Read the excerpt from "Lather and Nothing Else" 

He went on talking. He evidently took it for granted that I was on the side of the existing regime.

"The people must have gotten a scare with what happened the other day,” he said.

"Yes,” I replied, as I finished tying the knot against his nape, which smelt of sweat.

"Good show, wasn’t it?”

"Very good,” I answered, turning my attention now to the brush. The man closed his eyes wearily and awaited the cool caress of the lather.

How does this conversation build suspense in the story? The “small talk” shows that the captain is foolish and the barber is afraid. The “small talk” slows the pace, building interest at the beginning of the story. The discussion helps readers feel sympathetic toward Captain Torres. The discussion helps readers understand the barber’s final decision.