THE FIDAI
Written By: Aldonnius Brian Carter
Story based on true events….
Aldonnius B. Carter WGA Registration: 1423671
1757 Monday Court
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(786) 759-2115
(850) 566-9749
or
COPYRIGHT @ 2010
EXT – ALAMUT/FORTRESS – DAY
Caption on screen read: The Alamut 1256 AD RAYY/IRAN/PERSIA
KIM-AL SHAH (Arab male, 12) escapes burning fortress, through secret underground tunnel.
EXT – MOUNTAIN TOP – DAY
Caption on screen read: Florence, Italy 1489
Majestic Golden Eagle soars through the air.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI (Italian male, 20’s) reads passage from ancient book of
“The FIDAI”, “The ASSASSIANS”, or “The HASHSHASHIN”; written by HASSAN-ISABBAH.
*SECOND PERSON
“Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.” Man must only be judged through the purity of his heart and not through forced actions.
INT – HOME – NIGHT
Caption on screen read: SAWAD (KUFA/IRAQ) 1034
AL-HASSAN SABBAH (Arab male, 30’s) runs into his home, and startles his wife GHANIYAH.
AL-HASSAN
We must go Ghaniyah!
GHANIYAH
What is it Al-Hassan?
AL-HASSAN
The SELIJUKS are coming to
massacre all SHIA!
GHANIYAH
This can’t be true!
P. 2
AL-HASSAN
We must go now!
GHANIYAH
Where are we to go Al-Hassan?
AL-HASSAN
We must escape to (REY/RAYY/PERSIA/IRAN)!
EXT – MOUNTAIN PASS – DAY
Al-Hassan, Ghaniyah and other Shia Arabs flee to REY/RAYY/PERSIA/IRAN.
EXT – QOM/QUAMM – NIGHT
Al-Hassan, his wife and the other fleeing Arabs from Iraq arrive to the outskirts of the city of QOM/QUAMM in Rey/Rayy/Persia/Iran.
AL-HASSAN
To all my fellow Shia; we have
arrived to our destination.
ARAB 1 (male, 40’s)
How do we know they will
receive us?
AL-HASSAN
They are Shia/SHIITES as we are.
All Shia will embrace refugees of
Islamic persecution! Qom will be
our new home to rear our children
and to praise ALLAH as we deem
necessary.
EXT – HOME – DAY
Ghaniyah gives birth to baby boy.
AL-HASSAN
I shall name him HASSAN-I SABBAH.
P. 3
INT – SCHOOL – DAY
Caption on screen read: Seven years later
Hassan sits in crowded classroom.
Teacher RESI ABUFASL (Arab male, 30’s) addresses the class.
RESI
The QUR’AN is the word of
God Allah; and it is the central
religious text of all Islam. All
the verses of the Qur’an were
revealed to MUHAMMAD by
Allah through the Archangel
GABRIEL. Tomorrow each of
you must recite (passages?)
SURA 2/Z. This will be all for
the day.
The students stand up and pray before they exit the classroom.
Hassan exits the classroom.
EXT – CLASSROOM – CONTINUOUS
Hassan’s two friends OMAR KHAYYAM (Arab male, 7, future poet) and NIZAMUL MULK (Arab male, 7, future VIZIR of Persia/Iran) rush to catch of with Hassan.
OMAR
Hassan, Hassan, wait up.
Hassan waits for Omar and Nizamul to catch up.
OMAR
I see you are in a hurry
today.
NIZAMUL
No time for your friends, Hassaan?
P. 4
HASSAN
I must get home. My father
needs my help with the sheep.
NIZAMUL
What did you think of class
today?
HASSAN
I learn more of the Qur’an
each day.
NIZAMUL
I found class to be a bit
boring.
OMAR
I over heard the teacher
talking with Hakeem and
he say we three are the
smartest students he has
ever taught; and that we
three are destined for
greatness.
HASSAN
There may be truth in what
the teacher say.
NIZAMUL
I know I am headed for
greatness. I am going to
be the Grand Vizir of all
Persia. What about you
Hassan?
HASSAN
I do not know.
P. 5
OMAR
I say we all make a pact
with each other.
NIZAMUL
A pact!
OMAR
Yes a pact. If either of us
reach a position of power
and influence, we should
turn around and assist the
others.
HASSAN
I would agree to such a pact.
NIZAMUL
If you two say so!
OMAR
Are you in?
NIZAMUL
Of course I am in!
The three friends pull out their knives and slit their hands.
With their blood, each of them then makes a solemn oath to assist each other in the future.
INT – HOME – MOMENT’S LATER
Hassan greets his mother as he enters the house.
HASSAN
Mama I am home.
