Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY7JAV1AQT7KTZR21SH9V4X

**VOICE SHEET: SCENE – THE CAFÉ CONFRONTATION** **Setting:** A quiet, sunlit café in Alborn, MN. The hum of conversation and clinking dishes fills the air. Maria sits at a small table, her camera open beside her, her fingers tracing the lens thoughtfully. Hunter, in a worn leather jacket, leans against the wall outside, scanning the street before stepping inside. --- ### **DIALOGUE** *(Hunter approaches Maria’s table. She doesn’t look up immediately, her expression distant. He clears his throat, then points at her camera before speaking in slow, deliberate English.)* **Hunter:** *(gesturing at camera)* You. Photographer? *(Maria jumps slightly, her hand flying to her chest. She looks up, startled, then realizes who he is. She exhales sharply, switching to Spanish.)* **Maria:** *(shaken, voice trembling)* ¡Dios mío! ¿Qué está pasando? *(Oh my God! What’s happening?)* *(Hunter blinks, confused. He doesn’t understand a word. He gestures at his ear, then repeats his question in English, louder.)* **Hunter:** Photographer? *(Maria’s eyes widen in panic. She looks around frantically, then lowers her voice, leaning in closer.)* **Maria:** *(whispering, urgent)* No… no soy fotógrafa de turismo. *(I’m not a tourist photographer.)* *(Hunter frowns, still not following. He points at her camera again, then at the town square outside.)* **Hunter:** You take pictures here? *(Maria’s face darkens. She hesitates, then speaks quickly, her voice tight.)* **Maria:** *(nervous)* Sí… pero no es lo que parece. *(Yes… but it’s not what it looks like.)* *(Hunter’s expression hardens. He crosses his arms, waiting.)* **Hunter:** What looks like what? *(Maria swallows hard, glancing around before lowering her voice further.)* **Maria:** *(whispering)* Tres personas han desaparecido en los últimos días. *(Three people have disappeared in the last few days.)* *(Hunter’s jaw tightens. He doesn’t understand Spanish, but the tone—urgent, scared—cuts through. He grabs her shoulder, turning her to face him.)* **Hunter:** *(firm, English)* You know something. Talk to me. *(Maria flinches but doesn’t pull away. She exhales shakily, then speaks in rapid Spanish.)* **Maria:** *(desperate)* No es solo eso… hay algo en el bosque. *(It’s not just that… there’s something in the woods.)* *(Hunter’s eyes narrow. He doesn’t understand, but the word *"bosque"* (forest) makes him tense. He pulls out his phone, dialing someone. Maria watches him, her breath quickening.)* **Hunter:** *(into phone, gruff)* Yeah, I’m at the café. Got something. *(beat)* Yeah. *(hangs up, then turns back to Maria, voice low)* You’re coming with me. *(Maria’s eyes widen in fear. She shakes her head frantically.)* **Maria:** *(panicked)* ¡No! No puedo. *(No! I can’t.)* *(Hunter grabs her wrist, firm but not rough.)* **Hunter:** You’re in danger. You know more than you’re saying. *(Maria’s voice cracks.)* **Maria:** *(whispering)* Por favor… no me lleve al bosque. *(Please… don’t take me to the woods.)* *(Hunter’s phone rings again. He answers without looking at Maria.)* **Hunter:** *(into phone)* Yeah, I’m on it. *(beat)* Yeah. *(hangs up, then sighs, rubbing his temples.)* I gotta go. But you’re not walking away from this. *(Maria’s face is pale. She nods slowly, then reaches into her bag, pulling out a folded piece of paper. She slides it across the table toward him.)* **Maria:** *(urgent)* Esto es todo lo que sé. *(This is everything I know.)* *(Hunter glances at it, then tucks it into his pocket. He stands, pulling Maria up with him.)* **Hunter:** Stay close. *(Maria follows him outside, her camera still in her hands, her steps unsteady. Hunter keeps one hand on her elbow as they walk toward his unmarked car. The weight of the unknown hangs between them.)* *(Hunter opens the passenger door for her, then gets in the driver’s seat. He starts the engine, glancing at her.)* **Hunter:** Where to? *(Maria hesitates, then points toward the edge of town—toward the woods. Hunter’s grip tightens on the wheel.)* **Maria:** *(quietly)* Allí. *(There.)* *(Hunter doesn’t ask questions. He drives.)* --- **END SCENE.**