Run: 2026-02-08-01KGYY30AAY51QV14T5S1Y2PCC

**Voice Sheet – Café Scene in Alborn, MN** *Setting: A quiet corner of The Harvest Bean, a cozy local café during the annual apple festival. Melanie sits near the window, reviewing photos on her camera. Hunter enters, badge subtly visible, and approaches her with a serious but polite expression.* --- **Hunter:** "Ma’am, mind if I ask you a few questions? I’m with the county sheriff’s office, investigating some recent activity in town. Were you around during the festival setup last night?" *(Melanie looks up, startled. She frowns slightly, registering his words but not understanding. She grips her camera tighter.)* **Melanie:** "Entschuldigen Sie? Ich verstehe kein Englisch..." *(Pause, voice trembling slightly)* "Ich war hier gestern Abend... beim Festplatz. Ich habe Fotos gemacht. Aber dann... dann habe ich etwas gesehen. Irgendetwas stimmte nicht. Ein Mann... er ist einfach verschwunden. Neben dem alten Lagerhaus. Niemand hat ihn gehört. Niemand hat etwas gesagt!" *(She gestures frantically toward the direction of the festival grounds, eyes wide with unease. Hunter stares, brows furrowed, clearly lost. He leans in slightly, trying to interpret her tone.)* **Hunter:** "Whoa, slow down. I— I don’t understand German. Are you saying you saw something? A man? Disappeared?" *(Melanie lets out a frustrated breath, switching back to German, speaking slower but still anxious.)* **Melanie:** "Ich kann nicht... Sie verstehen mich nicht. Aber es ist wichtig. Der Mann... dunkle Kleidung. Kein Gesicht—nein, warten, er hatte keins! Nicht richtig. Wie ein Schatten. Und das Licht… das Licht ist ausgegangen, als er wegging. Und jetzt… ich kann die Fotos nicht mehr finden." *(She presses a few buttons on her camera, showing him the screen—empty. She looks panicked.)* **Hunter:** "No photos? You’re saying they’re gone? And this man... dark clothes, by the old warehouse?" *(He pulls out a small notebook, scribbling notes. He doesn’t quite believe her, but her fear is real.)* **Hunter:** "Okay, okay. I’ll check that area. But I need you to stay here. Don’t wander off, especially after dark. This town’s been... off lately." *(His phone buzzes sharply. He answers with a curt "Yeah?")* **Hunter:** "What? Near the orchard?... Got it. On my way." *(He snaps the phone shut, gives Melanie an apologetic but firm look.)* **Hunter:** "I’ve got to go. Just—stay put. If you remember anything else, go to the sheriff’s office. It’s that red brick building near Main and First. Can you do that?" *(Melanie nods, still shaken. She mutters under her breath as he walks away.)* **Melanie:** "Sie hätten das Foto sehen sollen... es war noch da, vor einer Minute..." *(Fade out as Hunter exits, the café bell tingling behind him.)* --- **End Voice Sheet**