An alien stranded in the north woods gives Rudolf and Flaherty a strain of bacteria which produces aluminum, allowing them to challenge the business establishment by becoming the world's leading aluminum producers (in their back yard).
A more improbable due of heroes has never challenged your imagination. Rudolf is an Ivy-league Indian, a respected scholar, disaffected by the American society that has seduced him. Flaherty is a scientist, an Irishman, and an extremely disorderly alcoholic.
Action builds upon action until Rudolf destroys civilization—and a good thing, too!