The Ace of Spades Page #11

His placard serves as the sole record of his presence. Lap

dog staffers around the room abruptly stand in unison. He

eyes Aziz, then closes his binder.

Baker methodically ushers himself around the table. Fingers

lightly touch the slick mahogany tabletop.

Closer and closer to Aziz. Aziz is taken aback.

Baker and Aziz now in each others personal space.

63

AZIZ:

The accomplishment of these steps

would not be possible.

BAKER:

You tell Saddam to accept every

term...otherwise we'll take you

back to the pre-industrial age.

Baker abruptly turns around to walk out.

Aziz is frustrated; he has desperately tried everything.

AZIZ:

(loud)

You must understand our

perspective.

Aziz is left in shock. He and his assistants stand as still

as stone statues.

Baker doesn’t acknowledge Aziz. His team SLAMS the door.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

SADDAM:

Baker provided no solutions.

Saddam is almost pleading to Kyle for no reason.

KYLE:

Can you blame him? He was

frustrated, especially with all the

steps he had taken.

SADDAM:

Coming from someone in a strong

position, matters like this should

not have been reduced to one in

which the strong side, dictated to

the weak side, us, the terms of the

agreement.

KYLE:

Kuwait was the weak one.

SADDAM:

We sought and more importantly

needed a format which did not

portray us in defeat. Baker forced

our hand.

(MORE)

64

Our pride as a Nation...there was

no respect for our military or our

people.

KYLE:

The proposals from the

international community gave you

that. All of them.

SADDAM:

They did not. It was insulting.

Our only play was to not be made a

fool.

INT. INTERROGATION PREP ROOM - MORNING

Kyle sits at his desk with papers in disarray. He’s clearly

frustrated.

MELANIE:

You broached the chemical weapons?

KYLE:

He still denies it.

MELANIE:

Of course he would.

KYLE:

We haven't gotten anywhere.

Melanie tries to find some light in a dark situation.

MELANIE:

But he did talk to you about the

SCUDS. That’s something.

KYLE:

To some degree, I guess.

(rubs his fingers through

his hair)

I told my wife a couple weeks...

MELANIE:

Well, no one lasted as long as you.

Five or six, you’re getting

somewhere.

She stares intently.

MELANIE (CONT’D)

What did he say? What are you

thinking?

SADDAM (CONT'D)

65

KYLE:

I'm thinkin' I don't have much time

here or at home.

(beat)

My wife. My new son.

She tries to keep him focused.

MELANIE:

The Iraqi's are anxious.

KYLE:

They’re anxious? Try sitting with

the guy for hours on end.

He flips through a folder.

MELANIE:

That's what everyone is sayin’.

“Our guys are out there scouring

the country and they need help.”

Kyle’s eyes are tired and his frustration grows.

KYLE:

Sh*t. I know. I'm tryin'.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - MORNING

Saddam is joyful by the look on his face.

SADDAM:

My protective detail did not

necessarily dictate the details of

my movements.

KYLE:

They're professionals, trained to

be the best.

SADDAM:

I continually taught them ways to

improve their performance and be

more successful.

KYLE:

Do you feel that upset them in any

way?

SADDAM:

(laughs)

No.

(MORE)

66

I joked with them often that I

could perform their job better then

they could. I could help you as an

interviewer.

Kyle leans back and laughs with Saddam.

KYLE:

Lunch time!

LATER --

SADDAM:

We had to take the enemy. Those

who would not be deterred by words

would be deterred by weapons. A

lengthy discussion of this matter

was not required.

Kyle needs to change the subject. He moves his chair to set

a new mood.

KYLE:

I want you to watch television with

me.

SADDAM:

Like what?

KYLE:

Southern Iraq documentary from

1991. After the first Gulf War.

SADDAM:

Why?

KYLE:

It'll give us a basis to talk more.

Saddam is matter-of-fact. He knows it won’t be good.

SADDAM:

I have a good idea of the

situation.

KYLE:

Do you?

SADDAM:

Each person presents information

from a certain background.

SADDAM (CONT'D)

(MORE)

67

Despite having his own opinion a

person cannot help to be affected

by others.

KYLE:

Agree. But facts are facts.

SADDAM:

Any person speaking on Iraq speaks

from three view points. A "divine

scale" according to his own

beliefs. A scale on his own

experiences--

KYLE:

But this is video--

Saddam ignores Kyle. Trying to put it out of his mind.

SADDAM:

And the person regarding

information from the U.N. and

International law. What is your

scale as you show this film?

KYLE:

Why does it matter? I didn't

produce it.

SADDAM:

You chose it didn't you?

KYLE:

Not necessarily.

SADDAM:

So you have no say?

KYLE:

I didn't say that.

SADDAM:

If we are to converse on this topic

intellectually it would help me to

answer questions in the best

manner.

KYLE:

You must listen to all facts and

find the truth.

He points to Kyle to emphasize his point.

SADDAM (CONT'D)

68

SADDAM:

How will you find the truth? It's

obviously western media, biased to

determine truth.

KYLE:

I take in all information.

SADDAM:

Easy for you Kyle, in this

instance. Your army occupies my

country. You are free. I am a

prisoner, but I don't want to put

you in a difficult position.

KYLE:

It's fine.

SADDAM:

But you must learn the truth as it

is. Not as I tell it, nor as a

film producer tells it.

Kyle reaches for the TV remote.

KYLE:

Would you just indulge me?

Saddam nods.

Kyle gets up to press play. The video begins.

INSERT - TV PROGRAM

Shia's in southern Iraq gather around a mosque.

SADDAM (O.S.)

(quips)

Could be anywhere, even now.

TV REPORTER:

“They’re confined as you can see.”

More images of the Shia in the mosque.

SADDAM (O.S.)

They're not confined. You can

clearly see.

TV REPORTER:

“Iraqi tanks are approaching the

mosque.”

69

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

SADDAM:

(points to the television)

Where are the tanks?

TV REPORTER (O.S.)

“President Bush encouraged the rise

of the Shia's against the Iraqi

government.”

Sounds of a dialogue behind Saddam hang in the room.

SADDAM:

(yells)

A confession of a crime!

Saddam SLAMS his fist and practically hops out of his chair.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

I want to know when this was made,

the commentator, and who he worked

for.

Kyle tries to keep the program moving.

INSERT - BBC TV PROGRAM

People of Shia origin flee their land - southern Iraq.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes