Run: 2026-09-23-01M36V2TJZ68CQWH48HCX57FB0

**INT. CAFE – ALBORN, MN – DAY** *A small-town café hums with quiet conversation. SELVI sits alone at a corner table, her camera resting in her lap as she scrolls through photos on its display. DETECTIVE HUNTER approaches, badge clipped to his belt, expression unreadable.* **Selvi:** *(tapping through photos, murmuring to herself softly)* "Kitni sundar tasveer hai… isko share karna chahiye tha…" **Hunter:** *(pulling out a chair across from her without asking)* "Mind if I sit down? Detective Hunter. I'm looking into something — maybe you saw something recently. There was a gathering near the old orchard. You were there, right? With that camera." **Selvi:** *(looks up, startled, gripping her camera tighter)* "Uh… aap kaun hain? Mujhe nahi samajh aa raha aap kya keh rahe hain…" **Hunter:** *(leaning forward, not catching her meaning)* "I asked about the orchard. Did you photograph anything that night? Anything unusual — people, vehicles, anything that stuck out?" **Selvi:** *(flustered, pushing her chair back slightly)* "Yeh kya ho raha hai? Main kuch bhi nahi karta… main bas tasveerein le rahi thi… aap mujhse kyon pooch rahe hain?" **Hunter:** *(frowning, glancing at his notes)* "Yeah, I'm not sure what you're saying there — English? Do you speak English?" **Selvi:** *(shaking her head quickly, pressing her hand to her chest, visibly uneasy)* "Nahi, nahi… main English nahi bolti… please, mujhe samajhne ki koshish karo… main kisi galat cheez mein nahi hoon…" **Hunter:** *(sighing, pinching the bridge of his nose, trying again more slowly)* "I'm not here to arrest you. I'm investigating disappearances. People have gone missing. I need your help. The orchard. Can you tell me about the orchard?" **Selvi:** *(eyes widening at the intensity of his tone, voice trembling slightly)* "Disappearances? Aap… aap kya keh rahe hain? Koi gayab ho gaya kya? Mere saamne kuch aisa nahi hua… mere paas sirf meri camera hai…" **Hunter:** *(studying her face, softening just a fraction)* "Look, I can see you're upset. I get it. You don't have to be scared. I just want to know what you saw that night." **Selvi:** *(swallowing hard, hugging her camera protectively, voice quieter now)* "Mujhe bhi dar lag raha hai… yeh sheher mujhe ajeeb lagta hai… jab se main aayi hoon, kuch theek nahi lag raha… kya sach mein log gayab ho rahe hain?" **Hunter:** *(leaning back, a flicker of recognition on his face at her fear — though he can't understand her words, only her emotion)* "I'm sorry. I know this is a lot. If you remember anything — anything at all — here's my card." *He slides a business card across the table. Selvi stares at it, then at him, then at her camera. She picks up the card with cautious fingers.* **Selvi:** *(reading the name, mouthing it silently, then looking up)* "Hunter… aap Hunter hain…? Main… main baad mein koshish karungi aapse baat karne ki… koi translate kar sake…" **Hunter:** *(nodding as if he understands)* "Yeah. Hunter. Take your time. I'll be around if you think of something." *Suddenly Hunter's phone rings. He glances at the screen, and his entire demeanor shifts — jaw tightening, eyes going cold and focused.* **Hunter:** *(answering, turning slightly away)* "Hunter here. …When? …I'm on my way." *He pockets the phone and stands abruptly.* **Hunter:** *(looking down at Selvi, urgent)* "I've got to go. Another one. Just — think about that night, alright? Please." **Selvi:** *(standing quickly, alarmed by his sudden intensity, holding up her hands)* "Aap ja rahe hain? Rukiye — mujhe kuch kehna hai — par mujhe nahi pata kaise kahun — aap English nahi jaante aur main English nahi jaanti — par kuch… kuch gadbad ho raha hai, I feel it…" **Hunter:** *(pausing at the edge of the table, uncertain, reading her face)* "I understand more than you think. Stay safe, Selvi." *He turns and strides out of the café. Selvi stands alone, clutching her camera in one hand and his card in the other, staring at the door he just left through. She exhales slowly, trembling.* **Selvi:** *(quietly, to herself)* "Kya chal raha hai is sheher mein…?" *Her phone — set to auto-translate — buzzes on the table. She glances down at it, a flicker of hope crossing her face.* **FADE OUT.**