The Ace of Spades Page #6

Saddam grabs him by the arm.

SADDAM:

Get the tribes together.

BARZAN:

They’ll do it?

SADDAM:

They better. We gave them

everything. Weapons. Rifles...

BARZAN:

I’ll put it on the air. We'll get

him.

SERIES OF IMAGES - SWAMPS OF SOUTHERN IRAQ - NIGHT

TRIBES in different locations listen intently to the radio as

the Iraqi military describe the attempted coup and the need

to capture Kazzar. They offer a significant reward.

EXT. SWAMPS OF SOUTHERN IRAQ - ROAD - NIGHT

A caravan hastily travels down the dust-laden road. The

conditions force them off the road occasionally.

SUPER:
Swamps of Southern Iraq

32

The caravan stops at an intersection littered with debris.

Suddenly they are surrounded by gun toting TRIBESMAN.

In the distance, helicopters fly low in their approach. They

draw closer with every second.

No one moves a muscle.

The HELICOPTERS come down hard, skids flex. SPECIAL FORCES

TROOPS jump out and run to the caravan, yelling as they

converge. They breach open each door.

KAZZAR, mid-40's, short, average build is found. He’s

scared, unsure -- captured.

Right away, the troops snatch him out of the truck.

KAZZAR:

(fast)

What--what did I do? What did I

do?

Kazzar tries to rationalize while being dragged in the sand.

SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER

Do not move. Hussein will see you

shortly.

INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - LATER

Bakr sits at his desk, shoulders slumped over displaying his

mood. The toll of another coup is too much to bear for him.

The door swings open as Saddam steps through. He sees defeat

in Bakr’s face upsets him greatly.

SADDAM:

What is wrong?

BAKR:

I cannot do this.

SADDAM:

Do what?

BAKR:

(waves his hands)

All of this.

SADDAM:

Of course you can. We are Ba'ath.

Bakr puts his hands to his eyes. Begins to cry.

33

SADDAM (CONT’D)

Let us go back to your residence.

PRESIDENTIAL GARDEN - LATER

Bakr and Saddam stroll through a perfectly manicured garden.

Their talk is somber and their walk is at a snails pace.

BAKR:

I want to step down.

Saddam chuckles, trying his best to keep the situation light.

SADDAM:

I said the same thing to you many

times before but I stayed.

Bakr stops dead in his tracks to face Saddam.

BAKR:

This is different. I am

older...tired.

SADDAM:

And what would you have me do?

BAKR:

Stay...stay in the government.

SADDAM:

But--

BAKR:

No, I know how. I will slip out

quietly.

SADDAM:

And go where?

BAKR:

Away.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

That's when you knew you had the

upper hand.

34

SADDAM:

That is absurd. He was my friend,

my family. I served him for over a

decade. Why is it when Bakr ruled

he was not called a dictator, but

after I take over they call me one.

No one was killed or assassinated

inside or out of Iraq. No one was

executed from the Ministries or out

of the leadership after I took

over, but I receive ridicule.

KYLE:

They’re many incidents that suggest

many people were killed. That’s

why these unanswered questions need

to be clarified, for the sake of

history.

SADDAM:

It is not enough to ask?

KYLE:

Then who else? Give me names?

SADDAM:

You have them shoved in other pens

around here. Ask.

INT. MEDICAL OFFICE - DAY

A MEDICAL OFFICER pulls vials of blood from a spinning

centrifuge. They’re labelled, “HUSSEIN”.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - MORNING

KYLE:

Would Shaykhli do anything?

SADDAM:

For who? Me? Ba'ath?

KYLE:

Any.

SADDAM:

I don't know. Ask him.

KYLE:

Was he a friend?

35

SADDAM:

Yes--Yes. We go back even to our

days in Taji Prison.

KYLE:

He visited you?

SADDAM:

Yes. Our friendship grew over

time.

KYLE:

Enough of a friendship for you to

give him upper echelon positions?

SADDAM:

I didn't give him anything. We

were all young revolutionaries.

So, he got what he could handle.

When the work overcame an

individual's ability they were

replaced.

KYLE:

He was murdered in 1980, though.

That's a long way from appointment

to death.

SADDAM:

It is.

KYLE:

And he saved your life.

Saddam sits stone-faced while he waits for Kyle’s next move.

KYLE (CONT’D)

The night you were almost killed,

or at a minimum arrested, at your

house.

SADDAM:

I was never in danger.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. SHAYKHLI'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY

SHAYKHLI, 20's, plump and sweaty, controls a dirty black

smoke spewing sedan. It skids to a stop at Saddam's driveway

creating a tornado of dust in the yard.

36

SUPER:
Saddam’s Residence - 1978

SHAYKHLI:

(jittery)

Police? Who tipped them?

Saddam reaches to his side. Places his hand over his pistol.

SADDAM:

You stay here.

Saddam opens the clunky door.

EXT. SADDAM'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

Saddam’s dark gold-rimmed sunglasses scan the area. He

crosses over a patchy lawn enclosed by a simple fence to a

small overhang covering concrete steps.

Saddam glides smoothly up the stairs and KNOCKS.

INT./EXT. SADDAM’S HOUSE - SAME

The door abruptly opens and SLAMS against the interior wall.

A POLICE OFFICER stands like he owns the place.

Saddam stands, cool as a cucumber.

POLICE OFFICER 1

Don't move.

The police officer whips his machine gun from his side and

shoves it into Saddam's belly.

INT. SHAYKHLI'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER

Shaykhli JAMS the stick shift into gear and STOMPS on the

gas. Tires spin in a heap of dust. He’s as good as gone.

EXT. SADDAM'S HOUSE - SAME

Saddam's head spins around and glares at the cars getaway.

The Police Officer’s gun barrel sticks deeper into Saddam and

forces him to step back. They are practically nose to nose.

37

SADDAM:

I am confused.

(looks around)

I am looking for Mohammed.

Saddam is playing him in order to set his trap.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

He left you?

Saddam fluffs it off as if it was no big deal.

SADDAM:

He was brave but I understood.

People react differently to certain

situations.

The cocky Saddam is back, making Kyle laugh inside.

KYLE:

No?

SADDAM:

No. Iraqi police do not kill

someone easily, unless their life

is seriously threatened. Plus

people in Iraq generally know each

other and their tribal influences.

It happens--

KYLE:

Violence?

SADDAM:

Tribes seek revenge.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

EXT. SADDAM'S HOUSE - DAY

The Police Officer shadows Saddam to the driveway.

Saddam stealthily shuffles to the side. His arm is now out

of view as he moves his hand slowly to his side.

Saddam stops dead in his tracks and side-steps as gracefully

and DRAWS his pistol.

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