanded more and more a heatwave came to development. The temperature sometimes rose to 35* C and at night it hardly cooled down. For Lorna it was almost unbearable. Every movement consisted of a torment to her.
One morning she said sighing: "A woman experiences much discomfort bearing a child. I have done it for you, my love, as you want a baby so much."
"I know, darling. I wish I could do something to make you more comfortableas long as it is so hot."
"You can do something."
"Name it, sweetheart, I'll do anything you want except divorce and leave you," he laughed.
"I know you wouldn't do that. If you will do everything, please, cut my hair. This mass of hair makes me crazy in this heat."
"Cut your hair? Me? I don't know how to do that. Shouldn't I ask if a stylist is willing to come over?"
"No, you can do it. Just cut it very short and shave my head."
In bewilderment Charles looked at her: "Shave your head? I thought.....a nice short style."
"No!" Lorna said resolute, "I have thought back and recalled the time that I had no hair and how I enjoyed that and I want to have the experience again. I want my scalp totally hairless and smooth."
Charles couldn't make her change her mind.
"You said you would do anything for me. I bear our child , earlier than I would have wanted, to please you. Now you have to make a sacrifice, I know that you love my long hair. I promise that I'll let it grow again as soon as our baby has been born and when it is long enough I'll have it extended . Please my love, I beg you."
"I hadn't thought of extensions. Okay, I'll do it, just say when."
"Do it now. I can't bear another hot day with this mop of hair."
Charles gathered her hair and tied it into a big ponytail next to her crown.
"Cut it with clippers, darling, the bulk is too thick for scissors. It would take so much time severing it from my head."
"It hurts, sweetheart, nevertheless I'll do it."
Charles put a number 4 guard on the clippers after having got the ponytail out of the way, switched them on and placed them at the hairline. In one sweep he brought them across the top of her head to her nape, went back and repeated the movement just to the right of the first several times. Then he turned to the right sideburn and ran the clippers in front of her ear to her temple, above and behind her ear and down to the nape. He cleaned up the remaining hair on the backside of her head and nape and turned to the left side. Soon all of Lorna's hair had been reduced to a length of 1/2 inch.
"We could leave it as short as it is now," Charles suggested.
"No
way," Lorna was again determined. "I told you that I want a totally smooth scalp. Remove the guard!" Charles sighed but obeyed. This time he started at her nape. Lorna began to purr like a kitten when she felt the clippers running across her scalp, shearing the short hair to stubble. Charles got aroused seeing his wife's bare skin appearing. He could hardly stop moving the clippers again and again across her scalp and Lorna didn't mind. But once every hair had been removed there no longer was any reason to continue.
"My goodness, this is crazy! I've never known how good you look without hair. The scape of your head is so beautiful and your nape! Graceful like a swan!"
"Glad that you like it. But you are not yet ready. Shave me!"
"Oh yes!" Charles exclaimed. "I'll love to!"
He spread shaving gel out across her head and shaved her with a safety razor, with short strokes just as he did shave his face. Lorna nearly exploded while feeling and hearing the scraping and Charles apparently enjoyed it ever so much.
"I never saw you with a shaven head. You look marvellous!" He was delighted and kissed her passionately.
"Oh my darling, I'm so glad that you did this for me, thank you, thank you!"
Both were so aroused that in spite of the heat and the problems Lorna's bulging belly caused they succeeded to have a stormy intercourse!
About six weeks later Lorna was admitted to hospital to give birth to her baby. She delivered a beautiful boy after she had got an epidural analgesia. She was totally enraptured and only wished that she had got pregnant sooner.
"You see?" Charles said, "I told you so often!"
"Yes darling, you were right, I'm sorry that I hesitated so long. Forgive me."
Of course he did, he was too happy with his son.
As soon as she was back home Lorna asked her husband: "Would you do me one favour?"
"Of course, my dear, what do you want?"
"I promised to have my hair grow back after our baby was born but I would love it to experience a headshaving one last time."
Charles facial expression got sterner; "Lorna, I think we should talk."
Lorna got worried:"Is something wrong?"
"You forced me to cut off all of your hair. You know how I loved your beautiful tresses."
"Oh darling, I'm so sorry to have been so selfish. At that time I was so upset by those high temperatures that I was unreasonable. Can you forgive me?"
"Listen Lorna, it is not enough to say sorry or to ask for forgiveness. You deserve a punishment, don't you agree?"
Lorna bent her head: "Yes darling, I think you are right."
"Well, say it!" Charles shouted in an angry voice.
Lorna was startled. Never before he has shouted at her like that. She began to cry.
"I should be punished because of my disbehaviour," she sobbed.
"Okay," Charles said, milder now,"Hear my verdict: you will remain bald for an indefinite time and I'll shave your head every day."
Lorna sobbed unceasingly and concealed her head against Charles' chest.
"No need to cry, sweetie, don't be sad," Charles said while he caressed her head.
Lorna lifted her head and looked up at her husband with eyes wet of tears: "I'm not sad, I cry of joy."
Charles laughed: "I'm not cross with you. Your scalp tingles like sandpaper."
"Oh darling, arrange that! I hardly can wait for you to shave me."
"Okay, don't let us waist any time. Sit down and I'll fetch my tools."
While he lathered her scalp Lorna asked: "How long is indefinitely?"
"Just what it says. But as your trespasses have been severe it shouldn't be shorter than a year."
"Oh sweetheart, you make me a happy girl!"
"A happy mother. But we are not alone. We must consider other people's feelings. What will your colleages say when you return to work at your institute? What will be the reaction of your professor?"
"They already know! They have visited me to congratulate me and admire our son. And professor White won't object. She herself has short hair and more than once has remarked that it must be very time consuming washing, conditioning, drying and styling that long hair. No, she will be glad!"
But everything took a turn when on account of retrenchement policy the position of Lorna at the institute became superfluous and she was didmissed before the end of her pregnancy leave. Some months later again a vacancy arose at the Cueball and this time Lorna applied and was accepted as a trainee. So she probably became the first stylist with a Master of Arts degree!
About one year later Charles' education as a surgeon was finished and as he got an appointment at a hospital in Atlanta they had to move. Lorna was pregnant again at that time and she didn't look for a job for the time being. Once their second child had been born, a girl, she would see how the land would lie.
During the time that Lorna was employed at The Cueball the prorietor changed his instructions concerning the hairstyle of the stylists: he wanted them to cut their hair in what he called " future and fantasy cuts." They were all short styles, dyed in daring colours, sometimes with shaven patches. But no longer a totally shaven head.
When Charles and Lorna moved to Atlanta he told her he wanted his wife to let her hair grow. Lorna agreed. Afterall she wanted long hair back too.
Being at the age of 26 now Lorna has a beloved and loving husband, two lovely children and beautiful tresses which already pass her shoulders as a result of weaving extensions into her hair. No job yet but the children keep her busy!
The end.
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