## Scene: Cozy Cafe, Alborn, MN **INT. CAFE - DAY** Sunlight streams through the windows of the cozy cafe, illuminating the worn wooden tables and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. MELANIE (30s), with a camera slung around her neck, sits at a corner table, carefully examining photos on her camera screen. She frowns, seemingly troubled. HUNTER (35), a rugged, former marine with a stoic expression, approaches her table. He’s clad in a well-worn leather jacket and jeans, a badge clipped to his belt. **HUNTER** (in a gruff voice) Excuse me, ma’am. Do you speak English? Melanie looks up, startled. Her bright blue eyes widen. She shakes her head, a flicker of fear crossing her face. **MELANIE** (in German) Nein. Ich spreche kein Englisch. **HUNTER** (confused) (gesturing to the photos on her camera) That’s alright. Just wondering if you saw anything interesting around town yesterday. I’m looking into a few… disappearances. Melanie's eyes widen further. She closes her camera, the fear in her eyes growing. **MELANIE** (in German, voice trembling) Ich... ich habe etwas gesehen. Ein Mann... ein strange Mann, mit einer roten Mütze. Er war in der Nähe des Apfelgartens. Hunter stares at her, completely lost. **HUNTER** (confused) What? You’re… talking about the apple orchard? Did you see anything else? Did anything happen? **MELANIE** (in German) Er hat geschaut... er hat mir Angst gemacht. Ich bin weg gelaufen. Ich… ich habe mich versteckt. **HUNTER** (exasperated) Hey, come on. I need to understand what you’re saying. Do you know anyone who speaks English? A phone rings, cutting through the tension of the scene. Hunter pulls it out of his pocket and answers it. **HUNTER** (into the phone) Yeah, I’m here now. Just… yeah, alright. I’ll be right there. Hunter looks back at Melanie, who is staring at him with wide, frightened eyes. **HUNTER** (to Melanie, gesturing to his phone) I have to go. Maybe you can find someone who speaks German here? And… I really appreciate you talking to me. Hunter finishes his call and rushes out of the cafe, leaving Melanie alone with her unsettling encounter. The cafe itself feels suddenly cold, empty, and unnerving.