The Ace of Spades Page #13

Well, Sir--

SADDAM:

Tell your people I authorize it.

Saddam waves to his detail to usher in the press. The

camera's are quickly set up.

Saddam waits patiently following every hasty movement.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

I place a blanket of protection for

all the people of the marshes.

CAMERA MEN jostle to improve their angles.

MAYOR:

You are a generous leader. We are

thankful to you, Sir.

SADDAM:

(to his protective

detail)

Find these people who are

causing this. We need to

protect this area. My

people.

PERSON (O.C.)

Long live, Saddam! Long

live, Saddam!

Outside the house the crowd is large. Their CHEERS for

Saddam grow more intense.

SADDAM (CONT'D)

Let us go. I need to feel my

people.

Camera bulbs POP at his every move.

The door opens. A streak of sunlight fills the room.

EXT. MAYOR'S HOME - MOMENTS LATER

Saddam is all smiles while he waves to the crowd; they

collapse on him like a rock star.

CROWD:

President Saddam! Our savior!

Saddam’s in his element.

77

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

SADDAM:

Good people understood me. The

evil ones also got the message.

KYLE:

Did you mind visiting them?

SADDAM:

They were nice to visit for two,

three, or four days but in the

summer the mosquitoes would eat

you.

KYLE:

The historical significance of the

marshes should have been the

driving consideration.

SADDAM:

There was no similar consideration

given to the area where the High

Dam was built in Egypt. I am

certain there was much discussion

concerning the movement of the

“precious” stones versus saving the

people from starvation. The

marshes were studied for their

historical value.

KYLE:

But it's the environmental

consideration that is the issue.

SADDAM:

We could debate this for twenty

days if we wanted.

KYLE:

You know we don't have that much

time.

SADDAM:

Why do you question our actions?

Every government has to make

decisions. The Americans did not

allow the Indians to live as they

had existed prior to colonization.

What laws are in place to prohibit

American and European companies

from destroying the Amazon, the

lungs of the earth?

78

INT. SADDAM'S PRISON CELL - DAY

ARMY CORPS ENGINEERS work outside Saddam’s cell. The

CLANKING of tools let’s them know they’re not alone.

KYLE:

Ahhh, I see helps arrived.

(beat)

And just in time. It's blazing hot

in here.

SADDAM:

I am used to living simply. The

extravagant lifestyle does not fit

me personally.

Kyle takes him up on this and pulls the string.

KYLE:

Really? So says someone with

thirty plus palaces.

SADDAM:

I certainly did not start that way.

Saddam backpedals in an attempt to better make his point.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

Or in the end.

KYLE:

But you certainly made up for it

in...

(looking up to count)

The last twenty, no make that forty

years.

SADDAM:

Does not mean I enjoyed it.

KYLE:

Let's just agree to disagree. I

don't want to get off track.

Saddam reluctantly agrees. A drawn out discussion is not

enticing at the moment.

The BANGING continues on the air conditioning.

KYLE (CONT’D)

Mind if I sit?

79

SADDAM:

By all means. I have nowhere to

go.

Kyle PLOPS down in the chair. His face looks clear with less

stress than normal.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

You’re rather light today. No

papers, pens, notebooks.

KYLE:

Ahhh, I think we just talk now as

acquaintances.

SADDAM:

Acquaintances? I feel it is more

than that...no?

Saddam looks for a connection from someone.

KYLE:

Yes. I would say so.

SADDAM:

Since we are just chatting as

friends. Please fill me in on the

things going on out there.

KYLE:

What things?

SADDAM:

Current events situations.

KYLE:

Sh*t, you probably know more than

me.

SADDAM:

Bits and pieces.

KYLE:

I don't want to bore you with

details.

SADDAM:

If we have time, why not embellish?

KYLE:

Let's see.

(rubs his chin)

Drafting the new constitution, the

turn over of sovereignty to Iraq.

80

SADDAM:

Ambitious.

Saddam is a smooth operator as he knows the answer.

KYLE:

A great step. What, you don't

agree?

SADDAM:

I question the effectiveness of the

Governing Council. They can agree

all they want but once they step

outside, the people will turn on

them.

KYLE:

I think you underestimate the will

of people to be free.

SADDAM:

(laughs)

You don't know Iraq then, Kyle.

They will not accept an elected

leader...especially one during an

occupation.

Kyle can’t help going from calm to defensive.

KYLE:

We aren't occupiers.

SADDAM:

That is exactly why it will fail.

You don't understand Iraq.

KYLE:

I think I do.

SADDAM:

Iraq has experienced this before.

The British occupation elected King

Faisal. It didn't work.

KYLE:

That was a different time, though.

SADDAM:

In Iraqi eyes it is no different.

The CLANKING air conditioner draws their attention off topic.

81

SADDAM (CONT’D)

What is the death total of

Americans?

KYLE:

April was a tough, tough month.

Muqtada al-Sadr's Army is dug in

everywhere...I'm not sure.

SADDAM:

(in disgust)

A family of martyrs. Antagonistic.

Whatever the number.

Saddam gets up to stretch and stands in front of the cold air

from the air conditioner.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

Before we're done...triple it.

LATER --

KYLE:

You achieved your objectives of

disposing your WMD.

SADDAM:

We have not had any for sometime.

KYLE:

Many had the opinion Iraq was

reluctant to cooperate with the UN.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. BAGHDAD - BABYLON PALACE - DAY

Saddam sits casually in an executive leather chair. A large

puff of smoke oozes from his cigar.

SUPER:
Babylon Palace - Baghdad - Late 1990’S

An Iraqi FOUR-STAR GENERAL OFFICER stands at attention in

front of the wood-carved desk.

SADDAM:

Make it difficult.

82

EXT. KIRKUK AIRFIELD - TARMAC - DAY

A white C-5 aircraft idles calmly with its prominent blue

colored “U.N” letters FLASHES as a symbol of freedom, but to

the Iraqi it’s a beacon of intrusion and mistrust.

SUPER:
Kirkuk Airfield - Western Iraq

Heat dances on the black asphalt where five green military

trucks, rocked with Iraqi soldiers, zoom towards the plane.

INT. C-5 - SAME

The rear hatch cranks down and SLAMS to the ground. CHIEF

INSPECTOR WILLIAMS, 50’s, tight crew cut, is the first out.

Williams edges to the end of the ramp and eyes the convoy.

He stands with authority knowing it’s not a welcoming party.

WILLIAMS:

(to the group)

Stay here.

EXT. C-5 - CONTINUOUS

The convoy screeches to a halt like an accordion.

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