INT. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
The door opens.
A harried-looking Muhammad Ibn Abdallah Ibn Tahir enters, the door closing behind him. He spots Basim, frozen, still clutching the Oath of Abu 'Abdallah.
A moment where they just stare at each other.
Then Muhammad shrugs and walks by Basim, tossing a casual aside.
MUHAMMAD (cool)
You can tell your masters I've had copies made. Shred that page, slit my throat, our bargain stands.
Basim slips the Oath behind his back, masking his confusion with the gesture.
BASIM - PLAYER (thrown but hiding it)
My masters?
Muhammad, at his desk, scans papers.
MUHAMMAD (nonchalant, aloof)
The masked cabal, the Order of... I don't care. Are you not in their service?
BASIM - PLAYER (flat out, cool confrontation)
Are you not in their service?
Muhammad looks over things on his desk.
MUHAMMAD (snort of contempt, pointedly busy)
I serve the Caliphate. I serve Allah. And I do it without hiding my face. Now, if you'll excuse me…
BASIM - PLAYER (harsh, interrogation)
Why were you giving commands to Wasif Al-Turki? A member of the Order?
Muhammad continues to look over things at his desk, unfazed.
MUHAMMAD (duh)
The brute was stoking the fire of a thousand rebellions. Thankfully someone spared me the trouble of putting him down.
Something dawns. He looks up at Basim.
MUHAMMAD (curiously)
A Hidden One, I heard. [Beat][hmph]Are you the one to thank?
Basim unsheathes the Hidden Blade. Muhammad's smile fades. Basim advances on him.
BASIM - PLAYER (threatening, cold, menacing)
I read your letters. You forced your cousins to remove their protection from Alamut. You sold us to our enemies!
MUHAMMAD (still cool, but fear in his voice now)
And bought peace to Baghdad. You've already helped yourself to the receipt.
He nods at Basim re:
BASIM - PLAYER Abu 'Abdallah's Oath of Allegiance? What does he have to do with anything?
MUHAMMAD (weary but determined)
His ambition would have torn the Caliphate apart. I offered the Order Alamut, they gave me assurance he'd threaten us no more.
Basim draws near, confrontational. Outraged.
BASIM - PLAYER (incensed, disbelief, contempt)
So to trap a fox you loose a wolf? The Order will see Baghdad burn, Governor! History will judge you for this.
Muhammed steps forward, provoked to anger.
MUHAMMAD (matching his intensity) History can hang me for it! I'll leave this world knowing that there is courage in compromise!
BASIM - PLAYER (snapping)
There is also cowardice!
MUHAMMAD [ONO, emote gasp]
Basim raises the Hidden Blade to Muhammad's throat. A tense face-off. Then Muhammad cocks his head, frowns, assesses Basim.
MUHAMMAD (curious, selfdepreciation in the reminiscence)
How old are you? Twenty? I was about your age when I came to this city. Righteous beyond reproach.
BASIM - PLAYER [ONO_Retreat]
This strikes Basim.
BASIM - PLAYER (snarky) What happened?
MUHAMMAD (blunt, then earnestly) I grew up. If you really wish to spare Alamut, turn that blade on your enemies.
MUHAMMAD [ONO_Exhale]
Basim backs off. The Governor walks to the door, collecting himself.
BASIM - PLAYER (menacing)
Give me their name. The one you brokered the deal with.
MUHAMMAD (thinking it out for a five year old to follow, matter of fact) I could. But if you fail, then I die … and I'd prefer not to. Now, I have things to do. No hard feelings.
He nods to the exit. Basim follows his gaze as Muhammad leaves behind him.
MUHAMMAD (OFFSCREEN) GUARDS!
BASIM - PLAYER [ONO_Emote annoyed]
We hear the door click behind Basim, locking him in.