## Scene: Cafe Encounter **Setting:** A cozy cafe in Alborn, MN, filled with the aroma of freshly baked apple pie. **(Isabella is seated near the window, intently reviewing photos on her camera. Hunter approaches, his brow furrowed with concern.)** **Hunter:** (Clears his throat) Excuse me, ma'am. I hope I'm not disturbing you. **(Isabella looks up, startled, her eyes wide and questioning. She offers a small, hesitant smile.)** **Isabella:** (In Italian) Buongiorno. Posso aiutarla? (Good morning. Can I help you?) **(Hunter frowns slightly, taken aback by the unfamiliar language. He pulls out a notepad and shows a photo of a missing person to Isabella.)** **Hunter:** Ma'am, have you seen this woman? We're looking for any information about her disappearance. **(Isabella’s eyes widen as she recognizes the woman in the photo. Her hand flies to her mouth, and she shakes her head, fear evident in her eyes.)** **Isabella:** (Rapidly, in Italian) Si, si, la conosco! Era qui, al festival delle mele, pochi giorni fa! Ma poi… poi è scomparsa. Non la vedo da allora. (Yes, yes, I know her! She was here, at the apple festival, a few days ago! But then... then she disappeared. I haven't seen her since.) **(Hunter stares blankly at Isabella, completely lost in the torrent of Italian. He runs a frustrated hand through his hair.)** **Hunter:** Ma'am, I... I don't understand. Do you speak English? **(Isabella bites her lip, shaking her head. She mimes writing on her hand and then points to Hunter’s notepad.)** **Isabella:** (Slowly, enunciating) Scrivere… scrivere? (Write… write?) **(Hunter nods, relieved that they've found a way to communicate. He pushes the notepad and pen towards Isabella.)** **Hunter:** Yes, write it down. Please, tell me everything you know. **(Before Isabella can write anything, Hunter’s phone rings. He checks the caller ID and sighs – it’s work.)** **Hunter:** (To Isabella) I… I have to take this. But we are not done here. **(He answers the call, pacing away from the table, leaving Isabella staring after him, a mixture of fear and confusion swirling in her eyes.)** **(End Scene)**