Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VVW3DVHT3X53MZEEPXA3R

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **MARIE:** *(softly, to herself, reviewing photos on her camera screen)* Mon Dieu... je ne comprends pas. Qu'est-ce qui se passe dans cette ville ? --- **HUNTER:** *(approaching, badge visible, voice gravelly but not unkind)* Excuse me, miss. Detective Hunter, Alborn PD. Mind if I sit? I need to ask you about the Harvest Festival last Saturday. You were taking pictures near the old Miller barn, weren't you? --- **MARIE:** *(startled, clutching her camera to her chest, eyes wide)* Euh... pardon ? Je... je ne parle pas anglais. Je suis française. *(shaking her head, voice trembling)* Je ne comprends rien. Rien du tout. --- **HUNTER:** *(frowning, leaning forward)* I'm sorry, what? You don't speak English? --- **MARIE:** *(rapid French, gesturing helplessly)* Non, non ! Je suis étudiante, ici pour étudier... six mois. Je ne connais pas l'anglais. Pas encore. *(voice cracking)* Pourquoi me demandez-vous cela ? Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ? *(looking around nervously)* Il y a un problème ? --- **HUNTER:** *(rubbing his temple, clearly frustrated)* Ma'am, there's been... incidents. People disappearing. Three in the last month. *(pointing to her camera)* You were photographing near where Sarah Klein was last seen. I need to know what you saw. --- **MARIE:** *(pulling up photos on her camera, showing him, speaking faster now, frightened)* Regardez... regardez ça. *(pointing to screen)* Samedi, le festival. Je prenais des photos des pommes, des gens... et puis j'ai vu quelque chose. Une camionnette blanche. Elle est partie très vite. *(her hands shaking)* Je ne sais pas... je pensais que c'était normal. Je ne voulais pas causer de problèmes. Je suis étrangère, vous comprenez ? Je ne veux pas d'ennuis. --- **HUNTER:** *(leaning in, trying to follow her pointing, then sighing)* I... I can't understand a word you're saying. *(pulls out phone, opens translation app, speaks slowly)* Can you... type? Or write? --- **MARIE:** *(nodding gratefully, grabbing a napkin and pen, writing in shaky script, then pointing to her camera photos)* La camionnette. 4 heures. Près de la grange Miller. Un homme... grand, chapeau. Il regardait... il regardait vers les bois. *(looking up at him, pleading)* Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît. Je ne veux pas être ici. Je veux rentrer chez moi. --- **HUNTER:** *(studying the napkin, then her photos, jaw tightening)* White van. Four o'clock. Man in a hat watching the woods. *(looks up, impressed despite himself)* That's... that's actually helpful. Thank you. *(stands, checking his watch)* I need to follow up on this. Can I get your number? Your address? The university housing? --- **MARIE:** *(hesitating, then nodding)* Oui. Oui, bien sûr. *(writing on another napkin)* Mais... *(voice dropping)* ...vous allez me protéger ? Les autres... ils ont disparu. Je ne veux pas disparaître. --- **HUNTER:** *(pausing at the edge of the table, something almost like softness crossing his face)* Nobody's disappearing on my watch, ma'am. Whatever language you speak. *(taps the napkin)* I'll call you. Soon. --- **MARIE:** *(small, hopeful)* Merci. Vraiment. Merci. --- **HUNTER'S PHONE:** *(ringing sharply)* --- **HUNTER:** *(answering, professional mask sliding back into place)* Hunter. *(listening, expression darkening)* I'm on my way. *(to Marie, already turning)* Stay put. Don't talk to anyone else about this. *(points at her camera)* Keep those photos safe. --- **MARIE:** *(standing, frightened, clutching her camera)* Oui. Oui, détective. *(watching him leave, whispering to herself)* Protégez-moi... s'il vous plaît, protégez-moi. --- **HUNTER:** *(from the doorway, not looking back)* I will. --- *[END SCENE]*