The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

Dexter gains his extraordinary abilities during a fierce thunderstorm at Medfield College. While fixing a computer component, he experiences a sudden electric shock that magically enhances his mathematical prowess. This electrical jolt allows him to absorb and recall vast amounts of information with unprecedented speed and precision, transforming him from an ordinary student into a genius capable of dominating a televised quiz tournament.

The college's desperate need for a computer establishes the technology that will later change Dexter's life.

During the quiz tournament, Dexter accidentally says the word "applejack," which triggers a flood of suppressed knowledge about Arno's criminal activities. The phrase somehow connects to information stored in his enhanced memory about Arno's illicit gambling ring operating through the computer donated to the college. This accidental revelation puts Dexter in grave danger and sets the entire kidnapping plot in motion.

Arno's suspicious donation of an outdated computer hints at his hidden motives.

Dexter loses his extraordinary abilities after sustaining a concussion during the rescue mission. While his friends successfully infiltrate Arno's hideout disguised as house painters and free him, Dexter suffers a head injury in the process. This trauma gradually diminishes his remarkable intellectual capabilities, returning him to a more ordinary state of mind.

Medfield wins the tournament because Schuyler steps up to answer the final question after Dexter's abilities fade from his concussion. When the question asks for the geographic center of the United States, Schuyler correctly answers "Lebanon, Kansas," securing the $100,000 prize for the college. His accurate response proves crucial since Dexter was no longer capable of performing at his previous genius level.

A.J. Arno's criminal operation collapses after the tournament. Attempting to flee the TV studio with his gang, Arno's getaway vehicle crashes into a police car, leading to his immediate arrest. His illegal gambling ring, which had been operating through the donated computer, is dismantled completely, and he faces justice for his crimes.

Dexter's friends rescue him by devising a clever infiltration plan. They disguise themselves as house painters and sneak into Arno's hideout. This bold rescue mission successfully frees Dexter, though he suffers a concussion during the escape. The friends' bravery and quick thinking showcase their loyalty to their classmate.

A.J. Arno donates an outdated computer to Medfield College as part of a deceptive scheme to further his illegal gambling operations. The students believe they're receiving charitable aid for their studies, but Arno secretly uses the donated computer to run his vast criminal enterprise. This setup explains why the gambling operation is discovered when Dexter's enhanced abilities connect to the computer's data.

The $100,000 prize from the televised quiz tournament serves as the primary motivation for the entire story. The students at Medfield College desperately need this money to acquire a vital computer for their studies. The tournament becomes the central conflict driving the plot, with Dexter's extraordinary abilities making victory possible despite the numerous obstacles thrown their way.