Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXQEWWP967JP7MWA64VXVK0

Here’s the dialogue formatted as a **voice sheet** for your cozy mystery scene, capturing the tension, language barrier, and underlying unease between Melanie and Hunter. --- ### **VOICE SHEET – CAFÉ SCENE** **Setting:** *A quiet café in Alborn, MN. The hum of conversation and clinking cups fills the air. Melanie sits alone at a corner table, her camera in hand, reviewing photos. Hunter approaches, his expression serious.* --- **HUNTER** *(firm, no-nonsense)* "Miss? Mind if I sit?" *(Melanie looks up, startled. She clutches her camera tighter, eyes flicking toward the door before meeting his gaze.)* **MELANIE** *(hesitant, in German, soft but tense)* "Äh… ja, bitte. Was wollen Sie?" *(Uh… yes, please. What do you want?)* *(Hunter blinks, clearly not understanding. He pulls out a notepad, undeterred.)* **HUNTER** *(leaning in slightly, voice low)* "Look, I’m Detective Hunter. I need to ask you about last night. You were near the old mill, weren’t you?" *(Melanie’s face pales. She responds rapidly in German, her voice shaking.)* **MELANIE** *(urgent, frightened)* "Ich… ich war nur dort, um Fotos zu machen. Ich habe nichts gesehen! Bitte, ich will keine Probleme." *(I… I was only there to take photos. I didn’t see anything! Please, I don’t want trouble.)* *(Hunter frowns, realizing she doesn’t speak English. He tries gesturing—pointing at her camera, then miming a question.)* **HUNTER** *(frustrated, slower enunciation, as if volume will help)* "Did. You. See. *Anything.* Near the mill?" *(Melanie shakes her head violently, gripping her camera strap. She mutters under her breath in German.)* **MELANIE** *(whispered, panicked)* "Nein, nein… ich muss hier weg." *(No, no… I need to get out of here.)* *(Hunter sighs, rubbing his temple. He pulls out his phone, typing something quickly before showing her a photo—a missing person’s flyer. Melanie gasps, her hand flying to her mouth.)* **HUNTER** *(sharp, watching her reaction closely)* "You *do* recognize her." *(Melanie’s breath hitches. She stands abruptly, knocking her chair back. The café goes quiet for a second. She speaks in a rushed, desperate German.)* **MELANIE** *(near tears, backing away)* "Ich weiß nichts! Bitte lassen Sie mich in Ruhe!" *(I don’t know anything! Please leave me alone!)* *(Hunter stands too, holding up his hands in a placating gesture—but his phone rings. He glances at the screen, then back at Melanie, conflicted. He answers gruffly.)* **HUNTER** *(into phone, tense)* "Hunter. … Yeah, I’m on it." *(Pauses, then looks back at Melanie, who’s now edging toward the exit.)* "Stay in town." *(Melanie doesn’t understand the words, but his tone is clear. She bolts for the door as soon as he turns away, her camera clutched to her chest like a shield.)* --- ### **END SCENE** --- **Notes for Delivery:** - **Melanie’s lines:** Deliver with growing fear, rapid speech in German, and physical tension (fidgeting, avoiding eye contact). - **Hunter’s lines:** Start professional but grow increasingly frustrated, with a sharp edge when he realizes the language barrier. His body language should be imposing but not overtly aggressive. - **Subtext:** Melanie knows *something*—her reaction to the photo is key. Hunter’s instincts are piqued, but the call pulls him away before he can press further. Would you like any adjustments to tone or pacing? Or additional context for their next encounter?