"Jack, this is the most and utterly stupidest thing you have ever had the audacity of thinking up." Martha said, in her brother's doorway. Though she had left that night—or early morning but..who cares?— she had come back later that afternoon after realizing Laurens hadn't had a second of sleep.

Except for maybe when she talked to him last. He seemed half asleep then. Somewhat.

"Do you know if André is still in town?" Laurens asked, ignoring what she said.

"I don't..John André? How would I know, it's not like I'm his best friend." Martha scoffed.

Even though Laurens had asked the question, he didn't listen to the answer. He stood, pushing his chair back and continuing to write for a moment.With a smirk, he stapled his papers, dropping his pen and starting away from his desk, holding the stack of papers in his hand.

"What are you doing?" Martha asked, watching Laurens go through his closet, putting on a jacket and hat.

"Jeez, Jacky, at least change pants."

"Turn around then," Laurens said without a beat, unbuckling his belt and shimmying his pants down as Martha sighed, turning around.

"What ever do you need André for?" She asked, exasperated, rubbing her head.

"Cuz I've got.." Laurens trailed off, pulling on new pants, changing out his belt. "—Papers for him to proofread and stuff. Besides, he's not your best friend. What's it to you?"

"Well, screw you for using my own words against me. And what's it to me? I'm your sister. Let me come with you." Martha said. "Are you done changing?"

"Yup." Laurens hummed, walking out and brushing past Martha's shoulder.

"Aw, c'mon! I'm coming with you." Martha said, hurrying after him.

"No, you're not. Look, I don't know if André is even home, so..you know. Just..relax here." Laurens shrugged, fixing his sock, and reading over his work, continuing out the door.

Martha grabbed his wrist firmly, glaring up at him. Laurens sighed, looking down at her. He could've easily pulled away and left her but didn't out of respect for his own blood.

"If you leave, I'm telling father you've gone out to be a fag again."

Suddenly that respect was broken and he angrily pulled away from Martha.

"If you say shit—"

"He'll believe me, not you and you know it. I'm coming." Martha said, pushing past Laurens and going outside.

Laurens gave a sharp breath/huff that sounded like a hiss between his teeth. He stared at the wall where a picture of him and his siblings and parents stood, smiling boldly. Simpler times.

The almost happy numb was cut short when he decided to end it. Besides, he had better things to do. Laurens turned on on his heel, going outside and closing the door behind him.

"I haven't seen André in a while." Martha smiled up at her brother.

"And Sweet Jesus, it should have stayed that way." Laurens grumbled, tightening his grip on the papers, taking bold strokes along the sidewalk.

Martha struggled to keep up. His eyes flashed from person to person, wondering what was going on inside their head. Did they know what was happening? And how long would it take before there were daily strikes due to lack of money held in banks and low wages? Never mind it.

It was out of his hands anyway.

Sure, he couldn't stop the oncoming depression but at the very least, Laurens had made it a goal to provide for his family. His incredibly infuriating, annoying, homophobic—

"When's the last time you saw André?" Martha asked Laurens curiously.

"I'm not sure." He mumbled, briefly apologizing to a man who he brushed shoulders with.

"What?"

"I said I'm not sure. But I'll be seeing him today. And if not today, I'll be speaking with one of my brief friends. Or maybe von Steuben. Actually, I should talk to von Steuben soon anyway." Laurens thought out loud.

"Bout what?" Martha asked.

"Adult things. Don't worry about it." Martha huffed, knowing she wouldn't get anything more from John. He was stubborn like that. He was either charming or stubborn. Either all or nothing, no in between.

"Who's your brief friend?" Martha asked instead.

"I have a few choices there." Laurens said. "Maybe McHenry or..Lafayette or..I don't know. I haven't spoken to either of them since..I think college." Laurens said, continuing down the sidewalk.

"Mary liked Lafayette." Martha noted.

"She did." Laurens agreed.

Mary was Johns youngest sibling. She met Lafayette when Laurens had invited him over for Christmas. It was..quite the experience. Long story short, now seven year old Mary is fascinated with learning languages and playing in dirt.

"I haven't met McHenry though." Martha said.

"Yeah, I met him in med school, before I changed majors."

"Oh. Nice." Martha nodded.

Laurens gave a nod in acknowledgment to what she said before parting out for the sidewalk, crossing the street, walking past a factory, a fire and a bank full of no money and excuses. When reaching The André residence, John knocked on the door, and waited.

There were quick footsteps and brief talking behind the door before it was open. André grinned at seeing Laurens.

"Hello! John, How are you?" He asked fondly.

"I'm alright, I wanted your opinion on something—"

"Is this Mary?" André cut Laurens off, looking to his sister.

Martha cringed, narrowing her eyes. "It's Martha, actually." She said.

"He meant well, Martha." Laurens quickly said, before the girl could try anything.

"Come in, come in!" André continued to smile. Laurens hesitated, not sure why he was hesitating, and went in with Martha on his tail.

"Hello, John!" Andrés Father was quick to greet, giving Laurens a quick pat on the back.

"Yes, hello, sir."

"No, no, please, call me Antoine." Andrés Father was quick to correct.

Laurens nodded, slowly, being bombarded with André's overeager parents before he was able to drag André and himself away from it all.

"So, what brings you here, John?" André asked, sitting down at his desk. Laurens sat across from him, taking off his hat and putting it in his lap.

"I wanted you to read of a plan I've started. I assume as the smart man you are, you're aware of the soon to be economic downfall?" Laurens prompted.

"Yes, of course. Is your plan like..a survival guide?" André asked.

"More like a survival guide on how to anger our father for the next ten years." Martha said, pulling up a chair and sitting beside Laurens.

André looked to her briefly and nodded. He shifted his eyes to the paper, turning a few pages as Laurens watched eagerly, on the edge of his seat for some kind of approval of his friend.

"This is..so..reckless." André said at last.

"I told you it was stupid." Martha teased Laurens.

"Wait, What?" Laurens asked, furrowing his eyebrows. 'Reckless? Yeah, that's the point.' Laurens thought.

"I mean, it's just like you. Your sister is right, this'll anger your father but I expect nothing less from the John Laurens! Man, this ought to be the best plan of the depression! You'll be drowning in money while the rest of us beg for bread to survive!Congratulations to you, my friend, because you are no idiot. As always. Regards to you, John." André praised him, smiling from ear to ear.

"You really like it?" Laurens asked, taking the paper from André.

"I think it's a splendid idea, that's for sure." André nodded.

"You're both idiots." Martha grumbled.

"I knew I could count on you, André." Laurens stood, hugging André for a moment, before pulling away, both met with the disgusted face of Martha.

"Do you do friendship anal too?" She asked.

"No, that's gross. You wouldn't get it anyway, it's a John thing." Laurens said, putting his hat back on and heading for the door.

"Thank you, André."

"Anytime, Laurens."