## Scene: Alborn Cafe **[FADE IN]** Maria sits at a small table by the window of a cozy cafe in Alborn. The air smells of coffee and cinnamon. Sunlight streams through the glass, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Maria absentmindedly flips through the images on her camera screen, her brow furrowed with concern. The door opens with a jingle, and Hunter enters. He scans the room with a practiced eye, his gaze momentarily stopping on the young woman with the camera. He approaches her table, a notepad tucked under his arm. **Hunter:** Ma'am, do you mind if I ask you a few questions? Maria looks up, startled. **Maria:** (Speaking quickly in Spanish, her eyes wide with worry) ¡Lo siento, no hablo inglés! Hunter stares blankly at her. **Hunter:** Uh… ma'am, I need to ask about… about the… He trails off, fumbling for the right words. He gestures vaguely around the room. **Hunter:** …the disappearances. Maria's face pales. **Maria:** (Shaking her head, her voice filled with a quiet terror) ¡Es terrible! No entiendo cómo pudo pasar. Hunter sighs, frustrated. He pulls a small notebook from his pocket and flips through it, searching for something, anything, that could help. **Hunter:** (Pointing to the image on her camera screen) You take photos? Maybe you saw something? **Maria:** (pointing to herself) Yo… Maria. **Hunter:** Maria. Okay, Maria. She points to her camera again, then to the picture and shakes her head. **Maria:** (Whispering in Spanish) No quiero hablar de eso. Hunter nods, sensing her distress. He wants to press her further but something in her demeanor makes him hesitate. His phone begins to buzz in his pocket. **Hunter:** (Pulling out his phone) Sorry, I gotta take this. He speaks briefly into the phone, his expression hardening. **Hunter:** (Hanging up) Looks like I gotta go. He turns back to Maria, offering a reassuring smile. **Hunter:** Thanks for your time, Maria. He hesitates for a moment before adding awkwardly, **Hunter:** ¡Adios! Maria gives him a tight, frightened smile. **Maria:** (Nodding slowly) Adiós. Hunter exits the cafe, leaving Maria in a pool of afternoon sun and a storm of unspoken fear. *** **Dialogue:** **Maria:** * ¡Lo siento, no hablo inglés! * ¡Es terrible! No entiendo cómo pudo pasar. * No quiero hablar de eso. * Yo… Maria. * (pointing to camera then to the picture and shaking head) **Hunter:** * Ma'am, do you mind if I ask you a few questions? * I need to ask about… about the… …the disappearances. * (Pointing to the image on her camera screen) You take photos? Maybe you saw something? * Maria. Okay, Maria. * Sorry, I gotta take this. * Thanks for your time, Maria. * ¡Adios!