Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : ****

  [Anthony enters the Tipton study, to find Tipton seated in a high-backed chair at his desk] 

  Michael Anthony : You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, tell me. What do you think of me as an employer?

  Michael Anthony : [Surprised]  Why, I've always admired you greatly, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : But don't you sometimes have the desire to turn the tables, Mike? To sit in my chair?

  Michael Anthony : [Taken aback]  Why, Mr. Tipton...

  John Beresford Tipton : ****To tell me off?

  [Anthony is obviously uncomfortable] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Ahh. Come, come, Mike. Confess it.

  Michael Anthony : ****Well, I... I can't say it hasn't ever occurred to me.

  John Beresford Tipton : Try it, Mike.

  Michael Anthony : [Painfully]  Mr. Tipton, I'd rather not. I don't think I could.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton chuckles and hands over an envelope to Anthony]  Our next millionaire.

  [Anthony bows and departs] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : ****

  [to the viewers] 

  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, $1,000,000 apiece to various people he never knew. 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.

• Newman Johnson : [as Newman Johnson is about the leave for work, there is a knock on his door. He opens it]  Yeah?

  Michael Anthony : Mr. Newman Johnson? How do you do? My name is Michael Anthony. I have some very important business to discuss with you.

  Newman Johnson : With me?

  Michael Anthony : Yes. May I come in?

  Newman Johnson : Well, I was just on my way to work. I'm going to be late.

  Michael Anthony : [Entering]  This won't take very long.

  [Starts to open his briefcase, then looks around] 

  Michael Anthony : Are you alone?

  Newman Johnson : Well, my sister-in-law is in there

  [Indicating a bedroom] 

  Newman Johnson : .

  Michael Anthony : I'm just delivering this:

  [Displaying a check] 

  Michael Anthony : A cashier's check for a million dollars. It's made out to Newman Johnson. The tax has already been paid.

  [Johnson stares at the check with mouth agape] 

  Michael Anthony : It's a million dollars, free and clear.

  [Johnson is still dumbfounded] 

  Michael Anthony : Ah. I can't tell you who sent this gift or why you are the recipient. You may only know that an anonymous well-wisher has sent you a cashier's check for a million dollars, to do with exactly as you choose,

  [Still no coherent response from the stunned Johnson] 

  Michael Anthony : if you merely sign this pledge, stating that you will not disclose the amount of this gift or how you got it to anyone except your wife. If you tell anyone else, you will forfeit what's left. Just sign here, please.

  [Johnson stares at the check] 

  Michael Anthony : Will you please, Mr. Johnson? Just sign this paper. Come, come, Mr. Johnson. For one million dollars?

  [Johnson signs] 

  Michael Anthony : [scene resumes after a commercial break]  Thank you.

  [Anthony prepares to depart] 

  Michael Anthony : . I hope you enjoy your gift. Goodbye, Mr. Johnson.

  [departs] 

• Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  Newman Johnson was a clerk in the office of the Greenwise Glove Company. He'd been there for three years, and might be there for another fifty years. On this particular morning, Newman Johnson was preparing himself to sell the boss a revolutionary idea he'd dreamed up, one that would take him from the last desk in the line to the first. Because at the Greenwise Glove Company, this was almost equal to being vice president.