- Michael Anthony: [Anthony enters the Tipton study to discover Tipton seated in a high backed chair at his desk, constructing a matchstick tower. Only his left hand is visible to viewers] You sent for me, sir?
- John Beresford Tipton: Mike, ever build houses like this? Or castles in the sand?
- Michael Anthony: Yes, sir, of course - when I was a child.
- John Beresford Tipton: Some people go on doing it, even when they've grown up.
- [Tipton adds another matchstick to the structure]
- Michael Anthony: I don't suppose you mean that literally, sir?
- John Beresford Tipton: No, but they built on shifting values, unstable personalities, sometimes on false friends. Then, because the foundation isn't strong enough
- [Tipton adds another matchstick to the tower, which falls over. Tipton hands over envelope to Anthony]
- John Beresford Tipton: Our next millionaire, Mike.
- [Anthony bows and departs]
- Michael Anthony: [Anthony chases down Mitchell Gunther on a city street, where Gunther stops outside a pawn shop] Mr. Gunther? Mr. Mitchell Gunther?
- Mitchell Gunther: No.
- Michael Anthony: I know you are Mr. Mitchell Gunther. You were pointed out to me and I've followed you since you left your office.
- Mitchell Gunther: I have no more to say to the press.
- Michael Anthony: I'm not a reporter, Mr. Gunther. My name is Michael Anthony. I have something of importance to give you.
- [Looks around]
- Michael Anthony: Is there some place we might talk more privately?
- Mitchell Gunther: [Indicating the pawn shop] I have urgent business in here. So, you'll excuse me.
- Michael Anthony: Please, Mr. Gunther, if you'll just listen to me for one minute, you won't have to go in there. I have a gift for you.
- [Opens his briefcase and extracts a check]
- Michael Anthony: This is a cashier's check for $1,000,000.
- Mitchell Gunther: [Examines the check closely] This is a cashier's check.
- [to Anthony]
- Mitchell Gunther: Who are you? What do I have left that's worth $1,000,000?
- Michael Anthony: I'm not trying to buy anything. This is a gift - not from me - from an anonymous donor.
- Mitchell Gunther: A gift of $1,000,000?
- Michael Anthony: [Opening his briefcase again] There's just one condition
- [Removing a document]
- Mitchell Gunther: What's that?
- Michael Anthony: All you have to do is sign this paper, agreeing to tell no one the amount or the circumstances under which you received it.
- Mitchell Gunther: [Reading promise very carefully] If I tell, the money will be reclaimed.
- Michael Anthony: The only exception is, you may tell your wife, if you're married.
- Mitchell Gunther: I'm not married. A million dollars. Why me?
- Michael Anthony: I can't tell you that, Mr. Gunther. But I can assure you that the money is legally yours, if you will sign this agreement.
- Mitchell Gunther: Well, I don't understand it. I never got a million dollars this easily.
- [Signs document]
- Mitchell Gunther: I've always earned my money, Mr. Anthony.
- Michael Anthony: [Returning the pledge to his briefcase] I hope you'll enjoy your good fortune, Mr. Gunther.
- Mitchell Gunther: Can you buy justice, Mr. Anthony? Of course not. Thank you. Thank you very much.
- [Starts to enter the pawn shop]
- Michael Anthony: You don't have to go in there now.
- Mitchell Gunther: I need a dime for a bus to go to the bank.
- Michael Anthony: [Reaching into his pocket and producing some bills] Oh, please, allow me. Take a taxi - you're a millionaire!
- Michael Anthony: [to the viewers] Mitchell Gunther was a self-made man - engineer, contractor, builder. He had built himself an empire. But empires are precarious possessions. Suddenly, his came crashing down.
- Michael Anthony: [to the viewers] My name is Michael Anthony. For many years, I was Executive Secretary to the late multibillionaire John Beresford Tipton. Among my duties was the unique job of delivering $1,000,000, which Mr. Tipton frequently gave away, tax-free, to a total stranger. From his fabulous 60,000-acre estate Silverstone, Mr. Tipton carried on his study of human nature. Every subject in his vast storage of knowledge was material for close analysis, and it was always related to the behavior and destiny of man.