Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VT0JGY0YB3A0HEG2VKFZS

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **SCENE: Café in Alborn, MN — Late Afternoon** *Isabella sits at a corner table, camera resting beside her untouched latte, scrolling through photos on her digital display. She wears a faded denim jacket over a cream sweater, her dark hair pulled back in a loose braid. She looks up as a man approaches—tall, broad-shouldered, with the rigid posture of someone who spent years carrying heavy things.* --- **Hunter:** *(stopping at her table, badge visible on his belt)* "Excuse me, miss. Detective Hunter, Alborn Police. Mind if I sit?" **Isabella:** *(tilting her head, camera lowered slightly)* "Mi scusi...?" **Hunter:** *(sliding into the chair across from her, unfazed)* "I'm investigating the disappearances. Three people in the last month. You live near Miller's Creek, don't you? The apartment above the bakery?" **Isabella:** *(eyes widening, camera clutched tighter)* "No, no—io non... non capisco. Non parlo inglese." *(shaking her head, voice rising)* "Sono italiana. Solo italiano." **Hunter:** *(frowning, leaning forward)* "I'm sorry, what?" **Isabella:** *(gesturing helplessly, switching to rapid Italian)* "Le sparizioni! Sì, ho sentito. È terribile, terribile..." *(her hands trembling slightly)* "Ma io non so niente. Non conosco nessuno. Sono qui solo per studiare, per la fotografia..." **Hunter:** *(rubbing his temple)* "Lady, I need you to slow down. English. Please." **Isabella:** *(frustrated now, standing slightly)* "Non c'è 'inglese'! Non lo parlo! Sono di Roma! Da tre mesi qui, e ancora non—" *(catching herself, sitting back down, voice dropping to a frightened whisper)* "Ho visto... ho visto qualcosa. Ieri sera. Vicino al fiume." **Hunter:** *(perking up, pulling out a notepad)* "You saw something? What did you see?" **Isabella:** *(staring at him, desperate)* "Un uomo. Con un cappotto nero. Stava guardando la casa di... di la signora che è scomparsa. La signora Gable." *(shaking her head)* "Ma non l'ho visto bene. Era buio. E poi sono scappata. Ho paura, detective. Ho tanta paura." **Hunter:** *(scribbling furiously)* "Black coat. Mrs. Gable's house. What time?" **Isabella:** *(pulling her hair back, agitated)* "Non ricordo! Non ricordo l'ora! Ero lì per fotografare il tramonto, capisce? La luce sull'acqua... e poi ho visto lui. E ho sentito... passi. Dietro di me." *(voice cracking)* "Per favore, non mi faccia parlare di più. Non voglio pensare a quello." **Hunter:** *(softening slightly, but still pressing)* "I understand it's upsetting. But this could help us find Mrs. Gable. Any details—height, build, anything?" **Isabella:** *(hugging her camera to her chest)* "Era alto. Come lei." *(glancing at Hunter)* "Forse più alto. E... e aveva un anello. Argento. Con un simbolo." *(struggling)* "Non so... non so la parola..." **Hunter:** *(phone buzzing in his pocket—he glances at the screen, expression tightening)* "Ring with a symbol. Got it." *(standing abruptly)* "I need to take this. Can I get your number? In case I have more questions?" **Isabella:** *(nodding quickly, relieved)* "Sì, sì. Il mio numero è..." *(fumbling for her phone, then a napkin, writing)* "Ma non parlo bene al telefono. Meglio... meglio scriva. Email. Isabella.Rossi@email.com" **Hunter:** *(taking the napkin, studying it)* "Rossi. Got it." *(already turning toward the door)* "Stay safe, Miss Rossi. Lock your doors. And if you see that man again—" **Isabella:** *(calling after him, urgent)* "Aspetti! Detective! Lei... lei non ha capito. Io non ho detto tutto." *(standing, following him a few steps)* "C'era un'altra persona. Una donna. Con un ombrello rosso. Stava guardando anche lei. Guardando me." **Hunter:** *(stopping, phone forgotten in his hand)* "Red umbrella?" **Isabella:** *(nodding frantically)* "Sì! Sì! Era lì, sotto l'albero. E quando l'uomo se n'è andato... lei mi ha guardata. E ha sorriso." *(shivering despite the warm café)* "Non era un sorriso gentile, detective. Non era gentile." **Hunter:** *(expression hardening, professional mask slipping back into place)* "Red umbrella. Woman. Smiled at you." *(checking his watch)* "I have to go. But I'll be back. Tomorrow. Same time?" **Isabella:** *(sinking back into her chair, suddenly exhausted)* "Sì. Verrò. Con la mia macchina fotografica." *(quietly, almost to herself)* "Forse... forse ho fotografato qualcosa. Non lo so. Il buio..." **Hunter:** *(at the door, looking back)* "One more thing, Miss Rossi. You said you're from Rome?" **Isabella:** *(not looking up)* "Sì." **Hunter:** "You ever been to a town called Alborn before?" **Isabella:** *(finally meeting his eyes)* "No. Mai." **Hunter:** *(nodding slowly, something unreadable in his expression)* "Strange. Your file says you applied to study abroad here specifically. Chose this town out of everywhere." *He exits. Isabella remains frozen at the table, camera forgotten, staring at the door.* --- **END SCENE**