Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY94WB66YARXNQPDVTPYZWZ

Okay, here’s a voice sheet capturing the scene, aiming for the cozy mystery vibe with a touch of cultural misunderstanding and a glimmer of intrigue. I’ve focused on building a small, contained moment with a suggestion of something deeper. **SCENE: The Maple Leaf Cafe – Alborn, MN** **SETTING:** The Maple Leaf Cafe is small and smells strongly of cinnamon and apple pie. It’s mid-morning, and a few locals are scattered amongst the mismatched tables and chairs. Selvi is nursing a lukewarm latte, completely absorbed in reviewing photos on her camera. Hunter enters, scanning the room with a focused, almost wary expression. --- **VOICE SHEET** **1. HUNTER** (Gruff, direct, a little impatient) "Excuse me, miss. You look like you’re lost in thought. I’m Detective Hunter. I’m just asking around about the Miller disappearance.” **2. SELVI** (Startled, voice shaky with Hindi, heavily accented) “*Woah!* Kya hua? *Yeh… yeh badiname…* (What’s this? This… this name…) I… *Bahut badhiya nahin hun English mein,* (I’m not very good in English). Yesterday... *saare log gaaye...* (Everyone left…)... *Gham mein...* (In sadness...)" She gestures vaguely with the camera, her expression troubled. **3. HUNTER** (Confused, raising an eyebrow) “You… you said something about everyone leaving? And you’re saying you're not good at English? Look, just tell me, did you see anything unusual yesterday?" He pulls out a small notepad. **4. SELVI** (Voice rising slightly, increasingly agitated in Hindi) “*Haan! Haan!* (Yes! Yes!) *Sab… sab gehra tha. Ruhani...* (It was deep...spiritual). *Mitti mein... Adda...* (In the earth... a shadow...)" She points emphatically at a photo on her camera - a shot of a particularly gnarled, ancient apple tree in a neglected corner of the town square. **5. HUNTER** (Squinting at the photo, utterly perplexed) “An apple tree? You think… that’s connected to the disappearance? Look, I appreciate the… input, but I need something concrete. Just to be clear, you don’t understand me at all?” **6. SELVI** (Defensive, her voice dropping a little, but still tinged with distress in Hindi) "*Nahi... Nahi samajhti. Bahut...* (No... no I don’t understand. Very...)" She fiddles with her camera, avoiding his gaze. " *Kabhi... kabhi samajhti hoon.* (Sometimes… sometimes I understand.)" She shivers slightly despite the warmth of the cafe. **7. HUNTER** (Sighs, rubbing his temples) “Right. Okay. Look, this is just… a lot. I'm getting a call. It’s urgent. Again, thanks for your time." He pulls out his phone, prepping to step outside. **8. SELVI** (Almost a whisper in Hindi, her face pale) “*Mujhe... mujhe dar lagta hai.* (I… I am scared.)” She clutches her camera tightly. **9. HUNTER** (Into the phone, his voice clipped and professional) “Yeah, it’s Hunter. What is it?” He glances back at Selvi one last time, a flicker of genuine curiosity in his eyes. “I’ll be right there.” He hangs up and turns back to her. **10. HUNTER** (To Selvi, quickly) “Look, I'm going to need to follow up on this. Try to relax. And… maybe stick to English when you can. I wish you luck.” He turns and exits the cafe, leaving Selvi alone with her camera and her unsettling words. **11. SELVI** (Quietly, to herself in Hindi, almost a prayer) “*Shanti… shanti mamaji.* (Peace… peace, dear lord.)” --- **Notes and Considerations:** * **Cultural Barrier:** The core of the scene relies on the language barrier, creating immediate intrigue and suspicion. It also highlights Selvi's isolation as a newcomer. * **Descriptive Words:** I've intentionally used evocative words like "spiritual," "shadow," and “gehra” to hint at something beyond a simple missing person case. * **Hunter’s Observation:** Hunter's lasting glance before leaving gives the reader a sense that he sensed Selvi’s distress goes beyond a simple misunderstanding. * **Visual Element:** The apple tree photo is key – a symbol of the town’s identity, but perhaps also something more sinister. Would you like me to expand on any aspect of this scene, perhaps adding a few more lines of dialogue, or exploring a specific aspect of the mystery?