What happens when humanity finally invents something that cannot fail, cannot break, and cannot be undone? In Fluorocarbons Are Here To Stay!, Donald E. Westlake delivers a sharp, fast-moving science fiction satire that turns technological optimism into a problem no one planned for. The story balances escalating absurdity with genuine unease as a proud innovation refuses to cooperate with human expectations.
Westlake’s tale builds tension not through monsters or distant worlds, but through stubborn reality. Each attempt to solve the problem only deepens it, revealing how modern systems depend on the assumption that things can always be dismantled, replaced, or corrected. The humor is dry, the pacing relentless, and the implications quietly unsettling. This is science fiction that laughs while tightening the screws.
Beneath the comedy lies a cautionary reflection on permanence, responsibility, and the unintended fallout of success. The story asks an uncomfortable question: what if the greatest invention of the age works exactly as promised?
Donald E. Westlake was a master of precision storytelling, celebrated for his wit, timing, and understanding of human folly. Best known for his crime fiction and razor-edged humor, Westlake brought the same clarity and control to his science fiction. His stories often explore what happens when ordinary people confront systems that no longer respond to reason, making this tale a perfect example of his sharp, enduring voice.
