Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY9E4T12XNWPJ40T7Z1JYQJ

Okay, here's the scene drafted as a voice sheet, aiming for the cozy mystery feel, with attention to the character details you provided. I've included notes after the voice sheet to explain some of the choices I made. --- **Scene: Alborn Diner – Mid-Afternoon** **(The Alborn Diner is small and classic, red vinyl booths, checkered floors. Maria, clutching her camera, sits by the window, reviewing photos on the LCD screen. She’s clearly distressed. Hunter, in a slightly rumpled but professional jacket, approaches cautiously.)** Maria: (Startled, looks up, then quickly lowers her camera, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes) "Disculpe... ¿Necesita algo?" ( *Excuse me... Do you need something?*) Hunter: “Uh, sorry, I don’t... I don't speak Spanish. I was hoping you might have seen something. About… Mr. Peterson. Did you happen to see him yesterday near the apple orchard?” Maria: (Shakes her head slowly, her voice trembling slightly, all in Spanish) "No... No lo vi. Pero… la gente… está asustada. Hay algo mal aquí. Muy, muy mal. Los niños... unos niños dijeron que vieron a un hombre..." ( *No... I didn't see him. But... the people... are scared. There’s something wrong here. Very, very wrong. The children... some children said they saw a man...*) Hunter: (Frowning, tries a more general approach) “Scared about what exactly? Mr. Peterson just disappeared, right? Happens sometimes; people wander off.” Maria: (Clutches her camera tighter, her voice rising in pitch, still spilling in Spanish) "¡No es eso! ¡Es diferente! Este no es un paseo. Esto es... algo robaba lo alegría de esta ciudad.” ( *It's not that! It’s different! This isn’t a walk. This is… something is stealing the joy of this town.*) She gestures vaguely towards the window, her expression haunted. “El aire… es más pesado ahora.” (*The air… it’s heavier now.*) Hunter: (Looks around the diner, then back at Maria, completely lost) “Look, I appreciate you telling me… whatever you're telling me. But I don't understand a word you’re saying. Is there someone here who speaks English you can ask?" He pauses, trying to gauge her reaction. "Did those… children say anything else? About this man?” Maria: (Wipes a tear from her eye, frantically searching his face for understanding. She speaks slower, more deliberately, but still in Spanish.) “Dijeron... que era alto. Y que tenía... una máscara. Una máscara de madera. Como... como un espantapájaros." (*They said... he was tall. And that he had... a mask. A wooden mask. Like... like a scarecrow.*) She shivers. Hunter: (Raises an eyebrow, a flicker of something akin to unease crossing his face, despite his confusion) “A mask? A wooden mask? That's... unusual. Have you seen this mask yourself?" Maria: (Looks down at her hands, shaking her head vehemently) "No... nunca. Pero… lo siento. Lo siento en mi corazón. Algo terrible va a pasar." (*No… never. But… I feel it. I feel it in my heart. Something terrible is going to happen.*) **(Hunter's phone rings - a jarring sound in the quiet diner. He looks at the caller ID, his expression hardening.)** Hunter: (Into phone, briefly) "Yeah, Miller? ... Right. I'm on my way." (Hangs up, sighs) "Look, Miss… I have to go. Something’s come up. But thank you for… talking to me. I'll try to find someone who can translate." Maria: (Looks up, her eyes filled with a desperate plea, speaking softly in Spanish) "¿De verdad? ¿Volverás? Por favor... ayúdanos." (*Really? Will you return? Please... help us.*) Hunter: (Hesitates, a moment of genuine concern flickering across his face, then the pragmatic detective returns) "I’ll do what I can. Stay safe." He turns and walks out of the diner, leaving Maria sitting alone, clutching her camera, and utterly lost in a world he can't comprehend. --- **Notes on Choices & Explanation:** * **Language Barrier Emphasis:** The core of the scene is the communication breakdown. Hunter's bewilderment and frustration are crucial. I focused on highlighting Maria's intensity and urgency, which are lost on him due to the language barrier. * **Maria’s Character:** She’s clearly distressed and intuitive, perceiving a deeper sense of dread. Her photography background subtly informs her – she *sees* something, translates that into images and feelings, but struggles to convey it. The detail about the children's statement - the scarecrow mask - is designed to be unsettling and hints at something more sinister. * **Hunter's Character:** He starts with his standard, professional approach, trying to rationalize Maria's distress. However, the detail of the mask seems to register with him, even without full understanding, creating a tiny seed of doubt. His phone call is a way to end the scene abruptly, frustrating both characters and leaving the mystery hanging. * **Cozy Mystery Elements:** There's a touch of the supernatural or folkloric suggested by the mask ("like a scarecrow"). This is a common trope in cozy mysteries – a sense of underlying strangeness in an otherwise ordinary setting. The small-town atmosphere and the emphasis on community feelings (the stolen joy) contribute to the genre. * **Voice and Delivery:** I aimed for Maria’s Spanish to sound slightly formal and emotive, while Hunter’s language is direct and practical. The abruptness of his departure enhances the sense of urgency and leaves the reader wanting more. I hope this voice sheet captures the essence of your characters and the atmosphere you envisioned! Do you want me to refine any aspect of the scene?