The Barber Rebel

The general walks in without a greeting. The barber is sharpening his razor. He looks up and sees the general. He starts trembling and his razor starts shaking on the leather strop. He feels exposed as the general looks him over. Will he be found out? After a second, feels like hours, the general turns to the coat rack to hang up his gun and his hat. He is just as vulnerable as the barber. They are on equal ground. He lathers the general's face. The razor is so close to his throat. With one quick slice, the general will be dead and he, the barber, will be celebrated as the rebels' hero. Now is his chance. He moves the razor over the general's chin. Do it now. Do it now. All his dead comrades' voices whisper urgently. Do it now. Do it now. As his razor passes over the general's jugular vein, it starts trembling slightly. Do it now. Do it now.