short story (The Adjustment Team)

"The Adjustment Team" by Philip K. Dick is a science fiction story about a man named Ed, who notices small, unusual disturbances in his environment that seem orchestrated. He learns that a secret, highly organized team is subtly controlling reality to ensure events unfold as "planned" by a higher power. When Ed tries to assert his own free will, the team intervenes to maintain the predetermined order. The story explores themes of free will versus fate, suggesting that unseen forces are often managing our lives to preserve a particular schedule or purpose.