Run: 2026-03-11-01KKFFHJF2FJ1FQ6HNRDWWD927

**Scene: The Bean & Grain, Alborn, MN** The afternoon sun cast long, dusty shadows across the small wooden tables of the *Bean & Grain* cafe in Alborn. The scent of fresh caramel apples and cold brew wafted around Melanie as she sat by the window, her camera resting on the table. She adjusted a lens cap, her mind still occupied by the golden field of wheat she had photographed earlier that morning. A heavy book bag clutched against her knees. Beside the table, the barista exchanged a nervous look with the camera, who seemed to be melting out of her frame. The bell above the door jingled as Detective Hunter entered. He wore a worn field jacket that smelled of rain and leather, and his hair was slightly too long for his uniform trousers. He scanned the room, his eyes settling on her; he was sure she was looking at something out the window, but he knew the culprit was the girls who were missing. "Excuse me," Hunter said, his voice low but carrying in the quiet cafe. He stood a few feet away, arms crossed. "I'm Detective Hunter. I hope I'm not disturbing you. We've noticed a few things. A few girls walking through the town. You're part of the community. You see them?" Melanie looked at him. He was handsome, but his eyes were like stone. She frowned. She didn't know what he said. The words were strange. She set her camera down, her fingers trembling. **Voice Sheet: Melanie & Hunter** **Melanie:** "Was ist los? Ich sehe niemanden." *[German: "What is it happening? I see nobody."]* **Hunter:** "Wait, are you okay? Did you see them? The apple festival." **Melanie:** "Fest? Ja. Aber nicht heute." *[German: "Festival? Yes. But not today."]* **Hunter:** "I didn't get to say. They're gone." **Melanie:** "Gefahren? Nein. Ich gehe. Ich bin fotograf." *[German: "Ran away? No. I leave. I am photographer."]* **Hunter:** "They're not gone. They're missing. Down the river." **Melanie:** "Fluss? Warum?" *[German: "River? Why?"]* **Hunter:** "You need to tell someone your family name. Maybe." **Melanie:** "Familie? Ja. Ich sag wie Familie." *[German: "Family? Yes. I say how family."]* **Hunter:** "No need. I have my phone. Phone, wait. She said 'dad'. Family." **Melanie:** "Ich muss. Hier." *[German: "I must. Here."]* **Hunter:** "Wait. One more thing. The case." **Melanie:** "Nein. Nicht hier." *[German: "No. Not here."]* **Hunter:** "You don't know what else." **Melanie:** "Ja. Ich komm." *[German: "Yes. I come."]* **Hunter:** "Okay. Sit here. Wait. My phone. Ringing." **Melanie:** "Ringen?" **Hunter:** "It's a call." **Melanie:** "Warten." *[German: "Wait."]* **Hunter:** "I gotta go." **Melanie:** "Okay. Ciao." *[German: "Okay. Bye."]* **Hunter:** "Wait. Phone." **Melanie:** "Ich muss gehen." *[German: "I must go."]* **Hunter:** "Okay. Next time. Good job." **Melanie:** "Ja. Sehr gut." *[German: "Yes. Very good."]* **Hunter:** "Okay. See you." **Melanie:** "Guten Tag." *[German: "Good day."]* *(Hunter turns on his phone. The number is on the receiver. It is the dispatcher. "Hello, dispatcher. I found a witness. I'm coming back.").*) **Melanie:** "Weiter." *[German: "Continue."]* **Hunter:** "Right. I got to go." **Melanie:** "Ja. Okay. Ciao." *[German: "Yes. Okay. Bye."]* *(Hunter leaves. Sirens. The door.)* **Melanie:** "Ruhig." *[German: "Quiet."]* *(She picks up the camera. She looks out the window. The river.)*