CREDITS; ROLL
Flashing stock
footage of various reporters, the desert, and insurgents in the backs of their white
Toyota trucks holding guns;
REPORTER
...the
worst terrorist attack since 9/11.
Stock footage of masked
terrorist, car bombs, big explosions, weeping women covered in black veils;
DIFFERENT REPORTER
Latest
reports say Hasan Bin Hadin, mastermind of the attack on California's largest
amusement park that took nearly 3000 lives...
Grainy news footage
of Arabs with signs in protests and chants.
DIFFERENT REPORTER
...all
reports confirm Hasan Bin Hadin was captured alive and is recovering in a
military hospital.
Hard CUT TO BLACK.
INT. INTERROGATION
ROOM – Night
A bright light
illuminates the sweaty face of Hasan Bin-Hadin (40s). He has a long beard, his
face is rough, wrinkly, and looks worn to leather by the sun.
He is sitting in an
old chair, in the middle of the darkness, with his hands cuffed together in his
lap, chained to his ankles. He is wearing grungy, stained and dirty, orange
prison overalls.
Two men wearing
camouflage pants, and military green T-shirts, emerge out of the darkness on
either side of the bright light. Only their muscular arms and waists are
illuminated, the rest is lost in the darkness. One, suddenly speaks. His tone is
harsh.
INTERROGATOR #1
Where’s
the location of your training camp?
Hasan’s eyes squint
with rage and defiance. He is staring through the darkness into the face of his
interrogator.
INTERROGATOR #2
One
way or another, you will talk. Make it easy on yourself, and speak now.
INTERROGATOR #1
Or
wait until we break you.
(beat)
Because
we will.
INTERROGATOR #2
And
all your suffering will be for nothing.
Hasan continues his
defiant stare.
The Interrogators
turn to each other in the darkness.
INTERROGATOR #1
He
won’t talk.
INTERROGATOR #2
You
think he's that stupid?
INTERROGATOR #1
Look
at him. Of course he is. We’ll keep torturing him, he’ll hold out for another...
six months.
INTERROGATOR #2
But
no one has held out past a year.
INTERROGATOR #1
That’s
right. He won’t. But he’ll suffer for that year like the idiot that he is.
Hasan
suddenly breaks into prayer.
HASAN
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek
Laka, Labbaik. Innal Hamdah, Wan Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka.
INTERROGATOR #2
Your god won’t save you now.
INTERROGATOR
#1
He should have done that before we got you.
INTERROGATOR #2
Now your ass is ours.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
COLONEL VOLK, 40’s, in
a civilian suit, no nonsense type, is watching the action in the interrogation
room from behind a two way mirror.
VOLK
Well,
the President has approved this. I can’t say I’m crazy about it, but...
He cuts himself off
as he turns to look at another man in the room, MUHAMMAD ABBOUD, late 40’s,
first impression; he is a Professor. Speaking with a Nordic accent;
ABBOUD
I
understand your reticence, but without question this is the most important day
of my life. If this works, it could change everything.
VOLK
We’ve
had pretty good success with our methods.
ABBOUD
Yes,
in getting information, which is important, but what I’m going to attempt is
much bigger than that.
VOLK
(turning to the door)
Here
they come.
The two
Interrogators step into the room. Corporal Albert Lorenzo (late 20's), quiet,
focused, and Sergeant Mike Zane(early 30's) intense, hard eyes.
The two salute the
Colonel with military precision.
INTERROGATORS
Colonel
Volk.
VOLK
Men,
I want to introduce you to Muhammad Abboud. He is a...
psychology
professor?
ABBOUD
Yes
masters in psychology and sociology.
VOLK
...at
Uppsala University near Stockholm, in Sweden, right?
ABBOUD
Yes,
I’m primarily a research scientists and behavioral specialist.
VOLK
Professor
Abboud this is Sergeant Mike Zane and Corporal Albert Lorenzo. They’ve been the
primary interrogators for the last six months, since we got him.
ABBOUD
I
assume you are using conventional military methods.
ZANE
We
keep to the Geneva Convention, if that's what you’re wondering.
ABBOUD
How
about waterboarding?
ZANE
You're
joking right? You watch too much TV, sir!
VOLK
(shaking head)
It’s
not very effective. We've not used it in years. It’s more of a scare tactic.
LORENZO
And
feed slop from the media. We have better methods.
ABBOUD
Such
as?
ZANE
Proven
methods. Sleep deprivation, irregular schedule between meals, shower, bathroom,
total silence in the dark, bright lights and noise... we know what we're doing.
ABBOUD
I
know those are all Geneva Convention approved methods, but just because they do
not draw blood does not mean they are not torture. Psychological trauma is far
more damaging than physical pain.
ZANE
I’m
going to be blunt with you... Professor. I’m not crazy about you coming here
throwing a wrench into our method. It works. It may take months, sometimes years,
but it works.
LORENZO
We
always get our information.
ABBOUD
I
understand. And I’m not here to stop you from doing your job...
ZANE
Why
are you here... Muhammad?
ABBOUD
I'm
third generation, born in Sweden. My grand parents left Palestine in the
1940's. I'm agnostic. Look beyond the name. Can you?
Zane
scoffs and looks away.
VOLK
Men!
Enough! We are soldiers. We are here to do a job. He's a vetted and verified
expert and his methods have been approved. Like or not we are following his orders.
I am, and I expect the both of you to do as well.
ZANE/LORENZO
Yes
sir.
Both men salute and
promptly turn to leave the room.
Volk turns to Abboud.
VOLK
So
what do you think?
Abboud
looks around.
ABBOUD(CONT'D)
So
is this the whole operation? It looks sparse. No more people involved?
VOLK
No,
just the three of us... well four with you.
ABBOUD
Yes
four, but we should also consider my analysts that will be overseeing the video
feeds back in Sweden.
VOLK
If
you put it that way the entire US intelligence body is scrutinizing every move
we make, we are under full surveillance.
Nodding
his brow to the surveillance camera in the corner.
VOLK (CON'D)
I
was referring to just our "on the ground operation" here.
ABBOUD
Of
course, yes.
BACKGROUND;
Past Volk and Abboud, through the two way mirror, Zane and Lorenzo are placing
a black hood over Hasan’s head. Both soldiers escort him out of the room.
VOLK
It's
part of our strategy. This facility is isolated from the rest of the base. We
have literally taken him out of the world. All he knows is his cell, the
interrogation room, and the only people he is ever in contact with are Zane and
Lorenzo.
INT. CONCRETE HALL –
NIGHT
Zane and Lorenzo are
walking Hasan with the black hood over his head.
INT. CONCRETE HOLE –
NIGHT
Professor Abboud and
Volk are in a cold and damp concrete hole that looks more like a sewer than a
cell. There is nothing else in it but the four walls.
ABBOUD
Wow,
no bed, especially in such a damp musky concrete hole?
VOLK
We
made sure he was as uncomfortable as possible.
ABBOUD
(looking around)
And
no sink. No toilet. Why take it this far?
VOLK
We
want him completely dependent on us. He gets a drink of water, he goes to the
bathroom, only when we say so.
ABBOUD
For
my method to work the cell has to be completely different. General Davis
already has my specifications.
VOLK
Yes,
I’ve been briefed, but I don’t particularly get it. A clean white room, a TV, I
don’t see how that's going to help?
ABBOUD
I’ve
spent a lifetime studying the human mind. Everything I do, even the most minor
detail, is specifically designed for our ultimate goal.
How
soon to have it ready?
VOLK
A
week, at most.
ABBOUD
Then
I will see you in a week.
INT. INTERROGATION
ROOM - NIGHT
The bright light is
beaming on Hasan’s face.
LORENZO
You
know, one day you're going to say it. So say it now. Why go trough all this
shit?
Hasan is glaring at Lorenzo
defiantly, when suddenly... he spits at the soldier.
Lorenzo swiftly dodges
the deed, and WHAM! reacts with a hard slap against Hasan's face.
LORENZO
Keep
doing that. And every time you do, you get hit. Dumbass.
ZANE
Back
off a second, let me in on this.
Lorenzo steps back.
Zane walks up. Leans
forward.
ZANE
Tough
guy, huh? You wan' a know how tough you really are? Do you? Look at you. You're
tied up... to a chair.
How
did you get here? Cuz you’re tough? Or a stupid bitch? That’s right. You are,
my bitch.
Zane
bitch-slaps Hasan hard.
ZANE
You
think your God is go'na protect you? Where’s your God? I don’t think your God
likes you much. He led you right into our hands. You know why? Because you're a
child killer.
Zane
bitch-slaps Hasan again.
ZANE
You’re
a coward. You’re weak. You’re mad at us, but then you go and kill children. That’s
why God put you in my hands, to punish you. That means I can make you my bitch,
and God will let me.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Professor Abboud and
Volk enter the room. First thing Abboud sees is Zane hovering over Hasan.
BACKGROUND: Through
the glass, Zane slaps Hasan again.
ABBOUD
What
the hell? What are they doing out there? I never approved this?
VOLK
I
don’t know. He must have done something to instigate this.
BACKGROUND: Through
the mirrored glass, Zane steps to the side and leans his face closer to Hasan.
Hasan clearly spits into Zane’s face. Zane instantly reacts punching Hasan
violently.
ABBOUD
That’s
enough! That’s going too far.
Abboud shouts, and
storms out of the office.
INT. INTERROGATION
ROOM – NIGHT
ABBOUD
Stop!
What the hell are you doing?
Both Zane and
Lorenzo are surprised to see Abboud.
ZANE
You.
ABBOUD
I'm
sorry but after the conversation we had?
ZANE
He’s
a fucking terrorist!
ABBOUD
He
is a man! Irrelevant of what he has done, he is a man, and still has some
rights.
ZANE
Fuck
you! He lost his rights when he killed 3000 kids!
ABBOUD
He
lost his mind when he killed those people. And if we treat him the same we’ll
lose ours. We stand for something, or otherwise we are just like him.
ZANE
I
knew you were going to be a pain in the ass. Go back to where ever you...
VOLK
Sergeant!
We are a nation of laws, and we have to follow the law. I don’t agree with him
either, but he is here to make sure what we are doing is in line with treaties
we sighed. We are bound by the law.
ZANE
The
law is supposed to protect us, not him! Not a fucking terrorist!
VOLK
Enough!
Do you want to be reassigned?
ZANE
Maybe!
It depends if this... professor... Mohammad...
ABBOUD
That's
Professor Abboud Sergeant Zane. I don’t care what you think of me, but I am in
charge now, and you will follow my orders, just as you do the Colonel’s.
ZANE
With
all due respect... sir! You are a civilian. You have no authority to give me
orders.
VOLK
But
I do. From now his orders are my orders. Can you comply with that sergeant?
ZANE
Yes
sir! Sir!
Zane kicks his heels,
stiffens his body, and salutes with a near karate chop! Then throws his arm
away and steps back next to Lorenzo exaggerating his movements.
Abboud turns his
attention to Hasan, and looks him up and down.
Hasan does the same
to Abboud.
Volk signals with
his head to the two soldiers to remove Hasan.
Lorenzo slips the black
sack over Hasan’s head.
The soldiers lift
Hasan out of the chair.
They walk him away.
Turning to Volk;
ABBOUD
Have
you moved him to his new cell yet?
VOLK
No.
We figured we’d give you that honor.
ABBOUD
I
want to talk to him there. And can you make sure from now on he wears the Thawb.
VOLK
The
Arab robes you brought?
ABBOUD
Yes.
VOLK
I
don’t see any reason for that. He is a prisoner and his prisoner’s uniform...
ABBOUD
Colonel
Volk, you, along with everyone else signed an agreement that you would follow
my procedures. Yes?
VOLK
(deep disapproving breath)
Yes.
ABBOUD
Now
please do so, and I want him
wearing
it when I enter the cell.
INT. WHITE CELL –
DAY
Hasan, wearing his
new white robe but in the same chains, is being led by Zane and Lorenzo into the
ALL WHITE CELL.
The cell is clean,
bright white, and the walls are covered in soft white vinyl panels.
Lorenzo unlocks Hasan's
cuffs from his wrists and ankles.
Zane pulls off his
black hood.
Hasan quickly
glances at his new digs, then at his new robe. Doesn’t seem impressed. No
reaction.
He sits down on the
twin bed sized cot in one corner of the room.
On the wall at the
foot of his bed there is a large TV monitor inset into the wall protected by
Lexan.
There is NO sink or
bathroom in the cell.
Professor Abboud
steps into the room.
ABBOUD
Thank
you soldiers. I’ll take it
from
here.
LORENZO
You
sure you don’t want us in here? He's out of cuffs.
ABBOUD
I’ll
be fine.
Lorenzo nods, and
with Zane, step out and close the cell door behind them.
Hasan is sitting on
the cot staring at the wall in front of him, ignoring Abboud.
Abboud seats at the
end of the cot, near the TV, facing Hasan.
ABBOUD
What
do you think about your new cell?
No reaction from
Hasan.
ABBOUD
You’re
probably no fan of television. But you have not seen the light of day in six
months. Nor a plant, a bird, or even some color, other than uniforms. The
military might think that’s ok, but I don’t. So that’s why that TV is in here.
