The Odyssey of Sam Meecham

"The Odyssey of Sam Meecham" by Charles E. Fritch is a science fiction tale from the early 1950s that centers on Sam Meecham, a humble government employee, who finds a powerful atomic engine and decides to leave his ordinary life behind to journey into space. The story focuses on the idea of changing yourself, wanting to be free, and fighting being unhappy at home. Sam, a weak man stuck in a boring job checking atomic engines, feels limited by his work and his relationship with Dorothy, who reminds him of his failures. After discovering a super-fast engine, Sam chooses to go on a space adventure, defying Dorothy's power over them. As he gets ready for his trip, he deals with worries and doubts but decides to pursue his dreams and start fresh with Dorothy. In the end, they both head off into space, representing Sam's freedom and their relationship getting a new spark.