An Epidemic?

As the doors to Napoleon's office swung open, the Minister of Social Affairs and Health briskly made his way inside, his presence filling the room with a sense of urgency. The middle-aged man, adorned in a meticulously tailored three-piece suit, exuded an air of solemnity and purpose. His spectacles, perched securely upon the bridge of his nose, gleamed under the soft light of the chandeliers, reflecting his serious demeanor.

His gloved hands clutched a stack of papers, and atop his head sat a well-polished top hat, completing his formal attire. His hair, peppered with strands of gray, was neatly combed back, showcasing his receding hairline and the wrinkles etched upon his forehead from years of service and deep contemplation. His name was Peter Strauss.