The Ace of Spades Page #5

SADDAM:

Here.

Nayif turns around slowly avoiding any sudden move.

25

SADDAM (CONT’D)

You can have this back.

Saddam stretches out his arm and hands Nayif his pistol.

NAYIF:

My family though...

SADDAM:

I told you. I will take care of

them.

NAYIF:

But--

SADDAM:

Now is not the time to test my

generosity.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

If he represented a potential

threat to the Ba’ath, then why an

ambassador?

SADDAM:

I did not want anymore bloodshed.

The coup in '59 had members tied to

cars and dragged through the

streets until death. Virgins were

hung on electric poles. We needed

to forget about the past and

prohibit revenge.

Kyle’s mannerisms show he’s comprehending more and more.

KYLE:

So you were selective in your

choosing?

SADDAM:

We started our arrests with Nayif,

then Da’ud, and went on. Nayif to

Morocco, Da'ud to Saudi.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

26

EXT. LONDON - INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL - LONDON PARK LANE -

EVENING:

Light rain falls lightly on the shiny asphalt outside an

elaborately decorated five-start hotel.

SUPER:
Intercontinental Hotel - London - July 1978

Nayif pushes through gold-framed glass doors.

A MAN quickly approaches him from the street.

Nayif is preoccupied and looks up, surprised by the man’s

sudden movement towards him.

The man RIPS open his trench coat. He pulls a pistol from

his breast pocket and then FIRES a round. The sound of the

gunshot reverberates through the buildings.

Nayif falls to the cold wet pavement. He reaches for his

stomach. Blood seeps from the entry and exit holes.

The man stealthily moves to a nearby car and speeds away.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

Salem Ahmed Hassan killed him.

SADDAM:

That is what has been reported.

KYLE:

Some believe you killed him.

Saddam remains unfazed by these accusatory accounts.

SADDAM:

God killed Nayif.

KYLE:

But you ran the ISS. That leads to

you.

SADDAM:

No. Nayif started acting in a way

against the country. He gave his

word that he would not. He went to

Iran, met with Dayan, we could go

on and on.

27

KYLE:

Yes, the Israeli Defense Minister.

SADDAM:

These were all considered bad acts.

KYLE:

Did you know of his death?

SADDAM:

I told you clearly. Only God knows.

KYLE:

Could Nayif have just been arrested

and punished, instead of executed?

SADDAM:

I gave you my answer.

INT. OVAL OFFICE - DAY

The U.S. PRESIDENT reads from a folder marked “TOP SECRET”.

His National Security Team sits idle awaiting his response.

Their look is of concern because they haven’t got much.

PRESIDENT:

What’s taking so long?

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

It takes time to work him, Mr.

President.

PRESIDENT:

Then massage harder. We’ve got

boys out there looking and the guy

who knows sits in a cushy cell.

Get him to talk faster. I want

confirmation.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

Yes, Mr. President. WMD is our top

priority.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

Kyle scribbles crude, quirky notes on his yellow pad.

KYLE:

Nadhim Kazzar. Your right-hand man

and at the same time a threat.

28

SADDAM:

Not to me he was not.

KYLE:

To President Bakr then?

SADDAM:

I don't believe so either. He

wasn't a revolutionary, nor among

our seventy who took over the

Presidential Palace, but he was a

good party member...and tough.

KYLE:

How so?

SADDAM:

In prison. He wasn't convinced

that the military would be good for

the Ba'ath. He felt them old and a

burden.

KYLE:

With his questioning of the party

did he ever meet with Iran?

SADDAM:

I do not know. But what I do know

is that his coup failed and then he

tried to hide and run but he was an

easy capture...again I do not want

to talk bad about Kazzar.

KYLE:

Can you at least tell me for

history’s sake?

Kyle throws a bone to Saddam, hoping he will take it.

KYLE (CONT’D)

We know he tried to kill Bakr when

his plane was delayed.

SADDAM:

Not true. Your information is not

specific.

KYLE:

Then educate me.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

29

EXT. BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - TARMAC - DAY

Saddam is patient in a black stretch MERCEDES BENZ as

President Bakr's 737 touches down.

The aircraft ramp lowers as Saddam's pulls up.

Bakr sees Saddam as he steps out. They smile in unison.

SUPER:
Baghdad International Airport, June 1979

INT. PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINE (MOVING) - MOMENTS LATER

Bakr’s presence with Saddam is what he enjoys and needs.

BAKR:

How are things?

Saddam’s eyes flit from Bakr to the streets. He’s anxious.

SADDAM:

Many things. Almost to many to

mention.

BAKR:

Then we will have tea at the Palace

and discuss.

EXT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - DAY

Bakr and Saddam sit at an elaborate table sipping tea.

BAKR:

What is wrong?

SADDAM:

I feel we are not in a great place

right now.

CHILDREN barge into the room, laughing and talking loudly.

CHILD 1

Grandpa, grandpa, dinner is

ready.

CHILD 2

Please join us. Please!

She grabs his hand. His smile grows with each second.

BAKR:

(laughs)

I will. I will.

Bakr reaches over to Saddam to touch his hand.

30

BAKR (CONT’D)

You don't mind do you? We will

continue.

Saddam knows a moment has slipped through his fingertips.

Disappointment is clear as Bakr playfully joins the ruckus.

INT. SADDAM'S CAR (MOVING) - LATER

Saddam in the passenger seat. Street lights silhouettes glow

as they move along the road.

The radio plays Muslim theme music. A police bulletin

interrupts what Saddam was enjoying. The light BLINKS red.

RADIO (V.O.)

“An attempted coup is in progress

at the Presidential Palace. All

units report.”

SADDAM:

(to driver)

Take me back at once!

INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - HALLWAY - LATER

Saddam is practically running to Bakr’s massive wooden-etched

door. He waves his hands to the guards to open them.

BAKR’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Sweat beads up on Saddam’s forehead. He’s as calm as he can

be, given the chaos.

SADDAM:

I came at once. Is everything

okay?

BAKR:

Shihab and Ghayan.

(shakes his head)

I tried to reach both of them but

no answer. They betrayed me.

SADDAM:

I had a feeling it is Kazzar.

BAKR:

Kazzar.

Bakr can hardly think straight. He’s in disbelief.

31

BAKR (CONT’D)

Why?

SADDAM:

You have to trust me. Give me

permission to go after him.

BAKR:

I do trust you.

Bakr’s eyes dart, trying to collect himself.

BAKR (CONT’D)

Who do you want?

SADDAM:

The Military Division. We must hit

him before he crosses into Iran.

HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

At run at a 100 yard dash pace Saddam and Barzan.

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