On january 1, 2017, western carolina company granted andy eggers, an employee, an option to buy 2,000 shares of western carolina co. stock for $25 per share, the option exercisable for 5 years from date of grant. using a fair value option pricing model, total compensation expense is determined to be $21,000. eggers exercised his option on september 1, 2017, and sold his 2,000 shares on december 1, 2017. quoted market prices of western carolina co. stock during 2017 were
january 1 $25 per share
september 1 $30 per share
december 1 $34 per share
the service period is for three years beginning january 1, 2017. as a result of the option granted to eggers, using the fair value method, western carolina should recognize compensation expense for 2017 on its books in the amount