Gangster activity

Lawrence asks the trading guild head (Let's call him Rowen for now.) to write him a trading contract, and the latter does so while teasing Lawrence about Nora. After hearing that Lawrence his headed for Remerio Company, Rowen looks slightly troubled, but keeps his mouth shut.
Outside, Horo is being wooed by two young men when Lawrence comes outside and scares them off. As they leave, Horo teases him about Nora as well, inciting a very defensive reaction from Lawrence, to her surprise.

Oh wow, he's srsly

lol overreacted

At the inn, more economics talk, with Horo feeling uncomfortable about their business practice. Lawrence explains marginal buying, which involves buying more than you can, and selling it at a higher price to make profit. It's risky though, since you are in debt before you make money, and if something goes wrong, you stay in debt.

Illegal to trade stocks like this in Amerikka. Great Depression, etc.

Well, that being said, the next day Lawrence and Horo arrive at Remerio company. (Where the maniacal fellow showed up last episode.) There, the monk-clerk informs Lawrence that he's bankrupt. Unbeknownst to Lawrence, armor had been in decline for a while, and is now worth next to nothing. Ratpearson had sent a messenger (The maniacal fellow) to Remerio to collect on debt. Now Lawrence owes Remerio who owes Ratpearson.

Bad day.

Meeting with Mr. Remerio, Lawrence is told that he owes 47 and 3/4 Rumione in 2 days. If he cannot pay, the debt will be transferred to Rowen Trading Guild.

Translation: Don't even try to run.

After hearing Lawrence's situation, Horo offers her help. Though Lawrence accepts, he feels she should stay in the inn, but she refuses. When Lawrence protests that bringing along a woman has special implications, Horo replies:

Oh my.

Word travels fast, and back at Rowen Trading Guild, Rowen already knows of Lawrence's predicament. 47 Rumione is a lot of money, and if Rowen has to shoulder the debt, he'd be forced to sell Lawrence as an indentured servant. After wishing Lawrence the best of luck, they part.
A initially confident Lawrence begins despairing, however, when he is turned down over and over again by his 'contacts'.

orz

The reason of his failing is soon revealed; when one of the contacts expresses indignance at Lawrence's audacity of bringing around a woman (Horo) while asking for money. At this point, Lawrence's pent up frustration spills onto Horo.

I physically winced.

He realizes his mistake too late. Horo runs away, leaving Lawrence utterly broken and alone.

Thoughts:
Oh, dear. Things are looking really bad now. See, this is why they b& magin buying in Amerikka. >_> I don't see why women have to be stereotyped as money drains, but I suppose such would be practicality of a earlier era. Anyway, Lawrence really screws up in the end. Understandable, but still screwed up. What will a broken, alone, despairing Lawrence do now? (If you're half-thinking AN HERO, I was too.)