Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Viewers see Anthony approaching Tipton, who is hidden behind a pillar with only his right arm visible. Tipton is mixing a salad on a salad cart]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, do you know the secret of a good salad?

  Michael Anthony : [Apprehensively]  I'm not sure that I do, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : Enough, but not too much. That's the secret.

  [Tipton continues to prepare the salad, twisting a pepper mill] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Just enough pepper.

  [Anthony hands Tipton a small bowl with lemon slices] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Just enough lemon juice.

  [Tipton drops in some basil] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Not too much basil.

  [Tipton stops] 

  John Beresford Tipton : That's the secret to a good life, too: just enough work, enough play, enough love, enough money.

  Michael Anthony : Yes, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony]  Let's see if this person thinks a million dollars is enough.

  [Anthony accepts the envelope] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewer]  My name is Michael Anthony, and for many years, I was executive secretary to the late John Beresford Tipton, financial genius and multibillionaire. And this is Silverstone, the 60,000-acre estate, where Mr. Tipton lived and indulged his many active interests and hobbies. One of his hobbies was giving away a million dollars to people he didn't know. And another one of his hobbies was cooking. He'd never let anybody else touch his salads.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony has knocked at the boarding house door of Powers. When there is no response, Anthony opens the door to find Powers, despondent, on his bed]  Mr. J. J. Powers?

  Jay Powers : Yeah.

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

  Jay Powers : Probably from the parole board. I don't know any way to keep you out.

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters]  I'm not from the parole board.

  [Opening his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : I have something for you.

  [Displays a check] 

  Michael Anthony : A check for a million dollars.

  Jay Powers : That must be something new. They already gave me ten dollars and a new suit when they unlocked the gate.

  Michael Anthony : I have no connection with your past.

  Jay Powers : You know I was in jail?

  Michael Anthony : I know, yes. But that has nothing to do with the fact that a benefactor, whose name you will never learn, sent me to give you this.

  Jay Powers : All right, Is this a joke or what?

  Michael Anthony : A cashier's check is not a joke.

  [Anthony hands the check to Powers] 

  Jay Powers : [Staring at check]  A million dollars.

  Michael Anthony : [Retrieving a document from his briefcase]  If you agree to these conditions, sign this and the million is yours, tax-free.

  Jay Powers : What conditions?

  Michael Anthony : To tell no one the circumstances under which you received the money or the amount. If you were married, you'd be allowed to tell your wife. But if you do tell anyone else, the money will be reclaimed on behalf of the donor.

  Jay Powers : Well, even if it is a joke, I've got nothing to lose, huh?

  [Powers signs the agreement, which Anthony retains] 

  Michael Anthony : Thank you.

  Jay Powers : An awful lotta dollars.

  Michael Anthony : [Wryly]  But you'll probably think of some way to use them.

  Jay Powers : If this check is any good, Mr. Anthony, I'm going back to my hometown, and repay my debt to society.

• Michael Anthony : [Reviewing a case history file] 

  [to the viewers] 

  Michael Anthony : The name of our next millionaire was J. J. Powers - Joseph Jameson Powers - a man who looked as though he could use a few dollars.