My phone started to play "Love is All You Need" Sara's ring tone. I was in bed alone. Sara escaped from the room early I assumed. We were still in New York but scheduled to fly out to LA the next day.
"Mr. Rogers when you sleep you sleep. William took me to see mother and father before they flew to Oregon, we are almost to the hotel. Get dressed and come down I have a special surprise for you."
I asked her to meet me in the lobby as I wanted to shower. I showered and quickly dried off and started to dress. The room phone rang, and I picked up knowing that it was Sara.
"Why am I always waiting for you sir," said Sara and then started to laugh. "I wanted to let you know that we are downstairs take your time, but not too long."
I finished dressing and took the elevator down to the lobby. Sara was seated on one of the couches sipping what looked like orange juice.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"I've got a better idea, let's go up to the room, and make love."
"I like the way you think but I can't. I have appointment for you, and we can't be late," said Sara with the commanding no-nonsense tone that she uses to get me to comply.
I was about to ask more questions, but she grabbed my arm and hustled me out of the lobby and into the car. Sara looked at me after we got settled and indicated that discussion was over. The car plowed through traffic with silence between Sara and me. William stopped and Sara indicated that I needed to get out. The door closed and William took off with me standing in front of a fancy men's salon. I walked in and after giving my name, one of the employees said I should relax and that they would be with me soon. I sat in the waiting area; I was offered and took a glass of orange juice. A clock on the wall indicated 10:00. A young woman walked up and introduced herself. I stood and followed her to her workstation, and she put me in a chair in front of a sink. After wrapping a towel around my neck, she leaned the chair back down until my neck was nestled in the indent in the sink. I followed her instructions while she shampooed my head. It was the most comprehensive head cleaning I have ever experienced. She wrapped my head in a towel and then started to apply moisturizer to my face. She asked me to stand and I reached into my back pocket and withdrew my wallet. I extracted a twenty and handed it to her. Then I was directed to one of the stylist's chairs and told to wait. On the counter next to the chair was a glass of scotch. I assumed that it was for me. In the mirror a familiar person walked in the booth and took a seat in the corner. Sara it seemed was going to direct the haircut.
"Where did you and William go?"
"He parked the car and I bought him breakfast."
"Do you come here often?" I asked.
"Only when I want you styled correctly," said Sara.
"I think I need some liquid courage," I said as I took a sip of the scotch.
"Darling it is not going to be that bad," said Sara.
Soon a woman about me and Sara's age entered the stall and Sara rose and the pair air kissed.
"It is good to see you Sara," said the woman with a distinct British accent. "Who do we have here?"
"Darling this is my husband and I need him to look better," said Sara.
The woman took the towel off and started to massage my scalp. "You didn't think to tell me before?"
"It was a rushed wedding and I am sorry that I did not fly you to LA to help. Paul meet Katherine Miner an old friend."
"It is a pleasure to meet you ma'am," I said as I took another sip of the Scotch.
She spun me around in the chair looking at my head I assumed she was planning the cut. She grabbed a shroud and threw it over me covering my clothes. She fastened it around my neck. Next she grabbed a comb and a set of shears. After spraying what I assumed was water to keep my hair wet, she started to comb and cut my hair.
"Get rid of the mop I need to have him streamlined," Sara was standing beside her making suggestions.
"Darling," Katherine, said with a very English accent; "I do not need coaching."
Sara sat down and another woman came in with a cart wanting to work on my nails. I was amazed at how the two women stayed out of each other's way, but Katherine was definitely in-charge.
"I would like to try some light coloring" said Katherine.
"You have
carte blanche
darling," said Sara.
Sara looked at my unease and gently told me that she was in-charge.
"Remember the golden rule, darling she who has the gold makes the rules."
Well at least I knew who was paying. Katherine walked away and returned with another cart full of equipment and supplies to color my hair. She continued to cut my hair; the manicurist finished and left. Katherine poured several dyes into disposable cups, using a brush she dabbed and blended the color, and then finished the style.
"Are you sure that you don't want blue highlights?" asked Katherine.
"No, I just want him looking a little younger, like he acts in bed," said Sara as she kissed me on the cheek.
"I will see you in a half an hour, Mr. Rogers," said Katherine.
A younger woman came and stood beside me and grasped my elbow and directed me to another chair. When I was seated, she applied the hottest hot towel I had ever felt to my face. She kept in place by putting her hand on my head. I was about ready to rip it off when she pulled the towel. Next she slathered warm shaving soap on my face. From behind me I heard steel move over leather as she honed her straight razors on the leather strop.
She took one of the razors and moved toward my face. I took a deep breath as she started to shave me, going down the left cheek and then the right. She wiped the soap off the steel after each stroke. She reminded me to not move. She started to work on the area below my chin and down my neck. She changed razors and started to work on my upper lip, and below my lower lip. Again, reminding me to not move. After she finished the main shave, she took an electric clipper and evened my sideburns, shaved the back of my neck and down to my back.
"Make sure he is clean, Miss," said Sara who walked in just as the shave was finishing.
Another hot towel went on and after it was removed, she applied more moisturizer.
"Darling I will be so sorry to mess all this up tonight," Sara said with a smile.
"I won't be, I tried this morning, but you took me here."