**VOICE SHEET** **SCENE START** **HUNTER** (Clearing his throat, commanding but low) Excuse me. Ma’am? You’re the photography student, right? The one renting the Miller place? **SELVI** (Startled, clutching her camera strap tightly) *...Ji?* (Yes?) **HUNTER** I’m Detective Hunter. Alborn Police. (He flashes his badge quickly, then sits opposite her without waiting for an invitation) I need to ask you about last Tuesday. The night of the Apple Festival kickoff. A witness placed you near the edge of the Birchwood Reserve around dusk. **SELVI** (Her eyes widen, scanning his face, looking specifically at his mouth as if trying to read lips) *Main... mujhe angrezi nahi aati. Maaf kijiye.* (I... I don't know English. I'm sorry.) **HUNTER** (He leans in, frowning) English, ma'am. The Reserve. The woods. Did you see a girl walking near the treeline? Red coat. About this tall. **SELVI** (Her breathing hitches. She looks down at the camera in her hands, her fingers trembling over the lens cap) *Woh... woh wahan tha. Maine use dekha tha.* (He... he was there. I saw him.) **HUNTER** Look, I'm not here to hassle you about a permit. I just need to know what you saw. Was there anyone else out there? **SELVI** (Voice rising in panic, tears welling in her eyes) *Jangal mein... woh aadmi. Uske paas kuch tha. Maine photo li hai! Dekhiye na!* (In the forest... that man. He had something. I took a photo! Please look!) **HUNTER** (Rubbing his temples, agitated) I don’t understand. I don’t speak... whatever language that is. Can you just give me a yes or a no? *Head nod*. *Head shake*. Did you see the girl? **SELVI** (She pushes the camera toward him across the table, her hands shaking violently) *Khatra hai. Sabko khatra hai. Aap samajh kyun nahi rahe?!* (There is danger. Everyone is in danger. Why aren't you understanding?!) **HUNTER** (He stares at the camera, then back at her terrified face, confused by her intensity) You’re shaking. Are you in trouble? Is someone bothering you? (He sighs, attempting to enunciate clearly) Slow. Down. **SELVI** (Whispering now, gripping the table edge) *Woh wapas aayega. Pura sheher... andhere mein hai.* (He will come back. The whole city... is in the dark.) **HUNTER** (He opens his mouth to try again, but his phone rings sharply. He groans and pulls it out.) Hunter. (Pause) Yeah. Yeah, I’m at the cafe now. (Pause. He looks at Selvi with a grimace) Another one? By the silo? Alright, on my way. **SELVI** (She reaches a hand out as he stands up) *Suniye?* (Listen?) **HUNTER** (He puts away the phone and tips an imaginary hat, his face hard) I have to go. Don't leave town, miss. We're gonna find a translator and we’re gonna finish this conversation. (He turns and walks away briskly) **SELVI** (To herself, clutching the camera to her chest) *Bhagwan ke liye... meri madad karo.* (For God's sake... help me.) **SCENE END**