Run: 2026-02-20-01KHYA6BQW3NN2EDQHR0RJJGQP

## Voice Sheet: Scene - Alborn Cafe **Setting:** A small, bustling cafe in Alborn, MN. Mid-morning. The aroma of coffee & apple pastries hangs in the air. **Characters:** Maria (30, Spanish student), Hunter (35, Detective) --- **Maria:** (Looking down at her camera, fiddling with the settings, a tremor in her hands. She mutters, barely audible) *Ay, Dios mío… no puede ser…* **Hunter:** (Approaching Maria’s table, a worn notepad in hand. He has that ‘detective observing’ look.) Excuse me, miss? I’m Detective Hunter. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions. You were near the town square yesterday afternoon, weren't you? Around the time Old Man Hemlock went missing? **Maria:** (Her head snaps up, eyes wide with fear. She clutches her camera tighter) *¿Perdón? ¿Desaparecido? ¿Qué pasó? Estaba tomando fotografías… y vi… vi algo terrible.* (Her voice is shaky, rising in panic) **Hunter:** (Frowning, tilting his head) I… I’m sorry? I don’t understand. Do you speak English? **Maria:** (Frantically) *No hablo inglés! ¡Español! ¡Por favor!* (She gestures wildly with her hands, trying to convey distress). *Un hombre… un camión oscuro… lo llevaron…* **Hunter:** (Runs a hand through his short hair, completely lost) A man… a dark truck… taken? Look, I appreciate you trying to help, but I need you to explain what you saw. In English, if possible. **Maria:** (Tears welling up in her eyes) *No sé inglés… Estoy estudiando aquí, soy estudiante… Por favor…* (She points to her camera, then to herself, then mimics someone being pushed into a vehicle) *¡Secuestrado!* **Hunter:** (Sighs, recognizing the "kidnapped" gesture, but still lacking comprehension of the words) Okay, okay. Kidnapped… maybe. Look, there’s got to be someone around here who speaks Spanish. (He looks around the cafe, then back at Maria) Just… stay calm. Did you see *who* took him? Any details? **Maria:** (Shakes her head, overwhelmed) *No… no vi la cara… era rápido… estaba asustada… Todos están asustados.* (She wipes a tear with the back of her hand) *Han desaparecido otras personas, ¿verdad?* (She looks at Hunter with a desperate plea) **Hunter:** (Hesitates, surprised by her question, indicating she’s perhaps heard about more than just Hemlock) Other people… yes. That's why I'm asking around. (He pulls out a pen, then pauses, realizing he can’t take notes if he can’t understand her.) This is… difficult. **(Hunter's phone rings, a harsh, jarring sound. He glances at the caller ID.)** **Hunter:** (Into the phone) Hunter. Yeah? …What? They found another one? …Where?... Okay, I’m on my way. (He hangs up, frustration etched on his face.) **Hunter:** (To Maria, apologetically) Look, I’m really sorry, I have to go. I need to get to the Peterson farm. We’ve got another potential… situation. I’ll see if I can find someone who can translate. Try to stay here, okay? Don’t leave. **Maria:** (Looking utterly distraught) *¿Otro? ¡Dios mío!* (She stares after Hunter, clutching her camera like a lifeline, muttering under her breath) *Esto es horrible… esto es horrible…* ---