Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters a horticultural nursery on the estate where he discovers Tipton tending to a plant he has nurtured. Viewers can see only Tipton's hands]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike,

  [pointing with a spade] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, this is a plant. I'll spare you the Latin name

  [chuckling] 

  John Beresford Tipton : . It's never been cultivated away from its natural habitat. And do you know why?

  Michael Anthony : No, Sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : Because people are impatient and lose faith. A little over two years ago, I planted a seed

  [pointing] 

  John Beresford Tipton : here. And it's taken all this time for the seed to germinate, travel this distance below the surface, and come out of the earth here

  [pointing] 

  John Beresford Tipton : .

  Michael Anthony : Most people can't wait.

  John Beresford Tipton : Exactly, Mike. And they are not aware that there are events in their lives that germinate, just like this plant.

  [Hands an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Here's our next millionaire. Let's see how $1,000,000 affects his process of germination

  [chuckles, as Anthony smiles] 

  John Beresford Tipton : .

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : [Reviewing a case history file, then speaking to the viewers]  My name is Michael Anthony, and during his lifetime, I was executive secretary to John Beresford Tipton, a multibillionaire, whose hobby was to give, anonymously, a million dollars, one million dollars, tax-free, to some man or woman who'd never met him, or probably never heard of him. This is Silverstone, John Beresford Tipton's fabulous 60,000-acre estate. One day, I received word that Mr. Tipton wished to see me.

• Michael Anthony : [Reviewing a case history and speaking to the viewers]  His name was Jeff Ellis. His story starts on a battlefield in Korea.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony knocks at the door of Jeff Ellis, who responds]  Mr. Jefferson B. Ellis?

  Jeff Ellis : Yes, come in.

  Michael Anthony : [Entering]  Thank you.

  Jeff Ellis : You're from the agency, Weatherby's?

  Michael Anthony : No, my name is Michael Anthony. I have something for you

  [Starts retrieving documents from his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : .

  Jeff Ellis : For me?

  Michael Anthony : [Handing Ellis a check]  A cashier's check for $1,000,000, tax-free.

  Jeff Ellis : [Reviewing check]  But, it's made out to me - Jefferson B. Ellis.

  Michael Anthony : Indeed, it is.

  [Producing a paper] 

  Michael Anthony : Now if you'll sign this, pledging your word never to tell anyone who gave it to you or that you have a million dollars...

  Jeff Ellis : Now look, Mr. Anthony, I've got a lot on my mind.

  Michael Anthony : Then this should help considerably. The money is yours as soon as you sign this pledge, with one condition, as I said, to tell no one, or whatever money you have left will be reclaimed by the bank on behalf of the donor.

  Jeff Ellis : You just walk in here, give me a million dollars, and walk out again?

  Michael Anthony : It's that simple.

  Jeff Ellis : It is?

  Michael Anthony : Just sign this.

  Jeff Ellis : Suppose I don't?

  Michael Anthony : Then you'll be out $1,000,000. Are you ready to make that gesture?

  Jeff Ellis : I'll take it.

  [Signs the form, return it to Anthony] 

  Jeff Ellis : If this is on the level, maybe I can pay off a debt a lot faster than I ever hoped to.

  Michael Anthony : Pay off a debt with this?

  Jeff Ellis : If you tell me what the going price is for a man's life.

  Michael Anthony : I'd say that depends on the life.