(beat)
Don’t
worry, you won’t be watching movies, or the news, nothing violent. Just images
of the world, plants, the sky, color. I don’t believe in torturing a man’s mind,
and we need those things to stay sane.
(beat)
I
am Muhammad Abboud, a Professor from Sweden, not an interrogator. I’m not here
to question you. (beat)
I
know your background. I know you are an educated man. So you know my country’s
recent history. Sweden has been neutral in almost all recent wars. We also have
a large population of Muslim migrants, like my family. I hope you can see me in
a different light than you see Americans, because I am not American.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Volk is standing in
front of a monitor watching.
He is shaking his
head in disapproval.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
ABBOUD(cont'd)
I’m
here because I can change things. I’m an expert in my field, but more
important, I am an advisor to the Swedish government. My government listens to
me. I have a lot of influence on them, and they on America. And right now I’m
sitting next to you, which means, you have the opportunity to influence me. You
see my point?
Professor Abboud
takes a break and studies Hasan for a reaction, but still nothing.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Zane steps in and
walks up next to Volk.
VOLK
What
are you doing in here?
ZANE
I’m
too damned curious. I want to see what this clown is doing in there.
VOLK
Is
Lorenzo still by the door?
ZANE
Yeah.
Hasan’s too weak anyway. He won’t do anything. Plus, I’m sure he’s happy with his
new room and television.
Volk gives him a
long look.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
ABBOUD
The
sad truth is, the tactics they are using, will work. They will break you. We
all break. So why not do something more, have a conversation with me and your
words will reach the UN.
Waits
for a response from Hasan but none there.
ABBOUD
I
know what you want...
Freedom
from the West. Isn’t that what your martyrs died for? Isn’t that why you are
locked in here? Because you decided to fight for your freedom from the west.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Zane frowns giving
Volk a nasty disapproving look.
Volk twists his head
to the side in seeming disappointment.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
ABBOUD(cont'd)
I
understand why you are ignoring me, but let me put it this way. You believe you
did what you had to in this life, and now you await your death. You know your
people can’t have freedom from the west, so death will be your freedom. You
will die, you will go to paradise and be with god. So I get it. Why would you
waste a minute talking to me?
(beat)
But
you are going to be here a while. You are not an old man. You may live another
thirty years. That’s a long time to wait.
Abboud lays back against
the soft padded wall and waits.
Doesn’t do anything
just lays there, on the cot, and waits.
Hasan has not moved.
He is where he sat, staring at the wall.
FADE OUT;
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Volk and Zane are
staring at the monitor.
ZANE
This
is ridiculous. What’s he doing? Is he just going to sit there like an idiot for
the rest of the day?
Volk
looks at his watch, then back at the monitor.
VOLK
It's
been two hours. Who knows, maybe?
ZANE
We
could be pressing him. We’re close. Hell, he could have broken by now, instead,
we're looking at an insane man watching paint dry, while this terrorist-sympathizer...
professor, is laying on the cot next to him. How the hell did this get
approved?
INT. WHITE ROOM –
DAY
Abboud rises from
his laid back position.
ABBOUD
It’s
time for me to leave. Tonight they will show you a documentary. That’s it. Plants-animals,
mountains-oceans. Think of it as food for the mind. The body needs food, and
that you have, but the mind also needs food. That’s what the TV is for. I know
you don’t believe me... but you will. Trust is earned, and I will earn your
trust, you'll see. Starting today you and I will spend many hours together.
Abboud walks to the
door and knocks on it.
Lorenzo lets him
out.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. WHITE CELL –
DAY
Start of LONG PUSH-IN
SHOT. Hasan is laying on his bed staring
at the TV monitor on the wall opposite him.
His eyes are distant
and lost with seething rage bubbling behind them.
ON SCREEN; Images of
mountains, seas, and colorful animals flow one after another all to the tone of
David Attenborough’s soothing voice.
FADE IN;
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Zane, Lorenzo, and
Volk are playing cards overlooking the monitor spying on Hasan.
INSERT: Hasan is
laying in his cot.
ZANE
When’s
that asshole supposed to be here?
VOLK
Any
minute now.
ZANE
Why
did the brass agree to this?
VOLK
Classified.
Until you guys get full clearance, this conversation ends here.
ZANE
Colonel,
to be perfectly frank, I don’t give a shit why the higher ups agreed to this.
The man is trouble, hell he’s not even American, and you heard what he said to
Hasan, what he things of us?
LORENZO
You
just hate him because he's an Arab. A Swedish Arab.
Frowning
at Lorenzo.
ZANE
He’s
an idiot. He’s a fucking bleeding heart idiot. Hasan’s a terrorist not a goddamned
boy scout. He killed 3000 kids.
LORENZO
It
bugs you that his family is Arab though.
ZANE
Blood
is thicker than water.
Lorenzo
shakes his head.
ZANE
What?
You don't think he favors his people?
Lorenzo
just shrugs.
ZANE(cont'd)
Reality.
We're all a little racist. We all favor the people that look like us. You'd
save a Latino kid before a white kid if you had to choose. It's just the way it
is.
VOLK
Enough.
Are you forgetting we are under surveillance? Everything we do and say is being
recorded.
ZANE
Yes
sir. I am not doing this for joy, I'm doing it for my country. I think a dose
of suspicion is healthy.
VOLK
Fine.
Keep it to yourself. We are here to do a job and we are going to do our job.
The
door opens and Abboud steps in.
ABBOUD
Hello
gentlemen. Am I interrupting?
VOLK
Not
at all.
ZANE
No,
we were just having a polite conversation about you.
ABBOUD
I’m
sure you had only good things to say Sergeant Zane.
Zane nods dismissively,
while Lorenzo is gathering the cards off the table.
Abboud approaches
Volk's extended hand for a shake.
BACKGROUND; The soldiers
leave the room.
VOLK
Welcome
back Professor.
ABBOUD
Thank
you. After my first visit I thought you would never want to see me again.
VOLK
We
are soldiers, it is our nature to be confrontational.
ABBOUD
Yes
of course. Well, it's been two weeks, any more confrontations?
VOLK
You
mean Zane. Look, he is one of the best interrogators I’ve worked with. He has
his own ways, and they work. He is stubborn, but he is a good soldier and
follows orders. His resistance is mostly because he doesn't understand why you're
here. Fact is, I don’t like keeping him in the dark, but those were your
orders.
ABBOUD
Unfortunately
it has to be that way. Zane’s character will be helpful in the long run, as
long as I can keep him within certain bounds. Hasan needs to be stuck in
between him and me, without getting out of hand.
VOLK
Good
cop bad cop routine? I can't say that I'm impressed.
ABBOUD
Yes
true, on the face of it, but in reality it's a bit more than that... the documentaries?
How’s he responded to them?
VOLK
On
and off, I'm sure you've seen the feeds.
ABBOUD
Unfortunately,
I just don't have time to watch them all. I mostly read my analysts' reports,
and watch their selected clips.
VOLK
At
first he covered his head with a pillow and tried his best to ignore them, but
after a few days he gave up. Since, he's watched them all.
ABBOUD
Good.
That’s better than I expected. I knew he would resist, but only a few days, that's
really good. I’d like to see him now.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
Hasan is once again
staring at the wall in front of him.
Abboud is sitting
where he was before, at the foot of the bed.
Silence.
Both men are just
sitting there.
INSERT; Fish eye
surveillance view from above.
Abboud studies
Hasan.
ABBOUD
Well,
this is fun.
(beat)
But
if this is what you want we can do this for the next thirty years.
Another
moment of silence.
ABBOUD
I
get to walk out of here at the end of the day, but you're stuck. If I were you
I'd make the best of it.
Hasan flinches. His
brow frowns.
Abboud waits
patiently.
Hasan slowly turns
his head more towards Abboud.
HASAN
Why
are you here?
ABBOUD
To
talk. To find common ground. You act as if we are aliens from different worlds.
Are we not all brothers after all? Did not god create us all?
(beat)
Abboud
waits for a response.
HASAN
What
do you know about God? Traitor. Infidel.
ABBOUD
Everything.
In fact I’m willing to bet I have the Koran memorized better than you, and not
just the Koran, all religious texts. And you know what I learned? That all
religions believe in the same God, just under different names, in different
clothes, with different rituals songs and dances, because these things are their
cultures. Religion is just the local culture, but God, God is the same
everywhere. That’s what I know about God. Clearly more than you.
Hasan’s
eyes are locked on the wall ahead of him.
ABBOUD
I
told you who I am, and you're an educated man, so you should understand I know
human needs. No matter how different our cultures might be, in the end we all
want the same things. Freedom, respect, equality in this world.
(beat)
Do
you feel equal in this world?
HASAN
Silence
traitor.
It's
your new people who make inequality in this world.
ABBOUD
What,
the west? The west forces our people to kill each other? Yeah? Are Muslims
killing Muslims because the west is making them? You really believe Muslims are
that weak?
(beat)
Is
that what you believe?
Hasan
puffs up shaking with rage, but holds steady, staring at the blank wall ahead.
ABBOUD
Open
your eyes my friend. Just a few decades ago the West was killing itself just
like our people today. Two world wars, before that, never ending wars between
kingdoms. Continuous invasions by Muslim Ottomans in the East, the Muslim Moors
in the West, yet Europe survived them all. Why? Simple. When was the last time
you heard a European blame Ottomans or Moors for their problems, even though
they killed millions.
(beat)
That's
what I want you, and our people, to understand. Open your eyes. Stop blaming
everyone else. Our people back home are responsible for their fate. Not the
west. If we want peace, we need to make peace. You can't make peace, with
war... idiot.
Hasan
stares steadfast at the wall... but his face, it cringes. His head looks ready
to explode from rage.
ABBOUD
I'm
here because there has to be a way for our cultures to get along. We're not
aliens, we're men. You and me are the same. We both hate one another for what
we have done in the past. I can forgive. Can you? Or are you that weak and
small?
Hasan's face is
contorting, visibly shaking, struggling to hold his rage back.
ABBOUD
I'm
not weak, like you. I can forgive, because I know the power of friendship. You
and me, if we can do that, right here, right now, we guarantee the future. We
guarantee that in the future, our cultures can live in peace. But it has to
start somewhere. Someone has to have the courage to be first. Do you?
I
do.
And with that Abboud reaches out his hand for
a shake.
Hasan is visibly shaking. His face muscles
are flickering
under his skin from stress, frustration, and
confusion.
But Hasan does not budge. He leaves Abboud
hanging.
INT.
DARKENED ROOM – NIGHT
Zane
and Volk are watching the screen.
ZANE
Ridiculous.
I told you this man was an idiot. The only way that scumbag would be friends
with us is if we all got down and bowed east, to Mecca, five times a day... with
them as our masters.
VOLK
You're
very sure about that.
ZANE
I’m
absolutely positive. Don’t tell me you buy this mumbo-jumbo?
VOLK
I’m
following orders soldier, as you should.
INT.
WHITE CELL – DAY
Hasan
is still quiet, still staring at the wall.
Suddenly
he turns to Abboud.
HASAN
You
think I’m an idiot? A fool? You think I don’t know what you’re doing? For six
months they torture me, and now you show up, no more torture. You put me here,
give me a Thawb, and your stupid television, and now you are my friend. You
think that I don’t understand what you are doing. You think I don’t realize
this is just another trick? I am not an idiot!
ABBOUD
Am
I?
Hasan
shakes his head, a bit stunned by the response.
ABBOUD
Do
you think I came here believing you'd agree with me?
(beat)
I
know exactly who I’m dealing with. You are a killer. A murderer. You are so
demented by hate, that you can kill children without even a thought. Of course
I knew you would resist.
HASAN
Then
you know you are wasting your time. You can not change me.
ABBOUD
I
know that. I’m not here for you. I’m here for me. I’m here to take from you,
not to change you. If you want to change and become wiser as result, that’s
your choice. But I am going to take from you everything.
(beat)
Well,
what do you think?
Hasan
snaps his head away displeased.
But
then turns back.
HASAN
I
think you are a fool.
ABBOUD
Partially,
you're right. When you take, you always give more away. Did you know that?
(beat)
When
you take, you always give more away?
(beat)
Don't
believe me? I'll prove it. It’s how God set up this world. When you take, on
the flip side, you give back, whether you want to or not.
(beat)
Look
at you. When you took those 3000 American lives, you gave America reason to
attack your hideout. As a result, 20,000 Muslims died. You took 3000 Americans,
and in doing so you gave them 20,000 Muslims to kill.
Hasan
is boiling in place fuming with rage.
He's
shaking.
He
suddenly blurts.
HASAN
I
gave you nothing! You killed them in cold blood.
ABBOUD
You
can lie to yourself. You can lie to me, but you can't lie to God. This is how
he set up this world. When you take, you give. You gave your people death and
misery. You did that. You are responsible for their deaths. You killed them
(beat)
Hasan
is squirming in his seat.
ABBOUD(cont'd)
But
what if you could give your people something else? What if you could give them
real freedom from the west?
(beat)
You
could have, but you failed. Because of you, there are more American military
bases in the Middle East than ever. Instead of freedom, you gave your people death,
You have your people American soldiers in their homes. You did that.
HASAN
(grinning his teeth)
Leave.
