Back at the Scriptorium the next day, Hypatia received her advance from Vincent and sat down to start copying the laws that the new client wanted. Vincent entered a short time later and began walking too and fro, giving her orders and suggestions on how to run the shop and what to do in an emergency. Hypatia couldn't concentrate.

"I'll be fine, Vincent. You and Lurcio get going. I promise I wont bring ruin on this shop. But I will need at least 1 slave to help me."

Vincent sighed and agreed. He gave Hypatia some money to buy a slave. "Don't forget the men who are coming to do some painting." were Vincents parting words as he and Lurcio left for Gaul.

Hypatia worked steadily all that day, barely taking time out for lunch. By the end of the day she had completed a good pile of the laws, and decided to stop. Fortunately business was slow that day.

I've done about half of them. Should be able to complete the rest tomorrow. Then I will go and buy a slave"