I have been having a running battle with my father. He is always after me to get my hair cut. I have been wanting to go short, but every time my dad would get on my case about looking like a hippie, I would let it grow even longer.

One day my best friend, Bill, stopped by my home and told me he was going to our barber and wanted to know if I wanted to go with him. My dad heard this and instantly came out with “Go ahead Bud, go with Bill and maybe you will come home this time with a short haircut.”

I got up and went to the bathroom and ran a brush though my shoulder length hair and I was ready to go. As we were going to the barbershop, Bill asked me if I was going to get it cut this time and short. I told him I wasn’t but I would at least get out of the house.

We arrived at our barbershop. Vince was busy with a customer and another one was waiting. Before we got into the shop along came a Marine and he went in and sat down. I could see that the other customer who was waiting, wouldn’t be long - he had a bald head except for a narrow strip above the ears.

Bill and I went in and sat down. It was always fun to go in and watch all of the hair fall from the heads. Soon it was time for the Marine. He got up and eagerly sat in the chair. When the barber wanted to know how he wanted it, he proudly said, “ALL OFF!” It wasn’t long before Vince had run the clippers all over the head. Next came the lather. It was fun watching this part - slowly his head became bald and began to shine. I loved the way it looked.

When Vince finished, the Marine looked great. He paid and was about to leave when Vince asked me, “Well Bud, are you going to let me get rid of that mess today?” When the Marine looked at me he stopped. I think he was waiting for my reply. I said, “No Vince. Dad wants me to get it cut so I am going to keep it.” The Marine walked over to me and asked me, “What has that hair done for you? Be a man about it and get it shaved. Real Men do not have long hair.” He looked at me and then got down to my eye level and said, “DO IT! You hear me?” I said, “Yes Sir!” For some reason the Marine had a firm but understanding quality. It is difficult for me to explain. He looked at me again and said, “Well! What’s it going to be - MAN or GIRL?” I stepped to the chair and sat down. I couldn’t believe what I was doing. When I was caped, Vince asked me how I wanted it cut. Before I could say anything, the Marine came over and said, “He wants it like mine. All Off! RIGHT SIR?” I looked straight into his eyes and said, “Yes Sir! ALL OFF!”

Of course both Vince and Bill couldn’t believe what they were hearing. I saw Vince pick up a pair of scissors and turned the chair around away from the mirror. I also noticed that the Marine sat down. I guess I can’t back out now. Before I knew it, Vince had cut off most of the long hair and dumped it in my lap. I couldn’t believe all of that was on my head. As I was pondering the amount, I felt the clippers move across the top of my head and in no time I was freed of the mop - the feel of the clippers on the skin was really wonderful. After that the warm lather was spread on my head and before long, Vince was finished. Slowly Vince turned the chair and I was surprised how shiny my head was and how good it looked.

I got up and rubbed my head. The Marine got up and walked over to me and shook my hand. He said, “Now you look like a man! Congratulations.” Keep it smooth. By that time Bill had seated himself and was caped. Vince asked him how he wanted his cut and before he could answer, I heard myself and the Marine saying, “All Off! Right Bill?” Bill looked at us and said, “Yep! Vince, ALL OFF!” Just as Vince was finishing up with Bill, a man about the age of 30 walked in. He was wearing a neatly tailored suit and long hair, way past his shoulders. You could tell that he took pride in the hair, since it was in neat order. I couldn’t wait to see what cut he would ask for as Bill got out of the chair. The man took off his suit coat and tie and sat down. I heard Vince ask him what he could do for him as he put the cape on and Bill was getting out his money.

I noticed that the marine waited for the man’s response. After Bill had paid Vince, I looked in the mirror and couldn’t get over how much I liked being bald. Just then I heard the man tell Vince that he wanted it shortened a little, just to the shoulders. Just as the man was giving instructions to Vince, in came two teens with regular haircuts and sat down. After the man had given Vince his instructions, the marine walked over to him and asked him why he didn’t set a good example for the two young men who just came in. The marine said, “You and I are suppose to be setting good grooming habits to these young men. You sit there and tell this barber to just trim this mess? Be a man about it. Do the right thing.” At that point the marine was down to eye level to the man. He pointed to his head and said, “THIS! This is the proper haircut for a true man.” The marine stood up and looked the man for a few more seconds and then turned to leave. Bill and I wanted to see what would happen next. Vince once again said, “To the shoulders, Right?” The man said, “No! He’s right. I should be setting an example for the young men of today. Take it all off.” The marine had opened the door when he heard the man. He walked over to the man and shook his hand and saluted him. He said, “Congratulations, you just became a man. I will wait for you outside.” Bill and I went out with the marine and we talked. Bill and I wanted to see how the man looked once Vince took care of his needs. Finally the man came out, carrying his coat and tie. He looked really good with the shiny head. The man and the marine began to talk. Bill and I left them and went back to my place.

When Bill and I returned to my home, my father almost passed out. He said, “Now that is my son. You look wonderful. I am proud of you. Thanks!” I smiled and said, “You know what? This feels great. You should try it.” My dad just smiled and said, “Maybe some day!”

Bill and I went each week to get Vince to shave our heads. We both liked the feel of someone else to shave our heads. One day when Bill and I were at Vince’s getting our heads shaved, in walked the Marine. He smiled and said, “Congratulation Men! I am proud of you.” He sat down and just as I was finished, Bill and I was about to leave when my dad walked in. The Marine was already in the chair and was getting his head shined up. When Bill and I sat down and waited. When the Marine was out of the chair, I introduced him to my father.

Dad shook hands with the Marine and then dad said, “Thank you for setting my son straight. He told me all about you. I am proud of him. He is now a handsome young man.” Dad sat down in the chair and looked at Bill and I and said, “Why are you two hanging around?” We looked at each other and said, “We want to see you get your head shaved.” Dad laughed and said, “Not today, maybe sometime.” I was counting on the Marine to step in. When dad said, “maybe sometime” the Marine turned around and walked over and said, “Today is sometime.” When Vince asked dad how he wanted it, We all said, “ALL OFF! Dad said, I don’t think so. I knew what was coming, the Marine walked over to him and said, “Why not today. Today is as good of a time as any. Your son took the step and you should too. DO IT!”

Dad had a gin on his face and said, “Vince. It’s time to make it shine.” I couldn’t believe what I just heard. Before long dad was shining just like the three