WWII is coming to a close, and in a small town in Alabama, young Jimmy "Gimpy" Johnson struggles. His future is bleak. After being given a rough hand in life - born into poverty, a father in the war, and a permanent limp after a bicycle accident - his incredible smarts help him make it to college. While studying and working part-time at a newspaper, he exploits his talent. The ability to forecast the final scores of sporting events even before they play, Gimpy resorted to gambling. It provided the one thing he wanted, money and lots of it.