ABBOUD
That’s
why I’m here. I will never leave, not until I understand you. I’m an expert, but
I don't understand you. You say you are a freedom fighter, for your people, but
everything you’ve done has led to more death and suffering, for your people. You
keep fighting the same battle, and you always lose, and your people lose even
more. You keep running into the same wall, over and over again, and all you do
is crack your own skull. But you keep on doing it. You never learn. Why do you
do that? I don’t understand, but I want to.
Hasan
is fidgeting in his seat. He looks ready to blow.
ABBOUD
If
something fails, over and over, why is it that you can’t figure out a better
strategy? There’s got to be a better way. How come you can’t think of one?
(beat)
You
said you are not an idiot. Well, don’t smart people, by definition, being
smart, solve problems? All you've done is create more problems.
(beat)
Maybe
you aren’t as smart as you think. And don’t listen to my words. Look at your
choices. You go from one stupid choice to next. And now you are here. A
pathetic prisoner. Maybe you are an idiot.
Frustration,
resignation on Hasan’s face.
Another
moment of silence.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Volk and Zane are
watching the monitor.
Zane twists his face
in surprise, emphasizing it with a look to Volk.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
HASAN
Leave.
ABBOUD
Leave?
Since when are you giving orders?
(beat)
If
you like giving orders, you shouldn’t have gotten caught. A smart person would
not have gotten caught.
Hasan
turns his head to fully face Abboud.
HASAN
I
thought your game was to pretend to be my friend. You are not doing a very good
job. You are making me mad.
ABBOUD
Why
would I want you as a friend? You killed 3,000 people. Half of which were kids.
Don’t be mistaken. I’m a scientist and you are a lab rat. You are just an
experiment to me.
HASAN
Then
get out, and leave me in peace.
ABBOUD
Peace?
How can I leave you in something, you don’t have, and I don't mean because YOU
are a prisoner. You have no peace because you failed. You failed at life. You
want freedom from the West, but because of you the West is ever more on your
back, and now you’re rotting in one of their jails. There is no bigger loser on
Earth, than you...
(beat)
Tell
me, how are you going to give people freedom from this little cell? How?
Hasan’s
face starts to cringe more and more.
ABBOUD
You
failed because all you have is hate and violence. Now you are waiting for your
execution. You succeeded... at destroying yourself and your people.
Hasan’s
face is trembling. His eyes are watering.
HASAN
(strained breaking voice)
Please
leave. Please... leave.
ABBOUD
You
failed, and you can’t even see the obvious in front of your eyes. You can’t see
there is one more option. I’ll give you a clue.
India, a hundred years ago.
(beat)
India
got its freedom from the British, and it all started with one man, Gandhi. He
never once used a gun, but he succeeded, where you failed. He threw an empire
off his back, while you, with millions of dollars, and an army of insurgents,
failed. There’s never only one road to a destination. Maybe it is time for you to
open your eyes and see a different path.
HASAN
Leave.
Leave, I’m warning you.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Volk
looks up from the screen to Zane.
VOLK
Is
Lorenzo still at the door?
ZANE
Yeah.
VOLK
Why
don’t you go back him up. This looks like it's gon'a blow.
Zane
nods and heads out the door.
INT.
WHITE CELL - DAY
ABBOUD
The
truth hurts. It's my favorite quote, and I can see you are hurting because I’m
being truthful with you. It's human nature that when we fail, the last thing we
want is to be remained of that truth. Right now you can’t handle it, and you
refuse to accept that I’m here to help you, even if it's only indirectly. My experiment
is as much for your benefit as mine.
Hasan lets out a
deep breath, and starts squirming uncomfortably, struggling to hold in his
rage.
He starts breathing
heavily forcing air exaggeratedly in and out of his mouth.
Then with new vigor
in his eyes he turns to Abboud.
HASAN
Get
out! Leave me! Get out of here! Get out!
Hasan jumps to his
feet and starts ripping at his Thaub. He violently rips it open and starts
shouting.
HASAN
Leave!
Never return! I want my old cell! I want you gone!
Abboud gently rises
to his feet, while at the same time the cell door swings open and Lorenzo steps
in, but...
Abboud lifts up his
palm gesturing at him to stop.
Lorenzo does, just
as Zane steps in behind him.
Lorenzo gestures at Zane
to stand down, which he does.
Abboud casually, yet
antagonistically, steps toward Hasan.
He gets closer and
closer.
His face is now just
inches from Hasan’s face, who looks like he is about to pop a vain in his
forehead.
ABBOUD
(calm soft tone)
If
you really are smart, then use me. Show me that you are capable of a bit of
strategy, more than just banging you’re head against a wall. You've got two
choices. Use me, to get your word out to the world, or rot in here and let
these guys take pleasure in torturing you.
(beat)
Are
you really as smart as you think you are?
Abboud walks past
Hasan in his ripped up robe and steps out of the cell.
The soldiers close
the door.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Abboud walks up to
Volk who’s been watching everything on monitor.
BACKGROUND; On the
monitor Hasan is where he was left, still standing stiff as a board, his robe
ripped and hanging off his shoulders.
VOLK
Didn’t
look like it went too well in there, did it?
ABBOUD
Actually
it went perfectly.
VOLK
Are
you sure? I thought your plan was to soften him not alienate him even more.
ABBOUD
He
doesn't trust anything we do. If I tired to buddy up to him, he would shut me
out. He needs to believe I’m sincere, even if that makes me a monster in his
eyes.
VOLK
I
guess you are the expert. But this is not what I expected.
ABBOUD
No
it is not. And I guess from your point of view it is only going to get weirder
from here.
VOLK
But
you do know what you’re doing?
ABBOUD
Absolutely.
Volk responds with
lift of his eyebrows.
INT. INTERROGATION
ROOM – NIGHT
A match strikes,
lighting up in the darkness.
A hand lifts it up
to a cigarette.
Zane takes a puff,
then looks up at Hasan who is in the interrogation chair.
ZANE
Wan'a
smoke?
(beat)
Come
on, I know you smoke. Here. What’s a cigarette between enemies?
Zane leans forward.
Zane gently extends
the cigarette to Hasan’s lips.
Hasan stands stout.
Zane encourages him
with a lift of his brows.
Hasan squeezes his
lips in rejection.
Zane shrugs his
shoulders, “OK”, and pulls away.
But then leans forward
again and encourages him with another gesture.
Hasan stares him in
the eyes defiant... but then suddenly;
...leans forward to
take a puff.
Zane quickly...
CLOSE UP ON HAND; ...flips
the cigarette and pokes its hot tip into Hasan’s right eye.
Hasan groans as he forcefully
snaps his head back.
He squirms in his
chair. He can’t lift his chained arms to his face, so he rubs his eye on his
shoulder.
ZANE
Ooo...
my bad. Did I get you in the eye?
(beat)
Damn
cigarettes. They do say they're dangerous.
HASAN
Hal-lam
alha mekhel em.
ZANE
What?
What was that? Sorry, I didn't understand. Was that pig Latin? You speak pork?
Zane stares at
Hasan, still rubbing his eye on his shoulder.
Hasan stops. His eye
seems OK, but he does have a slight burn on his eyelid.
Hasan looks off to
the side.
ZANE
Your
eye looks fine. I don’t even see a mark. You’re not hurt. You’re probably more
disappointed you didn’t get your puff. Boy, all you got in life are
disappointments. Yesterday, your buddy, Professor Abboud... another
disappointment. Turns out he’s not your buddy. He hates you. And you know I
hate you. Lorenzo here... he hates you.
Zane
nods to Lorenzo, to which Lorenzo nods in agreement.
ZANE(cont’d)
The
whole world hates you. And you know what?
(beat)
God
hates you. Yup. Those kids... you killed at the amusement park, those were God’s
children. God made you, and God made me, but I’m a free man, and you're my
prisoner. That's how I know God hates you... but he loves me.
(beat)
Did
you know I have a daughter? You had what, five, with two wives, but they're all
dead now. They died because of you. But my daughter is safe, and protected,
because of me. That's right. She'll always be safe and protected, because God
loves me... but he let your children die, bullet ridden and burnt... because
God hates you.
(beat)
That’s
it. I got no questions today. Just wanted to remind you how much the whole
world, even God, hate you. Your buddy, Professor Abboud, he’s on his way. He’ll
be here in a little bit, to remind you, how much he hates you too.
Zane
stands up and Lorenzo approaches.
LORENZO
Now,
let’s get you back to your hole you fucking rat.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
- NIGHT
Abboud drops a file
onto the table in front of Volk.
ABBOUD
Some
information I dug up on Hasan. I don’t have access to your classified files, so
maybe you already have this info, but I figured I’d share it just in case.
VOLK
I’ll
take a look at it.
ABBOUD
How’s
he doing?
VOLK
He
had a hissy fit when we turned on the monitor last night. Started throwing
pillows, ripping the sheets on his bed...
ABBOUD
Do
I need to get more robes?
VOLK
He
only ripped the one. We still have the backups. Plus we can always put him back
in his prison fatigues. They're not so easy to rip.
ABBOUD
Maybe,
if we have to. All right let’s get to it.
INT. WHITE CELL –
DAY
Hasan is lying on
his back on the cot. When the door starts to open he jumps off.
He slowly steps to
the back of the cell as he complains.
HASAN
No!
Get him away! Take me to my old cell! I will not talk to this... man
And at that instant
Zane steps further into the cell and sprays Hasan in the eyes with something.
Hasan instantly
reacts hiding his face in his chest and starts coughing.
ABBOUD
What
the hell? What was that?
ZANE
Pepper
spray. It’s delicious on burritos, but a pain in the eyes.
ABBOUD
Sergeant...
You’re quite the humanitarian.
ZANE
It’s
in my blood.
ABBOUD
(coughing)
And
now in my eyes. Please don’t spray that again. We are in a very small enclosed
space.
ZANE
Its
either this or he’ll be yelling your ears off.
ABBOUD
I’d
rather he yell my ears off, then you spray my eyes out.
ZANE
All
right... boss.
And
with a head nod towards Lorenzo, both men step out.
Abboud
looks up at Hasan who is frantically rubbing his face and eyes.
Abboud
waits patiently.
Hasan
finally stops and looks at Abboud with squinty bloodshot red eyes.
A
moment later he turns his back to Abboud.
Abboud
reclines on Hasan’s cot.
Hasan
stands frozen with his back to Abboud.
Abboud’s
lying on the cot staring at Hasan’s back.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Zane
steps in with two cups of coffee.
He
hands one to Volk.
ZANE
Are
you kidding me? They haven’t moved an inch. It’s been an hour.
VOLK
Nope.
Neither have moved at all.
ZANE
At
least Abboud was smart enough to sit. Hasan’s gon'a be tired pretty soon.
VOLK
He’s
growing on you, isn’t he?
ZANE
What?
The terrorist-sympathizer? Please?
VOLK
Stop
calling him that, it's ridiculous.
Zane
shakes his head dismissively.
VOLK(cont'd)
You
can’t deny, he did good yesterday.
ZANE
I
certainly can deny it.
VOLK
Well
do you?
ZANE
Ehhh...
it’s only one day. Let’s see what he does over the next few months.
INT.
WHITE CELL – DAY
Abboud rises and
sits on the back end of the cot.
ABBOUD
Fine.
Since you're in no mood to talk, I’ll talk. I already know everything about you,
so there is no reason for you to say anything.
(beat)
Your
parents are Saudi billionaires. As a kid you spent your summers in the Hamptons.
You grew up as American, in fact, more American than most Americans. You even attended
Harvard, than something happened. At twenty two you dropped off the radar, and
never again returned to the United States.
(beat)
Well,
I did some digging, and I know why.
Abboud leans in as
if he is about to divulge a major secret.
ABBOUD
Annabel
Johnson.
Hasan’s face starts
fluttering at the sound of the name.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Zane is watching
Hasan on the surveillance monitor. Hasan is facing the camera.
ZANE
What
the...
BACKGROUND; Hasan’s
reaction is clear on the monitor being watched by Zane and Volk.
{INSERT;
On monitor:
ABBOUD
My
sources tell me you were in love with this girl. You tried everything to get
her, but she turned you down. She did not care about your wealth. She was not
impressed. A few months later, you disappear. Drop out of school, and the next
we hear of you... your fighting the Russians out of caves in Afghanistan.
}
VOLK
What
in the hell is this?
ZANE
What
the fuck is he talking about?
Both
men look stunned and dumfounded.
Volk quickly grabs
the file Abboud dropped next to the monitor, and starts flipping through it.
INT.
WHITE ROOM - DAY
ABBOUD
Could
it really be this pathetic? Did you
really become a terrorist because you had your heartbroken by a blonde American
girl?
Abboud
gets up.
He
slowly steps up behind Hasan.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Volk and Zane are
frantically looking through the file, ignoring the monitor.
INT.
WHITE CELL – DAY
Abboud takes another
step directly behind Hasan.
ABBOUD
All
this hell, because you couldn’t have a little American pussy.
Hasan explodes. He
spins violently into Abboud, knocking him back.
Abboud falls
backwards onto the cot with Hasan on top.
Hasan flails wildly
trying to punch Abboud.
He is clearly not a
fighter.
Abboud seems more
skilled, and easily deflects the blows.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Zane looks up at the
monitor and sees Hasan on top of Abboud.
ZANE
Fucking
hell!
He violently shoves
his half of the file into Volk’s hands, and storms out.
