Art, part two. Ch. 10
Art has a frightening experience.
Our next stop was a hair salon where apparently they had both male and female customers. A majority of the customers and attendant's were little people. I don't see the connection between height and hair, but maybe it's just a matter of being more comfortable among their own. Lisa must have called ahead, because we're led immediately to an open chair. Lisa went into a discussion about what she wanted for me and I was left out until the barber, who said his name was Max, actually insisted in getting my input. Anyway, it was mutually decided to go with a small mustache and goatee, which Lisa admitted would look distinguished. Max was a kind of gregarious guy and we got into a pretty friendly discussion and let's face it, I'm curious about the little people world. He had a pair of short stilts attached to his feet that were actually clamped to his lower legs. I asked him, "I've seen men in the States installing drywall ceilings use those stilts. You're on your feet a lot, how comfortable are they?"
He said, "Well they do take a bit to get used to. The fit is important so they feel like an extension of your leg and you need a pair that supports the whole foot. When I first started I took some nasty falls, but I couldn't ask my normal sized customers to almost sit on the floor so I could walk around them. Years ago I had a permanent wooden step to stand on, but I damn well took some nasty falls off that thing too when I didn't watch what I was doing. If you're interested I'll give you the name of the supplier."
I could see Lisa watching us, but with the normal chatter I don't think she could hear what we were saying. Max said in a low voice, "If you don't mind me saying so, Yank, the bird you're with seems to be on the bossy side."
I said, "That's probably an understatement, Max. Are you married?"
"Indeed I am, for over twenty years now to the same woman. She's a bit taller than me like your lady friend, and she sometimes acts the same way."
"Then you know there are times you have to let it blow by and not fight the battle don't you."
"That my friend I know only too well."
We chatted on until he was finished. Before I got out of his chair I said, "Max, I'd appreciate the name of the stilt supplier and if you don't mind, I'd like another favor."
"Well, I'll see what I can do, Art. What's the favor?"
"I'm sort out of my element here in your country about where to find help for people my size. If I get in a bind, can I give you a call to find out where I might find some help? I can always ask Lisa over there, but I think I'd like to have a more independent source."
"The bird has you by the short hairs has she, give me a ring anytime. I'll give you the number here and at my home. Good luck to you, mate." Lisa paid for the haircut and as we were leaving Max handed me a note and said loud enough for anyone around us, "Here you are, Art, this is the number to call for information on these stilts. Come again."
In the car Lisa asked, "What were you and the barber talking about?"
"What's this, are you checking up on me?"
"No, of course not, it's just that I saw him looking at me several times."
"Hey, you're easy on the eyes; I like to look at you myself. Actually, I was trying to find out as much as I could about the world of little people from a man's perspective. He said his wife is taller than he is and sometimes he's too sensitive about his height and takes it out on her. He said their height difference is about like ours. The other thing I wanted to know about was his stilts so he gave me their number. For any work I might find, I'll need to be able to work at normal height. I need to know if I can handle being this size the rest of my life."
"I know Heidi talked to you about joining the two of us. What do you think of the idea?"
"Heidi talked to me about the 'final Jonesy' joining the two of you. She didn't elaborate on what she meant by the 'final Jonesy' or what 'joining' meant. When I hinted she had a screw loose, that's when she warned me to never make a comment like that again. So tell me, where in the hell would I fit in with you and Heidi?"
"To tell you the truth, Arthur, I don't really know. Heidi and I plan on making a life together and I guess we kind of feel responsible for you. What started out as a scientific study became more personal the more we got to know Art Jones."