Run: 2026-09-23-01M36S8KC4T6YTMCE9NZ2G12S0

# Voice Sheet: Café Encounter **SETTING:** *A quiet café on Main Street in Alborn, MN. Autumn leaves drift past the window. MELANIE sits alone at a corner table, turning her camera over in her hands, reviewing photos. HUNTER approaches, badge clipped to his belt.* --- **Hunter:** "Excuse me — I'm Detective Hunter. You're the German exchange student, right? I'm asking folks around town about the festival last Saturday. Mind if I ask you a few questions?" **Melanie:** *(looks up, eyes wide — camera clutched tighter)* "Festival...? Ich — ich verstehe nicht, was Sie sagen. Können Sie das wiederholen...?" **Hunter:** "Sorry — I asked if you were at the Apple Festival on Saturday night. You were, weren't you?" **Melanie:** *(shakes her head slowly, voice trembling)* "Es war so dunkel... Ich habe Menschen weggehen sehen. Sie sind einfach verschwunden. Ich konnte es nicht glauben — und jetzt... jetzt finden sie sie nicht mehr." *(quietly, almost to herself)* "Warum hat niemand etwas dagegen getan...?" **Hunter:** *(frowns, tilting his head)* "I'm gonna be honest with you — I didn't catch a single word of that." **Melanie:** *(flustered, gestures helplessly with one hand)* "Oh... Entschuldigung, ich — Ich spreche kein Englisch. Ich weiß nicht, wie ich Ihnen das erklären soll." **Hunter:** "Right." *(pauses, picks up a napkin and a pen)* "I'm going to write this down. Saturday night. Apple Festival. Did you see anything... unusual?" **Melanie:** *(stares at the napkin, then her expression darkens — she looks past him toward the window)* "Ja. Ja, ich habe etwas gesehen." *(her voice drops)* "Es war schrecklich. Und niemand hier scheint das zu bemerken." **Hunter:** *(watches her carefully)* "Ma'am, your English doesn't seem half bad. I just saw you respond directly to what I — " **Melanie:** *(quickly, waving her hands)* "Nein, nein! Das war nur... das waren nur ein paar Worte, die ich von einem Film her kenne. Bitte glauben Sie mir, ich verstehe Sie wirklich nicht." **Hunter:** *(long pause, rubbing the back of his neck)* "...I don't have a translator on speed dial right now, and the nearest one's in Duluth." **Melanie:** *(quietly)* "Entschuldigen Sie mich, ich denke, ich sollte gehen. Ich — Ich bin sehr aufgeregt." *(picks up her camera, begins packing her bag with shaking hands)* **Hunter:** *(holds up a hand gently)* "Wait — hey, don't go. I can tell something's bothering you. And in my experience, when someone looks like *that*, it matters." **Melanie:** *(stops, turns back — eyes glistening)* "Sie sind Polizist, richtig? Können Sie nicht jemanden finden, der Deutsch spricht? Das hier ist wichtig... für mich... und für die Menschen, die nicht mehr da sind." **Hunter:** *(softening, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from her)* "I'm going to find a way to talk to you properly. I promise. But I need you to tell me — did you see someone at the festival? Someone who... didn't come home?" **Melanie:** *(meets his eyes, nods once — a single tear rolls down her cheek)* "Ja. Genau das habe ich gesehen." **Hunter:** *(leaning forward)* "Who? Ma'am — who did you see?" **Melanie:** *(opens her mouth to speak — but before she can —)* **Hunter's phone rings.** *(He glances at the screen. His jaw tightens.)* **Hunter:** "I have to take this." *(stands abruptly, pressing the phone to his ear)* "Hunter here. — What? Where?" *(listens — his face goes pale)* "I'm on my way. Don't touch anything." **Melanie:** *(watching him, clutching her camera strap)* "Was ist los...? Warum gehen Sie jetzt...?" **Hunter:** *(pulling his jacket on, pointing gently at her)* "Stay here. Do *not* leave this café. I will find someone who speaks German, and I *will* be back to finish this conversation." *(starts toward the door, then turns back)* "And if anyone asks what you were doing here today — tell them nothing." **Melanie:** *(whispering)* "Gott... was ist in dieser Stadt nur los...?" *(HUNTER pushes through the café door and is gone. MELANIE sits alone, her camera heavy in her lap, staring at the door.)* **END SCENE**