Run: 2026-02-16-01KHM5RPTD1ZKH7JXJ6WK0FB2H

**Voice Sheet - Cafe Scene** **Setting:** A small, cozy cafe in Alborn, MN. The scent of fresh coffee and baked goods hangs in the air. SELVI (30, Indian, dressed in casual student clothes) sits at a corner table, her untouched mug cooling as she intently reviews photos on her digital camera’s screen. Her expression is focused, but there’s a faint unease in her posture. DETECTIVE HUNTER (35, fit, with a worn leather jacket and a serious demeanor) enters, scans the room, and approaches her table. **(SOUND: Soft clatter of dishes, murmur of other cafe patrons, gentle indie music from overhead speakers)** **HUNTER:** (Approaching the table, his tone polite but direct) Excuse me. Selvi, right? I’m Detective Hunter. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions. **(SELVI looks up, startled. She lowers her camera, her brow furrowing with immediate concern.)** **SELVI:** (In Hindi, her voice quiet and anxious) हाँ, मैं सेल्वी हूँ। क्या बात है? कुछ गलत तो नहीं हुआ? *(Translation: Yes, I am Selvi. What is it? Nothing wrong has happened, has it?)* **HUNTER:** (His expression shifts from professional inquiry to pure confusion. He tilts his head slightly, trying to parse the unfamiliar language.) I’m sorry… Do you speak English? It’s about last night. The town meeting at the community center. You were there taking pictures, right? **(SELVI’s eyes widen. She shakes her head, not in denial of being there, but in a lack of understanding. She gestures helplessly with her hands, then speaks again, her words coming faster, more distressed.)** **SELVI:** (In Hindi, her tone growing more troubled) मैं नहीं समझती। अंग्रेजी नहीं आती। कल रात… वह बहुत अजीब था। वह आदमी… वह चला गया, और फिर वह शोर… *(Translation: I don’t understand. I don’t know English. Last night… it was very strange. That man… he left, and then that noise…)* **HUNTER:** (He holds up a placating hand, his frustration evident but controlled. He speaks slowly, as if volume will bridge the language gap.) The man. A man left? During the meeting? Can you… show me? On your camera? **(He points to her camera, then mimics taking a picture. SELVI seems to grasp his meaning. She nods vigorously, her hands trembling slightly as she turns the camera around to show him the viewfinder. She scrolls through a series of vibrant landscape shots before stopping on a photo of the crowded community hall.)** **SELVI:** (In Hindi, pointing a shaky finger at the edge of the photo) वहाँ। देखो। वह दरवाज़े की तरफ जा रहा था। और फिर… मेरा कैमरा बंद हो गया। बैटरी ठीक थी, लेकिन यह बस… बंद हो गया। *(Translation: There. Look. He was going toward the door. And then… my camera turned off. The battery was fine, but it just… turned off.)* **HUNTER:** (He leans in, squinting at the small screen. He points to the blurred figure at the door, then back to Selvi, his gaze intense.) This man? You saw him leave. And then what? What happened after the camera shut off? **(Before SELVI can attempt another pantomime or fragmented explanation, a sharp, insistent BUZZING cuts through the cafe murmur. It’s Hunter’s cell phone in his pocket. He straightens up, his jaw tightening.)** **(SOUND: Harsh cell phone vibration on fabric.)** **HUNTER:** (Apologetic but urgent) I’m sorry. I have to take this. Stay here. Please. Don’t… go anywhere. I’ll be right back. **(He gives her a final, firm look, then turns away, pulling the phone from his pocket as he strides toward the cafe door.)** **HUNTER:** (Into phone, voice fading as he exits) Hunter. Talk to me. **(SELVI watches him go, then slumps back in her chair. She pulls the camera close to her chest, staring at the now-dark screen with a deeply shaken expression. She whispers to herself, barely audible.)** **SELVI:** (In a haunted whisper, in Hindi) वह शोर… ऐसा लगा जैसे कोई चिल्ला रहा हो, लेकिन बहुत दूर से। *(Translation: That noise… it sounded like someone screaming, but from very far away.)* **(SOUND: Cafe ambiance continues, now feeling emptier and more tense.)** **[END SCENE]**