Ham Sandwich

"Ham Sandwich" by James H. Schmitz is a science fiction tale set in the intriguing world of the Institute of Insight, where students, led by the enigmatic Dr. Aloys Ormond, explore the boundaries of reality and mental projection. The story centers on themes of belief, perception, and the blurred lines between subjective experience and objective truth, all presented with hints of humor. Protagonist Wallace Cavender's tardiness to a meeting thrusts him into a curious experiment involving the collective visualization of a seemingly ordinary ham sandwich. But as the students engage in this exercise, unexpected twists unfold, including whispers of the sandwich’s physical manifestation. The narrative reaches its peak when Cavender, revealed to be a police detective, uncovers the Institute as a deceptive operation masterminded by Dr. Ormond, exposing his true identity and questioning the influence of belief on reality.