The Ace of Spades Page #10

understand why the US turned on us.

56

Saddam grabs his side again but remains a soldier.

Kyle can’t help but look at each twitch of Saddam’s face.

KYLE:

I wouldn't consider it turned.

SADDAM:

When the Soviets were a superpower

it was easier.

KYLE:

We would argue that it's just as

difficult.

SADDAM:

No. The balance was equal. Both

attempted to get other countries to

side with them. When the Soviets

collapsed, there was nowhere for

someone like Iraq to go when we

disagree. Our disagreement made us

an enemy by default.

KYLE:

But you attacked Kuwait. That

doesn't endear you in the eyes of

many.

SADDAM:

It was a “defend-by-attacking”

approach, and regardless of any

circumstances, Kuwait has always

been a part of Iraq for

centuries...our nineteenth

province.

INT. BAGHDAD HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - DAY

Saddam lays on a gurney in obvious pain.

A MEDIC pushes him as SOLDIERS stay close to their prize.

INT. KYLE'S QUARTERS - LATER

Kyle, asleep on his cot, is startled by a POUND on the door.

KYLE:

(groggy)

Who is it?

57

MELANIE (O.C.)

Get up! It's me. Saddam is sick.

He's being transported.

KYLE:

Sh*t.

Kyle stumbles as he jumps up out of his cot.

INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - DAY

Kyle paces, checking his watch like a worried parent.

The double doors. A DOCTOR in a white lab coat enters.

KYLE:

So?

DOCTOR:

He'll be fine.

KYLE:

When can I have him back?

The doctor takes a step back. Nerved by the forwardness.

KYLE (CONT’D)

Sorry. Didn't mean it that way.

DOCTOR:

(blunt)

Tomorrow. 24 hours in house.

KYLE:

I'll wait.

DOCTOR:

We're short on space but if you

find an open spot...

The doctor abruptly turns and storms off.

EXT. BAGHDAD - NIGHT

Two CH-46 CHINOOK and UH-1 HUEY attack helicopter fly in

perfect formation like a bat out of hell.

It’s a patchwork of lights below them.

Fires billow from objects along the route and on the horizon.

58

INT. UH-1 HELICOPTER - SAME

Hot wind swirls in from the open door rustles the cabin.

Kyle sits adjacent to Saddam who’s blindfolded and handcuffed

to the fuselage wall.

KYLE:

(leans over to Saddam)

You doing okay?

Saddam nods. Kyle knows what Saddam wants.

KYLE (CONT’D)

Would you like to see?

SADDAM:

More than anything.

Kyle checks to ensure no one is looking and reaches over to

pull the blindfold up just enough for Saddam to see.

KYLE:

It can't be long.

Saddam’s eyes blink wildly. He collects himself enough to

bring into focus his vibrant city. He knows it's hurting.

Kyle smiles as he gets a healthy dose of trust from Saddam.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

A flowing Arabic red and yellow desert landscape carpet with

tassels. Two ruby colored padded chairs with a portrait of

Iraq hangs behind them.

SADDAM:

(looks around in pleasure)

Another change?

KYLE:

Thought you might like it.

SADDAM:

Much, much more suitable for a

president.

Saddam puffs his chest out.

KYLE:

(laughs)

Well I would like to finish our

discussion about Kuwait.

59

SADDAM:

I did have time to think.

Kyle’s mouth unknowingly hangs open like a child in waiting.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

Kuwait is Iraq. There is not much

more to say.

KYLE:

They were, are, a free country.

SADDAM:

No. They were stolen from us by

the Brits, the British resolution.

KYLE:

That was so long ago. You have to

agree it is more than that. It

involves captives--

SADDAM:

Captives! Of what degree?

Saddam is puffed up. Kyle is used to this by now.

KYLE:

Human shields and captives. I have

a government paper that suggests

Iraq used Kuwaiti's as human

shields.

SADDAM:

I can not deny that individuals

volunteered as human shields.

KYLE:

Did these volunteers exist in ‘91?

SADDAM:

I do not remember.

KYLE:

Qusay wrote a government letter to

the claim of human shields.

SADDAM:

(fast)

I do not know of such a letter.

KYLE:

But you can’t deny it's legitimacy.

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SADDAM:

I answered.

KYLE:

That you don't remember or that

they volunteered?

SADDAM:

No one was captive. We all did our

part to prevent attacks.

KYLE:

These letters are dated March of

2003.

Saddam looks confused.

SADDAM:

2003?

KYLE:

Yes.

SADDAM:

Impossible!

Saddam starts to wonder if Kyle’s done his homework.

KYLE:

No. It's fact.

Saddam starts the quiz.

SADDAM:

You need to examine them closely

for authenticity. I thought we

were talking about 1991.

KYLE:

No. That is why I brought it up.

SADDAM:

If it is dated 2003, it is a

forgery. We did not have captives

then.

KYLE:

Your government documents suggest

otherwise.

SADDAM:

Qusay was not the type of person to

make up things.

61

KYLE:

You deny it?

SADDAM:

I suggest experts from the U.S and

in Iraq scrutinize such documents.

Especially the ones you present to

the president of Iraq.

KYLE:

The president.

SADDAM:

I'm still the president.

Kyle focuses on not making eye contact, but it's tough. He

looks though his papers for nothing but to catch a break.

KYLE:

(clears his throat)

Regarding documents. We also found

documents about chemical weapons.

Why didn't you use them in the

first gulf war?

SADDAM:

I have already been asked

this...and answered.

KYLE:

(peculiarly)

No. I’ve never asked.

SADDAM:

You certainly did.

KYLE:

Well. I apologize for not

remembering. Can you provide me

the answer again?

Saddam doesn’t appreciate Kyle’s apparent condescension.

SADDAM:

I find it all together a strange

question. Why would someone ask

this question of me? Not just at

this point but any time?

Kyle changes his tone on a dime to quell a brewing quarrel.

KYLE:

Again. I apologize and I wouldn’t

ever waste your time.

62

SADDAM:

It is not Iraqi policy to use

chemical weapons against anyone,

let alone the coalition.

KYLE:

Is that written somewhere?

SADDAM:

How do you think Iraq would have

been described if it had used

chemical weapons?

Kyle feels like he’s finally getting closer to the prize.

KYLE:

You know. I'm not here to judge.

SADDAM:

We would have been called stupid.

Kyle fights to keep from drawing a smile.

KYLE:

Stupid would not be the word I

would use.

SADDAM:

We never discussed their use before

or during either war. We believed

that our meeting with Baker was

true but he was

irrational...thought this would

carry weight in the international

community.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. GENEVA - UN CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

U.S. Secretary of State JAMES BAKER stands in frustration.

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