Stepping backwards [Night watches, Part 5.]

In a bustling tavern, two long‑time friends trade banter over drinks while an aging Mr. Simpson wrestles with the embarrassment of his white hair and whiskers. Persuaded by the charismatic Mr. Mills, he visits a modest barber on Bird Street, where a swift snip and shave trade his decades‑old look for a surprisingly youthful face. The transformation is immediate: the mirror reflects a man who could easily be mistaken for his own son, and the barmaid at the tavern barely recognizes him.

The story follows Simpson’s tentative steps into this new appearance, exploring how a simple change in outward looks can ripple through personal relationships and self‑perception. Listeners are treated to witty dialogue, a glimpse into the social pressures of age, and the quiet humor that arises when a man discovers that looking younger isn’t always as simple as it seems. This opening promises a gentle, character‑driven tale about identity, friendship, and the courage it takes to reinvent oneself.