The Ace of Spades Page #4

SON, 10, hustle in a panic in and out. They peak through

window shades to get a sense of the force at their doorstep.

QUSAY:

(fast)

When they come, shoot. Keep

them out.

SON:

(to dad; scared)

What do we do?

Uday gives his son a look of defiance.

EXT. DRIVEWAY - MOMENTS LATER

Small arms gunfire ERUPTS from the windows as the soldiers

approach. The gunfire is wild, sloppy and indiscriminately

hits everything in sight.

Soldiers duck and find cover but hold their ground. They

attempt a tactical approach time and time again to no avail.

COMMANDER:

(into radio)

Command. Recommend heavy air

assistance.

RADIO:

Roger that. Support in vicinity.

ETA ten mikes.

COMMANDER:

(to soldier)

Pull them back. Air coming.

LATER --

OH-58 KIOWA HELICOPTERS circle the site while an A-10 WARTHOG

ATTACK AIRCRAFT fire on the hideout.

One TOW MISSILE after another SLAMS into each side of the

building. The ground SHAKES.

Smoke BILLOWS from the remaining structure. No one could

have survived.

19

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

Saddam is riveted by Kyle’s account but grief stricken again.

SADDAM:

How long did it last?

Kyle finds it difficult to keep his face hard.

KYLE:

Hours.

SADDAM:

(looks at his hands)

So they gave a good fight.

INT. INTERROGATION PREP ROOM - DAY

Kyle’s desk is loaded with folders labeled, “SECRET” and “TOP

SECRET”. It’s a mess that has no end.

KYLE:

Have them change the room.

MELANIE:

From what to what?

KYLE:

Get rid of those f***ing table and

chairs.

MELANIE:

Your trying to get him to eat?

KYLE:

I'm trying to get him to talk.

MELANIE:

About WMD?

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

A tattered carpet and two red simple padded chairs and a

small table with a teapot and two tea cups.

Saddam enters. His eyes widen. He's pleasantly surprised.

SADDAM:

Much more suited for a President.

His mood noticeably flips like a switch.

20

KYLE:

I thought you might say that.

Kyle stays formal.

SADDAM:

Could be better.

Just the reaction Kyle was expecting.

KYLE:

I'm trying. Can I speak to you now

about your beginnings?

SADDAM:

Beginnings?

KYLE:

To exert your power.

SADDAM:

With who?

KYLE:

Senior leadership of Ba'ath. Nayif

comes to mind.

SADDAM:

You’re going far.

KYLE:

He seems like a good place to

start, especially with his repeated

attempts to be President.

SADDAM:

He tried.

KYLE:

Was he your first adversary?

SADDAM:

He was a minor irritant.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

EXT. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - DAY

Large and elaborately decorated. The aqua dome dominates the

center while the east and west wings hug the large fountain.

SUPER:
Republican Presidential Palace - Summer 1974

21

INT. DINNING ROOM - SAME

PRESIDENT BAKR, late 60’s, a statesman, Saddam and others sit

at a grand table. The backs of the chairs protrude above

everyone's head. The CLANKING of utensils provide a steady

stream of noise.

NAYIF, 20’s, slick black hair strolls into the room and

approaches the table near Bakr. He’s full of himself.

Saddam, upon seeing him, pushes back from the table. The

wooden legs squeal on the marble floor. His napkin falls to

the floor. In seconds he’s two feet from Nayif.

NAYIF:

(shrugs)

What?

Saddam pulls his shinny SILVER PISTOL from his holster and

wedges the guns barrel into Nayif’s gut.

Nayif's eyes widen. His hand moves toward his holster.

SADDAM:

Don't even.

Within seconds Nayif knows he’s in trouble. He tries not to

make a scene in the elegant room.

NAYIF:

(grits his teeth)

But I have four children.

SADDAM (CONT'D)

They’re our family too.

(to Barzan)

Take him.

BARZAN, early 40's, tall, a strapping military man grabs

Nayif by the arm.

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM

KYLE:

So your brother-in-law took him?

SADDAM:

I could trust Barzan.

KYLE:

Then what?

SADDAM:

We negotiated.

22

INT. POCKET ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Nayif, still cocky, sits erect in a chair made more for the

eye then for comfort.

Saddam in iconic black boots paces back and forth across the

lavish red and gold colored carpet.

SADDAM:

(head down, then to Nayif)

Where do you want to go?

NAYIF:

Go?

SADDAM:

Yes, go.

Nayif can’t believe what’s happening. He attempts to pull a

strategy together in real-time.

NAYIF:

Lebanon.

BARZAN (O.S.)

(laughs)

Lebanon!

SADDAM:

No.

NAYIF:

No?

Nayif’s posture begins to show his precarious situation.

SADDAM:

Lebanon is a place where

conspiracies are made. Choose

another.

NAYIF:

Algeria.

BARZAN:

Algeria's in its own revolution.

SADDAM:

Again.

NAYIF:

Damn it...Morocco?

23

SADDAM:

Fine. Let's go.

NAYIF:

Now?

SADDAM:

Right now.

INT. SADDAM'S LIMOUSINE (MOVING) - DAY

Saddam and Nayif sit side by side in the back of the shiniest

of black stretched limousine.

Saddam’s pistol rests on his knee, easily assessable while

his middle finger taps the grip.

NAYIF:

What's going to happen?

Saddam talks while he watches the city go by.

SADDAM:

You will be in a safe place. No

one will hurt you.

(to Nayif, stern)

But you have to obey.

Nayif, in a fog of uncertainty -- stares out the window.

Unfortunately, he can do nothing but accept his fate.

NAYIF:

Don't worry.

SADDAM:

When the guards salute, you salute

back. If you think about doing

something, remember I am next to

you.

NAYIF:

I--I understand, but what do I do

when I get there?

SADDAM:

Act like an Ambassador.

NAYIF:

Like an Ambassador, I--

SADDAM:

You are smart. Figure it out. You

come from elegance.

24

Saddam goes from talking to the street to directly to Nayif.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

I know everything and will notice

if you are planning something or

not.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

You just sent him like that?

SADDAM:

We were thirteen days into a new

regime.

KYLE:

Did you even get a chance to tell

Morocco that he was coming?

SADDAM:

No. I did know what I was doing.

We were young student

revolutionaries.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

EXT. RASHEED AIRPORT - MAIN ENTRANCE - DAY

GUARDS wave the limousine through.

SUPER:
Rasheed Airport - Just outside Baghdad

TARMAC - MOMENTS LATER

The crew wait at the top of the stairs. Guards on either

side stand at attention at the bottom.

The limousine pulls up next to the stairs. A guard walks up

and opens the door.

The door swings open. Nayif and Saddam step out. Saddam

trails Nayif closely. Gun in his holster. Hand on the grip.

Both march up the stairs, reach the door and stop.

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