Pensioners’ payday
stopped into the local barber
for a much-needed cut

Wanted to go last month
but I was broadsided
by a gas bill
$230 higher than what it usually is
this time of year

When I phoned to inquire
Enbridge told me it was because
the meter hadn’t been read over the winter
which means they probably have a shortage
of whatever they call themselves
working in the field

According to the woman
cutting my hair
Enbridge only has to read the meter
once a year
and advises customers to read their own meters
and phone it in

Reminds me of self-check out
in any number of stores

Before the pandemic
there were at least five barbers in this shop
at any given time
mostly women
today there were only two
with a third coming in after me
in a room with twelve chairs
and more in the back
for washing and perms

Pensioners’ payday
and it’s unusually but not unexpectedly busy
a woman in her 70s
who looks a tad impetuous
reminds my barber
that her appointment is right now

As far as I’m concerned
she didn’t need a haircut
but it might have been the hairspray
and of course
I haven’t been trained in
the fine art of cutting hair

In any case
I was glad to finally get out of there
and with a bonus
taking advantage of the senior’s discount
saved myself about ten bucks
offered to show the barber my ID
she smiled and said thanks
but it wouldn’t be necessary


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230 hits as of June 2024

05/29/2024

Posted on 05/29/2024
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti