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."
"Cool it Paul, I will deal with you later," said Sara.
"Promise!"
"You are incorrigible, sir," said Sara and then she and the woman laughed.
Katherine walked in and started to comb and make minor cuts. She brought a bottle of hairspray and started applying it sparingly to my head.
When Katherine was finished, she and Sara air kissed. Katherine extracted a promise that she would be brought out to LA before any big event. Sara grabbed my arm and directed me out to the car where William was waiting. I assumed that Sara had taken care of the bill. The car took off, the destination known to Sara and William. We pulled into a restaurant arrival area the doors opened and Sara and I got out.
"Thank you for taking me to Lunch, Paul," said Sara.
Those were her code words indicating that I was in for an expensive lunch. I figured that since she paid for my haircut, which I assumed was over $200.00, I could pick up the meal. I took Sara's hand and brushed it against my crotch giving her notice that I was ready when she was. After we were shown to a table, Sara stood.
"Paul behave yourself; I need to use the lady's room."
"Champagne or martini, darling?" I asked.
"A very cold martini," she said as she walked away.
The waiter came up and inquired about drinks. I asked if the bartender could come over and speak to me. A very lovely young lady came up to the table and I told her that I needed two of the coldest gin martinis she could make. "use liquid nitrogen if you have to and also top shelf." She said she would try and walked away.
Sara walked up just as the bartender was leaving. She leaned in and kissed me, and her hand inspected my crotch again under the tablecloth.
"Darling, you don't know how much I had to clean myself up with your shenanigans, but I think I can control myself," said Sara.
The bartender walked up holding a tray with two martini glasses. In addition to the olive there was a single stream of bubbles coming from the bottom of the glass.
"I put a small piece of dry ice in each class, I hope you enjoy them," said the woman, as she served the drinks.
Sara took a sip and I felt her hand again checking my equipment. "Darling I need you to try this at home."
I stood and pulled a twenty from my wallet and handed it to the bartender. "This is for you and another round please."
The waiter approached and took our orders, and another round of martinis appeared on the table.
"Darling I believe that you are trying to get me drunk," Sara said as she simultaneously explored my crotch and sipped her drink.
"Was getting my hair styled more important than making love Countess"