The Ace of Spades Page #8

SADDAM:

Yes. It has us all worried.

Forgive me, but I can see your

ability has eroded.

Saddam finds it difficult to continue.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

...what would you have me focus?

Regardless of difficulty.

Bakr stops and stumbles slightly. He reaches out and grabs

Saddam's shoulder. Saddam stops for him to right himself.

BAKR:

I want you to lead us.

SADDAM:

But you are aware of my wish to

leave government?

Saddam tries to make this a major point for Bakr.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

We have had many discussions about

this.

45

BAKR:

Not Ba'ath though, no?

SADDAM:

No, not the party but the

government.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

If you walked away what would you

do?

SADDAM:

Tend to my land.

KYLE:

A farmer!? I sure have difficulty

seeing you do that. Day in, day

out.

SADDAM:

Why? It is honorable.

KYLE:

You told Bakr?

SADDAM:

I would never decline him, but I

was forward in my reservations.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. PRESIDENT BAKR'S OFFICE - LATER

BAKR:

You must take it...I am not one on

forcing an action with you but I

will if I have to.

SADDAM:

It is still not my desire.

BAKR:

It is for the party, our people.

Saddam gets up from the couch. Bakr feels he’s

uncomfortable, but knows his request is the only choice.

46

BAKR (CONT’D)

I know this is not the normal

method for a Presidency but I will

go to the radio and announce it

regardless.

SADDAM:

That would cause tremendous

consternation for our people and in

the eyes of foreigners would look

like something was wrong.

Bakr stands and pats Saddam gently knowing he’s got his wish.

BAKR:

Then it is done.

INT. SADDAM'S HOUSE - MORNING

Saddam, comfortable as he sits next to a mahogany-encased

radio on an elegant claw foot table.

BAKR (V.O.)

(from radio)

For a long time I have been talking

to my leaders in the command,

particularly cherished confidant

Saddam Hussein about my health,

which no longer allows me to

shoulder the responsibilities with

which you have honored me. I would

repeatedly ask them to relieve me

of this burden, but the magnanimity

of Saddam Hussein and the

leadership prompted them to refuse

to discuss.

(trembles)

Therefore I have insisted that my

dear friend Saddam Hussein and my

party leadership and the RCC

respond to my request to be

relieved of my responsibilities in

the party and our country.

END FLASHBACK:

BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM - SAME

KYLE:

Some say he was coerced.

Saddam defends himself like a lawyer in a court room.

47

SADDAM:

I was not even there.

KYLE:

Even with all that, it wasn't a

smooth transition for you, though.

SADDAM:

It was not that difficult. There

was nothing and no one against me.

KYLE:

Muhie Mashhadi?

SADDAM:

Sure, some voiced their opinions,

asking Bakr to stay, but he made up

his mind. As I like to see it, his

health made it an easy one.

KYLE:

Once Mashadi found out he called a

vote.

Kyle moves closer as he tries to get a rise out of Saddam.

KYLE (CONT’D)

Even begged Bakr to stay, telling

him to just take a rest.

SADDAM:

(deadpan)

Not one of his smarter moves.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. BAGHDAD - REVOLUTIONARY COMMAND COUNCIL CONGRESS

HEADQUARTERS - DAY

Hot and musty. Over two-hundred MEN cram into stadium-style

seats. Others stand shoulder to shoulder along with dark

sunglass-shaded GUARDS in uniform. A low roar fills the room.

SUPER:
Revolutionary Command Council Congress - AKA, The

Ba'ath Party Purge - 22 JULY, 1979

TARIQ AZIZ, 30’s, a geeky glasses military man stands at the

podium with a serious purpose.

Saddam in a three-piece suit sits at an arching table with a

skinny microphone and overlooks the crowd. He grabs a cigar

from his suit pocket. Lights it and smugly puffs away.

48

TARIQ:

We have come together as a great

party. A great country. A great

leader for the future...Saddam

Hussein, President of Iraq.

Isolated pockets of men stand to CLAP.

TARIQ (CONT'D)

(slow. melancholy)

But my comrades we have exposed a

painful and atrocious plot.

Faces go from joy to confusion.

The sound of doors LOCKING reverberates in the room.

TARIQ (CONT’D)

This betrayal comes from within our

Party by some of our most senior

members.

MEN look around, searching for the exits. Several men

attempt to flee but are easily corralled by the guards.

TARIQ (CONT’D)

It saddens us all to know

that every one...every one of

the traitors is here in the

hall...among us right now.

MAN IN CROWD (O.C.)

No. It can not be.

TARIQ:

We will begin our session with our

first speaker

(looks down at his paper.

adjusts his glasses)

This is a most sad day. Details of

this plot will be given by former

Secretary General Muhie Mashhadi.

The audience GASPS as the red curtain parts behind the

podium. MUHIE MASHHADI, 50's, a beaten man emerges, escorted

by an OFFICER to the podium. He knows his end is coming.

A rush of terror emanates and ENVELOPS EVERYONE.

Saddam is alone in his power trip.

Muhie avoids eye contact with the CROWD but it’s impossible.

MUHIE:

I...I have plotted against many.

Since 1975 I have been part...part

of a Syrian plot aimed at...

(MORE)

49

(voice cracks)

...at removing President Bakr and

Saddam Hussein in order to pave the

way for an Iraq-Syria unification,

headed by Hamad and President Asad.

CROWD (O.C.)

What? No. Tyrant. Traitor!

Saddam grabs his microphone.

SADDAM:

(to Muhie)

I noticed you behaving strangely

during the meeting at the RCC.

(to crowd)

He was nervous and looked at me

with hatred!

Muhie turns slowly towards Saddam. It's a struggle to move

his neck. He's in pain but tries to maintain his composure.

MUHIE:

I--I have willingly met with them

on many occasions...in an attempt

to keep this vision alive. To

eliminate Saddam Hussein.

(tears flow)

I have committed treason. Many of

you have also committed this act.

Saddam pushes his chair back. Stands tall and sets his cigar

down. Straightens his suit.

Saddam approaches Muhie. Puts his arm out in front and

brushes him aside to take the podium.

SADDAM:

I am stunned to discover I have

been betrayed by my closest

friends.

(beat)

I visited him to understand the

motive of this behavior.

Saddam swings his verbal assault to Muhie and the crowd.

SADDAM (CONT’D)

(to Muhie)

What political differences exist

between you and me? Did you lack

power or money? If you had an

opinion, submit it to the party,

you are a leader.

MUHIE (CONT'D)

(MORE)

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