## Scene: Cafe Confusion **Setting:** A quaint cafe in Alborn, MN, bustling with the morning rush. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. **(MARIE sits by the window, her camera resting on the table beside a half-eaten croissant. She flips through photos on the digital screen, her brow furrowed with worry.)** **(HUNTER, a imposing figure in a well-worn leather jacket, enters the cafe and spots Marie. He approaches her table, flashing a badge.)** **HUNTER:** Excuse me, Ma'am. Detective Hunter, Alborn PD. Mind if I ask you a few questions? **(Marie looks up, startled. She stares at Hunter, her eyes wide with confusion.)** **MARIE:** (In rapid, worried French) Je... Je ne comprends pas. Vous êtes...? **(Hunter frowns, completely lost in the flurry of French.)** **HUNTER:** Uh... English? Speak English? **(Marie shakes her head frantically, her fingers twisting in her lap.)** **MARIE:** Non, non anglais. Français. Je suis française. (She gestures to herself, then points at the camera.) Photos... Alborn... festival... **(Hunter catches the word "festival" and nods encouragingly, though he's still none the wiser.)** **HUNTER:** Right, the Apple Festival. You take pictures? You see anything... unusual? **(He pulls out a photo of a missing local from his pocket and shows it to Marie.)** **(Marie gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. She points at the picture, then back at her camera, her words tumbling out in a rush of French.)** **MARIE:** Oui! Cet homme! Je l'ai vu! Près du lac! Il était... **(She struggles to find the words, fear etched on her face) ...Il était effrayé. **(Hunter leans in, trying to decipher her meaning. The frustration is evident on his face.)** **HUNTER:** Look, I need you to slow down. Do you recognize him? This man, did something happen to him? **(Before Marie can answer, Hunter's phone RINGS loudly. He glances at the caller ID and sighs.)** **HUNTER:** Duty calls. Look, it's important you come down to the station. We need to, uh... **(He gestures vaguely, hoping she understands the gist of it.) ...Talk. Pictures. You understand? **(Marie hesitates, then nods slowly, fear giving way to a flicker of determination. She gathers her camera, her eyes never leaving Hunter's.)** **MARIE:** Oui... d'accord. Je vais venir. **(Hunter nods curtly and heads out of the cafe, already talking on the phone, leaving Marie to follow, her mind racing with unanswered questions.)**