Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VVJV4KJ5A0KVJ2Z0H37D6

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **MARIA:** *(softly, to herself, reviewing photos on her camera screen)* No... no, no puede ser... *(No... no, it can't be...)* --- **HUNTER:** *(approaching her table, badge visible, voice low and direct)* Excuse me. Mind if I sit? I'm Detective Hunter. I'm looking into some... recent events in town. You were at the orchard yesterday, weren't you? Near Miller's property? --- **MARIA:** *(startles, camera clutched to her chest, eyes wide)* ¿Qué? ¿Quién es usted? *(What? Who are you?)* --- **HUNTER:** *(sliding into the booth, unphased)* Detective Hunter. Alborn Police. I need to ask you some questions about what you saw yesterday. Around 4 PM. --- **MARIA:** *(voice rising, hands trembling)* Yo no vi nada. No sé nada. *(I didn't see anything. I don't know anything.)* Por favor, déjeme... *(Please, leave me...)* --- **HUNTER:** *(leaning forward, concerned but firm)* Hey, hey. I'm not accusing you of anything. But three people have gone missing in this town in two weeks. I need to know if you saw anything unusual. Anything at all. --- **MARIA:** *(whispering, tears forming)* Vi... vi a alguien. En el huerto. Pero no sé quién era. Tenía miedo. Mucho miedo. *(I saw... I saw someone. In the orchard. But I don't know who it was. I was scared. Very scared.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(frowning, trying to parse)* I'm sorry, I don't— what language is that? --- **MARIA:** *(frantic now, Spanish pouring out)* ¡Español! ¡Soy española! No hablo inglés, no entiendo nada. *(Spanish! I'm Spanish! I don't speak English, I don't understand anything.)* ¿Por qué me habla? ¿Qué quiere? *(Why are you talking to me? What do you want?)* --- **HUNTER:** *(rubbing his temple, realizing)* Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize. There's no one at the station who— --- **MARIA:** *(standing abruptly, camera swinging)* ¡No me toque! *(Don't touch me!)* ¡Estoy bien! Solo... solo quiero tomar fotos de manzanas. *(I'm fine! I just... I just want to take pictures of apples.)* El festival... *(The festival...)* --- **HUNTER:** *(standing too, hands raised in surrender)* Okay, okay. I hear you. I'm not going to hurt you. But I do need to talk to you. Properly. Is there anyone you know here? A friend? A host family? --- **MARIA:** *(shaking her head, backing toward the door)* No. Nadie. Solo yo. *(No. Nobody. Just me.)* Mi programa... mi universidad... *(My program... my university...)* --- **HUNTER:** *(phone buzzing in his pocket, pulling it out)* Look. I'm going to get you a translator. Someone from the university, maybe. But I need you to stay here. Can you do that? For me? --- **MARIA:** *(hesitating, glancing at her camera, then at the door)* ...Sí. Pero no mucho tiempo. Tengo clase. *(...Yes. But not for long. I have class.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(nodding, already dialing)* Thank you. I appreciate it. *(into phone)* Yeah, it's Hunter. I need a Spanish translator, ASAP. University exchange program, maybe? *(pause, listening)* No, I don't have a name. Female, thirties, camera... *(pause)* Yeah, I'll wait. --- **MARIA:** *(sitting back down slowly, hugging her camera)* Usted... usted es policía de verdad? *(You... you're a real police officer?)* --- **HUNTER:** *(pocketing phone, studying her)* Former Marine. Now I catch bad guys in small towns. *(beat)* You said you saw someone in the orchard. Can you describe them? In Spanish, if you want. I'll write it down. --- **MARIA:** *(quietly, not looking at him)* Un hombre. Alto. Llevaba... una chaqueta roja. Como los de las fotos antiguas. *(A man. Tall. He was wearing... a red jacket. Like in old photographs.)* No miraba las manzanas. Miraba... *(He wasn't looking at the apples. He was looking at...)* hacia la casa de Miller. *(...toward Miller's house.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(leaning in, intense)* Miller's house. The one that's been empty since— --- **MARIA:** *(interrupting, voice breaking)* ¡No sé más! *(I don't know more!)* Por favor... *(Please...)* --- **HUNTER:** *(phone buzzing again, groaning)* I know. I know, I'm sorry. *(answering)* Hunter. *(listening, face changing)* What? Another one? *(standing)* I have to go. But I'm coming back. With a translator. You stay put, okay? *(pointing at her)* You stay put. --- **MARIA:** *(small voice)* Sí... sí, detective. *(Yes... yes, detective.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(already at the door, turning back)* And Maria? *(she looks up, surprised he used her name)* Whatever you saw... you did the right thing by being scared. But you're safe now. I promise you that. --- **MARIA:** *(whispered, to herself as he exits)* Gracias... *(Thank you...)* --- **[END SCENE]**