Training and restocking

Sitting back at his desk to start off his second day, the makeup he laid out before him stared ominously back at him. Pulling up the most basic makeup instruction video that seemed kind of close to him, positioning his camera for a side-by-side view to mimic the setup. Seeing his masculine face below the fake hair was a little underwhelming. He was blessed with genes to at least have a somewhat baby face for a man, but the years were showing. Shifting in his chair, he tried to adjust the aid to be at least not totally distracting or uncomfortable.

Sighing, he spun up the video and started to follow through it. Putting on some base, coating his lips, and spreading the blush, he found there were a lot of things they recommended in the video he didn’t have. Going back through the video what seemed like a dozen times to him, he felt he at least had something that wasn’t totally absurd.

Closing his own camera view in frustration, he switched over to work and tried to push the image of his face out of his mind and constantly critiquing all that was wrong with it. But tried to let the vocal training track take over his background while focusing on work.

Finally feeling better and more comfortable about himself, his reminder goes off to indicate the upcoming training. Taking a deep breath, he saves his work and reluctantly turns the self-facing camera back on just to make sure it's not horrid. Seeing a few spots to touch up, he tries to correct a few smudges and smears to the cream & powder before turning off the camera & ensuring things are set up for the training session. Installing the gadget against his tuck, he moved around to take his spot. Bowing his head and letting his wig fall in front of his face, he closed his eyes and tried slowly breathing until Trainer Bill arrived.

Establishing the session, Bill could see his client resting and appeared to be meditating well. Starting the schedule, Bill called out “Hello, Paulie.”

Hearing his trainer come directly into his ears via his earbuds slightly suppressing the vocal loop, Paul raised his head and took one final breath in and opened his eye as he spoke out, “Hello, Trainer Bill.” And sat silently pleading that he wasn’t a complete joke before his training partner.

“Ahh! I see you took some practice on your face paint; or perhaps just watch some videos.”

Relief washed over him as he could sense the acceptance from his trainer who recognized his work and a small smile crept across his lips. “Yes, Trainer Bill. I’m still not happy with it, but still working on it.”

Bill couldn’t help but chuckle at this a bit. “I wouldn’t expect you to be perfect your first time; even if you had watched experts, it should take time.”

“I guess, Trainer Bill. I just can’t help but seeing every little bit that’s wrong & off.” Paul responded only partially accepting it. “I felt like I should be constantly check it sure I smudged or wiped something.”

“Honestly, it's probably best for you to experience it. Most girls go through that awkward stage and spend years getting more & more comfortable with it. But that is what these days are for.”

“Yes, Trainer Bill.”

“Okay, let’s get to your gait practice; can’t have you late today.”

“Yes, Trainer Bill,” Paul responded as he bounced up on his wedges. He was almost disappointed the earbuds were working so well; it seemed Paul had nearly stopped utilizing the gadget and relied mostly on talking to him instead. He loved hearing the insightful guidance & praises from his partner; especially in near real time, but it seemed almost disconnected without the gadget.

Paul would think about bringing it up, but Trainer Bill kept directing him to practice his vocal exercises when he wasn’t helping correct something about Paul’s walk or stance. Before Paul realized it, he heard the session closing out, “alright, Paulie, let's get to your spot.”

“Yes, Trainer Bill,” Paul responded sliding into his spot and spreading to the dots.

“Good session today, Paulie. Definitely a good start to your facial enhancements, and yes, there is work to be done. But I have faith that you will continue to strive to improve and do me proud.”

Here the faith and trust coming from his training partner caught Paul off guard and he was genuinely grateful for it. “Thank you, Trainer Bill.”

“I won’t keep you again. After last week’s episode, you need to show the staff at Salon you appreciate what they’re doing for them and you respect their time, so get ready and head that way.”

The flash of last week flipped through his head, but he knew Trainer Bill was right and he needed to make amends. “Yes, Trainer Bill.”

“Bye, Paulie.”

