## Scene: The Cozy Corner Cafe, Alborn MN. **SOUND:** Soft jazz music playing in the background and chatter from other patrons of a quaint cafe **(Marie sits at one corner table bathed by sunlight streaming through large windows)** **She’s focused intently on her camera**. (Hunter enters with his usual weary air). <br> <b>HUNTER:</b> Excuse me, miss? I hope I'm not disturbing you. **[He gestures to the empty seat across from Marie]**: Mind if... **(Marie looks up startled) ** *** *marie:* *(Looks around nervously)* Ah! Pardonnez-moi… * (She clutches her camera tighter and avoids Hunter’s gaze.) <br> **HUNTER:** (Baffled by the response, he raises an eyebrow): Uh... sorry? Did you say something...? *** *marie*: *(Voice trembling)* Oui.. oui. Mais je ne parle pas anglais… * (She shakes her head slowly)*. I’m Marie.* <br> **HUNTER:** (Frowning, he leans forward slightly): Right...Marie? Look , sorry to bother you but do yo happen know anything about what happened at the apple festival last night. A woman went missing… *** *marie*: * (Gasps and her eyes widen with panic)* Le Festival des Pommes…? *(She speaks quickly, breathlessly) Je ne sais pas... mais c’était effrayant! Quelque chose terrible s'est passé la nuit dernière.* <br> **HUNTER:** (Completely lost): Uh… I see. Scary? You said scary...? Look lady - *** *marie*: *(Interrupting, voice low and urgent)* C était bizarre... des lumières dans les arbres ... et un bruit étrange.. comme si quelqu’un hurlait … * (She trails off looking over her shoulder). <br> **HUNTER:** (Frustrated): Look…I need to ask some questions. Do you know anyone else who might have seen anything? *** *marie*: *(Shaking head)* Non, non... Je suis nouvelle ici.* **(Her phone buzzes in her bag.) <br> **HUNTER:** (His own pager goes off at the same time). Well… look. If you remember something else - any detail – please come see me down by police station okay? *** *marie*: * (Nods rapidly) Oui, oui... Je vous contacterai.* <br> **HUNTER:** Alright then.. Thanks for your help.... (He turns to leave when Marie calls out): *** **Marie**: *(Her voice soft and urgent)* Soyez prudent…* **(Hunter stops at the door) *** <b>HUNTERS</b>: (Shrugs, still confused but wary)** I will. Thanks again.* (He walks away briskly into Alborn’s busy street.) <br>