Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VQCKCXYHC85WTGZWQA2AC

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **SELVI:** *(softly, to herself, reviewing photos on her camera screen)* "Yeh toh bilkul alag tha... kitna khoobsurat tha yeh jagah." **HUNTER:** *(approaching her table, badge clipped to his belt, voice gravelly but not unkind)* "Excuse me, miss? I'm Detective Hunter. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about the apple festival last weekend." **SELVI:** *(startled, camera clutched to her chest, eyes wide)* "Main... main samajh nahi rahi. Aap kya keh rahe hain?" **HUNTER:** *(frowning, leaning in slightly)* "Sorry, I didn't catch that. You speak English?" **SELVI:** *(shaking her head vigorously, voice rising with panic)* "Nahi! Nahi! Main Hindi bolti hoon. Aap... aap kaun hain? Kya hua?" **HUNTER:** *(exchanging a look with himself, pulling out a notepad)* "Detective Hunter. Alborn Police. There've been some... incidents. People disappearing. I need to know if you saw anything unusual near the orchard on Saturday." **SELVI:** *(hugging her camera tighter, backing against the booth)* "Orchard? Log gayab? Main toh sirf... sirf photos le rahi thi. Phool, ped, sab kuch. Kuch nahi dekha. Kuch nahi!" **HUNTER:** *(frustrated, tapping his pen)* "Ma'am, please. I need you to understand—this is serious. Three people have vanished in two weeks. If you saw anything, anything at all—" **SELVI:** *(voice cracking, tears forming)* "Main yahan nayi hoon! Teen hafte pehle hi aayi hoon! Mujhe yahan koi nahi jaanta! Main sirf apna desh chhodkar aayi hoon, aur ab... ab yeh sab kya ho raha hai?" **HUNTER:** *(softening despite himself, sitting across from her uninvited)* "Hey. Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." *(pause)* "You're from India?" **SELVI:** *(nodding, wiping her eye with her sleeve)* "Haan. Mumbai se. Main yahan padhne aayi hoon. College exchange program." *(gesturing helplessly at her camera)* "Bas yahi toh mera saathi hai. Yeh camera." **HUNTER:** *(glancing at the camera, then back at her)* "You take pictures, huh? Professional?" **SELVI:** *(small, shaky smile)* "Shauk. Bas shauk. Landscape photography. Pahaad, nadiyan, prakriti..." *(trailing off, looking down)* "Yahan bhi khoobsurat jagah hai. Apple ke bagiche. Main sochi thi... main sochi thi yahan surakshit hoongi." **HUNTER:** *(quietly)* "I know it doesn't look like it, but we're going to figure this out. All of it." *(checking his watch)* "Look, I need to find someone who can translate. Or—" *(standing, straightening his jacket)* "—you stay here. Don't go anywhere alone. Especially not near the orchards after dark." **SELVI:** *(standing too, suddenly desperate)* "Aap mujhe madad karenge? Sach mein? Main kisi se baat nahi kar sakti. Koi nahi jaanta mujhe. Main akeli hoon." **HUNTER:** *(pausing at the edge of the booth, looking back)* "I'll find you a translator. Tomorrow. Same time, same place?" *(not waiting for an answer)* "And hey—" *(almost a smile)* "—your English isn't bad. You'll pick up the rest." **SELVI:** *(calling after him, voice small)* "Aap ka naam kya hai? Aap... aap kaun hain?" **HUNTER:** *(over his shoulder, already walking away)* "Hunter. Just Hunter." *(phone already to his ear)* "Yeah, I need a Hindi translator. Urgent." **SELVI:** *(to herself, clutching her camera, watching him disappear through the cafe door)* "Hunter..." *(whispered, almost to the lens)* "Shikari." --- **[END SCENE]**