American History 1988
Chapter 51 - 48: Let’s Have a Party too

Chapter 51: Chapter 48: Let’s Have a Party too

"But how do you guarantee that everyone will like your Price’s List?" Wesley asked calmly, not easily led by the nose by Dean.

"So, this is why we need everyone’s participation," Dean immediately turned to face Wesley, "Selling discounted tickets at a slight markup for a quick profit? Trading idle second-hand goods? Looking for like-minded individuals to join in watching a show? Or finding a suitable partner in the casual encounters section? Even posting tasks for others to complete your professor-assigned homework? You can find everything in life on Price’s List, and it’s all for free!"

"Free?" Someone in the room couldn’t help but ask.

"Of course! Price’s List will never charge individual users! Never!" Dean guaranteed with conviction.

"But why should we help you promote this website? What’s in it for us?" As the leader here, Wesley always considered things from his own perspective.

"Come on! Doesn’t everyone think campus life is too dull? With such a website, we can easily gather people for parties and find more fun things to do. Forty thousand girls in the university town, ah?"

Facing Dean’s "you know what I mean" look, Wesley still shook his head calmly, "Not enough."

"Alright then," Dean spread his hands, "I know you guys can often get various discounted tickets. If you’re willing to sell them on Price’s List, I can bring you customers."

Only then did Wesley show an interested expression. Due to the various sponsorships, students at Case Western Reserve University often got various show tickets, sometimes even for free.

Especially as the head of the DE Fraternity Chapter at Case, Wesley had access to even more resources.

However, they could never use up all these tickets themselves, obviously not every day donating them to the homeless. But now Dean had given him an idea; if these resources could be exchanged for cash or other useful things, that wouldn’t be bad.

The DE Fraternity also needed operating funds, and Wesley, with ambitions, planned to establish a fund specifically to support fraternity members in starting their own businesses.

But all of this required money, and the headquarters wouldn’t provide much support. Least of all the school, which was continuously shrinking the fraternity’s living space.

"Where will your customers come from?" Wesley put down his beer bottle on the table, crossed his arms over his knees. Those familiar with him knew Wesley was getting serious.

"Other fraternities and other interested students," Dean’s answer surprised Wesley somewhat, but the latter quickly figured out what was going on.

Seeing the realization on his face, Dean smiled, "Just like you’re thinking, Wesley. Fraternities and sororities need to organize various charity events regularly, and they would definitely be interested in these tickets.

Besides, as a thank you, Price’s List can develop a special section for the DE Fraternity to promote itself."

"A special section?" Wesley and a bespectacled guy asked at the same time.

"Yes," Dean nodded at them, "The internet is the trend of the future, we all know that, and it will definitely become the new gathering place for young people. This section, Price’s List will only handle the basic maintenance, and all other permissions are open to you."

This time the bespectacled guy was obviously tempted, "Is your site going to be launched on the ARPANET? Forgive my bluntness, buddy, but the ARPANET is too small. The NSFNET is the better place; it connects all universities across the US, with millions of students visiting them."

"I understand, but due to access permissions, I might not be able to do so..." It looked like the other guy was well-versed too; Dean hadn’t expected to meet another computer network enthusiast here.

Hearing about access permissions, the bespectacled guy shrugged, "Actually, there might be a way. I’m involved in a One Cleveland project recently, which will give me some access rights..."

"Wait! One Cleveland?" Dean stepped forward and interrupted him.

"Yeah~?" The bespectacled guy wondered why Dean was so excited.

"Oh~Shit!" Dean suddenly realized the New World was right beside him.

Seeing everyone looking at him puzzled, Dean hurried to explain, "It’s like this, I also received the One Cleveland project, I’m the representative student from Cleveland State University."

"OMG~" The bespectacled guy stepped forward, "so?"

"Yeah~" Dean fist-bumped and then shook hands, pulling each other closer and patting each other’s backs.

"Dyson Demmon."

"Dean Price."

The two greeted each other like old friends, a camaraderie unique to geeks. And for two coders to meet in Ohio, that probability was even smaller than Simon finding a girlfriend.

"Oh right," Dyson turned to look at Wesley, "Boss, maybe we should give it a try. Someone who’s part of the One Cleveland project can’t be a ’snake oil salesman,’ and besides, we don’t stand to lose anything."

A snake oil salesman in Ohio refers to fraudsters who use deceptive means to sell things, and clearly, Dean’s technical prowess had earned Dyson’s respect.

Wesley spread his hands, "Alright, last question, how are you going to convince the other fraternities to use your price list?"

Dean and Simon exchanged glances, and the former smiled, "We’ll handle that."

...

"Here’s 300 US Dollars. When you’re dealing with those fraternity guys, you always have to pay for something, be it treating them to drinks or giving them little gifts; you’re going to need it." Dean handed the prepared cash to Simon.