The Magnificent Dope

Dwight launches a publicity stunt to boost enrollment by offering a nationwide contest for the biggest loser. Claire helps frame the idea while Horace refines the marketing angle. The plan is meant to generate interest in Dwight's hype-driven self-improvement course.

A winner is selected: Tad Winship Page from Upper White Eddy, Vermont. He is described as lazy and not especially motivated, but the prize brings him national attention. The prize includes $500 and a chance to win Dwight's course in career advancement.

Tad travels to New York City to collect his prize money and to figure out how to use the windfall for a town project—a fire engine. The city crowds him and the publicity follows.

During a night out in New York City, Tad is charmed by Claire and begins to fall in love. He shares his relaxed philosophy about life and money, while his growing feelings complicate his original plans. The moment marks the start of a fragile romance against Dwight's scheme.

After the night out, Tad reluctantly signs up for Dwight's course to stay close to Claire. He enters the program and begins to participate in the lessons. The enrollment sets the plot in motion for the public-relations stunt.

Tad shyly admits he is in love with Claire, but he invents a hometown girlfriend named Hazel to avoid revealing his true feelings. He tries to keep Claire at a distance despite his growing affection. The fabrication becomes a tangled obstacle as the course progresses.

Dwight explains that the course will help him win Claire, encouraging Tad to stay committed. Tad continues the program with a renewed sense of purpose. The coaching sessions deepen the plan behind the publicity.

Tad learns that Claire is in love with someone else, and Dwight and Horace craft a harsh portrayal of that man to manipulate Tad's resolve. The deception strengthens Tad's commitment to the course and his relationship with Claire.

Publicity around Tad's progress drives attendance up dramatically. The course becomes a sensation and Dwight capitalizes on the momentum. This success makes Tad feel like he is achieving real progress.

Dwight pushes Tad to take a real job to prove his success and Tad is hired as an insurance salesman. He hopes these demonstrations will attract magazine coverage of the course results. Tad's first days on the job are fraught with disappointment.

Dwight secretly has his friend buy an insurance policy from Tad, not realizing the client has high blood pressure that would fail a physical. The plan uses Tad's commission to fund the purchase of the Vermont fire engine Tad wants for his town. The ruse ties the job to the fire-engine project.

Tad takes Claire to see the new fire engine and hints at his feelings by mentioning Hazel, the invented girlfriend. Claire then reveals to Tad that she is engaged to Dwight. Tad's hopes crumble in the face of that confession.

The next day, Tad, angry and dejected, goes to Dwight's office to vent. He uses a relaxation trick on Frank to help him pass a required physical, only to overhear Claire scolding Dwight and confessing her love for Tad. The revelation confirms the true feelings between Tad and Claire.

Claire exits the building and Tad waits in the newly completed fire engine as they drive off toward Vermont together. The couple's escape signals a new life away from Dwight's manipulation. The scene caps their reunion and the triumph of their relationship.

In the aftermath, Dwight pivots from hype to genuine relaxation instruction, incorporating the technique Tad demonstrated. He retools the course into a more sincere approach, hoping to help others improve without manipulation. The ending frames relaxation as a lasting alternative to Dwight's original sales pitch.