Run: 2026-02-16-01KHK20440K9H86JHGT9H7VAZP

**Scene:** The interior of "The Crisp Apple," a cozy cafe in Alborn, MN. Outside, preparations for the annual apple festival are underway, but inside, the atmosphere is tense. Maria sits at a corner table, her fingers trembling slightly as she scrolls through photos on her camera's LCD screen. Detective Hunter approaches, his posture rigid, eyes scanning the room before landing on her. **Voice Sheet** **Hunter:** "Excuse me, miss? I'm Detective Hunter with the Alborn PD. I noticed you were taking photos near the orchard edge this morning, right before young Timothy went missing. Did you happen to capture anything unusual? A vehicle, a person, anything out of place?" **Maria:** "(In rapid, shaken Spanish) ¡Dios mío, no lo entiendo! Solo tomaba fotos de los árboles... pero vi algo terrible. Un hombre, todo de negro, arrastrando algo hacia el bosque. No puedo creerlo, estoy temblando. ¿Por qué me habla? No sé qué dice." **Hunter:** "(Frowning, leaning in slightly) I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. You speak English? It's important. Did you see who took him?" **Maria:** "(Shaking her head vigorously, eyes wide with panic) No, no entiendo nada. Inglés... no. Solo español. Vi al hombre, sí, pero no puedo decírselo. Está muy confundido. Por favor, déjeme en paz, necesito aire." **Hunter:** "(Rubbing the back of his neck, looking frustrated) Okay, okay. Slow down. You saw a man? In black? Near the woods?" *(He mimics dragging something with his hand, then points to his eyes and then to her camera.)* "Camera. Show me. Photo. Man." **Maria:** "(Understanding the gesture, she hesitantly turns the camera screen toward him, her voice barely a whisper in Spanish) Sí, aquí. Mire. Es él. Tiene una máscara. Qué miedo... no debo estar aquí." **Hunter:** "(Squinting at the blurry image on the small screen) That's... that's definitely a figure. And that looks like the edge of the old Miller barn. Good eye, miss. Even if we can't talk, this helps." *(He pulls out a notepad and sketches a quick map, pointing to the barn and then to her, trying to convey 'Stay here' or 'Come with me,' but the language barrier makes it clumsy.)* "You stay. I go... wait. Officer." **Maria:** "(Looking at his gestures, she hugs her camera to her chest, still speaking softly in Spanish) No sé si debo quedarme. Quiero ir a la embajada... o a mi hotel. Esto es demasiado para mí. ¿Quién es ese hombre? ¿Está bien el chico?" **Hunter:** "(His radio crackles loudly on his shoulder, cutting through the awkward silence. He presses the button, his expression shifting from confused to urgent.) "Hunter here. Go ahead... What? You found the truck? Near the county line? Copy that. I'm on my way." *(He looks back at Maria, realizing he has to leave immediately.)* "Listen, I have to go. Emergency. Stay here. Don't move." *(He points firmly at the chair, then taps his radio.)* "I'll be back. With someone who speaks your language. Stay safe." **Maria:** "(Watching him turn to leave, she calls out in Spanish, her voice trembling) ¡Espere! ¿A dónde va? ¡Tenga cuidado! Dios lo bendiga, detective." **Hunter:** "(Pausing for a split second at the door, he gives a curt, respectful nod, though he doesn't understand the words.) "You too, miss. You too." *(He exits quickly, the bell above the door jingling sharply behind him.)*