Mr. Pug & Mr. Other Pug

Mr. Pug and Mr. Other Pug were walking home with their heads hung low.

“Dammit!” said Mr. Pug.

Having just gotten laid off from their jobs at the Cheesecake Factory, Mr. Pug and Mr. Other Pug didn’t know what to do.

“This economy sucks,” said Mr. Other Pug.

“And my resume is just a list of things I hate doing anyway,” added Mr. Pug.

“So now what?” asked Mr. Other Pug.

They sat in front of the deli and looked at the deli meats in the window. This is where they got a lot of their thinking done. They thought long and hard. After some minutes, when they were done thinking about it, they decided they’d either have to beg for treats or go into business for themselves.

“I know how to beg for treats,” said Mr. Other Pug. “I’m really good at it.”

“Me too, but that’s not challenging enough! We need to do something new. Let’s use begging for treats as a Plan B,” said Mr. Pug.

“So Plan A is?” asked Mr. Other Pug.

“Barbershop!” said Mr. Pug.

Mr. Other Pug sounded out the word: “Bar. Ber. Shop.” He liked it although he didn’t really know what it meant.

For the next two weeks, they did their research. They located the perfect storefront – a former real estate office – just down the street and signed a lease. Then they found a whole bunch of old barbershop equipment – electric razors, hairbrushes, blowdryers, towels – for auction on-line. And they spent plenty of time begging for treats at competitive barbershops all over town, sizing up the competition.

“I like Bar. Ber. Shops.” said Mr. Other Pug at the end of every research day, rubbing his fat belly.

When it came time to divvy up responsibilities, Mr. Pug decided he would be in charge of marketing and giving haircuts and Mr. Other Pug would run the cash register and do wash and color. They’d have Playboy magazines for the men and lollipops for the kiddies. It was going to be a grand, grand opening.

Finally, after a new coat of paint was applied and all the equipment arrived and was installed, it was time.

“I’m really excited,” said Mr. Pug walking to the shop on the first day.

“Me too,” said Mr. Other Pug.

When they got to the front door they looked inside. Everything was exactly as it should be, ready for business.

“Open the door,” said Mr. Pug.

Mr. Other Pug looked around frantically.

“I don’t have a key,” he cried.

“What do you mean you don’t have a key?” asked Mr. Pug. “Open the damned door!”

Mr. Other Pug patted his body down and then held out his hands. “I don’t have pockets,” he said, sheepishly.

Mr. Pug looked at Mr. Other Pug and then looked down at his own body where his pockets should have been. A wide grin appeared and the two collapsed, holding their bellies and giggling hysterically!

“Pockets!” shouted Mr. Pug, “We forgot we don’t have pockets!”