GHANIYAH
How was school?
P. 6
HASSAN
School was great mama. I do
love school, because there is
much room for learning. Do
you have anything you want of
me mama?
GHANIYAH
Well your father seeks you.
HASSAN
Papa it is.
INT – ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Hassan enters his father’s room
Al-Hassan sits at table writing a letter.
HASSAN
Papa I am ready to help you
with the sheep.
AL-HASSAN
Ah Hassan my son. Sit,
I have tended the sheep
already.
HASSAN
Mama says you seek me papa?
AL-HASSAN
That I do my son!
HASSAN
What is it papa?
AL-HASSAN
Hassan I have been thinking,
that I am going to pull you
P. 7
AL-HASSAN (CONT’D)
out of the school.
HASSAN
But why papa; I am learning
much new stuff in school.
AL-HASSAN
That you may, but you are
learning the teachings of
others and you must learn
the TWELVER code from
me here at home.
HASSAN
But papa my friends!
AL-HASSAN
Hassan friends are like a watering
hole; full of water one day and
dry the next. Friends will come
and friends will go. Your fate
is far more important than mere
friends. You will learn your
teachings solely from me.
Hassan looks deeply sadden.
EXT – PASTURE – DAY
Hassan herds the sheep into the pasture.
Al-Hassan calls Hassan into the house.
INT – HOME – CONTINUOUS
Al-Hassan goes over the Twelver Code with Hassan.
AL-HASSAN
Sit Hassan.
P. 8
HASSAN
Yes papa!
AL-HASSAN
A man who fonds himself with
friends, is a man who can be
easily led. Faith is what men
need, not friends Hassan. IMAMI
SHITISM has twelve divinely
ordained leaders, known as the
twelve IMAMS. The Imam had
a different path of succession
regarding the IMAMATE. The
descendents of the PROPHET
MUHAMMAD through his
daughter FATIMAH and his
son-in-law ALI are the most
trusted carriers and protectors
of Muhammad’s SUNNAH and
and the most worthy of emulation.
Ali was the first man to accept
Islam second only to Muhammad’s
wife KHADIJAH. Ali was the
AHLAL-BAYT and the father of
Muhammad’s only bloodline as
opposed to that of the CALIPHATE
recognized by SUNNI Muslims. Ali
was appointed successor by Muhammad’s
direct order, therefore Ali is the rightful
leader of the Muslim faith. Ali’s son
HUSAYN led and uprising against
the illegitimate CALIPH and for
this Husayn symbolizes resistance to
tyranny in the Shiah faith. We only
recognize the religious authority of
the Twelve Imams. You will hear
the teachings of many faiths, but
you will learn correctly about the
right faith. You will learn this
through me your father and not
P. 9
AL-HASSAN (CONT’D)
through friends or idle Islamic
teachers. A man’s faith is as
important as a man’s life!
*For the next ten years Hassan indulges himself and adheres to the Twelver Code of instruction.
*Al-Hassan also teaches Hassan Palmistry, different languages (Latin), Philosophy, Astronomy and Mathematics (Geometry).
EXT – YARD – DAY
Al-Hassan teaches Hassan how to use a dagger.
AL-HASSAN
The dagger is the most revered
weapon of choice in the Arab
world. One must know and
understand the art of the daggers
use, if one wants to survive in
his beliefs.
HASSAN
Papa I never knew you knew how
to use a dagger.
AL-HASSAN
Hassan there are many things you
do not know or understand. Life
has many unexpected twists and
turns. First you get a firm grip on
with the dagger. Then you eye your
target, never releasing your eye’s
from your targets eye’s. Your eyes
will give way to their next move.
When the time is right, you then
make your attack. Your attack must
be precise with one swift move or
your target may gain an advantage
P. 10
AL-HASSAN (CONT’D)
upon you. Here you try on that
dummy over there.
Hassan takes dagger and practices using the dagger on the dummy.
Al-Hassan simply looks on, as Hassan practices with the dagger.
EXT – MARKET SQUARE – DAY
The market square in Qom is packed with merchants, travelers and patrons alike.
Hassan strolls through the market square to purchase supplies for his mother.
A crowd of people surrounds DAI HAMDON QARMT (Arab male, 40’s) as he spreads the word of ISMAILITES.
Hassan blends in with the crowd.
HAMDON
There has always been an Imam
sometimes known, sometimes
hidden. ISMAIL was the last
known. A knew Imam was to be
looked for, but while the Imam
was hidden, his doctrines were
to be taught by his missionaries.
The adherents of this party are
initiated by degrees into the
secrets of its doctrines and were
divided into seven classes.
Hassan asks ARAB 2 (male, 30’s) of Hamdon.
