Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY7H7KM89E30AKQD6RAKBVB

## Voice Sheet: Scene - Alborn Cafe **Setting:** A small, brightly lit cafe in Alborn, MN. Mid-morning. The scent of coffee and apple pie hangs in the air. **Characters:** Selvi (30, Indian student, Hindi-speaking), Hunter (35, Detective, gruff) --- **1. INITIAL APPROACH** **Hunter:** (Stopping at Selvi’s table, badge subtly visible) “Excuse me, miss. Do you have a minute? Detective Hunter. I’m looking into… well, things have been a little strange around here lately.” **Selvi:** (Looks up, startled, clutching her camera tighter. Her brow furrows with worry. Speaks rapidly, in Hindi) “*Yeh kya ho raha hai? Sab log kahaan jaa rahe hain? Main dar rahi hoon.*” (What is happening? Where are all the people going? I am afraid.) **Hunter:** (Stares, completely lost) “Uh… I’m sorry? I don’t… I don’t understand.” (He gestures vaguely with his hands) “English? Do you speak English?” **Selvi:** (Shakes her head vigorously, eyes wide. Repeats, slower but still in Hindi, her voice trembling slightly) “*Mujhe English nahi aati. Main abhi yahaan aayi hoon.*” (I don’t know English. I just arrived here.) **2. FRUSTRATED ATTEMPTS AT COMMUNICATION** **Hunter:** (Sighs, running a hand through his hair. He tries a different tack, pointing at a local newspaper on a nearby table. The headline references a missing person.) “This… this man. Have you… seen him?” (Points repeatedly at the photograph) **Selvi:** (Looks at the picture, her eyes narrowing. She visibly pales, shaking her head slowly. Speaks in Hindi, a hushed tone.) “*Dekha… lekin pehle, aur log bhi. Aise hi, hawa mein…vanish ho gaye.*” (I saw him… but before, others too. Just like that, they vanished into thin air.) **Hunter:** (Frowning, leaning closer, trying to catch any recognizable emotion) “Vanish? You saw him *vanish*? What do you mean?” **Selvi:** (Gestures vaguely with her hands, trying to convey disappearing. Her voice cracks.) "*Main samjh nahi pa rahi hoon…sab mujhe dar raha hai. Is jagah pe kuch galat ho raha hai!*" (I don’t understand… everything is scaring me. Something is wrong with this place!) **Hunter:** (Exasperated, but trying to remain calm. He pulls out his notepad) "Okay, okay. Look, just… can you draw me a picture? Show me what you saw?" (Offers Selvi and his notepad and a pen) **Selvi:** (Hesitantly takes the pen and paper. Briefly tries to sketch a vague, swirling shape, then stops, looking frustrated) "*Yeh… yeh dikhana mushkil hai. Yeh shabdho mein bhi nahi bata paungi.*” (This… it's difficult to show. I won't even be able to explain it in words.) **3. INTERRUPTED INVESTIGATION** **(Hunter’s phone rings. He glances at the caller ID and sighs.)** **Hunter:** (Into phone, curtly) “Hunter. Yeah… What? A new lead?… Alright, send me the details. I’m… occupied right now.” (Looks apologetically at Selvi) “Look, I’m really sorry. Duty calls. I need to go.” **Selvi:** (Looks relieved, but also apprehensive. Speaks softly in Hindi.) "*Kahan jaa rahe ho? Kya mujhe madad kar sakte ho?*" (Where are you going? Can you help me?) **Hunter:** (Shakes his head, truly apologetic) “I wish I could. But I don't even understand what you're saying. I'll... I'll try to find someone who can translate. Okay?” (He gives a weak, reassuring smile) “Detective Hunter. Thanks for… trying.” **Selvi:** (Watches him leave with a look of growing fear. Whispers to herself in Hindi.) "*Yeh shahar…yeh shahar mujhe darr laga raha hai.*" (This city… this city is frightening me.) ---