Run: 2026-06-01-01KT1HZK5J2J5NVXP7EQKPSA7K

# Voice Sheet: "The Cafe Encounter" **SCENE: A cozy cafe in Alborn, MN. Mid-afternoon. Selvi sits alone at a corner table, scrolling through photos on her camera with a troubled expression. Hunter enters and approaches her table.** --- **HUNTER:** *(pulling out the chair across from her and sitting down without invitation)* Ma'am? Sorry to bother you. I'm Detective Hunter Briggs, state investigation. Mind if I ask you a few questions? **SELVI:** *(looking up, startled, gripping her camera tightly)* हाँ? कौन... क्या हुआ? *(Yes? Who... what happened?)* **HUNTER:** *(leaning forward, pulling out a small notepad)* I understand there's been a lot of unfamiliar faces in town lately. Study abroad group, right? I just need to know if you've seen anything... strange. Anyone who didn't seem to belong. *(taps pen on notepad)* Last few days especially. **SELVI:** *(eyes darting nervously toward the cafe window, then back to the camera screen)* मैं... मुझे नहीं पता... कल रात, मैंने... *(I... I don't know... last night, I...)* *(trails off, voice trembling)* **HUNTER:** *(raising an eyebrow)* Hey, take your time. Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost. Deep breath. Where are you from, originally? I can't quite place the accent. **SELVI:** *(pressing her lips together, swallowing hard, speaking faster now)* भारत से... लेकिन यह जगह... पेड़ों के पीछे... मैंने फोटो खींची और मुझे... मुझे लगा कि मैंने किसी को... *(From India... but this place... behind the trees... I took a photo and I... I thought I saw someone...)* **HUNTER:** *(holding up a hand, confused)* Woah, woah—slow down. I... I'm not catching any of that. English? Do you speak English? **SELVI:** *(shaking her head, frustrated, gesturing at her own mouth)* नहीं... नहीं, मैं... मुझे अंग्रेजी नहीं आती... *(No... no, I... I don't know English...)* **HUNTER:** *(sighing heavily, rubbing the back of his neck)* Great. Fantastic. *(beat)* Alright. Pictures. Can I see the pictures on your camera? **SELVI:** *(clutching the camera against her chest, then reluctantly sliding it across the table, pointing at a particular photo with a shaking finger)* यह... यहाँ देखिए... यह कौन है? यहाँ कोई नहीं होना चाहिए था... *(This... look here... who is this? There was supposed to be no one here...)* **HUNTER:** *(staring at the photo, squinting)* Yeah... okay... I see a guy in the woods. Wearing a hood, looks like. That's... that's the old canning road. *(looks up at her)* When did you take this? **SELVI:** *(pressing palms against her eyes, taking a deep breath)* रात को... दस बजे... मैं तारे photograph कर रही थी... और फिर... *(At night... ten o'clock... I was photographing the stars... and then...)* **HUNTER:** *(pushing back from the table, standing)* Alright. I hear you. I don't understand a word you're saying, but I hear you. Something scared you. *(pulls a card from his pocket, sliding it across the table)* Here's my card. It ain't gonna help you much, is it. **SELVI:** *(staring blankly at the card, then back at Hunter, eyes welling up)* कृपया... कृपया मदद कीजिए... मुझे डर लग रहा है... *(Please... please help me... I'm scared...)* **HUNTER:** *(softening slightly, nodding)* Hey. Hey, look at me. *(points at his own eyes, then at hers)* I don't know what you're saying, but I get the feeling. I'll find someone to translate. You stay in town, you hear me? Don't go wandering off alone with that camera, especially at night. *(beat)* I'll be back. *(Hunter's phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out, glances at the screen, and his expression hardens.)* **HUNTER:** *(into phone)* Briggs. *(listens)* Yeah. Where? *(listens)* I'm on my way. *(hangs up, looks back at Selvi)* I have to go. Stay put. I mean it. **SELVI:** *(watching him rush toward the door, calling out after him)* रुकिए! कृपया, रुकिए! *(Wait! Please, wait!)* *(The cafe door swings shut. Selvi is left alone at the table, staring at the detective's card and the photo on her camera. She pulls the camera close, opens the photo again, and shivers.)* --- **END SCENE**