There was always a quiet atmosphere in our neighbourhood, but these days Sims are avoiding each others, and when we go to bed there is no guarantee we will wake up the next morning without our face turned upside-down.

This is a quote from what I heard a frustrated Sim mother from a distant neighbourhood say when buying her weekly magazines Downtown. I was next in line, and first I thought she was just being the most pessimistic Sim I ever saw. But then, she figured there was no point in buying the 2 extra magazines because the risk was she would never wake up to read them. That was when I understood she was real scared.

After this, I've heard of neighbourhoods having no choice but deporting their entire population, about crying parents losing their children and vice versa. Communities that have built up to something very enjoyable over ages, have been wiped away - just because of the new plague, the upside-down Faces.

Simmerville residents badly infected
In Simmerville we have also had the disease, although this has basically struck strangers or families recently moved into the neighbourhood. Nevertheless, serious investigations have taken place, and the report is shocking: half the population seems to be infected, and some of these are my neighbours in Simmer Lane! Many well known Sims are reported to be totally clean, Mrs Grumblin, Mr Ballong, Mrs Swims and myself. But others were not that fortunate: The Moulino family is currently isolated in their home, all 8 household members are having the plague! The Beartop family, including one newly adopted baby still in the cradle, are all sick. And, at the Valentinos, the housewife is not yet sick but infection is getting worse all the time.

- Mrs Valentino, how did this all start?
- Before I answer that, I'd like to arrest you for calling me a housewife, which I'm definitely not! I'm a Lieutenant! And nobody seems to know what's the source for this disease.
- You still go to work though?
- Yes, to me my work is more important than most issues in life, so I will go to work for as long as I'm permitted.
- But how do you feel, mentally and physically?
- I'm in perfect shape and condition, thank You!

- Mr Moulino, your entire family of 8 are infected by the dangerous plague! The community did isolate you in your home, there were painted black crosses at your gate and not even the mail woman is allowed to deliver any bills. How do you all handle this terrible situation?
- It's horror to us all, that's all I can say.
- Will your 6 kids no longer be seen outdoor playing like they used to do, while I tried to take my nap on the very trendy sofa across the lane? 
- They do play indoor instead, they have many toys. The doors are locked from outside by the Hood Council.
- But there is a hope ahead, isn't there? Or will you be deported like so many others in other neighbourhoods?
- No comm.. snz... comment...

- Mr Andrew Beartop, you are still the neighbourhood's number one athlete, how will the plague affect your career?
- It is too early to say. I don't feel any different, but they say I've been infected for quite a while already. It must be my good physics keeping me up.
- But your life partner, the famous artist Chris J.B. is sick too? Do you think the portraits he made of me will soon be worth a fortune, as he might not be able to paint any more?
- You should ask him... He is feeling fine, too, and he is only in the first grade of this disease. Neither do I or our daughter have any visible signs of the disease yet, we are hoping for a cure.
- You are gay, does that mean you will not mind getting the female upside-down face?
- Pardon? Would you want an upside-down face of another woman just because you are not gay?
- But if you should die, or get deported, what about your newly adopted baby? He is still in his cradle, right?
- No comment!!!! Please leave us alone!

What is the source, where is the cure?
Well, as you can understand, the situation is hardly bearable to many of my neighbours. Everyone currently living in Simmer Lane has been here for 70-100 Days, meaning we know each other quite well after running down each other's doors. This far nobody living here has got the deadly upside-down face syndrome visually, but the tests have proven that many are infected. In the rest of the neighbourhood several Sims were already deported, or they simply died while their homes were bulldozed.

Rumours says that it's the strays who are spreading the virus, cats and dogs moving from one lot to the next. some say it's a punishment because we Sims have always been so greedy. Scientists do not agree whether this might be the actual reason for the disease, but they are working on ways to run tests and to keep the situation under control. Everyone are waiting for the pharmacy Maxis to find a cure to eliminate the upside-down face plague.

In the mean time I plan to investigate further, and I will shortly talk to various scientists about how they are dealing with the situation, and perhaps how any neighbourhood can avoid or at least reduce this tragedy.