- Michael Anthony: [Anthony enters the study to discover Tipton, seated in a high backed chair at his desk, reading a book. Only Tipton's left hand is visible to viewers] You sent for me, sir?
- John Beresford Tipton: Mike, can you keep a secret?
- Michael Anthony: Well, I think I can, sir.
- John Beresford Tipton: An important secret?
- Michael Anthony: [Becoming taken aback as if he is being chastised] I don't think I've ever revealed anything you didn't want known - have I, Mr. Tipton?
- John Beresford Tipton: No, Mike.
- [Tipton is toying with Anthony, who doesn't realize it]
- Michael Anthony: I hope by now you can trust my sense of responsibility.
- John Beresford Tipton: [Chuckles] I do, Mike. But I wasn't thinking of telling for any secrets. I just asked if you had secrets of your own.
- Michael Anthony: [Calming down] I imagine almost everyone has a few things they preferred to keep to themselves.
- John Beresford Tipton: Of course. I'm not trying to pry. If you weren't good at keeping secrets
- [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony]
- John Beresford Tipton: I wouldn't trust this to you.
- [Anthony accepts the envelope, smiles, bows, and turns to depart]
- Michael Anthony: [to the viewers] Tom Hampton was not the biggest man in town but he had a good job and a loving wife. His life was an open book. Well, practically an open book. And it's a good thing it was.
- Michael Anthony: [At the Hampton's apartment door] Are you Mr. Thomas Hampton-Grevel?
- Tom Hampton: Yes. Are you from England?
- Michael Anthony: No. Why do you ask?
- Tom Hampton: Grevel is my name from England. In the States, I use Hampton.
- Michael Anthony: My name is Michael Anthony, Mr. Hampton. I have some important business with you. Is there someplace where we can speak privately?
- Tom Hampton: Come in. Follow me.
- [Hampton leads Anthony to the bedroom]
- Tom Hampton: Won't you sit down?
- Michael Anthony: Thank you. I'm sorry to take you away from that festive gathering.
- Tom Hampton: We're having a little family party. It's my birthday.
- Michael Anthony: Well, in that case you might say I'm delivering you a birthday present, Mr. Hampton. I have a gift for you.
- [Opens his briefcase and removes a check]
- Michael Anthony: A cashier's check for $1,000,000.
- Tom Hampton: Why that's very
- [Stops]
- Tom Hampton: A what?
- Michael Anthony: [Hands the check to Hampton] See for yourself. And the taxes have already been paid.
- Tom Hampton: I don't know anybody who's got a million dollars to give away. I don't even know anybody who could pay the taxes on a million dollars.
- Michael Anthony: Your benefactor insists on remaining anonymous, Mr. Hampton.
- Tom Hampton: Why me?
- Michael Anthony: I'm afraid I can't tell you that. The money is yours with only one condition. You must promise not to tell anyone, except your wife, the exact amount of the gift or the way you received it. If you do tell, the money will be forfeited.
- [Anthony retrieves a document from his briefcase]
- Tom Hampton: That's all I have to do - promise not to tell? What if I tell my wife and she tells?
- Michael Anthony: All the money would be reclaimed. Now, if you will just sign this agreement - your full name please, Thomas Hampton-Grevel.
- Tom Hampton: [Hampton signs, then stares at check] One million dollars.
- Michael Anthony: Thank you
- [Returns the pledge to his briefcase]
- Tom Hampton: Thank you, Mr. Anthony.
- [They exit the bedroom and start towards the front door]
- Tom Hampton: Can't you stay for the party? My wife made, I mean bought, a wonderful cake.
- Michael Anthony: Thank you, but I have a plane to catch.
- [They reach the front door]
- Tom Hampton: I'm sorry. Oh, Mr. Anthony,
- [Ushers Anthony out into the hallway and closes the apartment door]
- Tom Hampton: did you say we'd have to give it back if we told about the million dollars?
- Michael Anthony: The unspent portion and any realizable assets.
- Tom Hampton: Do I have to tell Shirley? She's my wife.
- Michael Anthony: [With a furrowed brow] That is up to you.
- Tom Hampton: Up to me? I see. Thank you.
- Michael Anthony: Good bye, Mr. Hampton, and
- [Somewhat disdainfully]
- Michael Anthony: many happy returns.
- Michael Anthony: [to the viewers] My name is Michael Anthony and until his death, I was Executive Secretary to John Beresford Tipton, a multibillionaire, who had the strange hobby of giving away $1,000,000. One million dollars, tax-free, to an individual who had never met him, who indeed had never heard of him. This is Silverstone, John Beresford Tipton's 60,000-acre estate. Mr. Tipton was a man of amazingly wide interests - so wide that one never knew what to expect when called into his presence.