Run: 2026-05-20-01KS25S02399DX9WWH9CSBYXFX

**Title: A Misunderstood Witness** **Setting:** The patio of The Rusty Anchor Cafe, Alborn, MN. The air smells of damp autumn leaves and Alborn’s famous cinnamon apple cider. *** **Isabella:** *(Sighs softly, her brow furrowing as she scrolls through the digital gallery on her camera. Her fingers tremble slightly on the dial.)* **Hunter:** *(Steps onto the patio, his heavy boots scraping against the concrete. He adjusts his trench coat, his sharp detective eyes locking onto Isabella and her camera. He pulls a notebook from his pocket and approaches her table.)* "Excuse me, ma'am. Mind if I have a moment of your time? Detective Hunter. I'm investigating the disappearance of Arthur Pendelton. He went missing near the apple orchards two nights ago. I noticed you’ve been taking photos around that area." **Isabella:** *(Looks up, startled. She clutches her camera closer to her chest, her dark eyes wide with a mix of anxiety and confusion. She glances at his badge, then back to his face.)* "Oh... scusi? Non... non capisco. Non parlo inglese." **Hunter:** *(Frowns, his no-nonsense expression hardening slightly. He tucks his notebook under his arm and speaks slower, gesturing with his hands.)* "English? You don't speak English? Look, I just need to know if you saw anything unusual near the treeline on Tuesday night. A man. Tall, gray hair, flannel shirt?" **Isabella:** *(Her breath catches. She looks down at the camera screen, her face turning pale. She looks back up at Hunter, her voice shaking with distress.)* "Io... io ho visto qualcosa di terribile nel bosco. C'era un'ombra, un uomo che correva... e poi è sparito nel buio. Ho avuto così tanto timore, ho spento la macchina fotografica e sono scappata!" **Hunter:** *(Stares at her, completely blank. He rubs the back of his neck, frustrated by the language barrier.)* "Look, lady, I don't know what 'bosco' or 'ombra' means. Is that a 'yes' or a 'no'? Did you see him? Did you take a picture of him?" *(He points to her camera, then to his own eyes, mimicking taking a photo.)* **Isabella:** *(Nods frantically, misunderstanding his gesture as a demand to see her camera. She pulls it back defensively, her heart hammering in her chest. She speaks rapidly, tears of frustration welling in her eyes.)* "No, ti prego! La polizia... ho paura di essere in pericolo. Quell'uomo... non era solo. C'era qualcun altro con lui. Se mi hanno vista con la fotocamera, io... io sono nei guai, capisci?" **Hunter:** *(Sighs heavily, crossing his arms. He recognizes the genuine terror in her voice, but the words are entirely lost on him.)* "Easy, now. I'm not trying to scare you. I just need to see the photos. Photos. Pictures. Can you show me?" *(He taps the screen of her camera gently with his index finger.)* **Isabella:** *(Looks at his finger, then into his stern, unreadable eyes. She shrinks back slightly, shaking her head.)* "Non posso... e se mi stanno guardando anche adesso? Questo paese è così piccolo, tutti sanno tutto. Ho paura, detective. C'è qualcosa di molto strano in questa città." **Hunter:** *(Exasperated, murmuring to himself)* "This is like talking to a brick wall. A terrified, Italian brick wall." *(He raises his voice slightly, trying to be gentle but failing to hide his impatient marine demeanor.)* "Listen. Just... stay here. I need to find a translator. Don't leave Alborn, okay? Dom-i-nico's Pizza down the street has a guy who speaks... actually, I think he's Spanish, but maybe—" *(Suddenly, the heavy radio on Hunter’s belt crackles to life, followed immediately by the sharp, demanding ring of his cell phone. Hunter grunts and pulls the phone from his pocket, checking the caller ID.)* **Hunter:** "Hunter here. Speak to me." *(He listens intensely for three seconds, his body stiffening into a tactical posture. His eyes dart toward the edge of town.)* "What? Where? Near the old mill? Don't touch anything, I'm on my way. Keep the perimeter secure." **Isabella:** *(Watches him, her anxiety peaking at his sudden change in demeanor. She whispers nervously)* "Che succede? Qualcuno si è fatto male?" **Hunter:** *(Puts his phone away and looks down at Isabella, his expression grim. He taps her table authoritatively.)* "I have to go. Emergency. You—stay in public places, understand? Do not go back to the orchards." *(He turns on his heel and begins to jog toward his unmarked police cruiser.)* **Isabella:** *(Calls out after him, clutching her camera to her chest as she watches him sprint away, feeling more alone and terrified than ever)* "Aspetti! Non mi lasci qui da sola! Per favore..."