## Scene: The Cozy Corner Cafe **Setting:** A quaint cafe in Alborn, Minnesota. The aroma of freshly baked goods fills the air. Melanie sits at a table by the window, her camera resting on the table beside her. She's engrossed in reviewing the photos on its screen, a furrow in her brow. Hunter enters the cafe, his boots crunching on the wooden floorboards. He scans the room, his gaze settling on Melanie. He walks towards her table, his expression serious. **Hunter:** Excuse me, ma'am. Melanie looks up, startled. Her eyes widen, and she instinctively clutches her camera closer. **Melanie:** (German) Entschuldigung? **Hunter:** (Confused) Uh… He gestures at her, then at himself. **Hunter:** Detective Hunter. Alborn Police. **Melanie:** (German) Polizei? (German) Was wollen Sie? **Hunter:** (Frowning) I'm sorry, I don't understand. He points at the camera. **Hunter:** You…taking pictures? **Melanie:** (German) Ja, ich fotografiere Landschaft. **Hunter:** Landscapes? He sighs, then gestures again at her, then at the town outside the cafe. **Hunter:** You here for… apple festival? **Melanie:** (German) Ja, aber… (She falls silent, her eyes betraying a flicker of fear) …ich habe…ich habe Angst. **Hunter:** (Concerned) Scared? What's wrong? **Melanie:** (German, shaking her head) Es ist…es ist schwierig zu erklären. **Hunter:** (Frustrated) Look, ma'am, I need your help. There's been some…disappearances. **Melanie:** (German) Verschwindende? (She looks at him, wide-eyed) Wer? **Hunter:** People. Just…gone. He pulls out his phone, a look of urgency on his face. **Hunter:** Excuse me, I have to take this. **Melanie:** (German) Bitte, warten Sie! (Please, wait!) **Hunter:** (Looking at her apologetically) I'm sorry, I… He answers the phone. **Hunter:** Yeah? (Muttering into the phone) …got it. Be there soon…