Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY89M8XW99WK7QA2PRXMQ9E

## Voice Sheet: Scene - Alborn Cafe **Setting:** A small, bustling cafe in Alborn, MN. Mid-morning. The smell of coffee and apple pastries hangs in the air. **Characters:** Melanie (30, German student, shaken), Hunter (35, Detective, no-nonsense) --- **Melanie:** (Quietly, staring at the photos on her camera display, then looking up startled as Hunter approaches. She speaks quickly, a tremor in her voice) "Oh mein Gott… das ist schrecklich! Ich… ich kann es nicht glauben. Die Frau… gestern… am Flussufer… sie war einfach… weg! Alles so ruhig, und dann… nichts." **Hunter:** (Stops at her table, looking weary. He gestures to the empty chair opposite her) “Mind if I join you? I’m Detective Hunter. I was hoping to ask people about yesterday. About Mrs. Gable. You were near the river yesterday afternoon, weren’t you? Someone said they saw a woman with a camera.” **Melanie:** (Eyes wide, clutching her camera tighter) "Nein, nein, ich verstehe nicht! Sprechen Sie Englisch? Ich… ich spreche kein Englisch." (Shakes her head, becoming increasingly agitated) "Es war beängstigend! So seltsam! Ich habe Fotos gemacht, und dann… sie war einfach verschwunden! Als ob… als ob sie vom Erdboden verschluckt wurde!" **Hunter:** (Frowning, leans forward, trying to decipher her words) “Whoa, hold on. Slow down. English? You… don’t understand English?” (He rubs the back of his neck, frustrated.) “Look, I’m trying to find out what happened to a woman. Mrs. Gable. You saw something?” **Melanie:** (Tears welling up in her eyes) "Ich… ich bin nur ein Austauschstudentin. Ich lerne hier. Ich habe nur Fotos gemacht. Es war so friedlich… bis es nicht mehr so war. Ich habe sie kurz gesehen, wie sie einen Blumenstrauß ins Wasser warf, dann… (Gestures wildly with her hands) …poof! Verschwunden!" **Hunter:** (Trying a different tactic, slower and louder) “Flowers… in the water? Disappeared? Look, are you saying you *saw* her disappear? Like… magic?” (He raises his eyebrows, indicating skepticism.) **Melanie:** (Defensively) "Magie? Nein! Ich weiß nicht! Ich habe nur gesehen, dass sie da war, und dann nicht mehr da! Ich bin so verwirrt. Und verängstigt." (She points at her camera again, trying to communicate.) “Die Fotos… vielleicht helfen die.” **Hunter:** (Sighs, realizing he’s hitting a wall) “Photos… right. Maybe. Look, I appreciate you trying to help. It's just… I don’t understand a word you’re saying. This is… less than ideal.” **(Hunter's phone rings. He glances at the caller ID.)** **Hunter:** “Damn it. That’s dispatch. (Into the phone) Hunter. Yeah… what? …Another one?… Okay, I'm on my way." (He hangs up, looking grim) “Look, I gotta go. We just had another report… different location. This just got a lot bigger.” **Melanie:** (Panicked) “Warten Sie! Ich kann Ihnen helfen! Ich kann Ihnen zeigen, wo ich war! The pictures! Look at the pictures!” **Hunter:** (Standing up, already halfway out of his chair) “I’d like to, really. But right now, I need to handle this. Maybe we can figure out a way to communicate later. I’ll see if I can find someone who speaks your language. " (He offers a quick, apologetic nod) "Sorry.” --- **Note for Actors:** * **Melanie:** Should be genuinely distressed and increasingly frantic as she realizes she can’t communicate effectively. Her German should sound natural and emotional. * **Hunter:** Should portray growing frustration, tempered by professional need to gather information. A hint of empathy should break through his "no-nonsense" personality.