Per 
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Advice forums for fiction writers and other social media platforms are to be monitored by foundation webcrawlers. If a digital instance of SCP-XXXX-1 is found, these programs will copy all meta and user data from the account. This quarantined information will be removed from the internet and stored in a secure server.
These webcrawlers will also alert MTF Wilder-83 ("I Don't Speak the Language") teams within proximity to the subject. MTF Wilder-83 teams will locate, assess, and, if found alive, treat the subject. Subjects in need of hospitalization may be taken to a Foundation medical facility. A specialized treatment of amnestics have been proven to be an effective cure with negligible side-effects.
MTF Wilder-83 will also collect all physical instances of SCP-XXXX-1 and incinerate them.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a memetic hazard in the form of a phrase in English. Hearing or reading this phrase results in a slow-acting infection. Subjects will be compelled to invest increasing amounts of time and effort into creating a work of fictional literature. The most common forms are novels, but others have been observed.
Materials created by subjects such as notes, drafts, partial manuscripts, and internet posts are designated SCP-XXXX-1. These instances will invariably have SCP-XXXX as the title. Further instances are incorporated in dialogue and narration.
SCP-XXXX's infection spreads among anyone who can comprehend it's meaning, but the most susceptible are those with high proficiency in writing. Subject's relative skill level determines their rate of progression. An amateur may take months between stages while a professional may only take two weeks.
Discovery: Former captain of MTF Pilcrow-1 ("Typefaces") Agent Roman had been judged as reserved and stoic. He usually withheld all information about current projects until he presented a draft for critique. However, Following a mission to recover a literary anomaly, a pattern of unusual behavior was reported. Several days after the mission was completed, Roman began divulging details about his "new passion project." Concerned for his well-being, the other MTF Pilcrow-1 agents requested that Roman be tested for behavioral abnormalities. Roman was not informed of the motives or purpose of these tests.
Shortly after testing was concluded, Roman was approved to resume field duty. However, his team members were instructed to covertly monitor his actions and submit daily reports.
The following is the model of SCP-XXXX's progression using MTF Pilcrow-1's case study.
Stage 1: Creative Overflow
09/12—09/27
Before preparations for a new assignment, MTF Pilcrow-1 engaged in casual conversation. Roman diverted the discussion to the topic of his new book. Described as "stream-of-consciousness," his speech lacked the organized structure he was known for. He raved for several continuous hours. When questioned about his change in demeanor, Roman replied as follows:
I know, right? I'm usually so gruff and content. Stoic. But something just hit me and I've been excited for a full week, week and a half. Everything I see and hear and think creates a new image I want to write down. It's like one every second. It's a wellspring that's flooding, and the pressure's building. I have to share everything that comes to mind as it comes up. I'm invigorated; how could I not be this chipper?
I used to tease Roman about being so stiff, how he should smile more. Now he smiles all the time.
Roman, what a great big mouth you have.
All the better to talk about my book, my dear.
It's just so unnatural on him. I regret teasing him. —Excerpt from Agent Helvetica's report, 09/15
Stage 2: Irritable Temperament
09/27—10/14
Captain Roman began carrying a pocket-sized notebook and allowed himself to become engrossed in the physical process of writing. He could regularly be seen writing for several minutes then discarding what he had just written in a violent manner and mutter. On multiple occasions, Roman was confronted by his teammates as he became too distracted to preform field duties. Each confrontation increased his agitation and frequency of discarding paper.
Roman's disregard for his responsibilities allowed the mission to become compromised. Agent Courier, Roman's second in command, was able to recover through great effort before complete failure was guaranteed. She reprimanded Roman then temporarily replaced him as acting captain. Roman's aggressive behavior peaked at this point. He stripped himself of all equipment while berating Courier. He was then escorted to his home.
I've never seen him that angry before. I'd almost prefer it if he went back to that creepy smile. —Agent Courier, 10/14
Note: Roman's discarded sheets were later confirmed to be written instances of SCP-XXXX-1. As many of these that could be located were incinerated. The total number of SCP-XXXX-1 created could not be determined.
Stage 3: Consultation
10/14—10/28
Roman contacted Courier to inform her of his "improved" mental state. He claimed to be much more stable and ready to lead the team again. With support from many of the other agents on the team, Courier reinstated Roman as Captain. Roman then issued a formal apology.
Shortly after, Roman began asking his teammates for critique on several drafts he had on hand. He disregarded professional integrity and asked for advice at every opportunity. These disruptions complicated preparation for the remainder of the mission. Roman was frequently reminded of his duties to the team. Each time, he apologized before returning to this pattern of behavior. Eventually, preparations had to be abandoned.
Half of MTF Pilcrow-1 defended Roman in the name of loyalty. The other half thought it necessary to have Roman officially removed from the team. After much deliberation, Courier was declared acting captain once more. Roman was then escorted home again.
