Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY95JY4E4QVV61H40GHT7NA

Okay, here’s a voice sheet for a scene featuring Melanie and Hunter, leaning heavily into the cozy mystery vibes with a touch of potential tension and cultural misunderstanding. I’ve aimed for a realistic, slightly awkward dialogue reflecting their differences. **Scene: Cafe Contemplation** **Setting:** “The Maple Leaf” cafe in Alborn, MN. Rain patters lightly against the windows. The cafe is quaint, with mismatched wooden chairs and the scent of cinnamon and coffee. **Characters:** Melanie (30, German student, photographer) & Hunter (35, Detective) --- **Voice Sheet** **(SOUND: Gentle rain, clinking cups, quiet cafe chatter)** **Hunter:** (Approaches Melanie's table, a slight frown etched on his face. He’s wearing a worn leather jacket.) “Excuse me, miss? You’ve been staring at that camera for a while. You seem… preoccupied.” **Melanie:** (Startled, she quickly lowers her camera, her face pale. She speaks rapidly in German, gesturing slightly.) “Ach, Gott im Himmel! Es war…schrecklich! Das Mädchen…Lena! Sie war am Fluss. Und dann... weg! Niemand weiß, wo sie ist! Die Polizei... sie tut nichts!” (Her voice is laced with anxiety.) **Hunter:** (Raises an eyebrow, completely lost. He speaks slowly and deliberately.) “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Could you... repeat that slowly? And maybe… in English?” **Melanie:** (Her shoulders slump. She takes a shaky breath, trying to regain composure. She speaks in halting, broken English.) “Lost… Lena. River. Gone. Police… not help.” She looks down at her camera, fiddling with the lens. **Hunter:** (Squints, trying to read her expression. He pulls out a small notepad and pen.) “Lost? Like, a pet? A person? You said, ‘police not help.’ Were they…unhelpful?” **Melanie:** (Shakes her head vehemently, her eyes wide.) “Nein! Unfreundlich! Sie sehen nur… sie sehen nicht! Lena... sie ist... (She struggles for the words.) ...ein gutes Mädchen. Sie liebte die Flusslandschaft. Sie nahm viele Fotos.” She indicates her camera with a quick, almost frantic gesture. **Hunter:** (Writing down ‘River,’ ‘Lena,’ ‘Unfriendly Police’ in his notepad. He leans in slightly.) "Okay, let’s try this differently. You saw a girl, Lena, near the river. And the police aren't doing anything. Is that right?" **Melanie:** (Nods rapidly, tears welling up in her eyes. She wipes them away with the back of her hand.) “Ja! Es ist…verwirrend! Es fühlt sich falsch an. Wie ein Schatten...Alles ist dunkel.” **Hunter:** (Notices the camera and the landscape photos she’s been looking at.) “You take pictures of the landscape? Do you…do you know Lena?” **Melanie:** (Hesitates, choosing her words carefully.) "Ich bin Studentin. Ich studiere hier. Ich fotografiere. Lena... ich habe ihr heute Morgen geholfen, ein Foto zu machen. Deshalb... ich weiss.” (She indicates the river again, a pained expression on her face.) **Hunter:** (Suddenly, his radio on his belt crackles to life. He answers gruffly.) “Yeah, Miller? Just a minute... (He listen intently, his expression hardening.) ...Alright, thanks.” (He snaps the radio shut.) “Look, I’m sorry to cut this short, but I just got a call about another potential sighting. Someone reported seeing a woman matching Lena’s description near the old mill." **Melanie:** (Her eyes widen with a flicker of hope, quickly followed by renewed despair.) “Das Mill? Aber… ist das möglich?” **Hunter:** (Standing up, shaking his head slightly.) "Maybe. I don't have time to discuss it. Look, thank you for telling me. I appreciate it." He offers a curt nod. “Good luck.” **(SOUND: The cafe door opens and closes. Hunter turns and walks out into the rain.)** **Melanie:** (Whispers to herself, looking down at her camera, then at the rain-streaked window.) “Verloren…” (Lost…) --- **Notes & Considerations:** * **Subtext:** I’ve hinted at a potential connection between Melanie and the disappearances, but not explicitly stated it. This gives room for development. * **Hunter’s Frustration:** He's clearly uncomfortable with the language barrier and is trying to be efficient. * **Melanie's Vulnerability:** Her fear and distress are palpable, making her a sympathetic character. * **Atmosphere:** The rain and the quiet cafe contribute to the atmosphere. * **The Camera:** The camera is a key symbol – it highlights her observational nature and her connection to the landscape. Do you want me to develop this further – perhaps adding more dialogue, exploring a specific detail, or creating a scene with a different type of interaction?