## Scene: Cozy Cafe in Alborn, MN **(Melanie sits at a table by the window, sunlight streaming in. She's engrossed in her camera, reviewing photos of the town square. Hunter, looking every bit the weary detective, approaches her table cautiously.)** **Hunter:** Excuse me, ma'am. **(Melanie looks up, startled. Her eyes widen slightly, then she closes her camera and sets it down with a sigh. She looks at Hunter, clearly uncomfortable.)** **Melanie:** Ja… **Hunter:** (Smiling politely) I'm Detective Hunter. You wouldn't happen to know anything about, say, the apple festival last weekend, would you? **Melanie:** (Frowning) Ach, nein… Es war… schrecklich. **(Hunter blinks, completely lost. He scratches the back of his head.)** **Hunter:** Uh… I'm sorry, ma'am. I don't speak… **Melanie:** (Voice shaking) Vermisst… verschwunden… so viel… **(She gestures vaguely with her hands, a look of fear in her eyes.)** **Hunter:** (Confused) Missing? disappeared? You saw something? **Melanie:** (Nodding rapidly) Ich… ich habe… **(She trails off, her eyes welling up with tears. Hunter leans in, concerned.)** **Hunter:** It’s okay, ma'am. Just take your time. Can you write something down? I’ve got a notepad here. **Melanie:** (Taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes) Ja, ja… **(She scribbles something on a napkin and hands it to Hunter. He squints at it, squinting.)** **Hunter:** “The blue truck”… Okay, thank you. That’s helpful. **(Hunter looks at his phone, a frown creasing his forehead.)** **Hunter:** Excuse me, ma'am, I gotta take this. **(He answers his phone, muttering under his breath. Melanie watches him, worry etched on her face. Hunter glances back at her apologetically.)** **Hunter:** I'll be back. Just try to stay put, okay? **(He walks away, leaving Melanie alone with her thoughts and her camera.)**