Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXPPPWWFMM2DQRBHNTJSFSY

Here’s the dialogue formatted as a **voice sheet** for your cozy mystery scene, capturing the tension, confusion, and cultural/linguistic barrier between Maria and Hunter. The stage directions are included in *italics* for clarity. --- ### **Scene: The Café in Alborn, MN** *Setting: A quiet, rustic café in downtown Alborn. The scent of coffee and cinnamon hangs in the air. Maria sits by the window, her camera in hand, scrolling through photos with a furrowed brow. The door chimes as Hunter enters, his sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on her. He approaches, pulling out a small notepad.* --- **HUNTER** *(direct, no-nonsense)* You were at the old mill yesterday afternoon, right? Near the river? *Maria looks up, startled. She clutches her camera tighter, her expression flickering with unease. She responds rapidly in Spanish, her voice trembling.* **MARÍA** *(alarmed, in Spanish)* ¿Cómo sabe eso? ¿Quién es usted? Yo no… no vi nada. Solo estaba tomando fotos del paisaje. *(glances toward the door, as if considering leaving)* *Hunter frowns, rubbing his temple. He doesn’t understand a word but picks up on her distress. He holds up a hand in a calming gesture.* **HUNTER** *(slower, enunciating as if volume will help)* Look, I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m Detective Hunter. There was an… incident near the mill. You might’ve seen something useful. *Maria’s eyes widen. She shakes her head vehemently, responding in a rush of Spanish, her hands gesturing animatedly.* **MARÍA** *(panicked, in Spanish)* ¡Dios mío! ¿Un incidente? ¿Como los demás? Escuché rumores en el pueblo… gente desapareciendo. *(lowers her voice)* ¿Cree que fue… otra vez? *Hunter exhales sharply, frustrated. He pulls out his phone and taps it, then turns the screen toward her—it’s a photo of a missing person’s flyer. Maria gasps, covering her mouth.* **HUNTER** *(pointing at the photo)* This woman. Vanessa Cole. She was last seen near the mill. You were there. *Did. You. See. Her?* *Maria stares at the photo, her face draining of color. She whispers in Spanish, more to herself than to him.* **MARÍA** *(horrified, in Spanish)* La vi… estaba hablando con alguien cerca del río. Pero no vi su cara. Solo… *(mimes a tall, shadowy figure with her hands)* …y luego gritó. *Hunter’s jaw tightens. He doesn’t understand, but her body language screams fear. He leans in, voice gruff but gentler.* **HUNTER** *(deliberate, as if willing her to comprehend)* Stay in town. Don’t go near the mill again. Got it? *Maria nods rapidly, though it’s clear she doesn’t fully understand. Hunter’s phone rings—a sharp, insistent tone. He checks the caller ID and curses under his breath.* **HUNTER** *(to Maria, already stepping back)* I’ve gotta take this. *(pauses, then points at her camera)* Your photos—might be important. Don’t delete ‘em. *He answers the phone as he strides toward the door, his voice clipped.* **HUNTER** *(into phone)* Hunter. Yeah, I’m on my way. *Maria watches him leave, her fingers trembling as she clutches her camera. She murmurs to herself in Spanish, a prayer or a warning.* **MARÍA** *(softly, in Spanish)* Qué es este lugar…? *The camera lingers on her uneasy expression as the café door swings shut behind Hunter.* --- ### **Notes for Tone/Delivery:** - **Maria:** Starts **nervous**, becomes **increasingly agitated**. Her Spanish should sound rapid, breathless, with a thick accent. Key emotions: *fear, confusion, urgency*. - **Hunter:** **Gruff but controlled**. His frustration grows as the language barrier thwarts him, but he keeps his temper in check. Key emotions: *determination, impatience, underlying concern*. - **Subtext:** Maria knows more than she’s letting on (or can communicate), and Hunter’s instincts tell him she’s a witness—but he can’t break through. The tension lies in the *unspoken*. --- Would you like any adjustments to the pacing or emotional beats? Or additional details to foreshadow later plot points?