## Scene: Cafe Confusion **Setting:** A quaint cafe in Alborn, MN, filled with the smell of freshly baked apple pie. **[SCENE START]** **Isabella** sits at a table by the window, her brow furrowed as she scrolls through photos on her camera. She is stylishly dressed, a stark contrast to the more practical attire of the locals. A shadow falls across her table. She looks up to see **Hunter**, a tall, imposing figure in a worn leather jacket, his expression serious. **Hunter:** (Loud, clear voice) Excuse me, ma'am. Mind if I ask you a few questions? Isabella blinks, her confusion evident. **Isabella:** (In Italian, voice soft and melodic) Mi scusi? Non capisco. (Excuse me? I don't understand.) Hunter frowns, leaning closer as if that will help him decipher her words. **Hunter:** You new in town? I haven't seen you around Alborn before. He gestures vaguely towards the street outside. Isabella hesitates, then points to herself and then at her camera, a hopeful smile forming. **Isabella:** (In Italian) Fotografia. Bellissimo. Alborn. (Photography. Beautiful. Alborn.) **Hunter:** Right. Photography. Look, I'm investigating something. You wouldn't happen to have seen anything… strange lately, would you? Around the time of the apple festival? He pulls out a notepad and pen, ready to jot down anything useful. Isabella's eyes widen, her smile vanishing. She clutches her camera tightly. **Isabella:** (In Italian, voice shaking slightly) Festa della mela… gente… sparita. (Apple festival… people… gone.) She shakes her head, her expression a mixture of fear and sadness. Hunter stares blankly, utterly lost. **Hunter:** Look, I don't speak… whatever it is you're speaking. English? Español? You understand? He points to himself, then stumbles through a butchered "Hola," hoping for some recognition. Isabella's shoulders slump. She shakes her head again, defeated. **Isabella:** (In Italian, a whisper) Non capisco… (I don't understand…) Suddenly, Hunter's phone rings. He glances at the caller ID and sighs heavily. **Hunter:** Duty calls. Look, I gotta go. You try and find someone who speaks… Italian? You speak Italian, right? He shrugs, frustration etched on his face. He gives her a quick nod and turns to leave, then pauses and points at her. **Hunter:** Don’t you go disappearing on me, alright? He hurries out of the cafe, leaving Isabella alone with her camera and a growing sense of unease. **[SCENE END]**