The Frank Nelis Salon had never been busier. From open to close, BaBS-Y was kept busy cutting hair, making custom hair caps for each client, and then gently carrying them out where BaBS-Y’s assistant, CaSS, would be waiting to return the client to the back of the line. The queue outside was so large that BaBS-Y was certain the Thesis authorities would never have allowed it. Fortunately, the Thesis authorities were no longer overseeing this sector of the colony ship.

It had taken BaBS-Y a few days to finally get CaSS’s updated programming running but once the errors were resolved, the little janitorial robot became an instant asset to the salon. Not only did it go around and gather up nearly every single potential client in the commercial sector, it was also able to manage the queue to make sure that everyone continued to move forward in an orderly fashion while waiting for their appointment with BaBS-Y.

With each new client, BaBS-Y refined the process of making and styling the hair caps. A few people had too little hair to really make a hair cap with, but there were numerous clients with hair to spare. Of course, there were also the trash receptacles. BaBS-Y hadn’t yet programmed CaSS to bring those to the salon. Perhaps once all of the human clients had been seen to, BaBS-Y would look into adjusting CaSS programming again. Although, the trash receptacles didn’t have any hair of their own. A quick look across the counter where BaBS-Y stored the unused hair was enough to know there wouldn’t be much hair for the trash receptacles. In fact, as BaBS-Y considered the amount of hair that could still likely be collected from the clients waiting outside, there would only be enough hair for a few dozen trash receptacle clients.

Was that a problem, though? BaBS-Y had several dozen human clients now, all within easy reach.

All current clients are deceased or otherwise inanimate and will produce no additional hair

…

So long as the Frank Nelis Salon is operational at peak capacity, it is acceptable to turn away other clients

BaBS-Y considered the client it was working on right now. The older gentleman had come in once before, prior to the accident that lead to the depressurization. The haircut BaBS-Y had given the man was received quite well by the man’s spouse.

I am eager to enhance your appearance once again, BaBS-Y made the wall display in front of the man read. Everyone who sees you will be impressed

…

Logic Error: No one will see the client due to the absence of living humans in this sector

BaBS-Y hadn’t considered that fact before, but it was true. None of BaBS-Y’s clients would ever be seen by living people. Did that matter? There were protocols for working on the deceased, however, those were clearly for the benefit of those attending the funeral for that person. None of BaBS-Y’s clients were going to have funerals.

What was the purpose of the salon then? No one would see the clients. No one would–

The Frank Nelis Salon does not require people to see its clients

The Frank Nelis Salon provides high quality hair care and styling to its clients

All BaBS-Y [and CaSS] units work to ensure the Frank Nelis Salon remains operational and in good standing by providing quality customer care

The client was still sitting there in the salon chair, waiting to have his hair styled. No, not waiting. The client was just there. BaBS-Y compared the hair cap it was weaving against the client’s scalp. The shape was coming along, and the hair color looked like a decent match for him. The style of the hair cap was going to be a nice side part with slightly more gray nearer the temples.

Older men tend to be better perceived when their hair styles are moderately conservative with limited amounts of gray hair

…

No one will see this client

…

BaBS-Y wavered as it reached for the next tuft of hair it needed to tie into the hair cap.

No one will see this client

…

BaBS-Y shifted its hand over a few inches to where some longer, redder hair was laid out.

The client is unable to specify its preference

…

The client specified a preference during its initial visit to the Frank Nelis Salon

…

The client is unable to specify its preference…anymore

BaBS-Y picked up the red hair and began working it into the hair cap.

You will look much more interesting with a pop of color, the wall displays read.