Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters the study to discover Tipton, seated in a high back chair at his desk, fiddling with a miniature circus wagon. Calliope music is heard and only Tipton's hands are visible to viewers]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Circus music. A calliope, named for one of the muses. Know which one, Mike?

  Michael Anthony : Yes, sir, the muse of epic poetry.

  John Beresford Tipton : And that's fitting - there's plenty of epic poetry in a circus: love, laughter, and sudden death.

  [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : Here's the name of our new millionaire, Mike. You'll find him under the big top.

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : .

  [to the viewers] 

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. For many years, I was executive secretary to John Beresford Tipton, one of the world's few multibillionaires. To hundreds of men and women, he gave $1,000,000, anonymously. It was my job to keep a detailed record of how they used or abused this fabulous gift. This is Silverstone, John Beresford Tipton's estate. From these 60,000 acres, he turned millions into billions, everyday people into overnight millionaires.

• Michael Anthony : [to the viewers]  Keeping this millionaire's case history for Mr. Tipton taught me a lot about the circus. Our new millionaire was an aerial acrobat. And he was married to Nadine, who, hanging by one hand, used to do body turns more than 100 times, high aloft in the center of the arena. Then one day, the steel handhold broke, and she plummeted to her death. Our new millionaire was Victor Volante. And now, as our story opens, the manager of the circus was very much disturbed about him.

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony reaches Volante just outside his circus trailer]  Mr. Victor Volante?

  Victor Volante : [His mind on other matters]  Yeah, just a minute.

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. I have important business to discuss with you. May I, uh, come in?

  Victor Volante : [after looking Anthony up and down]  Sure, come in.

  [They enter the trailer] 

  Victor Volante : Sit down.

  Michael Anthony : Mr. Volante, I have been instructed to give you a cashier's check for $1,000,000.

  Victor Volante : Look, buster, go someplace else to find your suckers. I've got problems of my own.

  [Starts to forcibly remove Anthony] 

  Victor Volante : Now get out!

  Michael Anthony : Mr. Volante, I'm not a typical gilly.

  [Holds up check] 

  Michael Anthony : Look at this!

  Victor Volante : [Glancing at the check]  You're kidding.

  Michael Anthony : The check is a cashier's check, good at any bank. The donor wishes to remain anonymous.

  Victor Volante : I don't get it.

  Michael Anthony : On the donor's behalf, I have presented identical sums to hundreds of people, Mr. Volante.

  [Showing document] 

  Michael Anthony : If you will sign this document, pledging yourself to reveal to no one, except your wife in the event you marry, the exact amount of this gift or the circumstances under which you received it, I will turn the check over to you. If you do reveal this, whatever money or tangible assets remain in your possession, will be reclaimed on behalf of the donor.

  Victor Volante : Who wouldn't go for a deal like this. Give me that pen.

  [Signs the agreement, which Anthony retrieves] 

  Michael Anthony : And here is your check

  [Gives check to Volante] 

  Michael Anthony : Good day, Mr. Volante.

  Victor Volante : Good day, Mr. Anthony - and many of them.