Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters the library where he finds Tipton seated in a high-back chair with a glass display case to his right. Only Tipton's right hand is visible to viewers]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, in this case I have some of the world's most prized first editions.

  [Holding up a manuscript] 

  John Beresford Tipton : But this document I prize above all. It's one of the few original reproductions of England's Magna Carta.

  Michael Anthony : I believe the Magna Carta is the foundation on which our system of bail is based.

  John Beresford Tipton : Exactly, Mike. And the interesting thing is that, while bail is a protection for the innocent, it also frequently protects the guilty as well.

  [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Here is a man who knows quite a bit about the effects of bail. He's our next millionaire.

  [Anthony accepts the envelope and bows] 

• Michael Anthony : Tom Mead was a tough, efficient insurance investigator, who had a curious sort of conscience, which sometimes got him into trouble. His conscience started acting up the night the Cosmopolitan Finance Company was robbed of $20,000.

• Tom Mead : [Tom Mead is on the telephone in his apartment, when he hears knocking at his door. Tom advises the caller, places the phone handset on the table, and opens the door]  If you're selling something, I'm not buying. Excuse me, friend.

  [starts to close the door but Anthony intercedes] 

  Michael Anthony : If you're Thomas J. Mead, I have some very important news for you - very *good* news, as a matter of fact.

  Tom Mead : Well, I could use some good news. Come on in.

  [Anthony enters. Tom advises the caller that he will call him back later] 

  Tom Mead : Well, what's the pitch?

  Michael Anthony : [Opening his briefcase and withdrawing a check, which he displays to Mead]  I have here a cashier's check for $1,000,000. All yours, and tax-free.

  Tom Mead : [Disbelieving]  Where's the man with the net?

  Michael Anthony : [Holding the check in Mead's face]  Take a look at the check, Mr. Mead. You'll see that it's bona fide.

  Tom Mead : [Examines check]  A million smackers! You're crazy. Who gives away a million dollars?

  Michael Anthony : Your benefactor insists on anonymity.

  Tom Mead : [Suspicious]  What do I do for this?

  Michael Anthony : [Displaying a document]  You must sign this pledge, the effect that, under penalty of forfeiture, you will tell no one, except your wife if you should marry, that you have this money or where it came from.

  [Mead signs] 

  Michael Anthony : And now, Mr. Mead, you are a millionaire.

  Tom Mead : Tom Mead, millionaire. Funny, I used to think having some extra money rattling around in my pocket was the most wonderful thing in the world. Now I found something I want even more. And this money is going to buy it for me.

  Michael Anthony : And what is that?

  Tom Mead : A girl's freedom. I've got a hunch it's gonna be the best buy I ever made.

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  My name is Michael Anthony. And until his death, I was executive secretary to John Beresford Tipton, a multibillionaire, whose primary interest in money was the effect it had on others. Because of his curiosity, he would often give away, anonymously, to persons unknown to him, one million dollars, tax-free. This is Silverstone, John Beresford Tipton's 60,000-acre secluded estate. One day, he asked that I join him in the library.