As we move into the next third of the second draft script, beginning on page 104, we find Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Steve Lombard flying to Iran to cover the terrorist threats to that country’s oil refineries. The second draft script follows exactly as it did in the first draft script, with zero changes or revisions made. As someone might say, “Move along now, there’s nothing to see here.”

But I want to pause for a moment and focus on the character of General Ahmed, the Iranian military contact who meets with the four reporters and who ultimately betrays them to Lex Luthor. According to Puzo’s script, Ahmed is described as “a very silky, handsome man, charming.” With that kind of description, any actor at that point in time would have been a good candidate for the part.

As with the previous script, we see a little romance blooming between Lois and Clark…

…and then the explosions occur, and Lois recognizes that it is all a plot on the part of Lex Luthor and his henchmen, all of them dressed in Iranian army uniforms.

The action unfolds, and before long Luthor traps Superman with the kryptonite belt.

The action then proceeds as in the first draft script, with Jimmy and Steve racing in to save the day and rescue Superman and Lois, no changes to the script at all.

It’s only afterwards when Clark, Jimmy, and Steve are waiting for Lois to arrive so they can leave Iran and head back to Metropolis that Puzo changes some of the details of Lois’ arrival. In the first draft she arrives by cab, but in the second draft she arrives seated on top of a camel.

And as they make their way back home, just like in the first draft script, Lois carries with her a lead-lined jacket that will protect Superman from being affected by the kryptonite. She says this while looking at Clark straight in the eye. That’s because she’s onto something that’s been going on since the showdown in Iran, and it’s not the WWE Crown Jewel event in Riyadh…

Next time: the plot thickens!