mark on madison

A few weeks ago I buy a Groupon for a hair cut. The salon is in a high-rent district near me, and the reviews are great.  I make an appointment for today.  

I have never had a bad experience with a Groupon.  

The salon, Mark on Madison, is in a quiet residential building.  When I arrive, a few people are by the windows.  "Hurry! Hurry! There he is."  Everyone seems very excited.  A big celebrity I figure. "Look at all the people with their cameras out," says one client as she rushes to get her iPhone. "I'm not sure who he is, but I happen to have my camera and catch a shot of him.  

A red-tailed hawk perched on a streetlight in the middle of Madison Avenue.  An unusual site, but still, I'd have preferred George Clooney.

While I'm waiting for Mark, a woman comes over to me and says, "Since we're fellow bird- lovers (which, by the way, I absolutely am not), let me give you my card."  She then hands me a business card that identifies her as a realtor from Corcoran.  Maybe this is what I'm doing wrong.  I would never think to randomly hand my Bellmarc card out at a hair salon. "I'm new," she adds, as if this explains it.

Mark arrives on time, and I immediately like him.  He's young, friendly, confident and adorable.

I hand him a picture I took off my TV and ask his opinion.

He doesn't hesitate.  "Absolutely not; that's too 80's.  You need something more modern."  I instantly develop absolute faith in him and tell him to  just go ahead, but keep it on the long side.

He does a great job.  He's fast (but not rushed), efficient, and clearly skilled.  

The end result is great.  

The matching attire is purely accidental.