As the competition starts, J.D. is still nervous, but well-wishes from his friends and family help him to relax. Henry Jr. wins the first style (a basic fade), and J.D. wins the round-two pompadour (a style in which the hair is swept upwards from the forehead). The final style is a high-top fade. Partway through, J.D.’s clippers stop working, and he has to use his backup set. Although the clippers are unfamiliar, J.D. focuses on doing the best he can, reasoning that even if he loses, he wants to “make sure […] everyone [knows that he] could cut hair just as good as Henry Jr.” (104).

J.D.’s high-top fade is far better than Henry Jr.’s, which looks like a letter U instead of a fade. J.D. is named the winner of round three and of the competition. He’s thrilled until he notices how sad Henry Jr.’s family is. Suddenly, even in the midst of his triumph, J.D.’s mood sours.

J.D. resumes cutting hair the following weekend, but while he’s busy working, he can only watch his friends enjoy using the things that he bought with his barbershop money.