Run: 2026-09-03-01M1KYGKK0FX1H0RZTNKS7D5EH

*(Melanie’s lines are in German; English translations are provided in italics for clarity. Hunter speaks only English.)* *Scene: A sidewalk café in downtown Alborn, MN. Late morning. MELANIE sits alone at a small table, her camera clutched in her hands. She stares at the display screen, troubled and shaken. DETECTIVE HUNTER approaches, flips open his badge, and stops at her table.* Hunter: "Excuse me. Detective Hunter, Alborn P.D. I need to ask you about Friday night—the disappearance out at the orchards during the Apple Festival. You were there taking pictures, weren't you?" *(He points to her camera.)* Melanie: "Es tut mir leid, ich verstehe nicht. Ich spreche kein Englisch." *(I’m sorry, I don’t understand. I don’t speak English.)* *Hunter frowns, completely confused.* Hunter: "You don’t speak English? Great. Okay—do you have a phone? A friend? Someone who can translate?" *(He mimes holding a phone to his ear.)* Melanie: "Ich bin Austauschstudentin. Ich studiere hier für ein Semester. Ich bin allein hier. Was ist passiert? Warum sind Sie hier?" *(I’m an exchange student. I’m studying here for a semester. I’m alone here. What happened? Why are you here?)* Hunter: "I’m asking the questions. Did you see a man out by the old cider mill around dusk? Tall guy, red flannel. He’s missing." *(He points to his watch, then outward toward the edge of town.)* Melanie: "Meine Kamera... ja, ich war dort. Aber ich habe Angst. Ich habe etwas gesehen, das ich nicht hätte sehen sollen." *(My camera... yes, I was there. But I am afraid. I saw something I wasn’t supposed to see.)* *Hunter glances around, frustrated.* Hunter: "Great. Just great. Did you see him? The man? Yes or no? Nod if yes." *(He points to his own eyes, then outward, and demonstrates an exaggerated nod.)* Melanie: "Ja! Ja, ich war dort. Ich habe Fotos gemacht." *(Yes! Yes, I was there. I took pictures.)* Hunter: "You saw something. Did you see who he was with? Anyone else out there? Yes or no?" *(He holds up two fingers, then points to his eyes again.)* Melanie: "Ich habe ihn gesehen... er war nicht allein. Da war ein Schatten, und dann—mein Gott—der Mann am Boden." *(I saw him... he wasn’t alone. There was a shadow, and then—my God—the man on the ground.)* *Hunter runs a hand over his face, completely lost.* Hunter: "I have no idea what you're saying. The camera. Show me. Now." *(He gestures for her to turn the camera toward him.)* Melanie: "Ja. Sehen Sie hier. Ich habe es fotografiert, ohne es zu merken." *(Yes. Look here. I photographed it without realizing it.)* *(She turns the display screen so he can see.)* Hunter: *(studying the image)* "I’ll be damned. That’s him. That’s the missing man. Okay, stay right here. Don’t move. I’m gonna get someone down here who can—" *His phone rings. He holds up a finger, then answers.* Hunter: "Hunter. ... What? ... Another one? ... Yeah, I’m with a witness now. ... No, she doesn’t speak English. ... Send a translator to the café on Main. ... On it." *(He hangs up and turns back to Melanie.)* Hunter: "Something’s come up. I have to go. But you—stay. Right here." *(He points at the table, then at her, then mimes sitting.)* Melanie: "Wohin gehen Sie? Ich habe Angst. Bitte, lassen Sie mich nicht allein. Was ist mit dem Mann auf dem Foto?" *(Where are you going? I’m afraid. Please, don’t leave me alone. What about the man in the photo?)* Hunter: "I’ll be back. Or someone will. Don’t leave this café. Understand? Don’t. Leave." *(He backs away, already reaching for his car keys.)* Melanie: "Ja. Ich bleibe hier." *(Yes. I’ll stay here.)*