Just Lather, That's All

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          This image from the movie "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", relates to the short story "Just Lather, That's All" by Hernando Tellez because the main characters in each are barbers. They both contemplate killing one or more of their customers. The only difference between the two is that Sweeney Todd is actually a serial killer and follows through with his contemplations. In the short story, the barber contemplates killing a General who has caused great hardships in his small town, like public executions or ransacking houses. The barber is part of the rebel force in the village attempting to overthrow the government and regain their village back. He is not like the others, though. He is not as "hardcore" of a rebel, but more of a "talk about it, but never do it" rebel. He has never held so much power in his hands. With one slip of the blade, he could cut the General's throat, spilling his blood and becoming a hero. There is a catch though. He would be on the run for the rest of his life for murder. He is not a murderer, but a simple barber. He cuts hair. Thats ALL that he does. This brings us to destiny. It is his destiny to cut hair, not become a murderer. It is the General's destiny to murder and pillage, there is no changing that. Besides, if he killed him, there is always a keen and eager soul to take his place and resume the killing. You see it throughtout history and movies. One side believes that when they kill the leader, the opposing force would just drop their weapons and surrender. But that is never true. They will still fight for what they believe is right, leader or not. It is their destiny and the barbers destiny to cut hair. Nothing more than that.