INT. WHITE CELL –
DAY
The door swings
open, and Lorenzo flies in.
He quickly grabs
Hasan in a headlock.
He lifts and pulls
Hasan off Abboud.
INT. CONCRETE HALL -
NIGHT
Zane is running like
a madman.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
Zane storms in.
ZANE
You
alright professor?
ABBOUD
I’m
fine, I’m fine. He did not hurt me.
Zane
quickly turns to Hasan and arches his right fist back.
ABBOUD
Sergeant
Zane don’t! Please don’t. I’m OK. I’m fine.
ZANE
You
sure?
Abboud’s
back on his feet adjusting himself.
ABBOUD
Positive.
Please, Corporal Lorenzo let him go.
Lorenzo
gently lets Hasan go.
Hasan immediately
lunges for Abboud, but Abboud grabs him by both arms.
Lorenzo jumps from
behind and grabs Hasan in a headlock again.
ZANE
Professor
leave! It’s time I take care of this.
ABBOUD
I’m
sorry sergeant but no. I intentionally made him angry. I want him to be mad. He
is justified in attacking me.
ZANE
What?
How can you excuse this piece of shit...
ABBOUD
Sergeant!
Just work with me on this. I have my reasons.
ZANE
Yes
sir, Professor.
ABBOUD
Thank
you.
(beat)
Lorenzo,
are you OK holding him.
LORENZO
I
can hold him all day long.
ABBOUD
Fine,
but not too tight. I’m not here to torture him even though that’s what he
expects.
(beat)
Right?
Isn’t that why I’m here? And now I proved it to you, no?
Suddenly
Volk’s voice draws everyone to turn to the door.
VOLK
Abboud.
I need to talk to you in private, and it needs to happen now.
ABBOUD
Right
now?
VOLK
Now!
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Volk is flipping
through the file Abboud brought.
He looks up.
VOLK
What
is this? Where the hell did you get this?
ABBOUD
Part
of the research I did.
VOLK
The
girl? Is she real, or some kind of...
ABBOUD
Oh,
she’s absolutely real. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you never knew of her.
Volk
stares silently at Abboud for a moment.
VOLK
The
CIA has been digging this animal’s past for decades, you understand? For
decades, but we never came across this information. So how the fuck did you?
ABBOUD
Did
you interview all his former college mates?
VOLK
Of
course. But that was thirty years ago. Many never even remembered him. And
certainly none mentioned this mysterious blond.
ABBOUD
That’s
because you asked the wrong questions.
VOLK
What
are you talking about?
ABBOUD
I’ll
tell you, but we need to go back to his cell.
VOLK
What?
No.
ABBOUD
I
want him to hear what I have to say.
VOLK
I
don’t understand.
ABBOUD
The
answer to your question is also something Hasan has to hear. It’s the whole
reason I brought her up.
INT.
WHITE CELL – DAY
Hasan
is sitting on the cot staring at the wall.
Zane, arms folded,
is hovering over him like a sentinel.
The
door unlocks. Lorenzo enters.
LORENZO
Professor
Abboud is coming back in. You don’t have a choice. You can sit there quietly,
or I can grab you in a headlock again.
Hasan
has no reaction.
Lorenzo takes a
position opposite Zane, now flanking Hasan.
Abboud
steps in followed by Volk.
ZANE
What’s
going on Colonel?
VOLK
I’m
not sure, but apparently it has to do with the mysterious Annabelle Johnson.
Everyone
at once turn to Hasan.
Hasan is trapped,
surrounded, but no reaction from him.
VOLK
So
why is it that the CIA never new about this girlfriend?
ABBOUD
Because
he never met this girl.
VOLK
Wait,
what?
ABBOUD
You
guys asked the wrong questions. You asked his classmates about his girlfriends,
but he had none, other than a few girls willing to sleep with him because of
his money. He never learned how to interact with western girls. So the only
girls willing to give him the time of day were girls that did not mind being...
“bought” by his wealth. So I’m sure you heard about those girls, but this girl
was different.
VOLK
Oh...
K...?
ABBOUD
Let
me put it this way. Think back to when you were twenty. Every man and woman on
earth falls in love at that age. It’s biology, no matter what culture or belief
system. It happens to everyone, but the question is; does it get fulfilled? For
many of us it doesn’t. It didn’t in my case. Sometimes we fall for someone who
is out of our reach, but we deal with it. I did. It was painful, but I moved on
because my Swedish culture gave me the freedom to do so.
(beat)
But
Hasan here, he was raised a rich spoiled brat. He got everything handed to him
on a silver platter. No one ever said no to him, because he was surrounded by
servants. And then he comes to America, and he is treated like an average Joe. Worse
yet, women here have an attitude. Back home, women aren’t much more than
slaves, but here, women ridiculed him, talked back to him, and even refused
him. The ones that didn’t refuse him, only used him for his money.
(beat)
And
then one day, he saw a girl from a far, and his heart started to flutter. He
fell in love at first sight. He wanted her more than anything in the world. More
even than his religion, but he was scared, so he sent one of his servants to impress
this girl the only way he knew how, with his wealth. But this girl, I’ve met
her, she is humble, so not only did she refuse, but was offended when he tried to
entice her with his money. He sent his personal servant to invite her to his
mansion. She shot him down, and shut him out.
ZANE
Abboud,
your sounding crazy right now. You’re telling me, this guy put together a
terrorist organization because a girl turned him down?
ABBOUD
Yes,
that's what I'm telling you.
ZANE
All
right, you're insane.
ABBOUD
This
was only one factor. Mix in his religion, his social awkwardness, being a
foreigner in your culture, the absence of love from his parents, add all that
and at a pivotal age, the incident with the girl became the straw that broke
the camel’s back.
ZANE
I
still don’t buy it.
ABBOUD
Have
you ever read Shakespeare? Or listened to a song? Talked to someone who is
depressed? The thing in the end that we are all hurt by most... is love. It is
the desire that can only be fulfilled by the embrace of another human being,
but only when given willfully. Think about that. Love can never be taken by
force, it can only be given. All he wanted was for that pretty blonde girl to
return the love he felt for her. Remember falling in love, and how powerful
that desire is? Now imagine that your “Annabel Johnson” turned you down because
of who you are.
ZANE
You're
just giving him excuses.
ABBOUD
The
truth is the truth, but it should never be a justification. Annabel Johnson
broke his heart. But what turned him into a monster was growing up in a culture
where natural love is forbidden. Where parents never say “I love you” to their
children. Where you are not allowed to fall in love with the girl of your
dreams, instead you have to accept the girl that is handed to you, wrapped up
in a cloth. He never felt love, then in America he saw everyone else living it,
but he couldn’t. All his life he was denied the most powerful thing that we all
crave. Now he is punishing humanity for what he never could have.
VOLK
I’m
sorry Professor but you've lost me. Blaming his terrorism on a broken heart...
well, it's...
ZANE
Don’t
hold back Colonel, it's stupid.
ABBOUD
Zane,
you have a daughter. What is the greatest thing about your daughter?
ZANE
Everything?
ABBOUD
Everything
because you love everything about her. The key word is love. Hasan is as human
as we are. The same love you feel for your daughter, he felt for his children,
and maybe even his wives, but he never learned how to express it. He never
learned how to live in love. And nothing in this universe is one sided. Love is
great and powerful, but it is only one side of the coin, its other side... is
hate. And when you are denied one, all you have left is the other.
Unfortunately for Hasan, love was denied to him in all forms. His culture
denied it, America denied it, so in the end all he had left... was hate.
Hasan stuck in the
middle, is still staring at the wall unmoved.
But his eyes are
glazed with painful emotion.
INT.
WHITE CELL – NIGHT
INSERT: Images of
animals, nature, and color on the screen all to the sound of David
Attenborough’s soothing voice.
Continue the PUSH
IN; on Hasan on his back on the cot watching TV.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Abboud is talking to
Volk.
ABBOUD
Has
he had any human interaction since I was last here?
VOLK
Not
much. We had to subdue him last Tuesday when he tried to tear up his cell
again.
ABBOUD
Yeah,
I saw that in the daily's. So what’s your overall impression?
VOLK
First
week he refused to watch anything, but after Tuesday's blowup, he’s been pretty
good watching them all.
ABBOUD
That’s
good, that’s really good.
VOLK
But
the biggest change has been in the last couple of days. He started crying, I
mean really crying. I’m a bit concerned he might be suicidal.
INT. WHITE ROOM –
DAY
Abboud is sitting on
the back of the cot.
Hasan is sitting in
his usual place, towards the front, staring at the wall.
ABBOUD
From
day one I told you that I’m here to talk to you. That’s my experiment. Nothing
weird, nothing strange, nothing like you see in the movies. Just you and me
sitting on this cot, talking. But so far, I’ve been the one doing the talking,
while you are slowly losing your mind, fighting, screaming, getting restrained.
(beat)
You
said you are not an idiot. That you
understand my game. Well then play the game... and beat me.
HASAN
Why
do you bother me? It was peaceful... you not being here.
ABBOUD
It’s
only been a few weeks, but this will last for years. They were going to put you
to death, but I convinced them that you are more valuable alive. If you are
assuming that they are going to put you to death soon, and execution will
rescue you from me, it’s not going to happen.
HASAN
You
do not control the American government. They do as they please.
ABBOUD
Ah,
so you still think you are going to die.
Abboud stands up and
looks at the surveillance camera.
ABBOUD
Sergeant
Zane! Can you please step in.
The door opens. Zane
and Lorenzo step in.
Abboud is again
seated near Hasan.
ZANE
Everything
all right?
ABBOUD
When’s
the scheduled execution for our friend here?
ZANE
I
don’t know. You’re the one who pushed it back, indefinitely from what I
understand.
ABBOUD
Are
you sure?
ZANE
What
the hell kind of question is that? You’re the one screwing things on their head
around here. Are you screwing with me now?
ABBOUD
My
apologies. I just needed to confirm it. Thank you.
Following
Lorenzo, Zane slams the door as he exists.
ABBOUD
You
can be your usual suspicious self and believe this was all a little act staged
for your benefit. But think of it this way. You know Sergeant Zane pretty well
by now. How good of an actor is he?
Hasan is becoming
visibly upset again.
He starts chanting.
HASAN
Alhamdulillah,
Allahu-Akbar, Alhamdulillah, Allahu-Akbar,
Alhamdulillah,
Allahu-Akbar,
Alhamdulillah,
Allahu-Akbar,
...
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
- NIGHT
Zane walks in and
steps up to Volk.
ZANE
Did
you see that?
VOLK
Yeah?
ZANE
What
hell was that about?
VOLK
Just
watch.
INT. WHITE ROOM –
DAY
Hasan suddenly turns
to Abboud.
HASAN
You
want to talk. I’ll talk. You know what I was chanting? I was thanking Allah,
because he has revealed you to me.
ABBOUD
Has
he?
HASAN
You
did fool me. For a moment I did believe you. I believed that you were honest
and you wanted to learn from me. I did actually believe you. I almost, I almost
was even going to say that to you today, but Allah has reveled the truth. I
know who you really are.
ABBOUD
Who
am I?
HASAN
Satan!
You are Satan, and you tricked me, but Allah has saved me.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Zane
gives Volk; “not impressed look”.
INT.
WHITE CELL - DAY
HASAN
You
put me in this room. You show me those beautiful programs. And yes the world is
beautiful because Allah made it so. And you tried to use that to trick me, to manipulate
me. To make me think you are an honest man. That you are better than the
soldiers, but you are not. You are worse. The soldiers tortured me. They
ridiculed me. They hit me, but they never truly hurt me. But you, with your
evil deception, you have brought me to tears. You have hurt my soul, more than
since...
ABBOUD
Since
who?
HASAN
You
are evil. You are here to poison my soul. I was better off in the concrete hole
with the soldiers burning cigarettes in my eyes. They were mean, but you... you
are evil.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Abboud walks in.
Volk and Zane are
waiting, unimpressed.
ZANE
Wow.
You really dropped the ball on that one didn’t you Abboud?
ABBOUD
It
would appear so, wouldn’t it?
ZANE
Ha,
appear. Admit it, if you’re intellectual ego isn't too big. You fucked up. He
likes me, more than he likes you. How do you like them coconuts?
With
a smile and a pat on his shoulder;
ABBOUD
You
are an interesting character Zane.
ZANE
And
I know what I’m doing.
ABBOUD
Since
your ego is even bigger than mine, I’ll let you have this one. I admit. He did
catch me off guard with that twist, but I’m not surprised. I was walking a fine
line.
ZANE
You
mean a string, and it snapped.
FADE IN;
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
Continue PUSH IN on
Hasan; He is laying on his back staring at the monitor.
INTERCUT; Images of
nature, space, and history playing on the TV.
FADE OUT;
INT. INTERROGATION
ROOM - NIGHT
Hasan is in his
chair, light in his face.
Zane is sitting
across from him, hunched forward, lighting a cigarette. He takes a puff, then
lifts up the cigarette, and then his eyebrows; “want a puff?”
Hasan frowns harshly
in response.
Zane nods confirming
the negative.
Zane takes another
puff.
He starts coughing,
chocking on the smoke.
He looks at the
cigarette with a displeased frown.
ZANE
I
hate cigarettes.
