noon
`` To emphasize , '' he went on , `` that we deal here with practical , down-to-earth , _ real _ matters ... not some mystical nonsense ... to emphasize that , let us say that the object each of you will visualize on this plate will be -- a ham sandwich ! '' There were appreciative chuckles . But Cavender felt a twinge of annoyance . At the moment , when along with fighting off fatigue he 'd been trying to forget that he had n't eaten since noon , Dr. Al 's choice looked like an unfortunate one . Cavender happened to be very fond of ham . `` Now here , '' Ormond continued , putting the plate down , `` is where this experiment begins to differ from anything we have done before . For all of us will try to imagine -- to visualize as being on this plate -- _ the same ham sandwich _ .