Lurene Tuttle: Polly

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [while Miss Polly begins to prepare the evening meal, Miss Sarah and Miss Tessie arrive home from work and all three meet in the kitchen. While talking about the day's events, they hear a rap on the back do. Miss Tessie peaks out the curtains of a window, then opens the back door]  Miss Thorne?

  Tessie Thorne : Yes.

  Michael Anthony : [On the threshold]  I tried the front doorbell but it didn't seem to work.

  Tessie Thorne : Oh, we never use the front door. What do you want?

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. I have a gift for you.

  Tessie Thorne : Won't you come in?

  [Anthony enters the kitchen] 

  Tessie Thorne : And these are my sisters.

  Sarah Thorne : Sarah.

  Polly Thorne : Polly.

  Tessie Thorne : [Indicating herself]  Tessie. ***LINE*** 9a Anthony: How do you do? As I said, I have a gift for you.

  Polly Thorne : A gift for us? Isn't that nice!

  Tessie Thorne : Now just a moment. Father always said 'Beware Greeks bearing gifts.'

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony starts searching inside his small briefcase]  I have the highest esteem for the Greek people as well as references to the classics. But I am not a Greek and I assure you, you need have no fear of this gift.

  [Displaying the check] 

  Michael Anthony : A check for a million dollars, made out to all of you, jointly.

  Tessie Thorne : [Coldly]  Mr. Anthony, we're not poor. Neither are we well-to-do. We've been very careful with what little money we have. If this is a joke, I don't think much of it.

  Michael Anthony : It's not a joke, Miss Thorne. This is a cashier's check. The taxes have already been paid, and it's all yours,

  [Displaying an Agreement] 

  Michael Anthony : providing all three of you sign this document, pledging yourselves not to tell anyone the amount of this gift or the way you came to receive it. If you do, you forfeit what is left.

  Sarah Thorne : [Examining the document]  Looks all right.

  Polly Thorne : No no! Don't sign it! Don't sign it! No! It's a trick! It's a trick! It's a judgement on us!

  Tessie Thorne : Polly, for heaven's sake, what's the matter with you?

  Polly Thorne : I knew something would happen. I just knew it!

  Sarah Thorne : Polly, how could you possibly know we were going to get a million dollars?

  Polly Thorne : But why would anyone ever give us a million dollars?

  Michael Anthony : I cannot tell you why. But your benefactor, who must remain anonymous, is a wise as well as a generous man.

  Tessie Thorne : And it is a cashier's check.

  Sarah Thorne : [to Anthony]  I pride myself on being a judge of character. You look like an honest man to me, Mr. Anthony.

  [Anthony smiles widely. To Polly] 

  Sarah Thorne : So, there Polly. Just sign the paper, dear, and everything will be all right.

  Polly Thorne : [as she signs]  It's just so wonderful. I know something terrible will come of it.

  [Sarah signs, then Tessie] 

  Michael Anthony : [Putting away the agreement]  Thank you. I trust you will enjoy your good fortune.

  Sarah Thorne : Thank you, Mr. Anthony, and please thank your... whoever he may be.

  Tessie Thorne : Won't you stay for supper?

  Michael Anthony : [Already backing toward the back door]  Oh, thank you just the same but, uh, I have to catch a train. Goodbye, ladies.

  [Anthony makes a hasty exit]