Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VKB7J8ZFZ3XQTBFPTAWSA

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **SCENE:** A small café in Alborn, MN. Rain streaks the windows. ISABELLA (30) sits alone, scrolling through photos on her camera, a half-finished cappuccino growing cold beside her. --- **Hunter:** *(approaching, badge visible, rain dripping from his jacket)* "Excuse me, miss. Detective Hunter, Alborn PD. Mind if I sit?" **Isabella:** *(startled, clutching her camera)* "Oh! Sì, sì—please, prego." **Hunter:** *(sitting, pulling out a notepad)* "I'm investigating some disappearances. You wouldn't happen to have seen anything unusual around the apple orchard last Tuesday? Or perhaps noticed any strangers asking questions?" **Isabella:** *(face falling, voice trembling)* "The orchard? No, no, I was—I was at the festival, taking pictures of the... the trees. But Detective, I don't understand. Why do you ask me? I am just a student, from—" *(gestures helplessly)* "—from Italia. I don't know this town well. I don't know anyone here." **Hunter:** *(frowning, leaning forward)* "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. You said something about Italy?" **Isabella:** *(frantic, switching to faster Italian, hands shaking)* "No, no, I am sorry! I do not speak your language, your English. I am only here for three months, to study, to photograph. I know nothing of disappearances. Please, you must ask someone else. Someone who—" *(voice cracks)* "—someone who can understand me." **Hunter:** *(exchanging a glance at her camera, then back to her, growing frustrated)* "Lady, I need you to slow down. English. Please. I'm not getting any of that." **Isabella:** *(tears forming, pulling her camera closer)* "I am so sorry. I wish I could help. But I cannot. I do not know. And now—" *(checking her phone)* "—I must go. My professor, she will be waiting. Buona sera, Detective." **Hunter:** *(standing, blocking her path gently)* "Wait. You said something about not knowing. Not knowing what?" **Isabella:** *(backing against the table, terrified)* "I saw something! At the orchard! But I do not know if it matters, I do not know if I should speak, because I do not understand your laws, your—" *(whispers)* "—your language. I am afraid." **Hunter:** *(phone buzzing in his pocket, pulling it out, glancing at the screen)* "Isabella—is that your name?—I hear you. But I need to know what you saw. Can you write it down? Draw it?" **Isabella:** *(nodding desperately, grabbing a napkin and pen, scribbling furiously in Italian)* "Sì, sì. I write. I write everything. But please—" *(looking up, pleading)* "—you must promise. You must protect me. I am alone here. I have no one." **Hunter:** *(taking the napkin, phone still buzzing, growing impatient)* "I'll do what I can. But I need to take this call. It's about another—" *(checking the screen)* "—another possible sighting. Five minutes. Can you stay?" **Isabella:** *(clutching the napkin back, terrified)* "Five minutes? Sì, sì, I stay. But Detective—" *(grabbing his sleeve)* "—the thing I saw. It was a man. Near the old packing shed. He was wearing—" *(trails off, shaking her head)* "—I do not know how to say. In English. I do not know." **Hunter:** *(patting her hand awkwardly, then pulling away to answer his phone)* "Stay right there. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back." *(into phone)* "Yeah, I'm with a witness. No, she doesn't speak English. I'll call you back." **Isabella:** *(alone again, staring at her camera, whispering to herself)* "Cosa faccio? Cosa faccio?" *(What do I do? What do I do?)* **Hunter:** *(already walking toward the door, looking back)* "I'll be back, Isabella. Don't move." **Isabella:** *(not hearing him, lost in her own fear)* "Madre mia... madre mia..." --- **END SCENE**