Ray Walston credited as playing...
Benjamin Clay
- Benjamin Clay: There's a story, in the Bible, about the Prodigal Son, who takes his share of his inheritance and leaves town, and piddles it all away until he ends up penniless and miserable, sleeping in a barn and slopping pigs. He finally returns home, having learned that money is no substitute for the things in life that really matter. Like: hard work. And integrity. And family. And his father welcomes him back with open arms and tears in his eyes. Well, son, I've been waiting to welcome you home for years. But you never came. And that is because you were just never miserable enough. And so, I'm going to help you out.
- Benjamin Clay: You are disinherited.
- Everett Clay: You've gotta be kidding. This is ridiculous!
- Benjamin Clay: Yes, it is. I should've done it a long time ago. I hope you have some cash in your pocket.
- Everett Clay: My God, you're serious. You're throwing me out with nothing. I'm supposed to walk outta here and never look back, right?
- Benjamin Clay: No. I hope you look back. I truly do. Whether or not you'll admit to your society friends, we are not the highfalutin' descendants of old money and Mayflower families. Your great-grandfather Jack started this company by carving these buttons. The first buttons he ever made. He sold them two for a penny. He never owned a yacht. He never gave a fancy party. But somehow, he learned to do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, and I'm proud of that. And someday, I wanna be proud of you.
- Benjamin Clay: Your boat, your little yacht, on its way across the Atlantic, the one you sent ahead to avoid the annoyance of actually being on it, has sunk off the coast of Spain.
- Everett Clay: What? My God, no. I spent years designing that; it's irreplaceable. Well, I guess I could replace it. I still have the plans somewhere, but - what a waste, my God.
- Carson Clay: Hey, Grandpa!
- Benjamin Clay: Carson. What did you do with that five-million dollars I gave you?
- Carson Clay: Uh, well, I, uh, formed an internet startup that incubates websites to allow for online broadcasting of previously-recorded material for personal downloading.
- Benjamin Clay: And what is it worth today?
- Carson Clay: Uhhhhh... .Today?
- Benjamin Clay: Five-million dollars means absolutely nothing to you, does it? You've taught him well, Everett. I'd like to see you at my office at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Do you know... where it is?
- Everett Clay: [smiles] Yes sir.
- Benjamin Clay: [starts to go, turns back] Oh, by the way - about that yacht. You never bothered to ask if anyone drowned.
- Benjamin Clay: [taking his call] The answer is no.
- Everett Clay: You're right. If the question is did I ever appreciate everything I had, the answer is no. If it's am I a good son and a good father, the answer is no. If it's do I deserve another chance, the answer is no.