Run: 2026-02-20-01KHYB4ZNNHHCHQ7H1X04NGRMW

Okay, here’s a voice sheet for the scene, incorporating the character and location details provided, and aiming for that cozy mystery feel (a touch unsettling, but ultimately approachable). I’ve focused on conveying Melanie's distress and the communication barrier, while maintaining Hunter’s stoic nature. I’ve also included some notes at the bottom about the scene's intended feel and potential follow-up. **Voice Sheet: Cafe Encounter** **(Setting: A small, brightly lit cafe in Alborn, MN. The aroma of coffee and apple pie hangs in the air. Melanie, with her camera, is seated at a window table, scrolling through photos.)** Melanie: (Quietly, almost to herself, clicking through a photo of a wooded area) “Schön, aber… nicht mehr schön.” *(Beautiful, but… not beautiful anymore.)* Hunter: (Approaching the table, his posture alert, but trying to seem casual) "Excuse me, miss? Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is taken." (He gestures vaguely around the nearly empty cafe.) Melanie: (Looks up, startled, her eyes widening slightly. She clutches her camera protectively. Doesn't respond in English.) “Nein, natürlich nicht. Aber… Sie sprechen Deutsch?” *(No, of course not. But... do you speak German?)* Hunter: (Frowning slightly, trying his best polite smile) "Uh… no, I'm afraid not. Just a little bit of… Spanish. Nothing else. I was just wondering… did you see anything unusual near Miller's Orchard the other night? Around… ten o’clock?" Melanie: (Shakes her head vigorously, her voice trembling slightly.) “Unglaublich! Unglaublich, was passiert ist! Der Nebel… der Nebel war anders. Dick… und kalt. Und die Stille… eine schreckliche Stille.” *(Unbelievable! Unbelievable what happened! The fog… the fog was different. Thick… and cold. And the silence… a horrible silence.)* (She begins to nervously adjust the strap of her camera.) Hunter: (Tilts his head, confused. He doesn't understand a word but picks up on her obvious distress) "Ma’am? Are you alright? You seem… upset. Is something wrong?" Melanie: (Forces a shaky breath. Gestures vaguely towards the direction of the orchard, her voice breaking.) "Die Bäume… die Bäume waren leer. Keine Äpfel. Nur… leer. Und ich… ich habe gesehen… etwas… im Nebel. Eine Bewegung… zu schnell… um zu erkennen…” *(The trees… the trees were empty. No apples. Just… empty. And I… I saw… something… in the fog. A movement… too fast… to recognize…)* (She shivers, pulling her jacket tighter around her. Her eyes are wide and haunted.) Hunter: (Stares at her, completely lost. He sees the genuine fear in her eyes, but he has no idea what she’s saying. He tries a different tactic, hoping to trigger a recognizable response). “Miller’s? The orchard… the apple festival? You were there?” Melanie: (Looks blankly at him for a moment, then shakes her head slowly, her lower lip trembling. She starts to cry softly.) “Festival? Nein. Ich war… ich war nur am Fotografieren. Die Landschaft… Ich liebe die Landschaft. Aber jetzt… jetzt ist sie anders. Bedrohlich.” *(Festival? No. I was… I was just taking photographs. The landscape… I love the landscape. But now… now it's different. Threatening.)* (She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand.) Hunter: (Sighs inwardly. This is going nowhere fast. He considers trying a picture, but then his phone rings. He checks the caller ID.) “Excuse me, one moment." (He answers the phone.) "Hunter. Yeah, I’m here. I just… I just ran into a witness… it's complicated. What? A lead on the Peterson case? Where? … Okay, I'm heading that way now.” (He hangs up, looking frustrated.) “I’m really sorry, miss. I have to go. But… if you think of anything else, anything at all… please contact the sheriff's office. Tell them you spoke with Detective Hunter Bellweather." (He gives a curt nod and turns to leave.) Melanie: (Dabbing at her eyes, looks up at him with a desperate, pleading look, but says nothing. She watches him go, utterly alone.) *"Hilfe…"* *(Help…)* (Barely a whisper.) --- **Notes & Potential Follow-Up** * **Atmosphere:** I aimed for a slightly unsettling but not overtly terrifying tone. The focus is on Melanie’s genuine fear and the communication barrier, creating a sense of isolation. * **Hunter’s Frustration:** It’s important to show Hunter’s frustration clearly. This isn't just a language barrier; it's a significant obstacle to his investigation. * **"Hilfe…"**: The whispered "Help..." at the end is crucial. It emphasizes her vulnerability and plants a seed of intrigue. Did Hunter hear it? Does someone else? * **Follow-up:** A key element for a cozy mystery is escalating tension. The next scene might involve Hunter bringing in a translator, or perhaps an Alborn resident who *does* speak German becoming involved. It also could explore how the sheriff’s office reacts to her statement. * **Camera:** Melanie’s camera is a consistent detail - It could be a key element in her witnessing, or in storing evidence (photos/videos). I hope this voice sheet is suitable. Let me know if you'd like me to make adjustments or extend it!