Chapter 2: The Sign That Started Everything
When Monica screamed, I was already standing in my doorway with a cup of tea.
She was staring at the brand-new smart meter I had installed — the kind that locks the outdoor outlet behind a keypad.
No code, no power.
Simple as that.
But that wasn't what made her scream.
It was the sign I had mounted right above it.
**"This outlet is monitored and metered.
Unauthorized use will be billed at $0.50 per minute."**
And directly below that, a small security camera — pointed straight at her parking spot.
She spun around and looked at me.
"You can't do this!
That's MY driveway!"
"No," I said calmly.
"That's my outlet.
On my wall.
On my property."
Her face went red.
"I'll call the city!
I'll report you!"
"Go ahead," I said.
"I already called them this morning.
They were very interested to hear about the past six weeks."
She went completely silent.
Then her husband walked out of their front door — and the look on his face told me he had no idea any of this had been happening.
He looked at the sign.
Then at Monica.
Then back at the sign.
"Six weeks?" he said quietly.
Monica opened her mouth — but nothing came out.
---
What happened when her husband found out the full truth?
What Monica said next left the entire street speechless.
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