Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY9WWJS2E9EPZPGQQ55D6PN

Okay, here's a voice sheet for the scene, designed to capture the cozy mystery tone and the language barrier – aiming for a bit of intrigue and a touch of frustration. I've included notes after the sheet about my choices and reasoning for certain lines. **Voice Sheet: Cafe Encounter** **(Scene: A small, brightly lit cafe in Alborn, MN. The aroma of coffee and cinnamon rolls hangs in the air. Isabella, 30, sits at a small table near the window, meticulously reviewing photos on the LCD screen of her camera. Hunter, 35, the detective, approaches cautiously.)** Isabella: “…(Clicks through a series of landscape shots, a slight frown creasing her forehead) …Bellissimo…ma non abbastanza…(She adjusts a setting and takes a test shot of the rain-streaked window.) …No, troppo scuro…” Hunter: “Excuse me? Uh… Hi. Is this seat taken?” (Gestures to the empty chair across from her) Isabella: “No…prego.” (Looks up, startled, and offers a small, hesitant smile. Studied her face for a moment, taking in his serious expression) Hunter: "Great. I’m Detective Hunter. I was hoping you might have seen something… anything… about the Peterson disappearance last night? Near the orchard?” Isabella: (Her eyes widen slightly, blurring the image on her camera screen. She shakes her head slowly, then suddenly speaks quickly, her voice trembling – rapid, expressive Italian) “No! No, non ho visto niente di buono. Solo… paura. Un’ombra… un rumore. Come un… sussurro… nel vento. Era così buio. E il silenzio… Dio mio, il silenzio era terribile. Ricorda il silenzio prima di una tempesta… ma più… profondo. Ho sentito… qualcosa di sbagliato. Qualcosa di terribile. Sono scappata. Ho corso!” (She clutches her camera to her chest, her hands shaking visibly) Hunter: (Raises an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his face) “Uh… I’m sorry? I… I don’t understand. You speak… Italian?” (He looks genuinely bewildered.) Isabella: (Notices his confusion, her face falls. She shrinks back slightly) “Si…si, parlo italiano. Scusi… non ho pensato…” (She trails off, looking down at her hands) Hunter: "Okay… Italian. Right. Look, I really need to find out if anyone saw anything near Peterson's orchard last night. Did you… did you see anyone there? Any vehicles? Anything at all?" (He tries again, speaking slowly and clearly, hoping for a visual cue.) Isabella: (Shakes her head, close to tears) "Non capisco…Tu non parla italiano?"(softly, with a trace of desperation) Hunter: (Sighs, running a hand through his hair) "No. No, I don't. This is… awkward. Look, I appreciate you talking to me. Maybe someone else here speaks Italian? I’ll… I’ll check back if I can find a translator." (He hesitates, sensing her distress.) "Are you alright?" Isabella: (Nods quickly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand; points to her camera) “Fotografie… cerco…bellezza… Ma adesso… (She gestures vaguely outward). Non più… bella.” Hunter: (Frowning slightly, observing her distress) “Right. Well… I should probably… I've got another lead to follow up. Safe travels.” (He starts to turn away.) (Hunter’s phone rings. He answers quickly and steps a few feet away, his voice low.) Hunter: "Yeah… What? Peterson's truck… found abandoned… ten miles south of town? …Okay, send a unit. I’m on my way." (He hangs up, looking grim.) "Gotta go. Take care." (He nods curtly and heads out of the cafe.) Isabella: (Watches him leave, a profound sense of isolation settling over her. She looks at the rain-streaked window, then back at her camera, her expression now a mixture of fear and determination.) “...Non sono sola… Qualcuno deve ascoltare…”(She whispers the last part.) --- **Notes on Choices and Reasoning:** * **Isabella's Initial Italian:** Her initial comments about the photography were meant to establish her personality - observant, artistic, and searching for beauty. * **Rapid Italian Reaction:** When questioned about the disappearance, Isabella’s response in Italian is meant to be a rush of anxiety and disjointed imagery. The phrases “un'ombra” (a shadow), “sussurro” (whisper), and "il silenzio era terribile" (the silence was terrible) aim to convey the feeling of something unsettling without revealing concrete details. The reference to silence before a storm is evocative of impending danger. * **Hunter’s Confusion:** Hunter's bafflement is key to the setup. His "no-nonsense" attitude clashes with the language barrier, creating a comedic/frustrating element. He actively *tries* to communicate, emphasizing his lack of Italian skills. * **Isabella’s Realization:** Her "Scusi… non ho pensato…" ("Sorry… I didn't think…") shows her regret for assuming someone might understand her. * **The “Safe Travels” Line:** Hunter's curt "Safe travels" reinforces his professional demeanor and subtle distance, despite sensing her distress. * **Isabella's Final Lines:** Her lines, “Non sono sola… Qualcuno deve ascoltare…” ("I am not alone… Someone must listen…") hint she's onto something significant, and her determination to be heard despite the language barrier adds tension and foreshadowing. Her photography framing as her way to find beauty emphasizes the contrast with the terror she experienced. * **The Phone Call:** The abrupt phone call and news about Peterson’s truck creates a sense of urgency and underscores the deepening mystery. This also gives Hunter a quick and believable reason to depart. I hope this voice sheet captures the scene you envisioned! Let me know if you'd like any adjustments or further development.