AI **SCENE START**
**INT. ALBORN CAFE - DAY**
**SOUND:** Muted cafe sounds: clinking of mugs, low chatter, distant espresso machine whirring
Hunter: (Approaching the table, his tone is direct but not unkind) Excuse me, miss? I’m Detective Hunter. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about the festival yesterday. A lot of people saw you taking pictures.
Selvi: (Looks up from her camera, her expression immediately becoming alarmed. She speaks rapidly in Hindi, her voice trembling.)
माफ कीजिए, मैं आपकी बात नहीं समझ सकती। क्या हो गया? मैंने कुछ गलत तो नहीं किया? उस जगह पर वह आदमी... वह बहुत डरावना था।
("I'm sorry, I can't understand you. What happened? Did I do something wrong? That man by the... he was so frightening.")
Hunter: (Stares blankly, his professional demeanor faltering for a moment. He holds his hands up in a placating gesture.)
Whoa, okay. Slow down. I don't... I don't speak that. English? Do you speak English?
Selvi: (Shakes her head, her fear mounting. She clutches her camera tighter and points vaguely toward the town square, her words spilling out.)
अंग्रेजी नहीं आती। मेरा कैमरा... मैंने सिर्फ तस्वीरें लीं। लेकिन मैंने देखा... वह लड़की, वह चिल्लाई, और फिर...
("No English. My camera... I just took pictures. But I saw... that girl, she screamed, and then...")
Hunter: (Leans in slightly, trying to read her body language and tone, frustration evident on his face.)
You saw something? A girl? Look, I need to know what you saw. Is there someone who can translate?
**SOUND:** The distinct, loud ringtone of Hunter’s police-issue phone blares.
Hunter: (Holds up a finger to Selvi in a ‘wait’ gesture, though he knows she likely won’t understand. He answers the phone, his voice turning brisk.)
Hunter... What? Now? Alright. On my way. Ten minutes.
**SOUND:** Phone clicks as he ends the call.
Hunter: (Looks back at Selvi, his expression a mix of frustration and regret. He pulls a business card from his pocket and places it on the table, pointing at it and then at her.)
I have to go. That was important. Please. Hold on to this. I will find someone who can talk to you. Don’t... go anywhere.
Hunter gives her one last, lingering look of utter helplessness before turning and striding quickly out of the cafe, leaving a very confused and shaken Selvi staring at his card.
**SCENE END**