Seeing the screen go black, Paul immediately got up and headed to the bathroom to clean up by removing his face paint and cleaning his aid. After upgrading yesterday, it seemed like even more grossness seemed to latch onto the cover of the aid and made this more & more unpleasant. Regardless, Paul knew he couldn’t wallow in this and finished putting his training clothes away while he grabbed one of his loose workout tank tops, jogging shorts, workout thong, and simple sandals. Packing up the clothes, shoes, hat, and glasses the Salon gave him in the accompanying gift bag. With plenty of time to spare, he grabs the keys and leisurely drives back to the Salon for his weekly appointment.

Taking a deep breath before he opens the door, Paul steps in and announces, “hi, Gina! I brought ya’ll’s things back,” as he places the bag on the counter.

“Oh, hey, Paul!” she responds as she leans in to look at the bag. “Um, I think those are supposed to be yours, but let me go take them back to Brooke. I’ll be right back.” Gina smiles and takes the bag back to her manager.

A couple of moments later, Brooke & Gina return with the bag. “Hey, Paul!” Brooke greets him cherrily. “I’m so glad you were able to come back, and this outfit looks much more appropriate than last weeks,” she continued happily before switch to a conspiratorial whisper, “although I must say, the contents of this bag look great on you!”

Paul blushed profusely remembering through a distant fog the skirt, heels, and big hat. “Um, thank you. I’ll, uh, make sure this is what I wear most of the time.”

“Well, that’s great to know, but the contents of the bag (oops! Except for my glasses),” which she pulls out of the bag and continues, “were specifically for you, so keep it for yourself. And if you choose to use it on a future visit, we will be happy to assist you with it!”

“Oh, uh, thank you, but I doubt it will be necessary.”

“Don’t worry, Paul,” Gina said as she placed the bag behind the front desk, “I’ll hold onto the bag until you are ready to leave, but the room is ready for you so you can go on back.”

“Uh, thanks,” Paul said as he went on back and disrobed.

As Jewel was going through her routine and the discussion was progressing, she noticed that he was still somewhat flexible rear door. “Did you find the cleanse last week effective?”

Remembering the jeweled plug that was rather clean last week, “um, it did seem to clean things well. Did seem to soothe things too.”

“Great! I’ll go get you another set for this week.”

Paul was a bit flabbergasted by the idea and didn’t realize what she was asking before she was out the door. He remembered it wasn’t totally horrible but wasn’t sure he wanted to repeat it. However, the results were pleasant, and things were cleaner. And the newer aid was leaving things rather tender back there. Maybe it would be soothing and calming.

About the time he resigned to it, Jewel came back in with a couple sets. “Okay, I prepped these with the berry oil you liked so you should be good to go,” Jewel said as she set up the first stage.

Taking through two iterations, Paul was feeling extremely relaxed afterwards. “Those really aren’t too bad, but don’t seem to last long.”

“Well, the body does still have to do what it does, Paul,” Jewel commented, “but we do have some at home versions you can use daily.”

“Oh, okay.”

The remainder of the session went relatively quickly, and Paul was dressed & ready to go before he realized it. Walking up to the front desk, Gina placed the bag from last week on the counter, “here are your things! I added in the 7 treatments Jewel asked for.”

“Oh, thanks!” Paul said. As he turned to leave, he remembered that the jug at home was getting depleted. “Oh, hey, do you have any more of that cherry berry oil?”

“Um, the Cherry Berry Delight oil? Uh, yes,” she said as she pulled out a small squeeze bottle to put in the bag.

“Actually, uh, do you have anything bigger? Was looking to replace a jug; about this big,” he indicated the large jug.

“Uh, no, we haven’t stocked one of those in weeks. We don’t tend to keep those until we refill these.”

“Oh, that must have been the one my wife bought.”

“Your *wife*??” Gina quired with some surprise remember the elegant, sexy lady that bought the last jug. “Uhm, ya, I think I remember that. Um, we don’t have any of those, but I could order one and have it here for you next week.”

“Perfect!” Paul responded enthusiastically. Taking his bag with his at home kits, & outfit from last week, he said his good-byes and headed home.