He
flicks the cigarette away with obvious disdain.
ZANE
I
can’t understand why people smoke that shit.
He
then looks up at Hasan and stares through him for a moment.
ZANE
Well
isn’t this nice. We’re back. I heard you
missed me.
HASAN
I
do not miss your cruelty.
ZANE
Me?
You have me confused with Abboud.
HASAN
You
are the cruel one, because you are stupid. The Professor, he is evil, because
he is smart.
ZANE
Hmmmm,
well that hurts my feelings. I did not know you felt that way about me.
HASAN
You
are stupid and cruel.
ZANE
Hmm.
(beat)
See
now you’re making me think. If I’m cruel because I am stupid, and Abboud is
evil because he is smart... than what does that make you? Evil, or stupid?
(long beat)
Well?
If you became a terrorist because you are cruel, then you must be stupid. But
if you became a terrorist because you are smart, then you must be evil.
(long beat)
So
which is it? Are you stupid, or are you evil?
HASAN
You
are working together. This is all a trick.
ZANE
You
just now figured that out? (beat)
Boy,
you really are stupid. I was really hoping you were evil, but... according to
your own theory, you're not smart enough.
Hasan's face cringes
with impotent frustration.
INT. WHITE ROOM -
DAY
Hasan is pacing back
and forth.
The monitor comes
on. David Attenborough’s soothing voice
starts narrating another nature documentary.
HASAN
No!
Nooo! Stop! Turn it off!
Hasan looses it,
goes nuts.
Starts tearing at
his sheets.
Starts smashing at
the Lexan protecting the monitor.
HASAN
I
can’t take this any more. Kill me! Kill me!
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Volk and Abboud are
watching the action on the monitor.
VOLK
There
he goes again. I’d better send the men in.
ABBOUD
Not
yet. Let him exhaust himself.
VOLK
You
sure?
Abboud
nods.
VOLK
It's
not working is it?
ABBOUD
This
was never going to be easy. I’ve never done anything on this scale before, and
there is no blue print. It's going to work, but I have to thread carefully.
VOLK
I
don’t think letting him bash himself unconscious is being careful.
ABBOUD
No,
what he needs is a break.
VOLK
A
break from what?
ABBOUD
From
me. I need to step away for a while. Let what happen so far settle in. Give him
a Koran.
VOLK
Isn’t
that going to make it worse?
ABBOUD
No,
it should have the exact opposite effect. I’ve smashed his foundation. He needs
something familiar, something he can hold on to.
VOLK
And
the documentaries?
ABBOUD
Those
will continue on schedule. In fact, everything needs to go back on schedule.
You can continue the interrogations. Give him the Koran, and take it away for
short periods as punishment if needed.
VOLK
For
how long?
ABBOUD
I
have no idea. I'll keep watch from a distance through your reports and the video
feed. And when I think he is ready I will return.
VOLK
Just
like that.
ABBOUD
The
mind is far more fragile than most of us are willing to admit. There is no time
for hesitation. Action has to be instant.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
MONTAGE: Hasan in
his cot, staring at the ceiling, pacing, twisting and turning, doing his ritual
prayers, INTERCUT with scenes of him relaxed on his bed watching TV.
INSERT: Images of
nature, plants, animals, and snippets from various documentaries, including
nature, but also ancient Greek history, and images of the universe and space.
The White Cell now
looks older, worn out, and aged.
FADE IN;
INT. INTERROGATION
ROOM – NIGHT
Hasan in his now
dirtier more worn out robe is sitting in the chair. Lorenzo and Zane are looming over him.
ZANE
You
haven’t spoken in a long time.
(beat)
You
don’t want to talk to me?
(beat)
You
miss Abboud don’t you? But he’s abandoned you. This is the way it should be,
just you and me. How do you like it?
A VOICE
I
don’t like it at all.
Startled, Zane jumps,
turns around, and locks eyes with Abboud.
ABBOUD
I’m
back. Can you please take him to his cell.
ZANE
Talk
about the devil. Oh, wait, you really believe he is the devil. Are you excited?
He’s-s... ba-ack...
Zane winks, but no
reaction from Hasan.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
Abboud steps into
the room. Volk was watching trough the two way mirror.
VOLK
So
what do you think? It's been four months. Does he seem different?
ABBOUD
He
seems calmer.
VOLK
So
calm he hasn't said a word in months.
ABBOUD
The
human mind is a conundrum. He may not consciously admit it, but he actually
wants me to talk to him.
VOLK
Why?
ABBOUD
I've
made him question himself.
VOLK
Or
he may just be losing his marbles.
ABBOUD
No,
he is just in transition.
VOLK
Ok.
What does that mean?
ABBOUD
My
initial interaction with him was the planting of the seed. Then I had to go
away, to give it time to germinate and grow, but now I have to graft the
process if it is to bear fruit.
VOLK
Huh?
ABBOUD
I
crushed his belief in himself, and now I have to help him build a new one. The
documentaries are the fill, especially now that most are about Greek philosophy
and history. But there are no guarantees, either way, it's time to guide his
thoughts to the ultimate end.
VOLK
And
you still think you will succeed?
ABBOUD
I
wouldn't be here if I didn't.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
The while walls look
more scruffy and old.
Hasan is sitting on
the bed, looking down.
The door opens.
Hasan casually
glances up.
No expression upon
seeing Abboud.
Abboud gently steps
in.
Hasan looks back down.
ABBOUD
May
I take a seat?
No response from Hasan.
Abboud seats in his usual spot.
Both men sit
quietly.
Hasan continues
looking down.
ABBOUD
So,
is this you at your best?
(beat)
Fine,
I’m going to keep push your buttons, get you mad. You feel miserable, and the
soldiers get a good laugh. You really want to do this for the next thirty
years?
HASAN
I
knew you were no different than the soldiers.
ABBOUD
Go
on.
HASAN
You
are intentionally trying to make me crazy.
ABBOUD
I
don’t know what you mean.
HASAN
Yes
you do. Everything, all of this, the TV programs. You are attacking my mind,
you want me crazy.
ABBOUD
If
I say, that's not true, will you believe me?
(beat)
I
won’t say it. But I’m curious, what I would gain driving you insane?
HASAN
Punishment.
You want to punish me for what I have done.
ABBOUD
How?
You've already accepted your death. You knew you would be tortured. You know
what Allah has planned for you in the afterlife. So then what exactly does it
matter what I do?
HASAN
Yes,
what does it matter? So leave me!
ABBOUD
To
you, but it does matter, to your people. You have an opportunity to use me. To
have an impact outside of this cell.
Don’t believe me? Think about it yourself. You decide whether this is
true or not.
Abboud casually gets
up and knocks on the cell door.
Lorenzo opens it and
Abboud steps out.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Zane
turns to Volk.
ZANE
I
don’t get this guy. What’s he really doing here?
VOLK
His
job.
Zane stares hard at
Volk.
Then as if a light
just went off in his head he goes off.
ZANE
Son
of a bitch! I’m an idiot. How the fuck did I not see this before?
VOLK
See
what?
ZANE
You
know don’t you?
VOLK
Explain
yourself soldier.
ZANE
No!
You explain yourself?
VOLK
Is
my civilian attire clouding your judgment? Are you forgetting who the ranking
officer in this room is?
ZANE
No
sir! My apologies sir!
You
know what fuck protocol. I know you, and I’m an idiot. I really thought he was
here to keep us in line but he is not is he? There is something else going on
here and you know?
VOLK
Zane,
do you understand the meaning of classified? In due time...
But
the door opening interrupts the two men.
Abboud
steps in.
ABBOUD
Looks
like my absence worked.
Zane
takes an aggressive step forward.
ZANE
Why
the fuck are you here?
VOLK
Sergeant!
Do not cross the line.
ABBOUD
It’s
ok.
I’m
here for the same reason you are.
ZANE
But
there is something else going on.
ABBOUD
You
already know.
ZANE
No
I don’t.
ABBOUD
Of
course you do.
ZANE
Don’t
screw with me. I'm not Hasan.
ABBOUD
You
heard me say it many times. It’s an experiment.
ZANE
What
kind of experiment?
ABBOUD
Sergeant
Zane, is what I’m doing here classified or not?
Zane
turns his head away displeased.
ABBOUD
I
did not make the rules. Like you I’m following orders. It has to be this way
for now.
VOLK
Satisfied?
ZANE
No
sir...
(salutes sternly)
...yes
sir.
...and heads out of
the room.
Abboud follows him
with his eyes, confused.
VOLK
He’ll
be fine.
ABBOUD
I
know. Like you said, he is a good soldier.
VOLK
Done
for the day?
ABBOUD
Not
yet. Hasan needs a few hours to think, and I need lunch. We'll continue later.
INT. WHITE CELL –
DAY
Abboud and Hasan are
each in their usual spots.
ABBOUD
I
only have one wish in life right now. That one day, you would start the
conversation instead of always it being me.
HASAN
Than
let me out...
(beat)
...and
I’ll take you to my country and give you Aladdin’s lamp.
ABBOUD
(smiling)
Nice.
Now isn’t that better than being frustrated all the time?
(beat)
You
know what my definition of life is?
HASAN
I
don't care.
ABBOUD
Laughter.
Think about it. Why do you do anything... why did you do what you did?
(beat)
Because
you were unhappy, and we all want to be happy.
HASAN
I'm
unhappy because you don't shut up.
ABBOUD
Ok,
so if I stop talking will you start laughing?
HASAN
I
will laugh when you die.
ABBOUD
I
plan to live a long life.
HASAN
Good
for you.
ABBOUD
Yes
it is good for me, because I laugh all the time. Tell me when you were free did
you laugh every day?
(beat)
Do
you think you will laugh in paradise?
HASAN
You
are a jerk.
ABBOUD
Explain
that to me.
HASAN
There
is nothing to explain.
ABBOUD
Of
course there is. Is there laughter in paradise?
Looking
up at Abboud with intense eyes.
HASAN
Paradise
is perfect. No one is ever sad and yes, everybody laughs.
ABBOUD
Why?
HASAN
Why
do you bother me with such stupid questions?
ABBOUD
No
seriously, why do people in paradise laugh?
HASAN
Because
they do not suffer. Because they have everything. Because they are not hungry. Because they don't have to listen to you.
ABBOUD
Because
they are happy.
HASAN
Yes.
ABBOUD
But
on Earth happiness is not possible?
(beat)
Well?
Is happiness possible on Earth?
HASAN
Not
when your evil government is killing my people.
ABBOUD
Before
that happened were your people happy?
HASAN
Get
out.
ABBOUD
No,
I'm not leaving... ever. You are stuck with me until you are eighty. But lets
talk about laughter.
(beat)
What
makes us sad? Anything that prevents us from being able to laugh. Think about
that. You can tell me I’m wrong if you truly believe I’m wrong.
Abboud awaits a response from Hasan but none
comes.
ABBOUD
But
I know I’m not wrong. In the end we all want the paradise you described. You
decided that you can only have that after you die. I know for a fact you are
wrong. We can have that, right here on Earth, while we live. That is why we
have families. What is better in life than being with the people you love,
around a great meal, laughing, over a good story?
(beat)
Am
I wrong?
HASAN
(angry)
You
come here to remind me of these things... all things I can never have! You
killed my family yet you say you are not here to punish me?
ABBOUD
We
are here because we are both guilty. We invaded your land, and you killed kids
at an amusement park. Both of us have taken laughter away from people. Now you
can take my words personally as an attack on you, and be mad for the next
thirty years, or...
(beat)
...you
can understand me. Understand that I want laughter for everyone left on this
Earth, especially in your country.
(beat)
Can
you imagine your people free, and full of laughter?
(beat)
Can
you imagine that?
Out of the blue
Hasan starts howling like a child, crying.
Abboud watches unmoved.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
– NIGHT
BACKGROUND; On the
monitor Abboud is leaving Hasan's cell.
Zane and Volk give
each other a look.
ZANE
Holly
crap! Did Hasan just break?
VOLK
He
is crying.
ZANE
Son
of a bitch! I never made him cry.
VOLK
I
think the Professor might be better than you at this.
Zane gives Volk a
hard disapproving look.
The door opens and Abboud
walks in.
Zane steps out past
him without a word.
VOLK
Interesting
work Professor. I think you got to
him.
ABBOUD
Maybe.
You know there's one thing that's been bugging me.
VOLK
What's
that?
ABBOUD
How
did his wives and children die?
VOLK
You've
read the files. You know as much as I do.
ABBOUD
No,
I don't think I do. The files only reference that his two wives and five
children are dead, but no mention on how they died.
VOLK
What
difference does it make?
ABBOUD
All
the difference in the world. Did he use his family as a shield or not? Did he
see them die? Why were they shot? Two of the kids were toddlers.
VOLK
I
don't know.
ABBOUD
Colonel
Volk, you've been more than cooperative and for that I am grateful, but you
have a higher clearance level than I do, and I know there is more to this story.
For my plan to work this is something I need to know.
VOLK
Then
I'll ask you the same thing I asked Zane. Do you know what classified means?
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
CLANK! A noise
lights up the scene.
It's the heavy door
lock, as the door to the white cell opens inward.
Abboud walks
in.
He takes a seat in
his usual spot at the end of the end of the bed.
Hasan adjusts and
looks down at him without getting up.
