"The Faithful" Summary

John Butler, barber and preacher, impeccable in his starched white jacket, watches the avenue through a faded painted window that needs washing. Some passersby wave while others pretend not to see him. His companions wince as Butler takes up his regular lament, "They still tryin' to starve us out." With him are fat second barber, Ray Powell, sly young Mickey Norris, playing hooky from school to earn money shining shoes, and two loafers playing checkers. After noon, with Ray at lunch and Mickey wandering, a wealthy young man wearing a massive tiara of black hair, looks in. Butler smiles hospitably and offers him a cut for $2.50 or $3, but he wants just a trim that will not mess up his "vibrations." He laughs a heavy hand makes a rusty register for barbers. At the end of the day, a few...