It was proposed that researchers be stationed near Roman to continue observation. However, Agents Goudy and Marigold volunteered for the position instead.
I was raised on the idea of community and respecting my elders. I know I'm still technically the new guy here, but I think I've been here long enough to figure Roman out. As much as anyone else, anyhow. He loves books and writing and storytelling as much as anyone else on the team. Since day one, he's been teaching me so much about what fiction can be and do. It's just hard to see him go like this. —Goudy, 10/28
I've known Roman ever since we were kids. I know him better than family. He's the reason why I got into writing in the first place. I've been trying to pay off that debt for decades. If there's anything I can do for him now, I'm damn sure going to do it. —Marigold, 10/28
They were permitted to visit Roman's home on a daily basis to assess him.
Note: Stage 3 has been confirmed to act as a period of infectious spread. MTF Pilcrow-1 were exposed to a total of 137 spoken and written instances of SCP-XXXX-1. All documentation from this period containing instances were destroyed.
Stage 4: Functional Paralysis and Debilitating Pain
11/03—11/19
Extenuating circumstances prevented both Goudy and Marigold to assess Roman for 6 days. When they returned from their mission, they noted that Roman's home was in disarray. Unpaid bills indicated he neglected financial responsibilities. All of the curtains was drawn and the lights were turned off. Loose paper littered the floor. Plates of dried up food were left out on counters and furniture. The second floor was similarly disorderly.
They entered Roman's bedroom, which reeked of feces. Roman was discovered hunched over a writing desk, staring at a blank sheet of paper. He held a pencil in his hand and a stack of more paper had been toppled onto the floor. His laptop was logged into a writer's advice forum. Marigold first attempted to gain Roman's attention. When he did not react, Marigold evaluated his health and Goudy called for assistance. He was brought into the Site-50 medical facility, where medical staff concurred with Marigold's evaluation.
Roman was found to be extremely dehydrated and undernourished. His last solid meal had been during Marigold and Goudy's previous visit. His last intake of water followed a few days later. As he neglected personal hygiene, he developed a strong sulfurous odor and a common skin rash. The joints in his right hand, arm, spine, and jaw were swollen and inflamed. He reported immense pain and had difficulty speaking. Every major muscle in his body was locked in the position he was found in, resembling a state of rigor mortis.
Roman was given intravenous nutrition and hydration over the course of a few days. No amount or type of analgesic relieved him of his pain. Once he was able to do so, Roman was asked to describe his experience. The following is his most coherent response:
I told Marigold and Goudy I was showering. I lied. I told them I was sleeping. I lied. I told them I was eating and going out and feeling alright. Everything was a distraction I had to get rid of, even the sun. I knew exactly what I was doing to myself, I just didn't care. I was nothing. All I cared about was my book.
I sat down to write and never got up. I couldn't. Every fiber in my muscles became razor wire. Any movement I made cut into my bones. But every thought I had was a needle burrowing into my brain until I wrote it down. But I couldn't write. But I had to. I couldn't not do it. I want to finish the book more than anything. I don't want to quit now, but I wish I wanted to.
Stage 5: Death
11/20
Several hours later, Roman became unresponsive and suffered a Tonic-Clonic seizure. Medical staff reacted quickly, but the seizure proved fatal. The series of events that lead to Roman's initial exposure were never determined.
Treatment
11/20—12/03
Roman expired hours before the Memetics Department confirmed SCP-XXXX as a memetic hazard. At that time, the other MTF Pilcrow-1 agents had entered Stage 2. Researchers immediately began development of several possible treatments.
After many failed attempts, a combination of amnestics was proposed. By this time, MTF Pilcrow-1 had entered Stage 4. The team was administered the amnestic treatment and monitored for a week. Each member's physical condition improved as functional paralysis reached remission. They reported their physical and psychological pain lessening until it disappeared. Eventually, all members were taken off medical assistance and became self-sufficient. Afterwards, the amnestic treatment was declared successful.
However, during post-treatment observation, the team members were tested for residual behavioral anomalies. Prior to infection, MTF Pilcrow-1 scored high in lateral thinking and creative expression. Post-treatment scores indicate a severe deficit in these areas. They also displayed complete apathy towards fiction in proportion to their previous enthusiasm. No method of recovering their former personality states were successful.
Many MTF Pilcrow-1 agents requested to resign from the Foundation after medical release. They were processed accordingly. The remaining agents were reassigned to other duties that did not require creative thinking.
Agent Marigold was placed in RAISA to perform administrative duties. He self-terminated two days after reassignment. The note found at his desk explains:
I have lost so much, and I don't even have the words to describe it anymore. I can't ever be me again.
Subsequent civilian cases show a small percentage of subjects who also self-terminated. However, this does not appear to be a direct result of the amnestic treatment itself. As such, this treatment has remained as a viable cure for the SCP-XXXX infection.
