The Ace of Spades Page #7

38

He grabs the Police Officer’s gun barrel and forces it down

while he jams his pistol into his neck.

SADDAM:

Drop it.

The Police Officer glares. He knows he's been outplayed.

Saddam’s pistol moves from the neck to inches from the Police

Officer’s ear. He pulls the trigger, it SNAPS, a MISFIRE.

The Police Officer’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

Don't move.

Saddam snaps open his palm to unlatch the magazine to reset.

It pokes out of its casing. He punches the clip back into

the housing and pulls the firing pin back above the

policeman’s head. CLINK. BAM.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

(smooth)

The second one will go in your

neck.

LIVING ROOM - SAME

MEN kneel, faces down in the couch. Machine guns point at

their head.

Their heads swing towards the sound of a GUNSHOT.

THUG 1

Saddam!

POLICE OFFICER 2

Who?

THUG 2

(optimistic)

Saddam comes for us!

Uneasiness flashes in the face of the three officers.

POLICE OFFICER 3

(to police officer 2)

Stay here.

(to police officer 4)

You. Come with me.

DRIVEWAY - MOMENTS LATER

Saddam turns to the Officers as they stumble out the house.

39

Shaykhli's car ZOOMS into the driveway and SKIDS to a halt.

He jumps out and rests a machine gun on the hood.

The Officer slides to a stop. They know Saddam is in charge.

Saddam reaches and unsnaps POLICE OFFICER 1's machine gun and

swings it over his shoulder. He strolls confidently to the

center of the lawn, in total control.

SADDAM:

You come here uninvited. I know

your tribes, so I know you, your

wives, your children, your

family...leave now willingly and I

will guarantee you will be safe and

taken care of.

The officers are silently obligated and obedient.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

He came back?

SADDAM:

In the end he always made the right

decision to come back to me, but

make no mistake I was never in

danger.

KYLE:

I have to take your word. It could

have been a turning point in the

history of the Ba'ath.

SADDAM:

In what way?

Kyle is caught up in the tale and can’t help his fast talk.

KYLE:

Guns. Opposition. Confrontation.

Shaykhli was considered powerful

enough to lead the party.

SADDAM:

That is strong.

KYLE:

Is it really?

40

SADDAM:

It is keeping with rumors far too

much.

KYLE:

Their data points more than rumor.

SADDAM:

Hardly. From the days underground

to today I was always in charge.

But it is embarrassing to talk of

one's own position. Everyone knew

the order of things.

KYLE:

It's commonly believed that your

rivals were eliminated between the

revolution and your rise to the

Presidency in '79.

SADDAM:

I do not agree with your assertion,

nor would the Iraqi’s, Kyle.

Opinion is not fact.

KYLE:

But it's the start of something.

SADDAM:

Fiction, yes. One must take a

logical approach to accession

during a revolution. France, a

single soldier, Napoleon became the

leader after the French Revolution

when others gave up. American

history is also full of examples.

These are all revolutionary ways.

KYLE:

Revolutions involve death, tragedy.

SADDAM:

Revolutions are a new step in

government, not a liberal way where

someone is groomed and chosen.

Revolutions come from the people.

The Brits, I'm sure, didn't like

America's revolutionary ways in

1776. No difference, really. It

happens in Iraq as it happens

elsewhere in the world. Do you

think 15,000 murders every year in

the U.S strike you as odd? I do.

41

KYLE:

But of high ranking people?

SADDAM:

So one life is more precious than

another? They are all a tragic.

INT. SADDAM'S PRISON CELL - DAY

A simple ten by ten foot room. Rough walls. One single bed,

comfortable blankets. A small table with Saddam’s childhood

Quran and a relaxing chair under a lone small window.

Saddam lays in bed facing the wall. He’s beyond tired.

A KNOCK.

SADDAM:

Yes.

Saddam rolls over slowly.

KYLE (O.C.)

May I enter?

SADDAM:

Kyle?

KYLE (O.C.)

Yes.

SADDAM:

Of course.

The stale gray door opens.

Kyle is determined yet looks sincere.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

What brings you here?

KYLE:

You.

Kyle stops in the middle of the room.

SADDAM:

(laughs then coughs)

Don't worry, I see you tomorrow,

no?

42

KYLE:

I know but this is too important.

(beat)

Do you trust me?

Kyle’s shoulders hunched as he stands.

SADDAM:

As much as anyone can trust another

in the position we find ourselves.

KYLE:

I need you to do me a favor.

Saddam rubs his eyes and keeps them shut. He knows what Kyle

wants.

SADDAM:

I am not eating, Kyle.

KYLE:

You need to.

SADDAM:

I do not need to do anything.

KYLE:

Do you want others to talk to you?

Saddam perks up. The thought of someone else terrifies him.

SADDAM:

No.

KYLE:

Neither do I. If for no one else

do it for me, then.

SADDAM:

That will not change my mind.

Kyle walks to his bed. Kneels down.

Saddam opens his weary eyes.

KYLE:

Then do it for your people.

SADDAM:

You keep reminding me they are not

mine.

43

KYLE:

But as you remind me...they are

still yours. Don't come out of

here defeated. Come out ready to

face what this country brings you.

Saddam slowly looks up. Nods his head.

SERIES OF IMAGES - WORLD NEWS PAPER HEADLINES

-- Three US soldiers and one Iraqi are killed by a roadside

bomb attack on a military convoy in Khalidiyah.

-- At least thirteen people are killed when a suicide bomber

rams an explosives-laden car into a police station in Kirkuk.

-- 130,000 coalition troops. Deaths of US personnel killed

in Iraq to 540, civilian deaths 14,000.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - MORNING

SUPER:
BIAP, 20 February, 2004

KYLE:

You look refreshed.

SADDAM:

(grins slightly)

I figure if I continue to eat the

food, it will kill me as quickly as

a hunger strike.

KYLE:

It's not that bad.

SADDAM:

I challenge you to try it.

KYLE:

Then I will.

They both laugh. A kinship is growing.

KYLE (CONT’D)

Let's make today a short one, shall

we?

SADDAM:

That would be appreciated.

44

KYLE:

I've wondered when you spoke of

Bakr. Did he step aside willingly?

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - HALLWAY - DAY

Bakr and Saddam stroll along an etched marble floor.

Portraits and artifacts symmetrically decorate the walls.

Servants follow closely but far enough to not hear.

BAKR:

(somber)

I know you have felt it.

SADDAM:

I have, unfortunately.

BAKR:

The desire for the Presidency and

my ability to care for our people

escapes me now more than ever.

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