Run: 2026-07-01-01KWE8VMNETS8A62GJWY12WD4D

**Scene: The Copper Kettle Café, Alborn, MN — mid-morning** *Marie sits at a small table near the window, scrolling through photos on her camera's screen. Her coffee has gone lukewarm beside her. The bell above the door chimes as Hunter steps inside, scanning the room before his eyes land on her. He approaches, pulling out a small notepad.* **Hunter:** "Morning. Sorry to interrupt — you were at the festival grounds yesterday evening, weren't you? Taking pictures?" *Marie looks up, startled. Her hands tighten slightly around the camera.* **Marie:** "Je... je ne comprends pas. Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?" *(I... I don't understand. What happened?)* **Hunter:** *(pausing, brow furrowing)* "Uh — English? Do you speak English?" **Marie:** *(shaking her head, voice trembling)* "Non, non — je suis désolée. Je ne parle pas anglais." *(No, no — I'm sorry. I don't speak English.)* **Hunter:** *(sighing, rubbing the back of his neck)* "Great. Okay. Um — pictures?" *(He mimes holding a camera, pointing at hers.)* "Last night? Near the orchard?" *Marie's eyes widen with recognition, and she nods quickly, though her expression grows more troubled.* **Marie:** "Oui, oui — j'étais là-bas. J'ai vu quelque chose... une lumière, très étrange, près des arbres. Et puis j'ai entendu un cri. Un cri terrible." *(Yes, yes — I was there. I saw something... a light, very strange, near the trees. And then I heard a scream. A terrible scream.)* **Hunter:** *(leaning in, trying to catch any familiar word)* "A scream? Did you say — scream?" *(He mimics covering his ears, alarmed.)* **Marie:** *(nodding vigorously, pointing toward her camera)* "Oui ! J'ai pris une photo, juste avant. Peut-être qu'il y a quelque chose là-dedans." *(Yes! I took a photo, just before. Maybe there's something in it.)* *She turns the camera toward him, flipping through images with shaking fingers. Hunter squints at the screen, clearly frustrated by the language barrier but intrigued by her urgency.* **Hunter:** "Okay — okay, hold on. I need someone who can translate this. Can you—" *(he gestures for her to wait)* "—stay here? Don't go anywhere. I'll get someone." *Marie tilts her head, not understanding, but sensing the seriousness in his tone. She nods slowly, clutching the camera to her chest.* **Marie:** "D'accord... je reste ici." *(Okay... I'll stay here.)* *Hunter's phone buzzes sharply in his pocket. He glances at the screen, jaw tightening.* **Hunter:** "Damn it — that's dispatch." *(to Marie, holding up a hand)* "Stay. Right here. I mean it." *Marie watches him, confused but nodding again. Hunter hesitates a beat, frustrated by the unfinished conversation, then turns and strides quickly out of the café, phone pressed to his ear. The bell chimes behind him as the door swings shut.* *Marie looks back down at her camera, scrolling once more to the photo from the orchard, her expression darkening.*