answer: confusion.
the short story "lather and nothing else" by hernando tellez describes the inner struggles of a barber. he is a revolutionary, and while he is at his shop, he sees an important leader of the government come in. the barber has the choice of just shaving him, or killing him, and throughout the story, he struggles with having to choose one or the other one.
through this monologue, the mood that is created is one of confusion. the barber cannot bring himself to make a decision, as he is deeply conflicted between his loyalty to the revolution and his becoming a murderer. he is also unsure as to whether the assassination will in fact make any difference to the political situation.