Linda Leighton: Ellen Richards

Quotes 

• Ellen Richards : [Ellen Richards answers the apartment doorbell]  Hello.

  Michael Anthony : Is Mr. Richards in?

  Ellen Richards : Yes, he is.

  Michael Anthony : [John Richards approaches from the next room]  Mr. John Richards?

  John Richards : Yes.

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony.

  John Richards : How do you do?

  [Shakes hands with Anthony] 

  John Richards : This is Mrs. Richards.

  [smiles at Ellen] 

  Ellen Richards : Won't you come in?

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters]  I have something of importance I'd like to discuss with you.

  [Anthony starts to retrieve paperwork from is briefcase] 

  Ellen Richards : [Starts to leave]  Excuse me, please.

  Michael Anthony : It's quite all right for you to stay, Mrs. Richards.

  John Richards : Is it something about the school, Mr. Anthony?

  Michael Anthony : Not exactly. I have a gift for you.

  [Anthony displays a check] 

  Michael Anthony : A cashier's check, a gift from an unknown benefactor who must remain unknown. But he knows about you.

  John Richards : [Staring at the check]  A million dollars. From a...

  Ellen Richards : What?

  John Richards : For me?

  Michael Anthony : On condition that you tell no one the amount of this money or the way in which you came to receive it. Only your wife may know that. If you should violate this condition, the rest of the money will be reclaimed.

  John Richards : [Stammering]  You - Why - you see... You say that this... this man knows about me. What what... what can he possibly know that would warrant this?

  Michael Anthony : Believe me, he makes his decisions very carefully.

  [Offering the document and a pen] 

  Michael Anthony : Now, if you'll, uh, just sign here, please.

  John Richards : It's fantastic. It's a fairy tale.

  Ellen Richards : But there it is. I believe it!

  John Richards : One million dollars! But a cashier's check is real.

  [Signing the pledge] 

  John Richards : I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't admit that I was delighted. But this does not make any sense at all.

  Michael Anthony : [Placing the agreement and pen into his briefcase]  I understand, Mr. Richards. But perhaps it makes more sense than you realize. If it were completely pointless, you wouldn't look so happy.

  [Turns to depart] 

  Michael Anthony : Goodbye, sir. Goodbye, Mrs. Richards.

  John Richards : Goodbye.

  Ellen Richards : [Anthony leaves the apartment]  John, it's a miracle. Think of it. We can do anything in the world we want to.