HASSAN
Who is this man?
ARAB 2
That man is Hamdon Qarmt Dais
of AHMED IBN ABDALLAH.
P. 11
Hamdon’s speech intrigues Hassan.
-After Hassan studies at home, Hassan ventures into the market square daily to hear various sects spreading their words of their faiths and religions.
To Hassan each sect seems as impassionate as the next.
EXT – MARKET SQUARE – DAY
While standing in the crowd listening to Missionaries from JIBAL (CAIRO) spreading the word of DAIWA; Hassan meets AMIRA DARRAB (Arab male, 20’s) a comrade for the Ismailis.
AMIRA
Does the missionary move you
with his words?
HASSAN
I find him to be rather
interesting in what he say.
AMIRA
I am Amira and you?
HASSAN
I am Hassan-I Sabbah. I
am from here in Qom.
AMIRA
I am from Jibal.
HASSAN
Jibal!
AMIRA
Jibal is in Egypt, where the last
true Imam lives.
HASSAN
You travel this far on a Da’wa
P. 12
HASSAN (CONT’D)
to spread(?) the word of the
Ismaili doctrine?
AMIRA
Of course, the Ismaili doctrine
has more merit than any other
Islamic faith in Egypt, Persia
or Kufa.
HASSAN
Why would you believe that
following MUSA is not as true(?)
as that of the Ismaili?
AMIRA
The way you feel about Musa,
I feel likewise about Ismaili. We
of the Ismaili faith believe the
true word of Muhammad must
be spread throughout the Arab
world.
HASSAN
But Musa is the true Imam.
AMIRA
The difference between the Twelvers
and Ismaili is that we follow ISMAILI
IBN JANFAR the true Imam; and if
you know your history, Muhammad
passed his vision down to Ali with
the instructions with the Imam being
the oldest of his bloodline. MUSA
AL-KAZIM is Ismaili’s younger
brother. We Ismailis do not wish
to force our belief on others, we
simply want other Arabs of Islam
to embrace the truth.
P. 13
Amira walks off.
INT – BEDROOM – NIGHT
Hassan lay in his bed pondering over what Amira said to him earlier in the day.
EXT – MARKET SQUARE – DAY
Hassan follows Amira and the other FIDAIS throughout Persia/Rey/Iran, as they spread the Ismaili doctrine.
-Towns people of the Shia faith, persecutes the Ismailis; this in turn enrages Hassan.
INT – MOSQUE – NIGHT
Amira and the Fidais pray to Allah in Mosque.
Hassan enters the Mosque.
HASSAN
Amira I need to speak with you.
AMIRA
Hassan my friend!
HASSAN
Can we go somewhere more
private?
AMIRA
Follow me.
Hassan follows Amira to private room in the Mosque.
INT – ROOM – CONTINUOUS
AMIRA
What is it Hassan?
P. 14
HASSAN
I have been following you and
the Fidais for a while now.
AMIRA
That I have been aware of!
HASSAN
It is an outright shame that
people could be so evil to those
who want to just speak in peace!
AMIRA
Men will be men. The truth hurts
Hassan; but mans violence will
not stop the word of Ismaili. If
it was not myself, it would be
another like me to spread the
word. The ones who call
themselves CRUSADERS have
waged a holy war on Allah; but
it is those who embrace Allah who
persecutes the Ismaili the most!
HASSAN
How can I be a messenger of
Ismaili?
AMIRA
Are you sure Hassan?
HASSAN
I am sure Amira. What do I
have to do? I am willing…
AMIRA
You must first embrace the word
and the belief in Ismaili IBN
Jafar. You must then be a Fidais,
P. 15
AMIRA (CONT’D)
traveling to spread the word of
the Ismaili.
HASSAN
I Hassan-I Sabbah on this date
in Allah’s eyes pledge and vow
to live by and spread the word
of Ismaili Ibn Jafar.
EXT – MARKET SQUARE (S)/MOSQUE (S) – DAY
-Hassan, other Fidais, and Comrades spread the word of Ismaili.
-The years past as Hassan and other missionaries of Ismaili spread the Ismaili doctrine throughout Rey/Rayy/Iran/Persia.
-Hassan marries FALMA-TIR in a grand ceremony.
-Hassan fathers two sons during this time; MUHAMMAD SABBAH and QAI HUSAYN SABBAH.
-Hassan’s popularity as an Ismaili Fidai in Iran has not gone unnoticed. Large crowds of people pack the streets and Mosques to hear Hassan preach (?).
INT – TENT – NIGHT
Hassan sits in tent withABDUL I-MALIK IBN ATTASH (Arab male, 50’s) Chief Missionary in the area.
