# Voice Sheet: Cafe Encounter **SETTING:** *A small cafe in Alborn, MN. Morning light streams through the windows. Maria sits at a corner table, reviewing photos on her camera. Hunter enters, spots her, and approaches with purpose.* --- Maria: *(looking up from her camera)* "Hola..." Hunter: "Morning. Mind if I sit?" *(pulls out chair without waiting for answer)* "I'm Detective Hunter. I'm investigating some incidents around town. You're new here, right? I saw you around with that camera yesterday near Meadowbrook Road." Maria: *(eyes widening, troubled)* "Ah... sí... yes, I... yo estaba... I was taking pictures. Los árboles, the trees, they were..." *(voice trembling)* "Pero hay algo malo aquí. Something is wrong in this place. I feel it." Hunter: *(leaning forward)* "What do you mean something's wrong? Did you see something? An incident?" Maria: *(speaking faster, mixing languages)* "No, no... I didn't see... pero la gente, the people, they disappear. Desaparecen. I heard in the cafe yesterday. Two people... gone. *(clutches camera)* It is strange. Muy extraño." Hunter: *(confused)* "I'm sorry, I don't—what are you saying? Do you speak English?" Maria: *(frustrated, shaking head)* "Un poco... a little only. I am from Spain. Spanish only, mostly." *(wringing hands)* "This town... no es seguro. Is not safe." Hunter: *(sighing, rubbing temples)* "Okay, okay. Can you... do you know anyone who speaks Spanish? A translator?" Maria: "No... I am alone here for the study. The university, they say Alborn is quiet, safe. But..." *(gestures around nervously)* "Esto no es tranquilo. This is not quiet." Hunter: *(studying her face carefully)* "Listen, I need to know exactly what you heard. About the disappearances. Can you write it down? In English? Even simple words?" Maria: *(nodding slowly)* "Sí... yes. I try. But my English is..." *(makes a small, helpless gesture)* "...muy mal. Very bad." Hunter: *(phone buzzes; he checks it, frowns)* "Hold that thought." *His phone rings. He answers.* Hunter: "Yeah? Uh-huh. Where?" *(stands abruptly)* "I'm on my way." Maria: *(alarmed)* "¿Qué pasó? What happened?" Hunter: *(grabbing his jacket)* "I have to go. There's been another one." *(hesitates)* "Look, stay inside. Lock your doors. I'll... I'll find someone to talk to you. Someone bilingual." Maria: *(calling after him, worried)* "¡Espera! Wait! Is dangerous? Soy una turista—I am just a student—" Hunter: *(already heading to the door)* "Just stay safe. And don't go wandering around with that camera alone." *He exits quickly. Maria sits alone, clutching her camera, looking shaken and very far from home.* --- **END SCENE**