Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters the Tipton outdoor gardens, to find Tipton weeding some flowers. Tipton is just off camera]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, you know I never look at flowers blooming without somehow feeling they're the same flowers that bloomed last year, and the year before that, and all of the years before.

  Michael Anthony : The same flowers, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : [Chuckles]  Memory, Mike. The quality in every human being which keeps our experiences from fading, which keeps all our yesterdays alive.

  [Hands over envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Let's see what a million dollars will do for Larry Parker's memory of a love that won't fade away.

  [Anthony accepts the envelope] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  My name is Michael Anthony. Until his death a few years ago, I was executive secretary to one of the most remarkable men this world has ever known: the immensely wealthy John Beresford Tipton. This is Silverstone, Mr. Tipton's fabulous 60,000-acre estate. He was one of the very few men who ever earned, by the use of his phenomenal brain, a fortune that ran not only into the millions, but billions of dollars. After his retirement, he lived in seclusion. He had many hobbies, the most startling of which was making anonymous gifts to various individuals of one million tax-free dollars.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony buzzes the Parker's doorbell, late at night. Larry answers]  I beg your pardon. Are you Larry Parker?

  Larry Parker : Mm-hm. Who are you?

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. My apologies for calling so late. My plane was delayed...

  Larry Parker : [starts speaking over Anthony's explanation after the word "was"]  It's getting late, Mr. Anthony. It is late. Whatever your business is, I'm sure it can wait until morning.

  Michael Anthony : Yes, of course, it can.

  [Opening his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : But, uh, I noticed your lights on, and I thought you might enjoy sleeping on this.

  [Withdraws a check and hands it to Larry. Steps inside] 

  Michael Anthony : I'll close the door, if you don't mind.

  Ellen Parker : [Entering from bedroom]  Who is it, Larry?

  Michael Anthony : Ah, Mrs. Parker, I'm just giving your husband a cashier's check for one million dollars, and you are the only other person who can know about it.

  Ellen Parker : A million dollars! Larry?

  Larry Parker : It's a cashier's check, all right. That is, it's looks it. But... but who would give us a million dollars?

  Ellen Parker : Well, it can't be. Why us?

  Michael Anthony : I'm afraid I can't answer either question. Your benefactor insists on remaining anonymous. He merely empowered me to deliver the check.

  [Returns to his briefcase to take out a document] 

  Michael Anthony : The gift taxes have been paid, and it is entirely yours, on one condition.

  Larry Parker : Condition?

  Michael Anthony : If either of you ever reveals the source of this gift or the exact amount, you will forfeit whatever remains.

  [to Larry] 

  Michael Anthony : Then you'll uh, sign right here, Mr. Parker.

  Larry Parker : That's all there is to it?

  Michael Anthony : That's all.

  [Larry signs the agreement which Anthony reclaims and places back into his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : Thank you and good night. And good luck.

  Larry Parker : Thank *you*.

  [Anthony departs] 

• Michael Anthony : [Examining a file folder, to the viewers]  This is the case history that developed after Mr. Tipton gave me the check that day in his garden - the case history of Larry Parker. The story began the night that Ellen, Larry's wife, was waiting for Larry to come home to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary.