It settled quickly upon Europe. First in France, taking out most of the court in one day moving down to even the lowest of peasants. Trickling south towards Spain and east toward Italy, more were afflicted. The plague was unsympathetic, causing panic and pandemonium. Rich and poor, men and women, old and young, all groupings were affected.

At first, no one could explain the symptoms or even the cause, but the result was easy to see. Once infected, a person's head would grow to an enormous size, and then - Pop. It would explode. This happened in a matter of seconds, giving no time for others to move away. Carnage was splattered in a surprising radius. One would think that the remains being transferred onto another would cause more to succumb, but this was not the case. In fact, it was not at all the cause. People were horrified to find that they themselves were causing their own downfall. The cause: their own verbal abuse toward others.

Naming the plague as God's terror against humanity, blaming the alignment of all planets known at the time or using numerology due to the date and time, June 6, 1811 at 6:06:11, any excuse was used to explain the event. However, the results were the same everywhere. Death to all verbal assaultants instantaneously.

The plague was given a name, "Plague of Tongues," or in other languages: Pest Spraak, Lengua Plaga, Fleau de Langue. All understood the message and the outcome.

This caused a quietness of speech. All were circumspect of the language they used. Feuds, wars, and anger were put aside. In this modern day of enlightenment, when men regulated their pride and demeanor, control was key to survival.

Approximately one month later, in July 1811, the plague moved to the coast of Britain, landing on the east side at Ramsgate. A man by the name of George Wickham was the first English man to succumb. He was stating the "inconvenience to be tied to a young, boring girl-child that was subdued and plain." He did not stand a chance. Pop. In a moment, his head was blown apart, and the remains were found on the walls, carpet, furniture, and window coverings. A woman, hearing the noise, seeing the results, and shouting obscenities popped instantly. The brother and sister in the room moved to one another with the girl sobbing uncontrollably.

With that start, the plague moved down the coast and further into Kent. A large lady in control of a large, beautiful estate that was known for badgering tenants into submission, Pop, gone in an instant. Interestingly, her parson would visit his parishioners, and a large number would see their demise after his comforting presence had left their homes. A group rallied against him, and he was smothered in his humble abode.

The plague traveled northwest toward London, where most of the ton, with its self-serving, frivolousness, and pride, passed away quickly. A Miss Bingley and a Mrs. Hurst were part of the annihilation.

In a small market town named Meryton, four matrons met for a gossiping session. Pop, pop, pop, and pop. Mrs Phillips, Lady Lucas, Mrs Long, and Mrs Goulding all succumbed. Fortunately, Mrs Bennet was not with the group at the time. She was late due to a faulty carriage wheel, but after seeing the remains of her friends, fell to the ground in a faint. Wailing later at home with salts in hand, said to her daughter Jane, who was trying to comfort her, that 'Mary didn't matter because of her plainess and the durge that she was playing on the pianoforte was atrocious.' Pop, she was gone. Lydia, laughing about her neighbor, Mary King, being a plain, freckled girl, expired as well. Even Mr Bennet, talking about his two, or possibly three silliest girls in the country. Pop.

The four girls left were distraught. Mr Phillips, once finding that the heir apparent had passed, legally broke the entail and the eldest daughter, Jane, was given the right to the estate. With all the death and destruction throughout the town, the girls mourned in peace.

This "Plague of Tongues" departed as quickly as it arrived. All were relieved and slowly recreated a working society. Those who were left were quick to listen and slow to speak. Good manners, kindness, and thoughtfulness toward others became commonplace.

After mourning for those that departed, the four daughters in Meryton were excited for a dance. A Mr Bingley had recently taken up residence and brought his friend, brother-in-law, and a certain colonel.

A modification of a well-known story without angst became reality.