America the Beautiful

By Marcus McClure

Abu Muzahim is a British telecommunications executive working in Syria. While heading home for his son's graduation, he is mistakenly identified by American troops as a wanted terrorist. Extraordinary rendition ensues, leaving his loved ones with no clue to his predicament, and authorities with a political and bureaucratic mess to clean up once the mistake is discovered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marcus McClure
• Release date: Dec 10, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452347639

Marcus McClure

Marcus McClure is a California native who loves to snowboard, SCUBA dive and generally goof-around. He loves to spend time with family. A physician by training, he has published scientific papers in research journals internationally, but has always loved fiction and story-telling. Writing short stories since Middle School, he incorporated creative writing classes into his academic career since his first year of college, and recently decided to take try to break into the world of publishing authors.

Book preview

America the Beautiful

by

M.A. McClure

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

M.A. McClure on Smashwords

America the Beautiful

Copyright © 2010 by M.A. McClure

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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1 INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT 1

A middle aged catholic priest, FATHER SULLIVAN, lies asleep in bed. A repeat of the news plays on the TV.

TV ANCHOR

...Returns from a surprise visit to Iraq today.

The doorbell rings. The priest stirs. The television cuts to video of PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH in the American Embassy in Iraq.

BUSH

I came here today because I wanted to look you in the eye, and tell you that America will not back down...

The doorbell rings several more times rapidly. The priest awakens, turns off the TV and goes to answer.

2 INT. ENTRY HALL - CONTINUOUS 2

The door opens to reveal ANTHONY FOWLER, 23, tall and muscular with a military haircut. He looks agitated.

FATHER SULLIVAN

Anthony! What brings you here at this time of night?

ANTHONY

(shakily)

I’m sorry, Father Sullivan, but I couldn’t sleep. I had to talk to someone...I had to talk to you!

FATHER SULLIVAN

Certainly, my boy. Come in! Come in! Can I get you a cup of tea?

3 INT. DINING AREA - MINUTES LATER 3

Father Sullivan brings two cups of tea to a table.

ANTHONY

And I wake up, screaming.

FATHER SULLIVAN

(a beat)

And you have this dream every night?

ANTHONY

Father, I have this dream every hour that I sleep! I can’t get more than about 45 minutes of sleep at a time.

FATHER SULLIVAN

And what do you think is causing you to have this recurring dream?

ANTHONY

I don’t...think, Father. I know. That’s why I need to talk to you.

Anthony stares at his tea. There is a brief silence.

ANTHONY (CONT’D)

But this is top secret. I shouldn’t be telling you this...I shouldn’t be telling anyone. So I need you to treat this like confession.

FATHER SULLIVAN

Of course, Anthony, of course. You have my word!

Anthony sighs and closes his eyes. He looks down to his tea, drains the cup, and takes a deep breath.

ANTHONY

About a year ago they brought in a terrorist we’d been looking for. They’d caught him trying to drive into Egypt with a fake passport.

4 EXT. BORDER CHECKPOINT - NIGHT - ONE YEAR EARLIER 4

Tuesday, June 14, 2005.

AHMAD FADEEL AL-ZERY, 34, pulls his car up to a military checkpoint. Two US marines with machine guns step up to either side of his car. The one on the driver’s side says

MARINE 1

May we see your ID, sir?

Ahmad reaches into a bag in the passenger seat and produces a British passport.

MARINE 2

What’s your name, sir?

AHMAD

Abu Mu- I’m sorry, Ahmad Fadeel al-Zery.

The two marines glance at each other. The first marine examines the passport.

MARINE 1

Well, which is it? Abu or Ahmad?

AHMAD

My legal name is Ahmad Fadeel. It is customary in my culture to not use an adult’s given name. My business associates refer to me as Abu Muzahim.

The marines glance at each other again. They both step back from the car and tighten their grip on their rifles.

MARINE 1

Sir, I’m going to need you to step out of the car.

5 INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER 5

The room is empty save for a single chair and a table. Ahmad sits, looking nervous. A lieutenant stands over him, looking stern. An armed guard stands at the door.

AHMAD

I told you, I am a British citizen here on business. I argued by phone with my wife this evening and decided to drive...

The door opens. A sergeant steps in, motioning to the lieutenant. The lieutenant steps over.

SERGEANT

(whisper)

I can’t get a response. The docs look fake to me. And the name?

The lieutenant thinks for a moment.

LIEUTENANT

(whisper)

Notify ER.

The sergeant leaves. The Lieutenant turns to Ahmad.

LIEUTENANT (CONT’D)

Sir, I need you to stand and put your hands on your head.

Ahmad stands, agitated.

AHMAD

You can’t do this! I am a British citizen and have committed no crime!

The guard steps forward, pointing his rifle at Ahmad. Ahmad steps back and puts his hands up.

LIEUTENANT

Sir, if you have not committed any crimes, you will be released shortly. Right now, you need to