Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VQBDP5HXW2MJ28S803AA1

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **MARIE:** *(softly, to herself, reviewing photos on her camera screen)* Non... ce n'est pas possible... *(shakes her head, eyes wide)* --- **HUNTER:** *(approaching her table, badge visible, voice gravelly but not unkind)* Excuse me, miss? Mind if I sit? I'm Detective Hunter. I'm looking into some... recent events in town. You wouldn't happen to have seen anything unusual near the old Miller orchard last Tuesday evening? --- **MARIE:** *(startles, camera clutched to her chest, looks up with alarmed eyes)* Quoi? Je... je ne comprends pas. *(shakes head frantically)* Je suis désolée, monsieur, mais... *(gestures helplessly at her ears, then her mouth)* --- **HUNTER:** *(frowns, leans forward slightly)* Sorry, I don't... you don't speak English? At all? *(sighs, rubs his temple)* Lady, I really need to ask you some questions. There's been three disappearances this month, and you're the fourth person I've talked to who— --- **MARIE:** *(interrupting, voice rising with panic)* Disparitions? *(clutches her camera tighter, knuckles white)* Non, non, je ne sais rien! Rien! *(stands abruptly, chair scraping)* Je veux partir! Maintenant! --- **HUNTER:** *(stands, hands raised in a placating gesture)* Hey, hey, calm down. I'm not accusing you of anything. *(reaches for his notepad)* Look, can you at least tell me your name? Where you're staying? Anything? --- **MARIE:** *(backing away, tears forming)* Marie. Marie Dubois. Étudiante. *(points to herself, then gestures around the café)* Je... je prends des photos. C'est tout. Des paysages. Des pommes. *(voice cracks)* S'il vous plaît... laissez-moi... --- **HUNTER:** *(softens slightly, but still frustrated)* Marie. Marie Dubois. French, huh? *(checks his watch)* Look, I'm going to need an interpreter. This is... *(mutters)* ...this is ridiculous. Three thousand people in this town and I can't find one person who speaks— --- **MARIE:** *(quietly, almost to herself, staring at her camera)* J'ai vu quelque chose. *(pause, swallows hard)* Dans le verger. Mardi. *(looks up at Hunter, eyes desperate)* Mais ce n'était pas... ce n'était pas une personne. C'était... *(shakes head)* Non. Vous ne me croiriez pas. --- **HUNTER:** *(perks up, professional instincts kicking in)* Saw something? In the orchard? *(sits back down, pulls out pen)* Marie, I'm listening. Anything. Lights, noises, vehicles, people acting strange— --- **MARIE:** *(hesitates, then speaks rapidly in French, gesturing toward the window)* Une lumière. Très loin. Qui bougeait. Pas comme une voiture. Pas comme... *(searches for words, switches to English with heavy accent)* ...like nothing. And I took a picture. *(taps her camera)* But when I looked... *(voice drops to whisper)* ...the trees were different. The path... it wasn't there anymore. --- **HUNTER:** *(leans in, scribbling furiously)* Different how? The path disappeared? Marie, that's— *(phone BUZZES loudly on the table)* Shit. *(answers, voice tight)* Hunter. *(listens, jaw tightening)* ...I know where you are. No, I don't have a suspect. *(glances at Marie)* ...Just... get there as fast as you can. *(hangs up, stands)* Marie, I need you to come with me. Show me exactly where you were. And Marie? *(grabs his coat)* ...thank you. Whatever you saw, it matters. --- **MARIE:** *(hesitates, clutching her camera, looking between Hunter and the door)* Vous... vous reviendrez? *(points to her table)* Pour... pour finir notre conversation? --- **HUNTER:** *(almost smiles despite himself)* I'll be back, Marie. I promise. *(starts to leave, then pauses)* Hey. *(pulls a card from his wallet, slides it across the table)* My number. If you remember anything else. Or if you just... need someone who speaks your language. *(taps the card)* I'll find a translator. We'll figure this out. --- **MARIE:** *(picks up the card with trembling fingers, nods)* Merci, Détective Hunter. *(whispers)* Bonne chance. --- **HUNTER:** *(at the door, calls back)* Yeah. Yeah, I'm going to need it. --- **[END SCENE]**