The Ace of Spades Page #2

supported me and your government

removed me.

Saddam begins to become agitated.

KYLE:

Where did you go when hostilities

began?

SADDAM:

Why are you retracing my steps.

You got me!

Kyle feels his heartbeat in each finger.

KYLE:

(calmly)

Please, just answer.

SADDAM:

‘03...March I would say. I

remained in Baghdad until April 10

or 11, I think. Who cares.

6

KYLE:

You left prior to the city falling?

SADDAM:

It was a somber day.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. AL FAW PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME

An elaborate room. Civilian and military dignitaries from

the upper echelon of the Iraqi government sit evenly spaced

along a large table. Others stand in grim silence along a

wall of Iraqi landscape paintings.

SUPER:
Al Faw Presidential Palace - “The Water Palace” - 23

March 2003

SADDAM:

...we come here at a somber time in

our Nation's history. The evil

that is at our doorstep will

eventually turn the handle, open

the door, and enslave us...

The building RUMBLES from the “Shock and Awe” campaign.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

We must endure and place our trust

in Allah. I look to each and every

one of you knowing that from this

day forward we will struggle in

secret. Praise Iraq, praise Allah!

They all stand in unison. CLAP vigorously.

TEARS in the eyes of everyone. They realize this will be the

last time they are together.

Saddam turns to shake the hands of everyone. He makes his

way to depart the room trying to stay above it all, knowing

his last card has been dealt and he’s lost.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - MORNING

Saddam, in a long robe, shuffles in escorted by a SOLDIER.

Kyle waits patiently. Papers laid out neatly before him.

His demeanor is one of more control this time.

7

SUPER:
BIAP - Operations Center - 8 February 2004

KYLE:

Why go to war with Iran?

SADDAM:

I will put it as simply as I can

for you and the others watching.

Saddam points to the mirror.

KYLE:

I can assure you, it’s just us.

Saddam gives him a look, “as if”.

SADDAM:

Consider this. One day, the

neighbor's son beats up your son.

Yes?

KYLE:

I'm listening.

SADDAM:

The next day, the neighbor's son

bothers your cows. Then the

neighbor damages your farmland’s

irrigation system.

Saddam lifts a finger, waiting for the words to sink in.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

If all these things occur,

eventually, after enough incidents,

you approach your neighbor, tell

him each transgression by event and

ask him to stop.

KYLE:

...farmer’s terms.

SADDAM:

It's simple. Now usually, a

warning or approach to the neighbor

is enough to stop this behavior.

With Iran however, this approach

did not work.

KYLE:

Was Khomeini mostly to blame?

8

SADDAM:

Khomeini was a religious zealot who

came along when I did. He thought

all leaders were like the Shah and

easily toppled and figured he could

do the same with me. He calculated

incorrectly.

Kyle’s face tightens to come to his foes’ point.

KYLE:

Then what was your objective?

SADDAM:

Ask Iran. They began the war. I

have explained my reasons.

KYLE:

Can you tell me then for the

record?

SADDAM:

By '87 we had three-fourth's of

their tanks and half of their

artillery and APC’s.

KYLE:

They most certainly would have

advanced on you if the tables were

turned.

Saddam in full lecture mode.

SADDAM:

Is that what immediately comes to

mind from an American point of

view? One cannot plan the Iraqi

army the same as the Americans.

When supply routes are lengthened,

problems arise. The soldier of 100

years ago is not one of today.

Kyle is calm, almost enchanted by the sermon.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

This is the universal difference

between our worlds. Iraq had

recovered enough territory. If we

went deeper inside Iran we would

have lost Iraqi lives. For many of

our men it was their first combat

experience. Many began to ask,

"Why am I here?", and our leaders

felt Iran had learned their lesson.

9

KYLE:

But you finally had the upper hand.

SADDAM:

If a soldier does not see logic, he

will not perform as well or be

obedient. Discipline becomes a

problem. But if he accepts the

task at hand as logical, he will

stay obedient.

KYLE:

Do you see all soldiers this way?

Saddam laughs at Kyle in a way a teacher does to a student.

He’s making his point confidently.

SADDAM:

If you asked the American soldiers,

who came to look for WMD and found

none, removed my leadership and now

replaced them with other dictators,

whether they wanted to stay or go,

they would say go!

KYLE:

Let's be clear. We haven't found

them yet.

SADDAM:

(smugly)

Keep searching.

Kyle moves as if he’s stepped on a nail. For a split second

he realizes that this is going to be a very difficult task.

KYLE:

Do you think you would have lost

the war with Iran if you didn't use

chemical weapons? WMD?

SADDAM:

I do not have an answer for that --

I am not going to answer.

KYLE:

But you did use them.

SADDAM:

I will not be cornered or caught on

some technicality. It will not do

you any good.

(MORE)

10

The United States has paid dearly

for its mistakes here in Iraq and

will continue to pay...Iran did not

get the message of our powers. If

we did not break their heads, they

would not have understood.

KYLE:

But UN findings show you had

chemical weapons and you used them.

SADDAM:

History is written and will not

change. No one can stop history

from being written. But let me

remind you that Iran used them at

Muhamra in '81.

KYLE:

So you used them for defensive

reasons!

SADDAM:

(to the point)

I'm not going to answer, no matter

how you put the question.

Saddam pushes back his chair. He’s exhausted.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

I am tired now.

Saddam stands up. He now towers over Kyle in a most serious

way in order to put Kyle in his place.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

For future between us remember.

(beat)

It is not fair for someone in

charge to blame others.

INT. INTERROGATION PREP ROOM - MORNING

Maps of Iraq and pictures of the famous DECK OF CARDS line

the walls. Stacked filing cabinets and gray safes hold

classified information. Metal desks and one television

connected to a VCR on a portable stand.

Kyle sits across from MELANIE TURNER, 30's, a tomboy

interrogator.

SADDAM (CONT'D)

11

MELANIE:

Well, you got him to talk about WMD

but don’t get wrapped up in all

that Ba’ath party sh*t.

KYLE:

That Ba’ath party sh*t is what he’s

all about. It’s like stripping the

Republican from President Bush.

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