Run: 2026-03-12-01KKHZ3KGDXQXKDMBX0BSM03ZJ

**Scene:** In the warm afternoon light of Alborn’s only café, Maria sat at a small table by the window, absently scrolling through the landscape photos on her camera. The apple festival images still lingered on the screen—golden orchards, red barns, smiling faces—until her thumb froze on one frame that made her stomach tighten. Heavy footsteps approached. Hunter, in his usual flannel-and-leather-jacket uniform, stopped beside her table. **Voice Sheet:** Maria: “…” *(quietly flipping through photos, not yet noticing him)* Hunter: “Excuse me, ma’am. Detective Hunter. Mind if I ask you a few questions about the apple festival last weekend? We’ve had some… troubling disappearances, and I understand you were taking pictures around the orchards that day.” Maria: “¡Dios mío! Lo siento, no hablo inglés. Estaba fotografiando el paisaje y de repente vi a un hombre que simplemente… desapareció entre los árboles. ¡Fue horrible! Todavía tiemblo cuando lo recuerdo.” Hunter: “…” *(brow furrowed in clear confusion)* “Right. I don’t speak Spanish. English? Do you speak any English at all? We’ve had three people vanish. Did you see anything unusual? Anyone acting strange?” Maria: “No entiendo nada de lo que dice. Tengo miedo. Mire, mire esta foto—el hombre estaba aquí y al segundo siguiente ya no estaba. Mi cámara lo captó pero no sé qué significa. ¿Qué está pasando en este pueblo?” Hunter: “I’m getting about one word in ten. You look upset. Something in the photos? Can you show me? Photos? Pictures?” *(points at her camera, miming the motion of taking a picture)* Maria: “Sí, sí, las fotos. Pero no puedo explicarlo en su idioma. Quiero ayudar, de verdad, pero estoy sola aquí y muy asustada. ¿Hay alguien que hable español? Por favor…” Hunter: “This language barrier is going to be a problem. I might need to bring in a translator tomorrow. You stay safe and keep that camera close, all right?” Maria: “No sé si volveré a dormir tranquila. Cada ruido me asusta ahora. Tenga cuidado, señor detective… aunque no entienda nada de lo que digo.” Hunter: “Yeah… same.” *(awkward nod, clearly frustrated by the failed communication)* *(Hunter’s phone suddenly rings. He checks the screen, expression turning grim.)* Hunter: “I’ve gotta take this. It’s the station—might be related to the case. We’ll figure out the language issue later. Watch your back, miss.” *(He gives her one last helpless look and strides away, answering the call as he goes.)* Maria: “Adiós…” *(whispers to herself, clutching her camera protectively as she watches him leave)*