Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY85ZZG67WQ6XNE1FSY5KEF

Okay, here's the voice sheet for the scene, written in the style of a cozy mystery novel with a focus on the interaction between Isabella and Hunter, and capturing their language barrier. I've included descriptions of their actions and emotions within the voice sheet to add depth. I've also aimed for realism in Hunter's frustration and Isabella's distress. I've added a little bit of background detail at the end to help setting the tone of the story. --- **Scene: Cozy Corner Cafe, Alborn, MN – Mid-Afternoon** **(Isabella is seated at a small table near the window, bathed in the late afternoon sun. Her camera rests on the table, open to a photo of a vast field of ripening apples, the quintessential image of Alborn. She's meticulously cleaning the lens with a soft cloth, but her focus seems fractured. Her shoulders are slumped, and a tremor runs through her hands. Hunter enters the cafe, scanning the room with a practiced eye. He spots Isabella and, remembering she was seen near the last disappearance site, approaches cautiously.)** Isabella: (Quietly, almost a whisper, without looking up) “*Non riesco a crederci. Sembra… un sogno brutto.*” (She stops cleaning the lens, staring blankly at it. Her voice cracks slightly with suppressed emotion.) Hunter: “Excuse me? I… I don’t mean to bother you, but I was hoping you might have seen something. Anything unusual around the Peterson farm these past few days?” (He gestures vaguely, trying to appear friendly despite his inherent guardedness. He leans slightly towards her.) Isabella: (Looks up, startled. Her dark eyes are wide and filled with distress, but she doesn't understand a word he says. She shakes her head slowly, her Italian pouring out in a rush.) "*No! Non l'ho vista. Ero… ero lì, a scattare foto. Le mele... erano splendide. Ma poi… poi ho sentito delle urla. Brevi. Spaventose. E poi… silenzio.*” (She clutches the camera to her chest, her fingers digging into the leather strap.) "*Non so chi fosse. Ero… troppo spaventata. Ho corso.*” (Tears well up in her eyes, blurring the image of the apple orchard in her mind.) Hunter: (Frowning, he tries again, slower. He points to the Peterson farm in the distance, visible through the cafe window) “Peterson… farm? Did you see anyone… working there? Trucks? Anything out of the ordinary?” (He uses exaggerated gestures, hoping to bridge the communication gap.) Isabella: (Confused, she follows his finger, then back to his face. She doesn’t understand the questions, but she senses the urgency in his tone.) "*Non capisco. Non parlo inglese… molto. Sono italiana… sono qui per studiare fotografie.*" (She pauses, searching his face for recognition, for some sign of understanding. A fresh wave of fear washes over her.) "*Urla...* (She shivers, repeating the word, this time hoping the sound itself will convey her meaning.) *…ricordo le urla*." Hunter: (Leans back slightly, his expression hardening with frustration. He runs a hand through his hair.) “Okay… okay. Look, it’s alright. You don't have to… (He trails off, realizing the futility of continuing in English). Do you… do you know anyone here who speaks Italian?” Isabella: (Nods eagerly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.) "*Sì! La signora Henderson… nella biblioteca. È molto gentile.*" (She points towards the town library.) Hunter: (Sighs, already anticipating a longer investigation.) "Henderson... Okay. Thanks. I appreciate you… talking to me.” (He’s unsure how to end the conversation, feeling helpless and caught off guard.) **(Hunter’s phone rings, a jarring sound in the quiet cafe. He glances at the screen, his face tightening.)** Hunter: "Excuse me, I need to take this." (He moves a few feet away, answering his phone with a curt, "Yeah, I'm here. What's the situation?") Isabella: (Watches him, her eyes filled with anxiety. She picks up her camera again, but her hands still tremble. The beautiful photo of the apple field seems to mock her with its serenity.) Hunter: (Into the phone, barely audible) "Another one?… I'm on my way." (He hangs up, looking back at Isabella. She's averted her gaze, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. He hesitates, then gives a curt nod, turns, and exits the cafe, his shoulders tense with renewed determination.) Isabella: (Whispers to herself, still in Italian) "*Qualcosa di brutto sta succedendo qui.*" (Something bad is happening here.) --- **Story Background Notes:** * The disappearances are baffling – seemingly ordinary people vanishing without a trace, leaving behind minimal clues. * The Apple Festival is approaching, casting a festive veneer over the underlying tension and fear in Alborn. The town relies heavily on the festival's tourism. * Isabella's photography is more than a hobby – she’s deeply perceptive and observant, but hampered by the language barrier. She sees details others miss, but struggles to communicate what she knows. * Hunter’s military background makes him a skilled investigator, but his pragmatic, direct approach clashes with the insular nature of Alborn and the complexities of Isabella’s situation. I hope this scene captures the essence of your cozy mystery and the challenging dynamic between Isabella and Hunter. Let me know if you'd like any adjustments!