Run: 2026-09-03-01M1M2ACN0K4Y37M0RBAGBY435

*(A cozy café in downtown Alborn, MN. Maria sits alone at a corner table, her camera cradled in her hands. She stares at the display screen, troubled. Detective Hunter approaches, badge in hand.)* **Hunter:** "Ma’am? Detective Hunter, Alborn P.D. Mind if I ask you a couple of questions?" **Maria:** *(looks up, startled)* "¿Perdón?" *(Translation: "Pardon?")* **Hunter:** "I’m investigating what happened out at the old apple orchard—the night of the festival. The Vance disappearance." *(beat)* "Do you speak English?" **Maria:** *(shaking her head, eyes glistening, in Spanish)* "No entiendo. No hablo inglés. Lo siento." *(Translation: "I don’t understand. I don’t speak English. I’m sorry.")* **Hunter:** *(confused, glances around, then points to her camera)* "Okay. Uh. Great. Camera. You were taking pictures at the orchard, right? Apple trees? Festival?" **Maria:** *(clutches the camera, voice trembling, in Spanish)* "Sí... la cámara. El festival de la manzana." *(Translation: "Yes... the camera. The apple festival.")* **Hunter:** "Right. So you saw something." *(points to his eyes, then to the camera screen)* "A man? Someone near the trees? Then—" *(snaps his fingers)* "Gone. Like the others." **Maria:** *(rapid, shaken, in Spanish)* "Había alguien entre los manzanos. No sé quién. Una sombra. Saqué una foto, pero cuando la miré... no había nadie. Luego oí un grito. Me asusté. Corrí." *(Translation: "There was someone among the apple trees. I don’t know who. A shadow. I took a photo, but when I looked at it... there was no one. Then I heard a scream. I got scared. I ran.")* **Hunter:** *(holds up a hand, frowning)* "Whoa. Slow down. I can’t—" *(taps his temple, shakes his head)* "No Spanish. Zero. Zilch." **Maria:** *(frustrated, thrusts the camera at him, in Spanish)* "¡Mire! ¡La foto! En el huerto, al anochecer. Una sombra. El hombre que buscan... creo que lo vi." *(Translation: "Look! The photo! In the orchard, at dusk. A shadow. The man you’re looking for... I think I saw him.")* **Hunter:** *(takes the camera, scrolls, and finds a shot of apple trees at dusk with a blurred dark shape. He looks up.)* "This? You took this last night?" **Maria:** *(nods urgently, in Spanish)* "Sí. Anoche. Después de los fuegos artificiales." *(Translation: "Yes. Last night. After the fireworks.")* **Hunter:** *(points to the shape, mimes a dark silhouette with his hands)* "Shadow? Som-bra?" **Maria:** *(nods, in Spanish)* "Sí. Sombra. Y luego nada." *(Translation: "Yes. Shadow. And then nothing.")* **Hunter:** *(grim, no-nonsense)* "Okay. Okay, I think I got it. You saw a shadow near the orchard. Last night. After the fireworks. That helps." **Maria:** *(wringing her hands, in Spanish)* "¿Estoy en peligro? No le dije a nadie. Pensé que nadie me creería." *(Translation: "Am I in danger? I didn’t tell anyone. I thought no one would believe me.")* **Hunter:** *(catches her tone, not the words)* "Easy. You’re safe. I just need—" *(His phone RINGS. He pulls it out and answers.)* "Hunter." *(beat)* "Another one? Where?" *(beat)* "Copy. I’m on my way." *(He hangs up and stands.)* **Maria:** *(half-rises, afraid, in Spanish)* "¿Qué pasa? ¿Adónde va? ¡No se vaya!" *(Translation: "What’s happening? Where are you going? Don’t go!")* **Hunter:** *(firm, pointing to the chair)* "I got a call. I have to go. You stay here. Sit. Please. Do not leave." *(mimes talking on a phone, then points to the door)* "I’m sending someone who speaks Spanish. Interpreter. Okay? Just wait." **Maria:** *(sinks back down, whispering, in Spanish)* "Por favor, tenga cuidado." *(Translation: "Please, be careful.")* **Hunter:** *(nods, though he doesn’t understand a word)* "Yeah. You too." *(He exits, badge in hand.)*