## Voice Sheet: The Language Barrier **Setting:** *The Cozy Apple Café, Alborn, MN. A quaint establishment with checkered curtains and the smell of cinnamon and fresh coffee. Isabella sits alone at a corner table, her camera cradled in her hands, reviewing photographs.* --- Hunter: "Excuse me, miss. Detective Hunter Moore. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind." Isabella: *She looks up from her camera* "Oh... buongiorno." *She gestures to the seat across from her* Hunter: *He pulls out a chair and sits* "I'm investigating the disappearance of Michael Hadley. He was last seen near Miller's Orchard, two nights ago. I noticed you've been taking photographs around town. Did you see anything unusual that evening?" Isabella: *Her face pales. She clutches her camera tighter* "Io... io ero lì. Ho visto qualcosa. Qualcuno... qualcuno nella nebbia. Ma non riuscivo a vedere chi era. Era così buio, e poi..." *She trails off* Hunter: *He frowns* "I'm sorry, I don't understand. Can you speak English?" Isabella: *She shakes her head, apologetic* "No inglese. Mi dispiace. Io... italiano solo." *She points to herself, then shrugs helplessly* Hunter: *He exhales* "Great. Okay." *He pulls out a notepad and points to the camera* "Photographs. That night. Miller's Orchard." *He gestures walking with his fingers* "Did you see anything?" Isabella: *She understands 'photographs' and nods slowly, scrolling through images* "Sì, sì. Foto." *She finds one and shows him* Hunter: *He leans in* "Can I see that?" Isabella: *She holds her camera so he can see the screen, showing a figure in the fog near the orchard entrance* "Ecco. Guardi. Un uomo, credo. Ma non so chi." Hunter: *He studies the image* "This could be useful. Can you—" Isabella: *She interrupts, her hands trembling* "Avevo paura. Sono scappata. Mi dispiace tanto, signore. Non volevo... non volevo vedere niente." Hunter: *He watches her distressed state* "Hey, it's okay. You're okay." *He raises his hands, palms out* "It's alright." Isabella: *She wipes at her eyes* "Non capisco niente. Voglio solo tornare a casa." Hunter: *He chuckles* "I have no idea what you're saying, but you look like you could use some tea." *He signals to the waitress* "Another... whatever she's having." Isabella: *A small, grateful smile* "Grazie. Lei è... gentile." Hunter: *He shrugs* "Yeah, don't mention it." *Hunter's phone rings. He glances at the caller ID.* Hunter: "I have to take this." *He stands* "Stay here. I might have more questions." *He points to the table, then to his eyes, then to her* Isabella: *She nods* "Sì. Aspetto qui." Hunter: *He answers the call as he walks toward the door* "Moore. What have you got?" *The café door swings shut behind him, leaving Isabella alone with her photographs and the lingering scent of apples.*