ABBOUD
I
need to ask you a very personal and difficult question? One that might really
upset you.
HASAN
(incredulous)
You
are joking right?
ABBOUD
No,
this question is much harder than anything I have asked you before.
Hasan
rises up on his seat next to Abboud.
HASAN
What
brilliant western nonsense do you have for me now?
ABBOUD
I'm
very serious when I say this, and I'm really-really sorry about what I am going
to ask you, but I have to ask you.
(beat)
(frowning confused)
In
fact I'm going to ask you permission to let me ask you this question?
INT. DARK ROOM -
NIGHT
Volk is staring at
the monitor.
Zane walks in with
two cups of coffee.
ZANE
What's
going on in there?
VOLK
I
don't know. The Professor's got something up his sleeve.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
Abboud gives Hasan a
long serious look.
HASAN
(dismissively)
Fine,
you have permission.
ABBOUD
I
really am sorry to have to ask you this, but it is important that I know.
(beat)
HASAN
Ok.
Ask.
ABBOUD
I
need to know... how did your wives and children die?
Hasan's face tells
it all. For a moment his shock and horror seem like he is about to attack, but
instead he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
INT. DARK ROOM -
NIGHT
Volk's eyes bug out
at the monitor.
VOLK
What
the fuck is he doing? Get in there and stop this.
ZANE
Yes
sir.
Zane bolts out of
the room.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
With renewed
strength from rage Hasan speaks.
HASAN
They
were killed in front of my eyes.
ABBOUD
Intentionally?
HASAN
Of
course intentionally! We were all captured. We were surrounded. I was in my
bedroom when your soldiers brought them all to me. They put the gun to my wife's forehead and
killed her. And then they did the same
to all of them.
ABBOUD
Even
the children?
HASAN
Of
course!
ABBOUD
Oh
my God. That is inexcusable. I'm sorry I didn't know...
But
the door slamming open interrupts Abboud.
Zane
and Lorenzo rush in.
ZANE
That's
it, you're done! Get the fuck out of this cell!
ABBOUD
Sergeant
stand down.
ZANE
You
do not give me orders civilian!
ABBOUD
Corporal
Lorenzo, you are more sensible. You know I have a right to be here.
LORENZO
I'm
following my orders sir.
ZANE
Abboud,
you are done. Don't make me force you out.
ABBOUD
Sergeant
are you forgetting chain of command?
ZANE
You
are not part of that chain. Come on, Volk wants to see you.
ABBOUD
Fine.
INT. DARK ROOM -
NIGHT
Abboud is escorted
into the room by Zane and Lorenzo.
VOLK
What
the hell was that?
ABBOUD
No,
what the hell do you think you are doing?
VOLK
I
told you classified is classified.
ABBOUD
I
was not reading a classified file. I was questioning the subject. Do we need to
go over the agreement? Nowhere in it are there any restrictions on what I can
ask. So what is your justification for this?
VOLK
My
job is to maintain confidentiality. I'll need to clear this with higher up
brass before we can continue.
ABBOUD
Fine.
And since Hasan is spilling his beans make sure you clear me the file as well,
to make sure that what he is saying matches reality.
VOLK
It
will take time.
ABBOUD
Time
we got.
FADE TO BLACK;
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
MONTAGE; Images of
space, history, animals, science on Hasan's TV.
PUSH IN; Hasan
laying on his back watching the documentaries.
FADE OUT;
INT. INTERROGATION
ROOM - NIGHT
Hasan has the bright
light in his face.
Zane is sitting in
front of Hasan with his phone in his hand.
ZANE
Week
five, and still no Professor.
I
think he gave up on you, but I haven't. In fact I have something for you.
He
lifts up his phone and shows him a picture.
ZANE
That
is my five year old daughter. Alive and well, and happy. You should see her
laugh. She never stops. She is such a happy child.
Hasan
cringes in heartfelt distress.
HASAN
You
are not cruel, you are pure evil.
ZANE
Yet
God has saved me and my daughter, not yours.
HASAN
No,
Allah has saved them from your evil world and taken them home. I will see them
again.
ZANE
Oh,
so then our military are God's angels. We did you a favor. Cool.
Hasan
is fuming. He looks ready to blow.
HASAN
Where
is the Professor?
ZANE
Wow.
Are you serious? Are you telling me you actually want him back? The devil?
HASAN
You
are the devil. I can't stand
you
any longer. I will explode.
ZANE
In
your pants? You got diarrhea?
Hasan
is shaking with rage.
HASAN
Where
is the Professor? Or did you kill him too?
ZANE
As much as I would like to shoot that nerd,
no. Sorry. We don't go around killing people just because we don't like them.
That's what you do. Right?
(beat)
Actually, I'll tell you a little secret. I've
never killed anyone.
(beat)
Ha, look at your face. You can't even
comprehend that concept, but it is true. I know that I'm being cruel to you,
but that's because you murdered 3000 children... you fucking asshole! And you
want me to be nice to you? I'm glad I never killed anyone, and I hope I never
do, but that doesn't mean I am not going to punish you for killing 3000
children... asshole!
(with
a nudge to Lorenzo)
Let's get him the fuck out of here before I
start beating the shit out of this... asshole.
INT. DARK ROOM -
NIGHT
Abboud and Volk are
watching through the glass. Abboud has a file in his hands.
Zane and Lorenzo are
placing a bag over Hasan's head, before they walk him out.
ABBOUD
Sometimes
I'm not sure if Zane is hurting or helping this project.
VOLK
It's
not his fault. You're not letting him in. That's the main reason he resents
you.
ABBOUD
Not
yet, but we're getting close, I can feel it. And with the new information in
this file, I have more to work with now.
VOLK
You
still believe in this project?
ABBOUD
Even
more than before.
Oh,
I almost forgot. One of the daily's motioned that he requested to watch the
same documentary several times. Which one?
VOLK
The
one about the lions.
ABBOUD
Oh
wow!
VOLK
Is
that important?
ABBOUD
Not
particularly. It is to me though. It's one I've watched many times myself.
VOLK
This
thing with the documentaries I just don't get. You were very specific with the
list you gave us. The order in which to show them, how many times, now you started
changing it. I don’t get it, why?
ABBOUD
Because
the documentaries are in fact the key, not me.
VOLK
Ok,
you're going to have to explain that one.
ABBOUD
One
of the reasons extremists like him, do what they do, is because they don’t
understand the natural world. This earth is very complicated, and most people
don’t have a clue why the sky is blue, or water wet, etc. Right?
VOLK
Sure
I guess.
ABBOUD
So
I had to give him that knowledge, but how do you force someone who doesn't want
to, to learn. You can't. That's why I arranged the documentaries as I did. From
them he is learning philosophy, psychology, physics, evolution, things he would
normally reject.
VOLK
So
it is not about keeping his mind calm with nature and color.
ABBOUD
That's
a side effect, and very useful. But the most important factor is the
information he is getting from them. Imagine what he would do if I tired to
teach him about evolution.
VOLK
I
see your point. He would not be very receptive.
ABBOUD
Exactly,
but the documentaries, are both an escape and important information. My words
on the other hand are not information. My role is to break his old emotional
habits. His habit of hate based on bad information.
VOLK
A
two prong attack.
ABBOUD
Sure,
but that’s the way we all work. We all naturally resist things that are new,
that force us out of our comfort zone. His comfort zone is hate and revenge,
but I want him to see that in the world there is also love and acceptance.
VOLK
It
still sounds to absurd. How could this man ever love or accept?
Abboud responds with
a nod of his brows.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
Hasan is laying in
his cot.
Abboud steps in.
Hasan looks away
completely ignoring Abboud.
Abboud takes his
usual sitting position.
ABBOUD
I
want to talk about your wives and kids.
HASAN
No,
I refuse. I will kick and scream and tear this cell apart if you force me to
talk about them.
ABBOUD
Are
we not past that yet?
HASAN
No.
ABBOUD
Fine.
Then I want to talk about Zimbo.
Hasan
lifts up, and gives Abboud a coy look.
HASAN
Why?
ABBOUD
Why
not?
Hasan
gets up and seats next to Abboud.
HASAN
This
is why I hate you. This is why my people hate all your people.
ABBOUD
Because
of Zimbo?
HASAN
See,
you do it and you don't even know you are doing it.
ABBOUD
Do
what?
HASAN
You
are manipulative. You are always manipulating. You're whole race is a race of
manipulators. You can't even have a simple conversation without being
manipulative somehow.
ABBOUD
I
still don't understand where you are going with that.
HASAN
Your
stupid documentaries. I know they are not for resting my mind. They are for
manipulation. You are trying to change the way I think.
ABBOUD
Look
around. Where are you?
(beat)
Seriously
where are you?
HASAN
Ok,
what's your point?
ABBOUD
If
I was in your prison would you treat me this horribly?
Shaking
his head in disdain.
HASAN
Ok,
ok I admit. We torture the body, but you torture the mind. You think that makes
you better?
ABBOUD
And
when the body is tortured the mind doesn't suffer?
Hasan
rolls his eyes.
ABBOUD
You
keep saying that I'm manipulative, that I'm evil. Well how about you? Did you
not manipulate those young men into blowing themselves up? Why didn't you put a
vest on and blow yourself up?
(beat)
I
don't want to talk about this now. I want to talk about Zimbo. Can we talk
about Zimbo?
HASAN
What
about Zimbo?
ABBOUD
I
heard it's your favorite documentary.
HASAN
Maybe,
so what.
ABBOUD
I
find it interesting because it is also my favorite. I first saw it when I was
in college and I was never able to forget it. And you know why?
(beat)
Because
at first I wanted to be just like Zimbo, until... well you know.
(beat)
Why
do you like it?
Hasan
turns away and acts uninterested in the conversation.
ABBOUD
Fine.
I'll tell you why I like it. I hated the beginning. The way that bigger pride
of Lions killed Zimbo's family at first made me sick to my stomach. Then when little
Zimbo was hiding in the grass, watching that male lion tear his brother apart, I
wanted to smash the TV. But the big males left, and Zimbo was alive, but alone.
A half grown cub, all alone in the African savannah, how would he survive? I
was even angry at the documentary makers for not rescuing him. From Zimbo's point
of view, they were like God. They had the power to intervene, to rescue him,
but they did nothing. They stood faraway and filmed, while his family was
killed. I was certain he would die, but little Zimbo was tough. He survived eating
rats and porcupines, and over the next year he grew big and his true nature,
the lion in him, came out.
(beat)
Remember
when he caught his first gazelle? Even though an animal, you could see the joy
in his eyes. Over the next year he grew even bigger, and took down water
buffalo, zebra, and even fought off that pack of hyenas, killing the matriarch
by outsmarting her. I was stunned by his power and what he had become. That's
when I decided that in life I wanted to be just like Zimbo. Now look into my
eyes and tell me that you didn't feel pride, that you didn't say, “Zimbo and I
are the same”.
Hasan
nods in resistance and looks away.
ABBOUD
From
that day on Zimbo really was the king of the jungle, but he was still alone. He
had no pride, no females. I don’t know if lions feel love, but what did Zimbo
do next? He came across a pride with eight females. Whether it is love or instinct
I don't know, but he couldn't turn away, so what did he do?
(beat)
He
attacked the Alpha male of that Pride. Why? Because he wanted to have what that
male had. It’s what drives a lion, and it is what drives us. So he attacked
that alpha male because Zimbo was king, he was confident. It took him less than
a minute to fight off the other male. Then he went for the females, but they
rejected him. So he grabbed the closet one by the back of the head an jumped on
top, and he started mating her right then and there. He was King, but the King
was interrupted. The alpha male returned. You tell me what happened next.
Hasan
rolls his eyes.
HASAN
Why?
You are doing well on your own.
ABBOUD
Look
into my eyes and tell me you would not have done the same? Zimbo jumped off the
female and started chasing the male. The male ran, but he did not look scared,
and when he was far enough from the females he stopped, and turned around. Zimbo
did not hesitate, he attacked without thinking. He was so confident, but what
happened?
HASAN
I'm
not five years old.
ABBOUD
Come
on what happened? Play with me.
HASAN
(shaking head)
There
was another lion.
ABBOUD
That’s
right. This was a pride with two alpha males, and now the other one was back.
Zimbo, blinded by his confidence and anger attacked. But the other lion was an
even bigger King of the Jungle. He tore Zimbo to shreds. When that documentary
was done I cried. I cried for Zimbo, but also for the unfairness of the world.
Poor Zimbo, just when he thought he was finally king of beasts, he met someone
stronger. That documentary tore my soul to pieces. It broke me. I was young, 21
and I could not believe how cruel this world could be. But I also realized that
no matter how strong you are, there is always someone stronger. And when you
rely on violence, you are guaranteed to die by that violence.
Hasan suddenly
becomes very emotional again.
He starts fidgeting.
He looks like he might have another breakdown.
Abboud just stares,
watching Hasan like he would a study animal in an experiment.
Hasan suddenly looks
up and hard at Abboud.
HASAN
You
are winning.
ABBOUD
I'm
not competing with you here.
HASAN
It
doesn't matter.
ABBOUD
From
day one I've been trying to convince you that everything we do here matters.
HASAN
No
it doesn't, because I can never escape this cell.
ABBOUD
But
your words can.
HASAN
What
can my words do?
