When August (Gus) Smith came to Dominica to settle at the end of W.W.II he was not unfamiliar with the island. His parents had come for the winter over many years, renting a house and escaping the cold weather of their home in Maine.
On his return, this time on his own with his wife, Robbie, he intended to stay. The plan was to open a lumber and construction business with a service buddy.
After a month or two Robbie reminded him that he was due for a haircut. Gus had soft straight hair, which he kept reasonably short as was required in the service. He asked around and learned that an officer of the Royal Dominica Police Force had a small shop where he cut hair on his off time.
Bengie, the part-time barber had his shop only a block away from Gus’ new “Smith & Lord” business headquarters, so it was no trouble for Gus to check on the barber’s business hours.
Gus was Bengie’s first be’ke’ tonsorial contract, and Bengie was Gus’ first Dominican barber.
All went well, and one of Bengie’s secrets of success was disclosed to Gus in the process; several shots of local rum and lots of conviviality. Gus left delighted except for one small thing that could be dealt with on future visits.
He was grinning as he left the shop. He walked briskly down the narrow street to the next corner, and with an embarrassed grin wished a good morning to a couple of people along the way. At the corner he crossed the street to his new business location. Inside, Robbie looked up from her new desk. Gus spread his arms out showing his palms, grinning broadly.
“Well, how do I look?”
“Gus! What in the world?”
“I know, I know, but he knows now, and he won’t do it again. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.”
“But, that’s awful!”
“I said he wouldn’t do it again. He hadn’t had a white man in his shop before so he thought he was supposed to cut the part in with the clippers. It will grow out.”