Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters a sort of game room, where he discovers Tipton, seated in a high-backed chair, shuffling a deck of playing cards at a small, round table. Only Tipton's hands are visible to viewers]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, have you ever considered the thousands of probabilities in a poker hand?

  Michael Anthony : Quite often, sir - much to my regret.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Chuckles]  You sound as though you've been drawing to inside straights. A very unwise practice.

  Michael Anthony : I found that out, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton has been dealing out a poker hand, resulting in three queens, an ace, and a nine card]  Three queens - that's a fairly strong combination, Mike. Poker players often call them Three Ladies.

  [Tipton produces an envelope, which he hands to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : I think you'll see why three ladies make a strong combination when you deliver that check.

  [Anthony smiles, bows, and pockets the envelope] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. And for many years, I was executive secretary to John Beresford Tipton, the multibillionaire, whose charity was as boundless as it was mysterious. For it was his hobby to give away, anonymously and tax-free, one million dollars apiece to various people he never knew. This is Silverstone, a fabulous estate of 60,000 acres, the residence and private domain of John Beresford Tipton.

• Michael Anthony : For the first time since I'd known him, John Beresford Tipton was dividing the million dollars among three people - the Thorne sisters. They were spinsters, living in the house their father had built in the little town of Lindville, where he had served as a minister of the Gospel until his death. Miss Sarah had been teaching since she was graduated from normal school, many years ago. Most of the present population of Lindville had been her pupils. Miss Tessie had been town clerk for about as long as anybody could remember. She received taxes and assessments, and was a municipal comfort to Mayor Tom Palen. Miss Polly was the baby of the family. She was also the housekeeper and a genius at putting up preserves. Her pickled corn had recently won first prize at the county fair.

• Michael Anthony : [while Miss Polly begins to prepare the evening meal, Miss Sarah and Miss Tessie arrive home from work and all three meet in the kitchen. While talking about the day's events, they hear a rap on the back do. Miss Tessie peaks out the curtains of a window, then opens the back door]  Miss Thorne?

  Tessie Thorne : Yes.

  Michael Anthony : [On the threshold]  I tried the front doorbell but it didn't seem to work.

  Tessie Thorne : Oh, we never use the front door. What do you want?

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. I have a gift for you.

  Tessie Thorne : Won't you come in?

  [Anthony enters the kitchen] 

  Tessie Thorne : And these are my sisters.

  Sarah Thorne : Sarah.

  Polly Thorne : Polly.

  Tessie Thorne : [Indicating herself]  Tessie. ***LINE*** 9a Anthony: How do you do? As I said, I have a gift for you.

  Polly Thorne : A gift for us? Isn't that nice!

  Tessie Thorne : Now just a moment. Father always said 'Beware Greeks bearing gifts.'

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony starts searching inside his small briefcase]  I have the highest esteem for the Greek people as well as references to the classics. But I am not a Greek and I assure you, you need have no fear of this gift.

  [Displaying the check] 

  Michael Anthony : A check for a million dollars, made out to all of you, jointly.

  Tessie Thorne : [Coldly]  Mr. Anthony, we're not poor. Neither are we well-to-do. We've been very careful with what little money we have. If this is a joke, I don't think much of it.

  Michael Anthony : It's not a joke, Miss Thorne. This is a cashier's check. The taxes have already been paid, and it's all yours,

  [Displaying an Agreement] 

  Michael Anthony : providing all three of you sign this document, pledging yourselves not to tell anyone the amount of this gift or the way you came to receive it. If you do, you forfeit what is left.

  Sarah Thorne : [Examining the document]  Looks all right.

  Polly Thorne : No no! Don't sign it! Don't sign it! No! It's a trick! It's a trick! It's a judgement on us!

  Tessie Thorne : Polly, for heaven's sake, what's the matter with you?

  Polly Thorne : I knew something would happen. I just knew it!

  Sarah Thorne : Polly, how could you possibly know we were going to get a million dollars?

  Polly Thorne : But why would anyone ever give us a million dollars?

  Michael Anthony : I cannot tell you why. But your benefactor, who must remain anonymous, is a wise as well as a generous man.

  Tessie Thorne : And it is a cashier's check.

  Sarah Thorne : [to Anthony]  I pride myself on being a judge of character. You look like an honest man to me, Mr. Anthony.

  [Anthony smiles widely. To Polly] 

  Sarah Thorne : So, there Polly. Just sign the paper, dear, and everything will be all right.

  Polly Thorne : [as she signs]  It's just so wonderful. I know something terrible will come of it.

  [Sarah signs, then Tessie] 

  Michael Anthony : [Putting away the agreement]  Thank you. I trust you will enjoy your good fortune.

  Sarah Thorne : Thank you, Mr. Anthony, and please thank your... whoever he may be.

  Tessie Thorne : Won't you stay for supper?

  Michael Anthony : [Already backing toward the back door]  Oh, thank you just the same but, uh, I have to catch a train. Goodbye, ladies.

  [Anthony makes a hasty exit]