The Ace of Spades Page #12

SADDAM (O.S.) (CONT’D)

They don't appear to be scared,

they appear to be happy.

KYLE (O.S.)

You really think so?

SADDAM (O.S.)

They don't even look Shia. They

look Kurdish.

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

Saddam is visually agitated, almost popping off his seat.

SADDAM:

(abruptly)

It's my exercise and prayer time

now.

KYLE:

It can be postponed, no?

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SADDAM:

I think it is enough.

KYLE:

But--

SADDAM:

We can view it together later. Why

rush?

Saddam pushes back from the table and stands. His finger

tips stand erect on the desk and tremble slightly.

Kyle moves his papers back. Looks up.

KYLE:

Will you continue this later?

SADDAM:

I believe so, but I feel sorry for

someone who watches this and

doesn't know the truth.

LATER --

KYLE:

I hope you're refreshed.

SADDAM:

Better.

KYLE:

(rustles papers)

Let us continue. I don't want to

keep you from meal or prayer again.

Kyle presses play.

INSERT - BBC TV PROGRAM

Various images of Shia being killed.

TV REPORTER:

Figures estimate over 300,000 Shia

killed.

SADDAM (O.S.)

What sources gave them that?

KYLE (O.S.)

According to the film, the Iraqi

government.

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SADDAM (O.S.)

For what?

KYLE (O.S.)

To serve as a warning to the Kurds.

Various images of dead fish in ponds, destroyed villages, and

drained marshes.

SADDAM (O.S.)

They don't even look like the

correct marshes.

IRAQI WOMAN panic in sheer desperation.

IRAQI WOMAN:

We have nothing left. We had to

leave our homes.

Saddam shows his evil side when he laughs.

SADDAM (O.S.)

What did she have before? Reeds?

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

SADDAM (CONT’D)

I have never understood why your

government is so quick to judge

without all the facts. Someone who

judges to the letter from a traffic

violation to your Supreme Court,

but when you accuse me of weapons

of mass destruction without much

evidence, you waste billions.

(beat)

For what? Thousands of lives lost

and now you are here with me.

Ridiculous.

Saddam becomes more irritated by the second.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

I do not have a comment. This talk

is beneath me to further comment.

KYLE:

But there are--

SADDAM:

This talk isn't even appropriate of

interviewing the President of Iraq

with such a propaganda film.

(MORE)

72

We should stop. I have answered

everything. I am done...

KYLE:

But I want to understand the

dynamics of Iraqi leadership. Al-

Zubaidi and Abdullah. They're the

ones in charge of the uprising

aren’t they?

SADDAM:

I have already explained this.

KYLE:

I don't want to keep you from the

evening prayer.

SADDAM:

Thank you for thinking of my prayer

time. It is one less sin.

EXT. KYLE’S PRIVATE QUARTERS - NIGHT

Kyle squints as he approaches the door. A crude handmade

sign saying, “Congratulations, it’s a Boy!” is taped to it.

He grabs it and rips it off.

INT. SADDAM’S CELL - MORNING

Saddam paces impatiently. He’s jittery while he waits for

Kyle’s. He glances at the clock. He wants to get back into

their previous discussion.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

SUPER:
BIAP - Operations Center - 22 March 2003

Kyle eyes red and irritated. A large water bottle, half

empty by his side.

SADDAM:

Life expectancy was relatively low.

I could not simply sit back and

watch this misery.

KYLE:

But by draining their marshes--

SADDAM:

Have you been?

SADDAM (CONT'D)

73

KYLE:

No.

SADDAM:

Severe illness, bilharziasis--

Saddam notices the confusion on Kyle’s face.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

Intestinal disease. Unimaginable

suffering. So, I decided to bring

them inside life.

KYLE:

In the harshest of ways.

SADDAM:

No...to not continue to have them

disgraced or insulted by their

environment. I know it is

enchanted, I slept there for days

in 1981 and 1982.

KYLE:

For what?

SADDAM:

I wanted to see, to be there on the

front lines of our war with Iran.

I went back and forth until 1984.

KYLE:

So you know the value, the majestic

land; the people.

SADDAM:

I took care of them.

KYLE:

But your actions show something

different.

SADDAM:

It is complicated. Everything

about the marshes has to be handled

with a soft hand.

EXT. SOUTHERN IRAQ - BAIDA MARSH - DAY

A rare aquatic landscape, harsh but full of grandeur. Thick,

long flowing reeds and rice plots decorate the territory.

Bugs skim in fast fashion along the river.

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SUPER:
Baida, Iraq - Marshes of Southern Iraq - 1995

EXT. NEAR BAIDA - SADDAM'S BOAT - DAY

Three slender reed-woven boats lazily float down the murky

river. One BOAT holds Saddam and his group, while the other

has his PROTECTIVE DETAIL, and the other, the PRESS.

Saddam sits idly by, surveying the area. His large black

aviator glasses reflect TWO MEN strapped with machine guns.

EXT. BAIDA - LATER

An ancient town from the Mesopotamia era. Thick reed huts

litter the finger lake area. SHEPHERDS tend to WATER BUFFALO

as town people walk with purpose.

Saddam's entourage slide into a makeshift water landing zone.

The INHABITANTS are still. The MAYOR is nervous on the

shores banks as the protective detail disembarks.

MAYOR:

Mr. President, how was your

journey?

SADDAM:

As I expected.

Saddam waves his hand while approaching the crowd in a halfhearted

attempt to mingle.

The crowd grows in hopes of an interaction with Saddam.

MAYOR:

Your people hope you would stay for

dinner.

SADDAM:

After we discuss things.

PROTECTIVE DETAIL OFFICER

Where can we discuss in seclusion?

INT. MAYOR'S HOME - LATER

A modest residence but extravagant for a marsh. Reeds are

strung together and meet in the center of the angled roof.

The group surround a large table with ornate placemats.

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MAYOR:

Sir, will you and the group be

staying for dinner? We would be

very--

SADDAM:

No. I must attend to other

matters. Tell me of this attack.

Sweat forms on the mayor's forehead.

MAYOR:

Uhhh, Sir, I--I would not

characterize it as an attack.

SADDAM:

Then what?

MAYOR:

A misunderstanding.

Saddam looks around the room to show his displeasure.

SADDAM:

I did not travel here for a

misunderstanding.

MAYOR:

It is the uneasiness of situations.

The Iranian's.

SADDAM:

They are the attackers?

MAYOR:

Precisely. They bribe, steal; and

encourage lawlessness.

The Mayor feels he’s digging his hole more by the second.

SADDAM:

There is nothing you can do?

MAYOR:

Well--

SADDAM:

You have weapons?

MAYOR:

Yes.

SADDAM:

Then use them.

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MAYOR:

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