The Reckoning / A Play in One Act

CHARACTERS:
THE BARBER,
THE CUSTOMER.
The scene is a barber shop. At the center is the chair, facing a
mirror and washstand at the right. The tiled walls are sprinkled
with the usual advertisements. At the rear, a door leads up to
the street by a flight of two or three steps. A dock on the left
wall indicates three.
At the rise of curtain, THE BARBER, a man of fifty, is
discovered sharpening a razor, and whistling softly to himself.
He finishes with the razor; seats himself in the chair, takes up
a paper, and reads.
The door opens, and THE CUSTOMER, a flashily-dressed individual
of forty-five, enters the shop.
THE BARBER. ( Rising at once ) Good afternoon, sir.
THE CUSTOMER. ( Pulling out his watch ) That clock right?
THE BARBER. Yes, sir; Western Union time. Corrected every hour.
THE CUSTOMER. My watch has run down. ( He sets it. ) Now, I've
got just five minutes to spare. Can you shave me in that time?
THE BARBER. Five minutes, sir? Easy! Easy!
THE CUSTOMER. All right. Go ahead. ( He takes off his hat and
coat, and moves towards the chair. )
THE BARBER. Your collar also, sir.
THE CUSTOMER. ( Smiling ) Fussy, aren't you?