Run: 2026-03-18-01KM07E2719F1A1MDYGF6BMFV4

**Voice Sheet: A Meeting at the Café** *(Scene: A quiet afternoon at "The Daily Grind," a cozy café in Alborn, Minnesota. Marie sits at a corner table, her camera resting on the seat beside her. She’s frowning at a photo she just took of the town square. The bell above the door jingles, and in walks Hunter, his sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on Marie. He approaches her table.)* --- **Hunter:** *(casually, pulling out a chair)* Mind if I sit? **Marie:** *(glancing up, then quickly shaking her head, offering a polite smile)* Oh—non, non. Please. **Hunter:** *(sitting down, resting his elbows on the table)* Thanks. You’re the one from France, right? The exchange student? **Marie:** *(eyes widening slightly, surprised he knows)* Oui, c’est moi. Marie. And you…? **Hunter:** *(nodding, extending a hand across the table)* Hunter. Detective Hunter. **Marie:** *(eyes flicking to his outstretched hand before hesitating, then offering a quick handshake)* Enchantée. **Hunter:** *(pulling his hand back, clearing his throat)* Right. So, you’ve been here a few months now, yeah? **Marie:** *(nodding, glancing back at her camera)* Oui. Three months. I love the light here—very different from Paris. **Hunter:** *(leaning back slightly, arms crossed)* Not why I’m here. Saw your photo in the paper. Won that contest, didn’t you? **Marie:** *(blushing slightly, touching the camera strap)* Oh. That. Yes. A picture of the old mill. **Hunter:** *(rubbing his jaw, studying her)* You know anything about what’s been happening lately? The disappearances? **Marie:** *(face falling, voice dropping to a whisper)* Oui. **Hunter:** *(perking up, leaning forward)* You’ve heard something? **Marie:** *(nodding, eyes darting around the café before lowering her voice further)* Il y a des gens qui disent… that there’s something in the woods. Near the old logging trail. **Hunter:** *(tensing, eyes narrowing)* "Something"? Like what? **Marie:** *(shrugging, hugging herself slightly)* Ils disent… they say it’s not human. That it moves like a man, but… not. That it calls out at night. **Hunter:** *(frowning, pulling out his phone and typing notes)* You believe that? **Marie:** *(hesitating, then shaking her head)* Non. But… I saw something. Two nights ago. Near the creek. A… shadow. It moved too fast. Like an animal, but standing on two legs. **Hunter:** *(leaning back, eyes locking onto hers)* And you didn’t report this? **Marie:** *(wincing, shaking her head again)* I tried. But when I went to the station… they said the detective in charge wasn’t taking reports over the phone. And my French… *(gesturing vaguely)* I couldn’t explain properly. **Hunter:** *(sighing, rubbing his temple)* Jesus. Okay. Look, I’m new here too, but I’ll check it out. You got a number I can reach you at? **Marie:** *(fumbling in her bag, pulling out a slip of paper with her phone number written in shaky English)* Here. **Hunter:** *(taking it, nodding)* Thanks. I’ll be in touch. *(Just then, Hunter’s phone rings. He glances at the screen, then groans.)* **Hunter:** *(standing up, tucking the phone to his ear)* Captain. Yeah, I’m on it. *(to Marie, waving a hand)* Sorry, gotta go. Stay safe, okay? **Marie:** *(nodding, watching him rush out of the café)* *(Hunter’s voice fades as he answers the call, steps outside.)* --- **End Scene.** *(This sets up Marie as a potential witness who may need Hunter’s help, and Hunter as someone who’s unfamiliar with local languages and customs—adding tension to their dynamic.)*