ABBOUD
What
did Jesus' words do? What did the Buddha's words do? What did Mohammad's words
do? Words can do a lot more than bombs.
HASAN
Please
leave. I can't do this.
ABBOUD
Yes
you can, and you will. We both will.
Abboud gets up and
casually walks out.
INT. DARK ROOM -
NIGHT
Zane turns to Volk.
ZANE
What
the hell was all that?
VOLK
I
don't know.
INT. DARK ROOM -
LATER
Abboud is sitting at
the table watching the monitor.
INSERT: Hasan is
laying on his cot staring at the ceiling.
Volk walks up with
two box lunches and joins Abboud.
VOLK
How
long you go'na watch him?
ABBOUD
From
now on, nonstop.
VOLK
You
really think he is breaking.
ABBOUD
He's
on the verge.
VOLK
I
have to admit, that was pretty impressive.
(Abboud nods)
How
did you come up with all this?
Abboud
turns and gives Volk a deep look.
ABBOUD
Ever
heard of Stockholm Syndrome?
VOLK
Vaguely.
ABBOUD
It
started with a bank robbery that ended in a five day hostage standoff. To the
hostages it was a terrorist act, and after only five days, they started identifying
with their aggressors, some even defended the robbers.
VOLK
I'm
not making the connection.
ABBOUD
I
was born in a hospital not too far away while that was happening.
VOLK
Wow.
ABBOUD
I
was still a kid when I learned about the incident, and it was quite a shock
that it happened so close, and on my birthday. I learned all I could about it
and that got me curious about human behavior. It's why I'm here today.
VOLK
And
what's the connection?
ABBOUD
All
terrorists suffer from Stockholm Syndrome. For a number of reasons, they've
been brainwashed into doing things that no normal human being would do.
VOLK
But
who brainwashed Hasan? He is the master mind.
ABBOUD
His
culture, his insecurities, his misdirected rage, the list goes on.
VOLK
Annabelle
Johnson?
ABBOUD
She
is one symptom, but certainly not the cause. The core of his brainwashing is
his inability to love, which leaves him only with hate.
VOLK
So
essentially you are laundering his mind, cleaning up the brainwashing.
ABBOUD
Exactly,
and we are at a critical moment. Any misstep, if I flood him with too much
emotion, I could wash his mind away completely.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
Hasan is on the floor
doing his prayer.
The door opens and Abboud
steps in.
ABBOUD
I'm
sorry Hasan but you've been praying for hours. I need you to stop.
Hasan's
prayers intensify.
HASAN
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek
Laka, Labbaik.
ABBOUD
God
will not save you.
Hasan
flies to his feet in a state of rage.
HASAN
Get
out!
But out of nowhere, Abboud
violently grabs Hasan by the shoulders and slams him backwards into his cot
with force.
Hasan is staring up bug-eyed
in shock.
ABBOUD
No
more bullshit! I'm tired of you acting like a five year old! From today you are
going to start behaving like a man!
Hasan bolts to his
feet and awkwardly attacks Abboud without any strength.
The door flies open,
Lorenzo jumps in and immediately grabs Hasan in a headlock.
LORENZO
I
got him professor.
Hasan struggles for
a moment but quickly gives up.
The cell is quiet. Abboud
is staring into Hasan's eyes.
Hasan is staring
back, struggling to be defiant, but failing.
ABBOUD
Corporal,
you can let him go.
LORENZO
You
sure sir?
ABBOUD
Yeah.
Lorenzo gently lets
Hasan go.
Hasan does not react
nor moves from the spot.
ABBOUD
I’m
not a religious man, but I do believe in a greater power. I can’t say that I am
convinced there is a paradise, but I certainly hope so. Now think about
paradise. What kind of people do you think God wants there? Do you think he
wants you? Do you think he wants a man who kills... in his paradise? How can
paradise be paradise, if it's full of killers?
(beat)
Don’t
you get it? This life is a test. And the test is hard. God is testing our will.
Our will to reject hate, violence, and to do the right thing in tough times? Do
you really believe, with your bad attitude, you will see paradise?
(beat)
Think!
Don't listen to me, think!
(beat)
You
are a man and you build a house. Not any house, but the most beautiful house
you can conceive. You work hard and when you're done, you are pleased. You're
children immediately run in and love it, but they start fighting and one day
they burn it down. Not by accident but intentionally. One son decides to burn
his brother's bedroom because he hates his brother, and burns the whole house
down. Now do you think that man would be pleased? Do you?
(beat)
God
built this house, and now you want to burn my room down, because you hate me,
and you are burning the whole world with your stupid hate.
(beat)
You
really think our father is pleased?
Abboud nonchalantly
walks out.
INT. DARK ROOM -
NIGHT
Zane walks in.
Lorenzo is eating wile Volk is going through some paper work.
ZANE
You
done grubbing corporal?
LORENZO
Almost.
VOLK
Zane,
did you just abandon your post?
ZANE
Nothing's
happening.
Plus
Lorenzo is back on. Corporal?
LORENZO
Yes
sir.
Lorenzo
finishing his food jumps to his feet and rushes out.
ZANE
You
know I can't just stand by that damned door. I've got to see what's going on in
there.
VOLK
Grab
some popcorn, and watch paint dry because that's what they're doing.
ZANE
(as he pulls up a seat)
That
again.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
Hasan is sitting but
staring ahead at the wall.
Abboud is reclining
at the back of the cot.
ABBOUD
Let
me tell you about my experiment.
HASAN
I
don’t want to do this.
ABBOUD
My
goal is to make you realize that you are not like Zimbo. You are not an
impulsive animal that needs revenge. You are a human being, intelligent, and
civilized.
HASAN
(shouting)
And
cursed! Locked up like an animal... for your stupid experiment! Why should I help
you? Why? When you are done you will kill me! No! I will never help you!
ABBOUD
You
are not Zimbo because Zimbo’s parents were killed. Your parents are alive,
living in mansions in Paris, Dubai, and New York. I know you think you are like
orphaned little Zimbo, but you are a fraud.
HASAN
Get
out. Please. Just leave me.
Hasan turns away.
Abboud leans towards
him, and punches Hasan hard in the shoulder.
Hasan stunned freezes
and stares at Abboud.
ABBOUD
No
more. I told you, no more acting like a god damned five year old! Its over! You
understand me? Today you decide. Is it going to get better or worse for you?
HASAN
(starting to cry)
How
can it get better? How? You fucking idiot? I am going to die like a rat in a
cage. Tell me how is that better?
ABBOUD
I've
told you a million times.
HASAN
I
can’t do this.
ABBOUD
Yes
you can. You’ve done much worse, and you knew it was wrong but you pushed
yourself to do those things anyway. But now, now that you can do the right
thing, you refuse?
HASAN
Why?
Why? I’m lost. I have nothing to gain from this.
ABBOUD
You
have the whole world to gain. Eternal paradise.
Hasan
looks up at Abboud and with emotionally strained words;
HASAN
You
want me to like you. You want me to agree with you. I don’t want that.
ABBOUD
No,
I want you to free yourself from your hate. That's all. Yet instead of that
small sacrifice... you would rather make yourself suffer hell.
HASAN
No...
ABBOUD
Yes.
That’s exactly what you are doing. Right now, right there, in your chest, your
heart feels like it is being squeezed.
(beat)
You
know how I know this? Because I’m human just like you. You are obsessed with
being Muslim. But you are not Muslim, and I am not Christian. We are men... brothers,
created by the same God. You are not unique in feeling fear. I have felt that
tightness in my chest that feels like Satan’s claw trying to rip the heart out.
Isn’t that what you are feeling right now?
(beat)
Isn’t
it?
HASAN
Yes.
ABBOUD
Satan
feeds on hate. Satan feeds on fear, and right now Satan really is squeezing
your heart. He is sucking you dry because that’s all you have; fear and hate.
That’s what I’m saying you should let go. Get rid of it. Get rid of it forever.
Let him have it, and set your self free. Face the truth and set your soul free.
HASAN
You
are doing this to me. You are Satan.
ABBOUD
You
are trying so hard to believe that, because it is convenient, but you can't,
because it's not true.
(beat)
Look
at me. Look me in the eyes and tell me that it's true.
Hasan
is squirming, crying, rubbing his face.
He
straightens up.
Rubs
his eyes clean, and looks at Abboud.
The
two men stare at each other for a while.
HASAN
I...
I... I don’t... I don’t know any more.
ABBOUD
Yes
you do, but you don’t want to lose. It's human nature. Nobody likes to lose.
You are afraid of many things, but right this moment you are afraid you are
losing yourself. But that is not true. Anger is not what makes a man. The hate
that is crushing your heart is not you. Losing your hate is not losing who you
are.
(beat)
You
looked into my eyes. You know I’m not lying.
HASAN
You...
I...
ABBOUD
You,
and I, are the same. This is why from the start I knew I could talk to you. I
am a stubborn man that likes to be in control just like you, and that has caused
me many problems in life. I told you that I too failed with my first love, and
it was because of my stubbornness. I was never the best looking guy, but I was
smart. You tried to impress Annabel Johnson with your wealth. I tried to
impress my friend Anoka with my intelligence, but instead she went for the guy
that was good looking. We stayed friends, but I was so angry... so angry.
(beat)
I
was convinced my intelligence was superior to looks, so one day, in a fit of
anger I ended our friendship. I was so mad I yelled at her. I told her she was
a whore. That I was too smart for her, and never wanted to see her again. Well
guess what? Eventually she dumped that guy, and a few years later she got
married to a guy, just like me... but not me. I tossed her out because
of my rage. Had I been patient, had I let her make her mistakes with that
pretty boy, had I been her friend, it would have been me. To this day I’ve
never been married, and I've never met anyone like her.
HASAN
I’m
not like you.
ABBOUD
You're
just like me. Like me, you caused your own suffering because you are obsessed
with control. You're not mad at America because it is evil, you mad because
they are in control and you are not. You are just as bad as they are. You hate
them because they are killers. You're a killer.
(beat)
And
that's where we are different. I'm not, and I never will be. I have the courage
to solve my problems with my mind, not with bombs. Bombs only make more
problems. How many times do I have to say... look around.
(beat)
Have
your bombs worked for you?
FADE OUT;
FADE IN;
Abboud is pacing
back and forth.
Hasan is sitting on
the cot crying.
Abboud takes a seat.
He runs his fingers
trough his hair in frustration.
ABBOUD
I
hate this as much as you do. I don't like your negative energy. I don't like
your anger. I don't like your hate, but I will never give up. Even if it takes
thirty years. I'll come here every week, and have this same conversation, over,
and over, and over, and over again.
(beat)
I
will never give up.
Hasan
is cringing, crying.
He
starts squeezing his face, rubbing his eyes.
HASAN
What
the hell do you want me to do? What do you want? I can't do anything.
ABBOUD
I
want you to understand that what you did was wrong.
Hasan
starts crying out lout like a child.
HASAN
No.
Nook...
ABBOUD
Until
you can say to the world that what you did was wrong. Until you say that Islam
is better than violence, that Islam is better than petty hate. When you admit that
Islam can be a power of peace, that is when... this, will end.
HASAN
What
will end? You will never let me free.
ABBOUD
Hasan
look at me.
No
response. Abboud slaps Hasan in the head startling him sober.
ABBOUD
Look
at me God damned! You're body can't be free but your mind can. All your life
your body was out there, free, but your mind was trapped in fear and hate.
Today you can change that. Yes, your body is trapped in this prison, but your
mind, your mind can be as free as you choose it to be.
(beat)
Don't
listen to me, think! Listen to your heart, and listen to God, and what do they
tell you?
(beat)
Look
at your life. Look at what you have endured. Yet you have learned nothing.
(beat)
Can
God not talk to you in this cell? Listen, than ask God how does a prophet
become a prophet. By walking the streets? By being mad because he is in prison
cell? Or by listening, and speaking the truth.
(beat)
Think!
What if your whole life was preparation, for this moment. For you to realize
that everything that has been done... what you have endured and have done was
wrong. And now you have the opportunity to do what is right.
(beat)
Think!
Abboud gets up and
knocks on the door to exit.
INT. DARKENED OFFICE
- NIGHT
Zane is sitting with
his feet up on the table looking at his phone.
Lorenzo is reading a
book.
INSERT: Hasan is
laying on his cot.
He casually gets up.
He looks up at the
surveillance camera.
He looks back
forward at the wall.
He slowly stands.
He suddenly bows
throwing himself forward smashing his head into the door of the cell.
He groggily gets up
and smashes his head into the door again.
Zane is still
fiddling with the phone.
Lorenzo looks up
from his book.
LORENZO
Holly
shit!
Lorenzo
jumps form his seat.
Zane follows
Lorenzo's lead as he turns to the monitor.
INSERT: On the
monitor Hasan is banging his head against the door.
ZANE
Go!
Go!
Both
men rush out of the room.
INT.
CONCRETE HALL - NIGHT
Lorenzo
and Zane are running at full speed.
INT.
WHITE CELL - DAY
The
door slams open knocking Hasan back.
Lorenzo
and Zane rush in.
LORENZO
We
got you.
ZANE
You're
not killing yourself today.
Hasan
struggles. Tries to fight them. He is no challenge.
HASAN
Let
me die... daemons!
