Belly Laugh

"Belly Laugh" by Ivar Jorgensen is an early 1950s science fiction story that plunges into a war waged with bizarre weaponry. Set amidst a futuristic conflict, the story uses humor to cope with the grim realities of war, as seen through soldiers facing peculiar situations. The tale centers on a soldier recalling a strange incident while stuck in a pit with a comrade named Stillwell during a battle. They encounter a Russian soldier who is actually a robot in disguise. Stillwell, homesick and yearning for simpler times, engages the robot in a comical way that leads to a shocking realization. The story combines science fiction with comedy, revealing how laughter can surface even in the most chaotic and absurd moments of war, ultimately exposing the soldier's shattering disillusionment.