Ham Sandwich

"Ham Sandwich" by James H. Schmitz is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around a group of students at the Institute of Insight, who explore the realms of reality and mental projection under the guidance of their charismatic instructor, Dr. Aloys Ormond. The story presents themes of belief, perception, and the intersection of subjective and objective reality, all set against the backdrop of a somewhat satirical tone. In the tale, protagonist Wallace Cavender, who arrives late to a meeting, soon finds himself entangled in an intriguing experiment where the students collectively visualize a ham sandwich. As they attempt this unusual exercise, the focus shifts to surprising developments, including the rumored materialization of the sandwich itself. The climax reveals that the Institute is actually a front for a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Dr. Ormond, whose true identity is exposed by Cavender, a police detective. The story skillfully blends the whimsical exploration of the mind with a cautionary tale about susceptibility to charlatanry, ultimately questioning the nature of reality and the power of belief.