Spike, the prisoner, counts out to over 6.5 trillion spoonfuls of dirt to dig himself out in a 20-year period. Studies have shown that counting even to 1 billion, under normal circumstances, would take 80 years for a human being to do.
The main character has been in prison since 1934, when television technology was in its infancy and only existed in a few science labs. Yet in 1954, he breaks out of prison and immediately understands how a new-model TV set works and is familiar with (and has disguises and musical instruments for) the types of programs shown on TV.
Between 1934 and 1954, the two main characters don't seem to age.