Dean, utilizing automatic dialing software, cracked a large number of usable access codes in the span of two weeks.
However, like the unlimited access codes sold to Scott, there were only eight. That was understandable, though, because the difficulty of cracking unlimited access codes was much higher than that of ordinary prepaid phone cards.
Now, these rare phone cards had brought Dean an income of 8400 US dollars. Of course, this included Wedner's 600 dollars, so the real amount that ended up in Dean's hands was only about 7800 US dollars.
Adding in the smaller-value phone cards he had sold in the eastern and northern parts of the city before, Dean had roughly more than 8600 US dollars in his possession.
This amount of money wasn't too much, but it was enough for Dean to do quite a lot.
As for the rest of the hundred or so phone cards, Dean had handed them over to Reed. Although he still had great reservations about Reed, those same phone cards were no longer suitable for Dean to handle personally.
The more the phone cards were circulated, the easier it was for MCI, the telephone company, to detect a problem. Because when they found more and more customers complaining that their new phone cards had been used, they would certainly look for the root of the problem.
Whether through tracing or technical upgrades, the final outcome was bound to be that the automatic dialing software could no longer find usable access codes.
So before the phone cards in his hands became invalid, Dean thought it was worth giving them to Reed to try.
Dean was not clear on what Reed had gone through in the past year, but since he had volunteered to take over, he presumably had his own confidence.
As for whether the remaining phone cards could be turned back into money in Dean's hands, he didn't hold out much hope. Everything depended on Reed's poor credibility.
Now that the phone cards were all dealt with, and the most valuable unlimited cards had been exchanged for a sizable income,
from now on, the means of exploiting loopholes in the telephone company to obtain gray income would no longer be associated with Dean.
The automatic dialing software had fulfilled its mission and was packed away by Dean into the bottom of a box of floppy disks.
Such unconventional means would not be employed by Dean unless absolutely necessary.
But regardless of that, with money in hand, Dean finally breathed a sigh of relief. He disliked that sense of crisis where fate could sweep him out the door at any moment.
Good news wasn't just limited to one thing; tomorrow, the court case of his old man, Peter, would also commence.
Sean Murphy's article had sparked widespread discussion in Youngstown a couple of days ago; everyone loved drinking, and everyone was afraid of becoming the next Peter.
So there were quite a few who agreed with Sean Murphy's perspective and supported Peter.
Taking advantage of the momentum, the aunt's family was also mobilizing community neighbors to spread the word about Peter's tragic fate.
His wife had passed away, his eldest son had disappeared, which led this overwhelmed father to drown his sorrows in alcohol. Fortunately, he still had a younger son with outstanding academic results, who was actively maintaining the family.
In short, they were setting up a sympathetic character, using his medical condition as an excuse, and protesting the violation of human rights at the police station. With these three-pronged tactics, the outcome of Peter's trial looked very optimistic.
According to Wedner's estimate, the chances of getting off with a Class C misdemeanor were very high.
With most of the major stresses removed from his mind, Dean finally had time to consider the future.
First was the matter of transferring schools, which he needed to immediately act on after the New Year. Then there was the general information classification website he had roughly put together, which also required more of his time.
However, before that, there was one thing he needed to attend to personally - participating in a "Landlord Training Course".
Just a few days ago, Dean had, with a prospective tenant agreed upon on the BBS forum, visited the house on Charlotte Street.
Although the guy named Tobin was very satisfied with Dean's house, the actual person renting wasn't him, but rather his sister, Karen.
Nowadays, those who were internet-savvy tended to be the younger crowd, mainly young men. Women, let alone the internet, had hardly even touched computers.
Therefore, though Karen had a need to rent a house, it was inconvenient for her with a child to visit agencies.
It so happened that her brother Tobin saw Dean's post on the forum and sent an email on a whim.
Unexpectedly, this first attempt at initiating a transaction in the virtual world of the internet seemed quite credible.
But for safety and to test the waters, Tobin decided to scout the place on his own first.
The outcome pleased him, but since his sister was the decision-maker, it meant Dean had to show Karen the house another time.
"Miss Wilson, if you're satisfied, we can clean up the house within a week. Then you can comfortably enjoy this spacious and cozy house," Dean said.
"Just call me Karen," said Karen, her blonde hair shimmering, with a pair of crystalline blue eyes.
A very typical image of a white girl, what was especially precious was the hint of resemblance she bore to Amy Adams.
If Dean hadn't known it wasn't the right time or person, he almost thought he had encountered the real deal.
Even so, Karen could still be called a blonde beauty. This also explained why, at merely in her twenties, she had become the mother of three children.
Indeed, a girl worthy of being called a beauty would not lack for admirers.
"Miss Karen, the whole house, upstairs and downstairs together, has a total of four rooms. With it, people from the child welfare services will definitely stop bothering you," Dean stated.
