Sharon was happy with her perfume and life seemed to continue as usual.
However, it gradually became apparent that something was going on. As Jim's town was the source of the outbreak of the virus, it saw the effects first and most dramatically. Somehow it mainly affected one fifth of post-pubescent womankind, specifically the most generally attractive fifth. These women -- including Sharon -- began to see breast growth at a rate of roughly one cup size per week. After a couple of weeks, bras became somewhat inadequate (even more than usual); after a month, an unmistakable trend, and with it a challenge in tailoring, was evident, and becoming evident all across Earth's Northern Hemisphere.
Scientists could only be sure of a few things. The most universal symptom, besides the mammary effects, was a faint lilac scent to the infected women. It was theorized that this was a so-called "ultravirus," able to radically and retroactively reprogram host DNA. Thus the affliction came to be known as Lilac Ultravirus, or LUV for short -- and as LUV conquered the world, Jim's own existence began to change.
Sat Dec 01 10:25:27 2007