Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VSZEE647XM6PRJV6S4Q7G

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **MARIE:** *(softly, to herself, reviewing photos on her camera screen)* Mon Dieu... qu'est-ce que c'est que ça... **HUNTER:** *(approaching her table, badge visible)* Excuse me, miss? I'm Detective Hunter. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about the apple festival last Saturday. **MARIE:** *(startled, camera slipping in her hands; she catches it, then looks up with wide eyes)* Euh... je... je ne comprends pas. *(voice trembling)* Vous... vous parlez anglais? Je suis désolée, je suis française, je ne parle pas anglais, pas encore... **HUNTER:** *(frowning, slowing his speech)* I... sorry. I didn't catch that. You said something about... France? **MARIE:** *(clutching her camera to her chest, speaking rapidly)* Oui, oui! Je suis étudiante, programme d'échange. Je suis arrivée il y a trois semaines. Je ne connais personne ici, personne! *(she gestures helplessly at the café around them)* Tout est si étrange, si différent... **HUNTER:** *(leaning in slightly, trying to be reassuring)* Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm not here to scare you. Just... there have been some people missing. Near the orchards. You were at the festival, right? Did you see anything unusual? **MARIE:** *(shaking her head violently, eyes filling with tears)* Non, non, je n'ai rien vu! Rien! *(she lowers her voice, terrified)* Mais... mais j'ai entendu des choses. Des bruits, la nuit. Près de mon appartement. Des pas. Quelqu'un qui... qui me suivait, peut-être? *(she looks around nervously)* Je voulais partir, rentrer chez moi, mais mon visa... *(her voice breaks)* Je ne peux pas partir maintenant, monsieur, je suis coincée ici... **HUNTER:** *(concerned now, pulling out a notepad)* Okay, okay. "Footsteps." "Someone following you." When did this happen? Last night? **MARIE:** *(nodding frantically, French pouring out faster)* Avant-hier! La nuit de vendredi! J'étais dehors, je prenais des photos des étoiles, et puis... *(she shudders)* J'ai senti que quelqu'un m'observait. Dans les arbres. Je suis rentrée en courant. Depuis, je ne sors plus. Je ne fais plus de photos. *(she looks down at her camera with something like grief)* C'est tout ce que j'ai. Ma caméra. Ma seule amie ici... **HUNTER:** *(softening, genuine concern in his voice)* Alright. I'm going to write down my number. You call me if anything else happens. Any sounds, any... *(he struggles for the word)* ...any *personnes* watching you. Okay? **MARIE:** *(staring at the number, confused but grateful)* Merci... merci, monsieur. Vous êtes gentil. Vraiment gentil. *(she hesitates)* Mais... pourquoi les gens disparaissent-ils ici? C'est... c'est dangereux, Alborn? **HUNTER:** *(standing, straightening his jacket)* That's what I'm trying to find out. *(he pauses at her table)* You stay safe, alright? And... *(he gestures to her camera)* ...maybe take a few more pictures. Of the festival. Might help us. **MARIE:** *(small, hopeful smile)* Peut-être... peut-être que oui. **HUNTER:** *(turning to leave, then stopping)* Oh—and miss? Your English? It's... it's better than you think. **MARIE:** *(laughing shakily)* Non! Non, c'est terrible! *(but she's smiling now)* Au revoir, détective. Bonne chance. **HUNTER:** *(over his shoulder)* Thanks. *(into his phone, already walking away)* Yeah, I need a translator. French. ASAP. **MARIE:** *(to herself, watching him go, then looking back at her camera with new determination)* D'accord, Marie. On va faire des photos. Pour la justice. ---