## Scene: The Corner Cafe, Alborn **(Marie sits at a small table near the window. She's flipping through photos on her camera while sipping coffee.)** **Hunter:** Excuse me? *(approaches Marie cautiously)* Is this seat taken...? * (He looks around and gestures to see if she minds him sitting down) (**After he is given permission, Hunter sits at the table. He pulls out a crumpled notepad from his pocket). Marie: *Non,* non.* **(She smiles faintly before resuming her photo review)** **Hunter:** So... I'm Detective Walker with Alborn PD ... You wouldn’t happen to have seen anything unusual around town lately, would you? **(He gestures vaguely toward the notepad in his hand). Marie: *(Startled by Hunter*s question)* **"Non… Non! Je ne comprends pas... Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire?"** (She looks up at him with wide eyes. Her voice is shaky and she clutches her coffee cup tightly.) Hunter:** *(Furrows his brow, confused) * Um…. (He clears throat). I’m asking if you saw anything… odd? Like... missing people or weird stuff going on in the streets...? **(Marie looks at Hunter with a mixture of fear and bewilderment. She opens her mouth to speak but then hesitates.) **Hunter:** *(Chuckling nervously) * Look, I don’t know if you understand what… oh shoot! * (He pulls out his phone and answers it in one quick motion). "Walker here... yeah?" **(Marie stares at him with a look of deep concern. She looks down to her camera before glancing back up again.) **Hunter:** *(murmuring into the earpiece)* "No, no leads yet… just talking to some folks downtown..." * (He turns his attention briefly towards Marie). “Sorry about this,” he says softly and gestures apologetically at his phone. **(Marie remains silent but her gaze is unwavering.) **Hunter:** *(back on the call) * "Right, be there in a few…" ( He hangs up with an irritated sigh ) **“Listen," Hunter begins again turning towards Marie.*"Sorry about that... I really appreciate your time." **(He stands to leave and gestures at her politely).**