Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Camera pans in on Anthony, who is perusing a newspaper. To the viewers]  Hello. My name is Michael Anthony. You know

  [Glancing at newspaper] 

  Michael Anthony : there have been a lot of giveaway contests over the years

  [Puts paper down] 

  Michael Anthony : . But no one even heard of the biggest giveaway program ever launched, except the people involved, that is. It was operated by my former employer, John Beresford Tipton, who gave away $1,000,000, tax-free, to various people, as a hobby. At Silverstone, he directed his world-wide interests and indulged in his eccentric hobby. Sometimes he also indulged in the pastime of pocket billiards.

• Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  Walter Carter's story begins at the Cloverdale Sanitorium.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters a den and discovers Tipton playing pocket billiards. Tipton is off camera with only his hands visible as he wields a cue stick]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : You know, Mike, if you're good at this game, you can usually call your shot.

  Michael Anthony : Yes, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Tipton shoots and successfully sinks a ball]  However, there is one game where no amount of practice enables you to call your shot with any degree of accuracy because you're dealing with human nature.

  Michael Anthony : Yes, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : [Handing an envelope to Anthony]  There's our next millionaire. I won't attempt to call the shot - just bring me your report, as usual.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony buzzes Carter's door. Carter responds]  Mr. Walter Clinton Carter?

  Walter Carter : That's my name.

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

  Walter Carter : Oh, certainly. Come in and take a seat.

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters]  I have some business to discuss with you, sir.

  Walter Carter : Oh, do sit down, won't you?

  [Anthony sits on a sofa, Carter starts to sit beside him, then abruptly stands] 

  Walter Carter : Excuse me, I'd rather stand. Couches have a rather unpleasant association to me at the moment.

  [Carter is referring to his time in the sanitorium where he spent considerable time on a couch, interviewed by his psychiatrist] 

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony reaches into his briefcase]  Mr. Carter, I've come here to give you a cashier's check for $1,000,000.

  [Carter is absolutely shocked] 

  Michael Anthony : What's the matter?

  Walter Carter : Nothing. Nothing at all. I'm just going to take an aspirin and then you won't even be here.

  [Carter walks out to an adjacent room for a moment] 

  Michael Anthony : Mr. Carter! Mr. Carter, perhaps you didn't hear me.

  [Carter returns] 

  Michael Anthony : I said I've come here to give you a cashier's check for $1,000,000.

  Walter Carter : Yes, I heard you. I'm used to hearing things, seeing them also.

  [Carter covers his eyes. Anthony, confused, steps to the side. Carter, with his eyes still closed, reaches out his hands to touch Anthony to see if he is there. He feels nothing. Carter opens his eyes] 

  Walter Carter : That's much more like it.

  Michael Anthony : Please, Mr. Carter, try to understand.

  [Carter is startled again] 

  Michael Anthony : I have a check for $1,000.000.

  Walter Carter : [to himself]  Strange how these hallucinations change.

  [to Anthony] 

  Walter Carter : At Cloverdale they brought the million up in an armored truck and dumped it in my room.

  Michael Anthony : I don't know what this is all about,

  [Displays envelope to Carter] 

  Michael Anthony : , but I do know that this envelope contains a check for $1,000,000, and it's yours.

  Walter Carter : Look, bub, don't worry about things. I know how they happen. I've been seen by the best in the business.

  Michael Anthony : [Getting perturbed]  I'm not crazy, if that's what you're getting at. I'm as sane as you are.

  Walter Carter : Oh, come now, you can do better than that. I'm as nutty as a $10 fruitcake.

  Michael Anthony : Mr. Carter, all you have to do is sign a contract in which you agree to certain stipulated conditions.

  Walter Carter : [Getting obstinate]  Sorry, but if I am to get imaginary money, I want it with no strings attached.

  Michael Anthony : It's not imaginary and there are not any strings attached!

  [Anthony shows the document to Carter] 

  Michael Anthony : You simply sign an agreement never to tell anyone you have a million dollars and where you got it. You must tell no one about this, and if you do, the bank must reclaim whatever you have left on behalf of the donor - cash or tangible assets. Is that clear?

  Walter Carter : Is this all there is to his agreement?

  Michael Anthony : Absolutely. The donor's hobby is giving away money. I have come acting as his agent.

  Walter Carter : Answer me one question. I want a simple, honest, plain yes or no.

  Michael Anthony : Alright, what is the question?

  Walter Carter : Was this donor ever a patient at Cloverdale Sanitorium?

  Michael Anthony : No - never.

  Walter Carter : Got a pen?

  [Anthony produces a pen and the pledge. Carter signs] 

  Michael Anthony : [Handing the check to Carter]  There you are, Mr. Carter.

  [Anthony returns document to his briefcase] 

  Michael Anthony : Thank you. You may call Mr. Andrew McMahon, the president of the bank on which the check is drawn. He'll be glad to help you in any way.

  [as he heads for the door] 

  Michael Anthony : I must say it's harder to give away money than to make it. Good luck and good day!

  [Departs]