Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VR9B1MR9YGZFKZF8VPDV0

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **SELVI:** *(softly, to herself, reviewing photos on her camera screen)* "Yeh sab kya ho raha hai... main samajh nahi rahi..." *(What is happening... I don't understand...)* --- **HUNTER:** *(approaching, badge visible, voice low and direct)* "Excuse me. Mind if I sit?" --- **SELVI:** *(startled, camera clutched to chest)* "Aap... aap kaun hain?" *(You... who are you?)* --- **HUNTER:** "Detective Hunter. Alborn Police." *(beat)* "I'm looking into the disappearances. The three people in the last month." *(leans forward)* "You were at the apple festival last Saturday. Saw you taking photos near the old mill." --- **SELVI:** *(eyes widening, voice trembling)* "Mill... haan, main wahan thi. Par main kuch nahi dekhi. Main sirf... sirf tasveerein le rahi thi." *(The mill... yes, I was there. But I didn't see anything. I was only... only taking pictures.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(frowning slightly)* "You didn't see anything unusual? No strangers? No one acting strange?" --- **SELVI:** *(shaking her head frantically, clutching camera tighter)* "Kuch nahi. Kuch bhi nahi. Main akeli thi. Bas... bas ped, seb, log. Normal." *(Nothing. Nothing at all. I was alone. Just... just trees, apples, people. Normal.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(leaning in, more insistent)* "Listen. This is serious. People are missing. I need to know if you saw anything. Anything at all." --- **SELVI:** *(voice cracking, eyes filling with tears)* "Main yahan nayi hoon. Main Hindi bolti hoon. Main... main English nahi jaanti. Aap samajh rahe hain? Main dar rahi hoon. Bahut dar rahi hoon." *(I'm new here. I speak Hindi. I... I don't know English. Do you understand? I'm scared. Very scared.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(confused, slowing down)* "I... I'm sorry. I didn't—" *(trails off, jaw tightening)* "You're from India?" --- **SELVI:** *(nodding, wiping her eye with her sleeve)* "Haan. Mumbai se. College ke liye. Study abroad." *(Yes. From Mumbai. For college. Study abroad.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(rubbing his temple, exasperated but trying)* "Right. Okay. Look, I need to ask you some questions. About the festival. About—" *(phone buzzes in his pocket)* --- **SELVI:** *(whispering, terrified)* "Koi aur gayab ho gaya? Aur ek?" *(Someone else disappeared? Another one?)* --- **HUNTER:** *(ignoring her, answering phone)* "Hunter." *(listens, face grim)* "Where? When was she last seen?" *(to Selvi, covering phone)* "I have to go. Another one." *(stands, hands her a card)* "This is my number. If you remember anything—anything—call me. Or find someone who speaks English. A professor? A student?" --- **SELVI:** *(staring at the card, voice barely audible)* "Main kya karoon? Main kya kar sakti hoon?" *(What do I do? What can I do?)* --- **HUNTER:** *(already walking away, calling back)* "Stay safe. Don't go near the mill. Don't—" *(cut off by static as he exits)* --- **SELVI:** *(alone at the table, camera in her lap, whispering to herself)* "Main akeli hoon. Bilkul akeli."* *(I'm alone. Completely alone.)* --- **[END SCENE]**