## Scene: The Cozy Corner Cafe, Alborn MN. **(Marie sits at a table by the window bathed in warm afternoon sunlight streaming through stained glass panels depicting apples and leaves.) She flips open her camera case carefully examining photos on its LCD screen with furrowed brows.** **Hunter strides into cafe looking around until he spots Marie's profile visible over stacks of cookbooks left beside an empty chair. He approaches cautiously, a slight frown marring his weathered face as usual." ** **(Marie looks up startled and closes her camera.) ## Dialogue: *** marie *** : (Stuttering slightly) *Oh! Pardonnez-moi... Je ne vous avais pas vu.* (Sorry… I hadn’ t seen you). *(*She nervously adjusts the strap of a small backpack hanging across one shoulder*) **. **Hunter:** "Afternoon, ma'am." *** marie *** : (Smiling tentatively) *Bonjour*. **(Marie tries to offer Hunter her usual friendly greeting but then hesitates.) )**You’re not from around here are you? You look… different.** (She gestures vaguely at his Marine Corps ball cap). **Hunter:** "No ma'am, I work up north. Name is Detective Carter.” (He pulls a worn notepad and pen out of the pocket on he jacket) *** marie *** : *Marie.* **(Pause)** *(Eyes darting around nervously)* *Vous avez entendu parler… de la disparition ? De Monsieur Dubois?* (Have you heard about...the disappearance? Of Mr. Dubios?) **Hunter:** "Dubois, yeah," Hunter nods grimly pulling a chair up to her table *What do ya know 'bout it?" *** marie *** : *(Her voice dropping an octave)* *C’était un homme gentil….* (He was such nice man…) *(She trails off then looks down at the tablecloth. Her fingers twist nervously) **Hunter:** “You knew him?” **(Marie nods silently, eyes welling up with tears.) *** marie *** : *Il aimait les photos...* ( He loved pictures...) ** Hunter: "Pictures? Like what kinda pics?" (He leans in a little closer)** *(His phone buzzes loudly. ) **Hunter:** "Sorry about that." **(Marie stares at him with wide, frightened eyes.) *** marie *** : *(Whispering) *Quel est... ce bruit?* (What is…that sound?) ** Hunter: "Just my work," (He checks his phone again). “Gotta run. I'll be back.” **Hunter rises and walks quickly towards the door, leaving Marie sitting alone in her sunlit haven.** **(Marie’s hands tremble as she clutches a photo of an apple orchard to chest.)