Zeritsky's Law

"Zeritsky's Law" by Ann Warren Griffith is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. This imaginative story explores the bizarre concept of freezing humans for future use, inspired by a peculiar incident involving a cat that was accidentally put in a deep-freeze. The narrative satirically examines society's fascination with shortcuts to immortality and the unexpected consequences of this technology, ultimately leading to the establishment of a law against the practice. The plot follows the Zeritsky Brothers, who capitalize on the idea of quick-freezing people, enabling them to escape their problems for years at a time. Initially catering to wealthy criminals seeking to evade justice, the business evolves to attract a diverse clientele, including desperate spouses looking for a way out of their marriages. As the Zeritskys grow rich and their practices gain notoriety, a scandal arises when a client is mistakenly defrosted after 25 years instead of the requested five. This incident exposes the dangers and ethical dilemmas associated with their service, prompting the government to enact "Zeritsky's Law," which bans the practice and enforces severe penalties for anyone attempting it. The story serves as a humorous yet cautionary tale about the intersection of technology and morality.