Clee: “Vic, please come on in.”
Vic: “Hello Clee. Good morning Turk.”
Turk: “Vic? You’re here a little early today.”
Vic: “Well just between us brothers I spent the night around the corner at Carol Ellis’ house. Since I was already in this area I decided to check in and get a trim.”
Turk: “Man are you hittin’ Carol?”
Clee: “Turk!” “You’re crossing the line.”
Vic: “That’s OK Clee." “Carol may be fine for some men, but you know me… her daughter Chaundra and I have developed quite an understanding. Her birthday was yesterday. She’s fully legal now and I was just helping her to celebrate. I had to leave early, before Carol arrived home from work. Carol’s a nurse on the back shift at Mercy hospital.”
-Turk stood there slack jawed in awe and amazement.-
Clee: “Vic you live in a world different from us mere mortals. Come on, the chair is ready.”
-Vic is considered to be the ultimate ladies man. He has no age requirements for his women except those imposed by law and he crosses all ethnic and racial lines. He is very handsome, quick witted and fearless. He always smells good, according to the ladies, and dresses “cleaner than the board of health” everyday. He stands 6’3, broad shouldered, slightly bowlegged and muscular at 205 pounds. He is medium brown skinned with extremely light brown eyes and is 36 years old. His last paying job was at age 16 as a grocery store bag boy. Since then his lifestyle, including a college education, has been supported by a bevy of women. Yet he is not a gigolo. He only associates with women with whom he shares an emotional bond. When the thrill is gone, so is he, regardless of the financial benefits. In some respects he hasn’t grown up, chasing women with reckless abandon. However, in other ways he is more mature and well read than most. He is unique and controversial. He is “international”, speaking fluent Spanish and Polish Croatian dialects that strengthen his influence with women of the local Mexican, Puerto Rican and Polish communities. He has an active passport and spends at least a month per year traveling outside of the country. He visits Lanovia’s shop once a week for a manicure, pedicure and recruits for his harem. He visits Clee's barbershop once a week for a haircut and shave and twice weekly for a moustache trim. He considers the barbershop a retreat where he can gain a respite from his women. Clee is the only barber he allows to style his hair.
Clee relishes his role as Vic’s only hair stylist, taking pride in being a critical aspect in the success of such a “great” individual. Clee knows that every woman that looks twice at Vic is also looking twice at Vic’s hair, a Clee Simmons creation. In the midst of this self appreciation session a thought flashes through Clee’s mind. Vic, the consummate ladies’ man should have some special insight into the latest Washington scandal.-
Clee: “Vic, just between you, me and Turk, what’s the deal on all this love in the White House?”
Vic: “Clee, I trust you and Turk more than anyone. You two have never betrayed me and I feel that I can speak freely to you. So let me ask you this, where do I live?”
Clee: “Where do you live? Over on Willard street near Eleventh avenue.”
Vic: “No, that’s where my mother lives.”
Clee: “Then I guess I don’t know.”
Vic: “Exactly my point. If you are a player
and you play hard, then you don’t bring it home. If a man can’t be
free and unencumbered at his home, then he has no peace of mind,… no moments
of solitude upon which to gather his focus. It is the moral responsibility
of every living man to add value to himself and as much of the world around
him as possible. Without the ability to maintain focus, there is
no sustained enhancement of life. Words like respect, honor, pride
and love lose their meaning, and without these things, a man ceases to
be a man and becomes a negative force on society.”
“I’ll give you an example of
how a loss of focus can get you in trouble. You never ask a woman
to hide your relations with another woman. There is an inherent conflict
of interest built into such a situation. Additionally, you adversely
impact the value system of another person. You are showing a lack
of common sense and loss of focus. You have become a negative force
on society.”
Clee: “So Vic, what about Tripp, Starr, and the right wing conspiricy? You are placing the blame on the Prez? Do you think he should be removed from office?”
Vic: “Clee, I think I’ve said it all. No need to repeat my self. I’m through with that”
Clee: “You’re right Vic; I’m just makin’ conversation. Tryin’ to pass the time of day.”
-As other customers entered the barbershop, Vic fell silent. He doesn’t talk in public. He never knows whose mother’s son; daughter’s father, wife’s husband or girlfriend’s boyfriend is within earshot.-