On December 1, 2002, Blake Inc. signed an operating lease for a warehouse for 10 years at $24,000 per year. Upon execution of the lease, Blake paid $48,000 covering rent for the first two years. How much should be shown in Blake's income statement for the year ended December 31, 2002, as rent expense?
A. $0
B. $2,000
C. $24,000
D. $48,000