**Voice Sheet: Café Scene – Marie & Hunter** *(Setting: A cozy, slightly outdated café in Alborn, MN. The scent of fresh coffee and cinnamon lingers in the air. Marie sits at a small corner table, her fingers tracing the edges of her camera, lost in thought. The lens cap is off, but the camera lies idle in her hands. Hunter, in his usual no-nonsense attire—a worn leather jacket over a button-down shirt—steps inside, scanning the room before his gaze lands on Marie. He approaches, pulling out the chair across from her without waiting for an invitation.)* --- ### **Scene Dialogue** **HUNTER** *(direct, no preamble)* You were at the apple festival last night, right? The one by the old mill? *(Marie looks up, startled. Her fingers tighten around her camera. She blinks rapidly, her dark eyes wide with something Hunter can’t quite place—fear? Guilt? He doesn’t know, but it sets his instincts on edge.)* **MARIE** *(shaken, rapid French, hands trembling slightly)* Je… je ne comprends pas. Pourquoi vous me demandez ça? *(I… I don’t understand. Why are you asking me this?)* *(She glances toward the door, as if considering fleeing, but stays rooted in her seat.)* **HUNTER** *(frowning, leaning forward slightly)* Look, I don’t speak French. But I *do* know you were there. You had that camera—*(he nods at the device in her hands)*—snapping pictures near the mill around 9 PM. And then you bolted like you’d seen a ghost. *(Marie’s breath hitches. She shakes her head, her voice dropping to a whisper.)* **MARIE** *(French, urgent, pleading)* Non, non, ce n’est pas ce que vous croyez… *(No, no, it’s not what you think…)* *(She swallows hard, her knuckles white around the camera strap. Hunter exhales sharply, rubbing his temple.)* **HUNTER** *(frustrated, but trying to keep his voice steady)* Kid, I don’t *know* what I think because you’re not giving me anything. Three people have vanished in this town in the last month, all last seen near that mill. And you? You’re the only one who’s been *there* every damn time. *(Marie’s eyes well up. She presses a hand to her mouth, as if holding back a sob. Hunter watches her, his expression unreadable, but his posture shifts—less accusatory, more… concerned?)* **MARIE** *(French, voice breaking)* Je n’ai rien fait… *(I didn’t do anything…)* *(She reaches into her bag with shaking hands and pulls out a small, crumpled photo. She slides it across the table toward Hunter. It’s a blurry image of the mill at night, the trees casting long shadows. But in the corner, half-hidden in the darkness, is a figure—tall, cloaked, standing unnaturally still.)* **HUNTER** *(staring at the photo, then back at her)* What the hell *is* this? **MARIE** *(French, whispering)* Je ne sais pas… mais je l’ai vu. Trois fois. *(I don’t know… but I’ve seen it. Three times.)* *(Hunter’s phone rings abruptly. He curses under his breath, pulling it out. The screen flashes: **"SHERIFF – URGENT."** He hesitates, then answers, never taking his eyes off Marie.)* **HUNTER** *(into phone, clipped)* Yeah. What’ve you got? *(Pause. His expression darkens.)* Son of a—Alright, I’m on my way. *(He hangs up, shoving the phone back into his pocket. Marie watches him, her body tense.)* **HUNTER** *(to Marie, gruff but not unkind)* Don’t leave town. And *don’t* go near that mill again. *(Marie nods jerkily, clutching her camera to her chest like a shield. Hunter stands, hesitates for half a second, then tosses a business card onto the table. It lands beside the photo.)* **HUNTER** If you remember anything else—*anything*—call me. Day or night. *(He turns and strides out of the café, the bell above the door jingling in his wake. Marie stares at the card, then at the photo, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Outside, the wind howls, rattling the café windows like a warning.)* --- **End Scene.** --- **Notes for Voice Acting:** - **Marie:** Soft, melodic French with a trembling undertone. Her voice should convey fear, urgency, and a hint of desperation. Pauses should feel natural, as if she’s searching for the right words—or debating whether to say them at all. - **Hunter:** Gruff, no-nonsense, with a slight rasp (a holdover from his military days). His tone shifts from accusatory to reluctantly concerned as the scene progresses. The call at the end should sound abrupt, pulling him away before he’s ready. - **Atmosphere:** The café should feel warm but tense, the weight of unsaid things hanging in the air. The wind outside adds an eerie layer—hinting that whatever Marie saw, it’s not over.