ATTASH
Hassan I have heard great things
of you from all the Missionaries
here in Qom. Your knowledge
of the Ismaili is splendid?, seeing
that your are a Fidai not of Jibal.
HASSAN
I have studied day and night. I
have made a vow to only speak
P. 16
HASSAN (CONT’D)
of the truth. In the eyes of Allah
Ismaili is truth!
ATTASH
Studying is important, but it
is the way you captivate the
crowds of people is what
makes you Hassan. People
are attracted to you, not only
for the word? but how you
deliver the word?. Ismaili
needs more Fidais like you
Hassan.
HASSAN
Thank you, Attash.
ATTASH
I am going to promote you
Hassan as my Deputy Minister
here in Rey/Rayy/Persia/Iran.
HASSAN
This would be an honor of
any mans life, grand? Attash!
ATTASH
I do suggest and urge you
to go to Jibal/Cairo to further
your studies. You know much
but there is still more to know.
HASSAN
I shall do as you suggest Attash;
but first I must convert my
people here in Rey/Rayy/Persia.
P. 17
ATTASH
That my take some time, with
Sunni? majority here and the
enemy.
HASSAN
Time is what has to take place,
if conversion is to be true.
ATTASH
You may be that one to change
it to truth Hassan.
INT – PALACE – DAY
Caption on screen read: Persia/Rey/Rayy/Iran 1076
Royal Guards surround Nizamul-Mulk Hassan’s childhood friend and now Grand VIZIR to the SULTAN of Persia; as he vents his anger of Hassans popularity as a Missionary and Hassans spreading of the Ismaili doctrine throughout Persia.
NIZAMUL
This madness has to cease! One
town, two towns, three towns
all converted to Ismaili; next all
of Persia will be speaking in
Ismaili tongue! I want Hassan
arrested. Bring them unharmed
here to the palace. Kill anyone
else, if they should get in your
way! Go…
EXT – STREET - DAY
YOUNG MESSENGER (Arab male, 12) runs through the streets of Qom.
Young messenger knocks on Hassan’s back door.
EXT – DOOR – CONTINUOUS
P. 18
Hassan opens the door.
HASSAN
Yes my son.
MESSENGER
Shiad-Ibn send word, that the
Sultan’s guards come to arrest
you and your family.
HASSAN
Nizamul. I knew this day would
come. Thank you son and send
my greatest of thanks to Shiad-ibn.
INT – HOME – CONTINUOUS
Hassan closes the door slowly.
Hassan’s wife approaches.
FALMA-TIR
What is it Hassan?
HASSAN
We must leave Qom!
FALMA-TIR
Why?
HASSAN
The Sultan has dispatched his
Royal Guards to arrest us!
FALMA-TIR
This can not be!
HASSAN
Just get the boys ready, we will
leave now!
P. 19
FALMA-TIR
But to where Hassan? The Sultan
rules Persia!
HASSAN
Egypt.
EXT – ROAD – CONTINUOUS
The Sultan’s Royal Guards on horseback enters Qom.
People dodge the guards as the guards stampede through town.
EXT – HOME – MOMENT’S LATER
Guard/Soldier exits Hassan’s home.
GENERAL HIYAH (Arab male, 40’s) awaits soldiers on horseback.
ROYAL GUARD #1
No one is inside general.
GENERAL HIYAH
Find him, he must be in the
town hiding like a coward!
EXT – MOUNTAIN PASS – CONTINUOUS
Hassan and his family escape Qom via mountain pass.
FALMA-TIR
Hassan what of our family?
HASSAN
They are in Allah’s hands
now. Only Allah can guide
them to salvation. We must
hurry.
INT – HOME – EVENING
P. 20
Royal soldiers ruff up Hassan’s parents.
GENERAL HIYAH
For the last time old man,
where is your son?
AL-HASSAN
I have told you I do not
know where my son is.
If I did I would not tell
you dogs.
General Hiyah slaps Al-Hassan.
GENERAL HIYAH
Watch your tongue old
man! I shall let you live
this time old man; but I
will find Hassan-I Sabbah.
Soldiers throw Al-Hassan to the ground and Ghaniyah runs to Al-Hassans side.
General Hiyah and the soldiers exit the home.
GHANIYAH
Al-Hassan!
AL-HASSAN
I am fine. May Allah curse
those evil dogs who does
the Sultans bidding!
EXT – GRASSLAND – DAY
Caption on screen red: ISFAHAN 1076
FALMA-TIR
Where are we Hassan?
P. 21
HASSAN
The town of Isfahan; here
we can seek refuge with my
teacher Resi Abufasl.
INT – HOME – MOMENT’S LATER