Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Viewers see Anthony descend some stairs and enter Tipton's game room, with several pinball machines evident. Tipton is off-camera with only his right arm visible. He is playing on a pinball machine]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Watch this shot, Mike.

  [Chuckles] 

  John Beresford Tipton : I'm gonna get the ball

  [pointing] 

  John Beresford Tipton : right through there.

  [Tipton pulls the lever and the ball caroms and weaves though the pinball field. Tipton groans but winds up with 600,000 points] 

  John Beresford Tipton : [groans]  Missed! Mike, the ball almost seemed to have a mind of its own. You know, someday, I'll write a monograph on the willfulness of inanimate objects. In the meantime, I have a hunch there is some willfulness in animate objects, too.

  [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Let's see how our new millionaire copes with it.

  [Anthony accepts the envelope and turns to leave. Tipton returns to play] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  My name is Michael Anthony. I was executive secretary to John Beresford Tipton. It's just possible that you might have known Mr. Tipton as one of the world's sixteen multibillionaires. What you didn't know was that it was his pleasure, near the end of his life, to give a million dollars, tax-free, to a number of lucky people.

  [Anthony displays a stack of files] 

  Michael Anthony : And it was my pleasure, sometimes pain, to record their case histories - what happened to them after they got the money. This is Silverstone, John Beresford Tipton's fabulous 60,000-acre estate. And here one day I was summoned to the game room, the scene of one of Mr. Tipton's small pleasures. Yes, he even had his own pinball machine.

• Michael Anthony : [Reviewing a case history file; to the viewers]  Our new millionaire was Waldo Francis Turner. A first look at the home to which my search for him led me, might be deceptive, but it was to the servant's entrance that I was destined to go.

• Michael Anthony : [Turner answers a knock at the back door of the Wainwright home]  I beg your pardon. This is the Wainwright residence?

  Waldo Francis Turner : Yes, sir - the rear entrance of it.

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. May I come in?

  Waldo Francis Turner : Please do, sir.

  [Anthony enters] 

  Michael Anthony : [to Mrs. Gallager]  Good evening, ma'am.

  Mrs. Gallager : Good evening to you, sir. And if it's something you're sellin'...

  Michael Anthony : Oh, no.

  [to Turner] 

  Michael Anthony : You are Waldo Francis Turner?

  Waldo Francis Turner : Yes, sir.

  Michael Anthony : Well, then I have some very good news for you.

  Waldo Francis Turner : Well how nice.

  [Buzzer intrudes] 

  Waldo Francis Turner : Ah, excuse me.

  [Turner has been summoned to serve the Wainwrights their dinner. Anthony waits in the kitchen while Turner serves the family their meal. Turner's son Dorman enters the kitchen; he and Anthony exchange greetings. Turner returns and has a short conversation with his son. Dorman then exits the kitchen. The cook and Turner converse about Dorman's financial situation, and the cook leaves. Anthony and Turner are finally alone] 

  Michael Anthony : It gives me a chance to talk to you, the reason for my visit.

  [Anthony withdraws a check from his briefcase and gives it to Turner] 

  Michael Anthony : If, uh, money is a problem, perhaps this can help.

  Waldo Francis Turner : [Turner accepts the check reservedly with no reaction]  A check, made out to me. One million dollars.

  Michael Anthony : That's right, a cashier's check, a gift from my employer with no strings, Mr. Turner. Even the taxes have been paid. It's free and clear except for one condition.

  [Anthony has retrieved a document from his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : You must never tell anyone, except your wife in the event of your remarriage, where or how you got the money or the exact amount. If you do, it will be reclaimed on behalf of the donor. Will you sign this pledge to that effect?

  Waldo Francis Turner : That seems a reasonable request,

  [Turner signs and Anthony retains the pledge] 

  Michael Anthony : [Concerned about Turner's lack of reaction]  Are you, uh, all right, Mr. Turner?

  Waldo Francis Turner : All right? Yes, quite all right. Why do you ask?

  Michael Anthony : You do realize you hold $1,000,000 in your hand?

  Waldo Francis Turner : Yes, $1,000,000. That's what it says on the check.

  Michael Anthony : Aren't you overjoyed? Aren't you excited?

  Waldo Francis Turner : Oh, I am. Tremendously.

  Michael Anthony : Well, goodbye, Mr. Turner. I hope you enjoy your newfound wealth.

  Waldo Francis Turner : I've enjoyed myself most of my life, Mr. Anthony. Perhaps, with this, I can bring some enjoyment to others.

  [Turner escorts Anthony to the door]