# Scene: A Cozy Mystery in Alborn, MN --- **Marie**: (sitting alone at an outdoor café table, her DSLR camera resting on the table in front of her, she flips through the photos she took earlier, a concerned expression on her face) **Hunter**: (walking up to Marie, his detective's eyes narrowing as he approaches the young woman) Excuse me, mademoiselle. I couldn't help but notice your reaction when looking at those photos. Is something bothering you? (his voice is deep and authoritative, reflecting his marine background) **Marie**: (startled, she looks up at Hunter, and speaks in French, her voice shaking) Je... je ne comprends pas. Que se passe-t-il dans cette ville ? Il y a quelque chose d'étrange. (Translation: I... I don't understand. What's happening in this town? There's something eerie going on.) **Hunter**: (his face falls as he realizes she's speaking French, a language he doesn't know) Oh... um, I... (He trails off, feeling at a loss for words, then points to himself and shrugs, indicating he doesn't understand.) **Marie**: (noticing his confusion, she tries again, slowly and articulating each word) Un mystérieux... dis-parition... ici. (She points to her camera, indicating something about the photos.) **Hunter**: (understanding the word 'disappearance', his detective instincts kick in) Are you talking about the recent disappearances around town? Someone has gone missing again? (He leans in, his voice softening a bit as he tries to communicate.) **Marie**: (nodding fervently) Oui, oui! J'ai vu quelque chose. Ces photos... je les ai prises hier. (She scrolls to a particular image and shows him a photo of the town's park, then switches to show multiple similar photos.) **Hunter**: (studying the photos, he notices a subtle difference in each one) These are the same spot but at different times. What did you see? **Marie**: (she points to a vague figure in the background of the first photo) Là-bas. Une personne s'est envolée. Juste... disparu. (Her eyes fill with tears, and she whispers:) Je n'ai pas pu aider. **Hunter**: (his face pales, and he glances around the café, then leans in closer, his voice hushed) Tell me, when did this happen? Was there any sign of a struggle? **Marie** (continues to explain what she witnessed through her camera, her voice shaky but determined, as Hunter listens intently, taking mental notes.) --- (Hunter's phone interrupts their conversation, and he steps away to answer it.) **Hunter**: (into the phone) Detective Hunter here. ... I see. I'll be right there. (He turns back to Marie, his expression apologetic.) I have to take this call, but we'll continue this soon. (He gestures for her to stay put.) **Marie**: (her eyes question him, but she manages a small nod.) --- **Marie**: ... **Hunter**: ... (He walks swiftly away to address the new development in his investigation.)