Run: 2026-02-19-01KHVPHRRPVYFR523GJWCZ5V8N

**Title: Alborn Disappearances** **Scene: Cafe Patio** **Characters: ISABELLA (30, Italian study abroad student, highly distressed), HUNTER (35, Gruff Midwestern Detective, confused)** **Hunter**: (Approaches with heavy, authoritative footsteps. Clears throat) "Excuse me, miss. Detective Hunter. Alborn Police." (Taps his badge) "Mind if I sit? We’re looking into the disappearances near the apple festival grounds, and folks said they saw you out there with your camera yesterday." **Isabella**: (Startles, clutching her camera to her chest. Breathing heavily) "Mi scusi? Io... io non parlo inglese. Chi è lei? Cosa vuole?" **Hunter**: (Blinking, thoroughly confused) "Right. You’re that new study abroad student. Look, miss, I don't speak... whatever that is. I'm just here about the case. Did you see anything?" **Isabella**: (Shaking her head rapidly, eyes wide and frightened) "Non capisco! La prego, mi lasci in pace. Ho visto qualcosa di terribile nel meleto ieri sera. Ho molta paura." **Hunter**: (Sighs, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration) "Not a single word of English, huh? Okay. Let's try this." (Points directly at the camera in her hands, then gestures to his own eyes) "The camera. Pictures. Did you shoot any pictures of the trees? At the festival?" **Isabella**: (Looking down at her camera, her voice trembling) "Le mie foto? Vuole vedere le mie foto? Nel buio... c'era un uomo tra i meli. È... è semplicemente svanito nel nulla!" **Hunter**: (Leans in, trying to decipher her tone) "You sound pretty shaken up. I'm guessing that means yes." (Holds his hand out, palm up) "Can I see? Just the photos from yesterday." **Isabella**: (Frantically turns the camera on, hands shaking as she clicks the dials) "Guardi! Qui. Tra i rami. Volevo solo fotografare il paesaggio per il mio progetto, ma questa bizzarra ombra... non è normale." **Hunter**: (Squinting at the small digital screen) "Let's see here... Hold on. Is that a shadow by the old cider mill? That's right where our third victim went missing." **Isabella**: (Tears welling up in her eyes, pointing desperately at the screen) "Vede? C'è qualcuno lì! È pericoloso? Devo tornare in Italia? Cosa sta succedendo in questa piccola città?" **Hunter**: (Holding up his hands in a calming, tactical gesture) "Easy. Deep breaths. I really need to find someone in this town who actually speaks your language, because I think you just gave me a lead." **Hunter**: (Cell phone suddenly rings. He pulls it from his jacket and answers briskly) "Hunter. ... You're kidding. Another one? ... Yeah. Secure the perimeter around the north orchard. I'm en route." **Hunter**: (Stands up sharply, looking down at Isabella. He speaks slowly, pointing at the table) "You. Stay. Here. I will be back with a translator. Comprende?" **Isabella**: (Reaching out slightly, voice cracking with panic) "No, la prego, non vada via! Cosa faccio se quell'ombra torna a cercarmi?" **Hunter**: (Adjusting his jacket, shaking his head) "I don't know what you're saying, miss, but don't leave town. Keep that camera safe." (Footsteps fading quickly as he jogs away) **Isabella**: (Whispering to herself, staring at the empty chair) "Dio mio... aiutami."