Two modern American teenage boys accidentally open a wormhole onto an 1863 Civil War battlefield, where a psychotic Confederate rebel soldier follows them back into the present day, causing all sorts of dangerous ramifications.

SYNOPSIS:

"SOLDIER AND THE CLOWN" spec screenplay begins in present-day Fredericksburg,

Virginia, with Antoine, 14, waking his friend Alan, also 14, for an important errand. They

have been tasked by their teacher, Mrs. Axelrod, to visit battlefields and write a report

after plagiarizing a previous assignment. Alan's overbearing mother makes a brief,

embarrassing appearance, highlighting Alan's immaturity.

The boys visit Mr. Stone's General Store, where the elderly owner shares his family's

Civil War history. Despite a warning from Officer Nick about dangerous caves, Alan

leads Antoine into one for a shortcut. An accidental explosion in the cave sends them

through a time portal.

The boys emerge in 1863, amidst a Civil War battlefield. They encounter Justus, a

psychopathic Rebel private, whom Alan comically tries to appease by claiming Antoine

is his "slave." Justus, suspicious, assaults Antoine, but Lt. Langhorn intervenes, forcing

Justus to pay Alan for damages inflicted upon Antoine. As a Union counterattack

begins, Justus flees back into the mine. Antoine and Alan, realizing they've

time-traveled, are found by Union soldiers, including Lt. Ralston and Sgt. Goodman.

Doc McCloy, whom Antoine recognizes from Mr. Stone's antique photograph, treats

Antoine's lip, confirming their temporal displacement. Meanwhile, Cpl. Dugan pursues

Justus into the mine, where Justus murders two soldiers, including Dugan's cousin.

Terrified, Antoine and Alan re-enter the mine, followed by Justus.

Back in the present, the boys are relieved to find their bikes and familiar surroundings.

They return to Mr. Stone's, but their story is met with bewilderment. Justus then enters,

becomes disoriented by modern objects, and in a fit of rage, shoots Mr. Stone, steals

his antique pistol, and escapes on Alan's sister's bike. Mr. Stone, gravely wounded,

urges them to close the "wormhole," recognizing their newfound maturity. Antoine,

taking charge, vows to get the pistol back and drags a hysterical Alan out of the store.

Justus struggles to adapt to modern Fredericksburg, clashing with traffic and a

"Smart-Ass-Kid" who dumps a Coke on him. Antoine and Alan pursue him, ignoring

police warnings. They track Alan's bike to the cave, confirming Justus's return to 1863.

Antoine is hesitant, but Alan, despite his immaturity, insists on following. In 1863, Justus

emerges into a Union triage, where he brutally attacks Medic Ruffort and murders Pvt.

Clarence before fleeing.

Antoine and Alan arrive into 1863, and are captured by Pvt. Anthony and brought to Lt.

Ralston. Alan uses modern coins as proof of their time travel, convincing Ralston and

then Captain House. Realizing the threat of a futuristic weapon, Captain House orders

Ralston to find Justus and dispatches Cpl. Dugan to inform General Hooker. Alan is

assigned to a work crew building defenses. During a patrol, Antoine recognizes Justus,

who shoots at him, but a Union Grenadier accidentally takes a bullet for Antoine and is

wounded. Justus interrogates the Grenadier, learning about the "time-traveling boys"

and the Union's knowledge of his weapon before suffocating him.

Back at camp, Captain House receives grim news: they must hold their position against

overwhelming Rebel forces. He orders defensive measures and arms Antoine and Alan,

who join the Union troops, experiencing the brutal reality of war firsthand.

As Union forces reinforce a breach, Justus, leading a Rebel cavalry charge, attacks

Ralston's position, wounding him and disarming him of Stonewall's pistol. Justus

attempts to strangle Ralston, but Alan, in a surprising display of bravery, leads a

bayonet charge, his high-pitched scream disorienting the Rebels and forcing them to

withdraw. Alan rescues Antoine and Pvt. Anthony from the rubble. Ralston, recognizing

Alan's heroism, promotes him to Corporal. Doc McCloy treats Ralston's wound, while

Ralston devises a plan to corner Justus in the mine. Alan reveals he sabotaged Justus's

escape route by removing a guide string.

Inside the mine, Alan uses improvised explosives to disorient Justus, forcing him to

abandon Mr. Stone's M1911 (which Alan retrieves). Medic Ruffort is revealed to be

alive. Goodman receives orders to destroy the time portal, as the entire Confederate

Army is moving to seize it. The pursuit continues, with Alan's explosives driving Justus

further into the mine. Antoine shoots Justus in the hand when he attempts to use a

knife. Antoine then drags the wounded Ralston towards the cave exit and modern times.

Back in the present, Antoine pulls Ralston from the cave. Another explosion from Alan's

charges sends Justus out, wounded by Ralston's last shot. Medics tend to both men.

Ruffort recognizes Justus as his attacker. Police sirens approach. Ruffort informs

Antoine that Ralston is gravely wounded, and Goodman relays the order to destroy the

time portal. Ralston and Goodman share a tearful farewell, with Ralston promoting

Goodman to Lieutenant. Goodman orders Alan back into the cave to set the charges.

As police arrive, two men in black suits, "B-Man" and "G-Man," assert authority, taking

Stonewall's pistol for "national security." Alan, feigning innocence about the blast,

accidentally wets himself when confronted by the police. Paramedics take Ralston to

the hospital, with Antoine claiming him as his brother. Justus, handcuffed, is also taken

to the hospital. Alan retrieves his half-dollar and a golden locket from Justus's pocket.

Officer Nick commends Alan and Antoine's bravery, offering them positions in the police

department in the future. Alan realizes Mr. Stone is not dead and walks home cheerfully.

Closing Montages and Easter Eggs:

● Hospital: Ralston is treated. Justus escapes the hospital by incapacitating an

intern, stealing his clothes, and driving off in an ambulance.

● Classroom: Alan presents his report to Mrs. Axelrod, watched proudly by

Antoine, Mr. Stone, Ralston (in a wheelchair), and police officers. Alan

showcases Civil War artifacts. The golden locket reveals a picture of Alan's

mother's 1863 doppelganger. Outside, Justus, now a school maintenance man,

glares at Alan.

Optional Easter Egg: Foreshadow of a Sequel

● Museum: B-Man delivers Stonewall's pistol to a "Curator" in a secret museum

laboratory. The Curator, after verifying its authenticity, reveals the pistol will aid a

"new Confederation." He then takes the pistol to a "Restorative Laboratory"

where General Stonewall Jackson lies in a hospital bed, his severed arm

reattached. The Curator gives the pistol to Jackson, hinting at his imminent

recovery and a grand plan.