Dean had heard that Karen wanted to find a large house because she was worried that child welfare services would take her children away from her.
America's laws never ceased to astonish Dean, and the Child Growth Protection Act was one such instance.
Take Karen for example, a single mother with three children—it's not enough to say that she's provided food and shelter for them.
If living conditions fail to meet any regulation, the Child Protection Agency could strip her of her right to be a mother at any moment.
For instance, with three children, her residence must have at least three rooms. Additionally, hardware like water heaters and refrigerators must meet the Child Protection Agency's standards.
Do you think that's all? No! The Child Protection Agency may even send housing inspectors to check if the home's toilets have lead exceedances!
There are even more soft regulations regarding education and food; any discovered issue could result in the Child Protection Agency taking over custody.
They could send the children to other welfare institutions, or choose a suitable foster family for them, with no one considering the feelings of the children's biological mother.
It is precisely because of the Child Protection Agency's existence that most landlords have an internal "no children" policy.
Any family with children seeking rental are refused without exception. You never know when a housing inspector from the Child Protection Agency might present you with a building renovation notice.
And often, the costs of these renovations far exceed the price of rent.
So, when Karen heard Dean was willing to accept tenants with children, she was so excited she wished she could move in that very day.
"Dean, this place is amazing," Karen said after touring the house, even doubting whether she was dreaming.
My goodness, the house even has a lawn and garden. Just the thought of planting and tending flowers in the garden made Karen feel like God was showing her mercy.
And the yard behind the house, where she could let her brother Tobin install some children's play equipment—the children would surely scream with joy.
"Well then, Miss Karen, if there are no issues, we can sign a letter of intent now. Once I've tidied up the house and completed the formalities with the housing agency, we can add a formal contract."
Dean hadn't finished his "landlord training course," so the official contract would have to wait.
"Of course, there's no problem. I'm already looking forward to our new life together." Karen felt that Dean was different from all the landlords she'd met, having heard he was still a college student, a future elite.
The intricacies of the rental terms had been early drafted for him by Frank.
However, when Dean handed her the contract, she hesitantly broached a subject.
"Dean, Tobin said you're willing to accept housing vouchers, right?"
"That's correct, but Miss Karen..." "Just call me Karen."
"Alright Karen, I am indeed willing to accept housing vouchers. However, considering the management costs that might come from the housing authority and the Child Protection Agency, the rent might be a bit higher than the market price."
Business was business, and Dean didn't hesitate to wield his pricing scythe even before the blonde beauty.
"I understand, I'm well aware of the rules," Karen quickly agreed. Her past experiences taught her how difficult it was to find a landlord who would accept children.
"I've applied for a housing voucher for 575 US dollars a month, Dean. How much more do I need to pay?" As a single mother, Karen had a lot of benefits to claim.
It was no doubt that a 575 US dollar voucher was a substantial amount, likely due to Karen having three children.
Even Dean was surprised to hear this figure, but since it was federal government money, he saw no reason not to take his share.
"Considering the risks I'm taking, Karen, you'll need to pay an additional 125 US dollars."
"No problem," Karen agreed swiftly, as the amount was even less than she had anticipated.
Paying 125 US dollars for such a house was like a pie falling from the sky.
"By the way, Dean, can you leave the refrigerator, water heater, microwave, and TV? I can pay rent for them."
Dean's home appliances were comprehensive, and if Karen could keep them, she would be well-prepared for any visit from the Child Protection Agency.
Hearing her request, Dean nodded without hesitation. "If you need them, then an additional 75 US dollars a month will do."
Karen readily accepted his proposal. This would save her a significant sum, as buying new ones might cost upwards of 2000 US dollars.
Despite readily renting everything in the house, Karen actually didn't have much money; she was even a beneficiary of federal welfare.
According to an annual income of 11650 US dollars for a family of four, Karen definitely fell below this threshold. With three dependent children who couldn't be considered as labor force, she didn't have many options.
Karen worked at McDonald's earning 7.5 US dollars an hour, working 3 hours daily. Even fully booked, she'd earn 500 US dollars a month—a sum that certainly couldn't sustain three children.
However, it didn't matter. With a 575 US dollar housing voucher, a 125 US dollar food voucher, and even free food available at the soup kitchen when necessary,
combined with other welfare subsidies, Karen could still live quite comfortably. Now she could enjoy villa-like treatment for an outlay of 200 US dollars—why would she refuse?
All was good, and Dean was also satisfied with the deal. An 820 US dollar mortgage minus 775 US dollars meant a monthly payment of less than 50 US dollars, an amount his father could manage even by moonlighting as a stripper.
Signing the agreement cheerily, Dean drove his family's Chevrolet pickup directly towards the welfare building in the city center.
While attending his "landlord training course," he also planned to advertise his website.