# Voice Sheet — Cafe Encounter **Scene:** Melanie sits alone at a corner table in the small town cafe, her camera cradled in her hands. She stares at the screen, her face pale. Hunter approaches, his badge clipped to his belt. --- Melanie: *murmuring to herself in German* "Das kann nicht wahr sein... das Gesicht... ich habe es gesehen..." Hunter: "Excuse me, ma'am. Detective Hunter, Alborn PD. Mind if I ask you a few questions?" Melanie: *looks up, startled* "Was? Ich... ich verstehe nicht." Hunter: *pauses, brow furrowing* "I'm investigating the disappearances. Three people gone in two weeks. I heard you were at the orchard yesterday afternoon." Melanie: *voice trembling* "Ich... ich war dort. Fotos machen. Aber dann..." *she gestures shakily to her camera* "Ich habe etwas gesehen. Etwas Schreckliches." Hunter: *frustrated, rubbing his jaw* "I don't— look, do you speak any English? At all?" Melanie: *shaking her head, eyes watering* "Nein. Es tut mir leid. Ich verstehe wirklich nichts." Hunter: *sighs heavily* "Alright. Okay." *pulls out a notepad, sketches a rough stick figure walking away* "Did you see... someone leave? Walking away?" Melanie: *stares at the drawing, then shakes her head vigorously* "Nein. Nicht gehen." *she points urgently at her camera, then at her own eyes, then makes a gesture of someone being grabbed* "Gepackt. Verschleppt." Hunter: *watches her gestures intently* "Grabbed? Someone was... taken?" Melanie: *desperate, nodding frantically* "Ja! Ja! Taken! Man in... in schwarz. Black coat. Black..." *she gestures to her head, struggling* "Hut? Hat?" Hunter: "A hat. Black coat, black hat." *writes rapidly in his notepad* "Did you get a photo? Of him?" Melanie: *hesitates, then turns her camera toward him, scrolling through shots. She stops on a blurred image of a dark figure near the orchard treeline. Her hands tremble* "Hier. Das ist er. Aber..." *touches her temple* "Er hat mich gesehen. Er wusste, dass ich hier bin." Hunter: *studies the photo, jaw tightening* "This could be useful. You're saying he saw you? He knows you were there?" Melanie: *wrapping her arms around herself* "Ja. Er... er hat gelächelt. Ein kaltes Lächeln." *she shudders* "Ich habe Angst." Hunter: *his phone rings sharply. He holds up a finger, answering* "Hunter." *pause, his expression darkens* "When? ... I'll be there in ten." *hangs up* Hunter: "Ma'am, I have to go. Don't leave town. Stay somewhere public, you understand? Public." *gestures around the cafe* "Hier bleiben." Melanie: *nervous but nodding* "Ich verstehe. Public. Ja." Hunter: *grabbing his coat* "I'll find someone who speaks German. We'll talk properly. Stay safe." *Hunter exits quickly, leaving Melanie alone with her camera, her face still pale.* --- **End of Voice Sheet**