massive television screen on the wall showed the news headlines, “Low Oxygen Levels Blamed for Fish Kill in Kludge County.”
“Hey, Simon!” greeted the man with the white apron and razor in hand. Another man was in the chair with shaving cream on his cheeks. Clarence counted five more people waiting in the shop. He wondered if they were all waiting for haircuts or one of the other attractions at Zip’s.
“Frank! Do you mind if we wait in here for this storm to pass?” Simon asked. A cascade of thunder rolled overhead and the big shop window rattled.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” Frank said, as he tossed them two white towels. “Other than Joe, everybody’s here to escape the weather like you. Who’s your friend, Simon?”
“This is Clarence.”
“Good to meet you, Clarence. Fresh coffee and hot chocolate are over there. Simon, you know Joe and Alice, right? They own the bakery up the hill.”
“I’ve been to your bakery. Love that pineapple upside down cake.”
“That’s Alice’s specialty,” Joe said from the barber’s chair.
Alice was intently watching the television weather forecast. The television announcer said, “River’s mighty