Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters Tipton's darkened study to find Tipton seated in a high-backed chair watching the World Series on TV]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : [Indicating TV]  Watch that one, Mike.

  Michael Anthony : I've been keeping the box score, sir.

  [Tipton shushes Anthony] 

  TV Sportscaster : Well, this may be the last pitch of the game. With two Giants out, the count is 3 and 2. He winds up, delivers - a fast curve ball is a high popup going foul.

  [a fielder catches the popup] 

  TV Sportscaster : But the ball game is over. The New York Yankees triumph over the Giants by a score of...

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton uses a remote control to turn off the TV and turn on the study lights] 

  [groans] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Yup. That makes thirty cents I've lost to you on the Series, Mike.

  [Tipton hands over a dime to Anthony] 

  Michael Anthony : Thank you, sir. Uh, shall I file this box score, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Burn the darn thing up.

  Michael Anthony : Yes, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : You know, Mike, you've been keeping the box score on our millionaires. Let's see how many hits, runs, and errors occur when this man has his innings

  [Tipton hands over envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : with one million dollars.

  [Anthony bows] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : .

  [to the viewers] 

  Michael Anthony : How do you do? My name is Michael Anthony. The dictionary defines 'tycoon' as a businessman of extraordinary wealth, power, and influence. For many years, I was executive secretary to a tycoon. His name was John Beresford Tipton, and he was one of the world's few multibillionaires. Mr. Tipton's dominant interest was the study of human nature. And this led him to present $1,000,000 to hundreds of men and women.

  [Displaying a pile of case histories] 

  Michael Anthony : Through the records I kept for him, he studied the effect his gift had on their lives. This is Silverstone, where John Beresford Tipton lived and worked. Sixty thousand acres of grounds surrounded the castle-like house - a private kingdom roughly one hundred and fifty times as large as the Principality of Monaco. One of the first projection screen television sets I ever saw was at Silverstone, in Mr. Tipton's study. During the World Series, it was constantly in use.

• Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  The man to whom Mr. Tipton had chosen to pitch that dangerous sidearm fastball with a hop on it - one million dollars - was Fred Graham, editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper called the Surfside Sun.

• Michael Anthony : [Opening his briefcase at the offices of the Surfside Sun]  Mr. Graham, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous has authorized me to give you a cashier's check for $1,000,000. The taxes have been paid.

  Fred Graham : Now, uh, just a minute. Who gives away a... a million dollars?

  Michael Anthony : My employer.

  Fred Graham : But, like you don't mean to stand there and tell me that anybody with a million dollars reads the Surfside Sun?

  Michael Anthony : How the recipients of these gifts are selected, I don't know, Mr. Graham.

  Fred Graham : Now look, if Horace Dillon is trying to buy me off, you can go an... Oh, that's ridiculous. A little weekly newspaper like this. Not for a million bucks.

  Michael Anthony : Let me assure you, you can accept this money with a clear conscience.

  [Retrieving a paper from his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : Only one requirement is made of you: that you sign this document pledging yourself never to reveal to anyone, except your wife, if you marry, the exact amount of the gift or the circumstances under which you received it. Now you understand, if you violate this agreement, any money or assets remaining will be reclaimed by the donor.

  Fred Graham : Yeah, well, tha... that I can - I can understand that, but... . Well, I mean, the whole thing, I'll never understand that.

  Michael Anthony : [Offering the agreement]  If you will sign here, I can turn the check over to you.

  Fred Graham : Let me at it!

  [Graham signs and Anthony retains the promise] 

  Michael Anthony : Thank you. And here is your check, Mr. Graham.

  Fred Graham : Oh, boy!

  [sees Eve through the window] 

  Fred Graham : Well, there's Eve...

  [steps toward the window] 

  Fred Graham : Eve.

  [turns to Anthony] 

  Fred Graham : Ah, why don't you come on over to the cafe with me? I'll get you dinner or breakfast or something, huh?

  Michael Anthony : Well, thank you, but my plane leaves in fifteen minutes.

  Fred Graham : Well, the next time you come through town, all right?

  [They shake hands] 

  Fred Graham : Geez, thanks, Mr. Anthony, thank you. See you later.

  [exits the office]