LORENZO
You're
not getting off that easy.
HASAN
I
want to die.
ZANE
Not
happening.
Lorenzo
grabs Hasan in a headlock.
LORENZO
Relax
buddy, relax.
Zane grabs Hasan by
the chin and turns Hasan's face to him.
ZANE
Wa'na
cigarette?
Hasan growls as he
struggles in Lorenzo's arms, but he is too weak.
INT.
DARK OFFICE - NIGHT
Abboud dressed in a
suit walks in. Approaches Volk.
ABBOUD
I
was at an important conference in Brussels. Sorry I could not get in quicker.
VOLK
We
have it under control.
ABBOUD
Have
you used any sedatives?
VOLK
No.
ABBOUD
Has
he tried it again?
VOLK
Only
once today, but he hasn't eaten in three days.
ABBOUD
Ok,
I'll talk to him.
INT.
WHITE CELL - DAY
Abboud
steps into the cell.
Hasan is on the bed
with a blank stare at the ceiling. His forehead and face are bruised.
Abboud takes his
usual seat.
ABBOUD
So
I have failed.
I
thought I could get to you. I thought I could help you see the truth, but I
failed.
(beat)
The
truth is, you failed. I gave you more credit than you deserve. I thought you
were smarter, stronger, but you are weak and stupid. You would rather commit
suicide, a sin, and go to hell and suffer worse for eternity, than do the right
and honest thing.
Hasan suddenly
coughs violently jumping up on his seat in bed. He starts growling like he is
in extreme physical pain.
He pulls his knees
into his chest and starts rocking back and forth.
Abboud pulls out a
candy bar and places it next to him.
ABBOUD
Eat
this. Half the pain you are feeling is from hunger.
(beat)
And
remember, I can do this for the next thirty years. If you don't want to eat,
fine, we'll put you on an IV drip.
FADE
OUT;
MONTAGE; Hasan
rocking back and fourth. Eating the candy bar. Whipping his face. Sitting like
a normal person.
HASAN
You’ve
ruined me.
ABBOUD
Have
I really? I think you did that to yourself long before I arrived on the scene.
HASAN
You
know what I mean. I don’t have a choice any more. Before I was certain. I believed.
I knew what was waiting for me.
ABBOUD
Your
faith gave you freedom.
HASAN
Yes
it did.
ABBOUD
But
that freedom came at the highest cost possible. Your death. That doesn’t sound like a good deal to me.
HASAN
But
it’s what I had. Now I’m in here. And now I have to feel guilty for what I have
done.
ABBOUD
Do
you?
HASAN
(trembling)
Yes.
INT.
DARK OFFICE - NIGHT
Zane's eyes pop out
of his head. He stares dumbfounded at Volk.
INT. WHITE CELL -
DAY
ABBOUD
Then
fix it.
HASAN
What?
ABBOUD
Fix
it.
HASAN
Fix
what?
ABBOUD
Your
guilt. You killed a lot of people. But you can also save more.
HASAN
No
I can't?
ABBOUD
Of
course you can. We live in a different world today than when the Koran was written.
You understand both, the old world and the new. Isn’t it time that Islam join
the modern world? You don't need to protect Islam from the modern world. God
can handle the modern world. God created the modern world. You should understand
that by now, but you refuse to accept it. That’s the conflict you are feeling.
(beat)
Do
you accept what I'm saying?
HASAN
I...
I just... I...
ABBOUD
See,
you know the truth but you don't want to accept it. You have followers. People
in your homeland want to believe that you are their hero, their salvation, but
you're here. Why has God brought you here? Why has he brought us together? Why?
(beat)
Maybe
he wanted you to see another possibility. Or maybe I’m so smart, so much
smarter than you, such a good manipulator that I am making all this up and
tricking you. Which makes more sense to you?
Hasan
takes a deep long breath.
HASAN
What
are you saying to me?
ABBOUD
What
I have been saying to you from day one. That you and I can talk. That we can
learn, that we can understand. You have lived your whole life by a set of
beliefs. Beliefs that were right and true a thousand years ago, but do they
work in the modern world? Abraham was a great prophet. Moses, Jesus, and of
course Muhammad, were all great, but were prophets of their time. They lived in
a different age, with different needs. Do you think the time of prophets is
over? Look at the world we live in. Look at the people and how they see you.
You have only made it half way.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE – NIGHT
Abboud
walks in.
ZANE
Have
you gone off the reservation? You’re
telling this guy he’s a god damned prophet. You realize he is demented enough
to believe that.
ABBOUD
That’s
what I’m banking on.
ZANE
Wha-wha,
wait, what?
ABBOUD
You
asked and now here is your answer. This is why I’m here? This was my goal from
the start.
ZANE
To
make him a prophet?
ABBOUD
No.
To clear his mind, to make him see that he can be a prophet. A prophet of
peace.
ZANE
What?
You
knew this?
VOLK
Not
the prophet part, but the goal was to turn him.
ZANE
To
turn a terrorist into a Prophet?
ABBOUD
No,
to prevent a terrorist from inevitably becoming a prophet.
ZANE
You're
making me dizzy.
ABBOUD
Let's
say Hasan got killed on that assault on his compound.
ZANE
It's
what I would have done.
ABBOUD
One
hundred years from now his followers would invent stories that he really did
not die, but ascended into heaven. He would be worshiped as a prophet. A
prophet that uses violence to get his way. Why not make him a good prophet?
VOLK
I'm
sorry but that does sound crazy. I would not have signed on had you mentioned
that part.
ABBOUD
But
is it? If Hasan starts spreading a message of peace, instead of hate, it could
end all terrorism.
ZANE
Yeah,
you are insane.
ABBOUD
Insanity
is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. For
every terrorist you kill ten new ones replace him. How's that working for you?
(beat)
But
what if the world's greatest terrorist sees the error of his ways, and
denounces violence? What effect would that have?
ZANE
So
this is what all this is about?
ABBOUD
Yes.
ZANE
It's
not going to work.
INT.
DARKENED OFFICE - NIGHT
INSERT;
Hasan sits up on his bed.
He
looks up at the surveillance camera.
HASAN
Is
the Professor here? I want to talk to him.
Zane
looks over to Lorenzo surprised.
Leans forward and
grabs a microphone off the table next to the monitor.
ZANE
What
do you want?
HASAN
To
talk.
ZANE
He
will be here later today.
HASAN
I
will wait.
LORENZO
Wow,
what the hell was that?
ZANE
I
don't know.
INT.
WHITE CELL - DAY
Abboud
walks into the cell. Hasan is sitting up
waiting. Abboud takes his usual seat.
HASAN
I
can’t stop thinking about what you said last time.
ABBOUD
And?
HASAN
Every
part of me is certain you are lying, you’re manipulating me.
ABBOUD
Ok.
HASAN
Ok?
ABBOUD
Yeah,
ok, what difference does it make what I say. If I deny it you’ll be more
suspicious.
HASAN
I
want to believe you.
ABBOUD
Lets
say that I’m lying, and I'm manipulating you to renounce being a terrorist, and
to get you to spread a peaceful Islamic message. How exactly have I harmed you
by doing this?
HASAN
I
haven't figured it out yet. It just... if feels like you are manipulating me.
ABBOUD
Hasan,
but of course I have been. It's called learning. Be it the Koran or a physics
book, it changes the way you see the world. Learning "manipulates"
your view. Now the question is, am I teaching you something wrong, or am I
teaching you something right?
HASAN
Oh
my God. It feels... I'm a Muslim. I will always be a Muslim. You are telling me
my religion is wrong. I can't accept that.
ABBOUD
No,
you're religion is not wrong, you're wrong. You are wrong using religion to
kill children, and your own people. The suicide bombers, did you not manipulate
them into committing suicide? You lied to those boys to commit a sin. Is that
you being true to Islam?
HASAN
Oh
my god! Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek Laka, Labbaik. Innal
Hamdah, Wan Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka. I don't know if I can do
this.
ABBOUD
Look, I'm sorry. I can see you are struggling. You
are starting to feel the truth, and you are realizing you made a giant mistake.
Maybe one so great, that if is better to hate yourself than to admit it, but it
is not true. You have to admit the
truth.
HASAN
I, I, I....
ABBOUD
You
feel like you are about to go mad don’t you?
HASAN
If
you are right. If this is the truth, then...
ABBOUD
Then
what?
HASAN
Then...
then why am I shaking? Why do I feel like a traitor. I do not want to betray...
ABBOUD
Habit.
HASAN
What?
ABBOUD
Habit.
When we are stuck with one idea our entire lives it becomes a habit, but when
that idea cracks, most of us crack with it. The old idea does not want to let
go. It tries to sabotage with doubts, and it all depends on the strength of the
person. The weak fall apart with the broken idea, the strong, suffer for a
while, but they come out from the other side, strong... what Zimbo thought he
was, but the real deal. True kings of their world. So you are going to have
some difficult times ahead, but if you are willing to work with me... You know,
this was my purpose here from the start. To break down that old habit, and open
up a truly free and open space of communication. What do you think? Are you willing to do the
right thing, not for me, but what is right by God, what is good in this world?
Are you willing?
HASAN
Oh
my god! Look at my hands I’m shaking, but...
but I... I can’t deny what I now understand. And I can’t deny that you
are a good man. You were honest with me from the start. You told me from the
first day you are not my friend, but you will talk to me, and...
ABBOUD
This
is it. This is all I ever wanted from the beginning. To talk. To have intelligent
conversations and solve our differences peacefully. That's all I want, but I
can't force you to do that. You have to be willing. If you are willing, than
today is the first day.
With
a deep breath and clear nodding in agreement;
HASAN
I...
I am willing.
FADE OUT.
INSERT; BLACK SCREEN
TEXT “One Year Later.”
FADE IN;
INT. - TAVIS SMILEY
SET - DAY
Commotion. Makeup
artists, sound guy, and people milling around Hasan.
He is sitting in the
interview chair.
Tavis Smiley introduces
the show.
TAVIS
As
most of you know, Hasan bin Hadin was captured two years ago and sentenced to
death by a military tribunal. We were never told an exact date for his
execution, but according to sources it should already have happened, but it has
not. And today we will find out why. Not from the military but from our guest. Folks...
hold on to your chairs, because you will be shocked when you see who our guest
is today. I'm shocked that he is sitting right here in front of me. And here he
is, none other than Hasan bin Hadin himself.
(beat)
Hasan,
what is going on here? Why are you on my show, and not dead?
HASAN
I’m
here because... for a long time, I did horrible things. For a long time I was
so driven by hate, that I saw the world in black and white. I did not realize
that in fact I was blinded by hate, and that the real world was full of color.
TAVIS
Wait-wait-wait
let me get this straight. Are you saying that you renounce what you did?
HASAN
Yes?
TAVIS
And
you renounce your religion?
HASAN
No,
absolutely not. I am a Muslim today, and I will always be a Muslim in the
future, but I was not a Muslim in the past.
TAVIS
I
don’t understand.
HASAN
I
lied to young men to commit suicide. To blow themselves up and kill children
and families. That is not Islam.
TAVIS
So
you are saying that what you did before was wrong.
HASAN
Absolutely.
TAVIS
But
you will have to explain this. We hear the epithet that “Islam is a religion of
Peace” but then right afterwards we hear death to America, death to infidels.
How is what you say different?
HASAN
I'm
saying that Islam is not about killing, it is about living.
TAVIS
But
people, especially in your part of the world, will say that you were tortured,
even brainwashed to say these things.
HASAN
Yes
of course they will say that.
TAVIS
Were
you?
HASAN
Of
course.
TAVIS
Of
course?
HASAN
Yes.
After I was captured, I was the most hated man in the world. Probably still am.
The soldiers that held me had a very difficult time controlling themselves.
They beat me, they tortured me.
TAVIS
And
that changed your mind?
HASAN
No
of course not?
TAVIS
Ok,
I’m confused. What made you change?
HASAN
While
I was tortured, it only strengthened my belief that I was right, that Americans
were evil, so I was convinced I had done the right thing.
TAVIS
But
what changed you?
HASAN
When
you kill people, inside, in your heart, sometimes buried deep, you know what
you did is wrong.
TAVIS
So
you knew what you did was wrong?
HASAN
Not
at first, I was too angry. But now I know that violence is the coward’s tool.
Whether that be America, or Jihadists. War only creates more war, peace is the
only thing that can destroy war. If America attacks than America is the
terrorist, and the only way to stop it is by peaceful resistance.
TAVIS
Do
you accept that what you did in the past was terrorism? That you were a
terrorist?
HASAN
Yes,
of course. I was drunk with hate, and I killed out of spite. Yet Allah's voice,
that little voice was always there, but I pretended I could not hear it. Now I hear
it clearly, and I understand that all my suffering was my test; a test that I
failed.
TAVIS
You
failed your test? I don't understand?
HASAN
This
life is a test. To pass this test and enter paradise, you must prove to Allah
your will to be good. I failed because I gave in to Stan's anger. Killing is
Satan's way. But now I’m on the road to fulfilling my test, and I want all my
fellow Muslim brothers and sisters to open their eyes, and see the truth for
themselves. I want them open their ears and listen to that little voice that
one can hardly hear, because that is the voice of God. And the voice of God
will always guide you into the clarity of peace, never into the chaos of war.
FADE OUT;
