Shipping Clerk

Shipping Clerk is a science fiction novella by Joseph Samachson, written in the early 1950s. It follows Ollie Keith, a man living in poverty who struggles with hunger and unfulfilled dreams. His life takes a bizarre turn when he consumes a mysterious object that alters his physiology, allowing him to eat without gaining weight. The story blends humor and absurdity while exploring themes of desperation and identity as Ollie becomes the center of attention in an eating contest, attracting the interest of extraterrestrial beings.