Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VWYR4SPMHJD47K7S58747

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **SELVI:** *(softly, troubled, looking up from her camera with wide eyes)* "Aap... aap yahaan kyun hain? Maine socha tha koi aur hai. Woh raat... woh sab kuch... bahut darna tha." *(You... why are you here? I thought someone else was. That night... everything... it was very frightening.)* **HUNTER:** *(leaning forward, brow furrowed, no-nonsense but concerned)* "Ma'am, I'm Detective Hunter. I'm investigating the disappearances. Can you tell me what you saw that night? The one at Miller's Orchard?" **SELVI:** *(voice trembling, clutching her camera)* "Maine dekha... ek aadmi. Woh chhup raha tha pedon ke peeche. Uske haath mein kuch tha... chamakta hua. Main bhaag gayi. Main dar gayi thi." *(I saw... a man. He was hiding behind the trees. In his hands was something... something shining. I ran. I was scared.)* **HUNTER:** *(intently, trying to parse)* "Okay, okay. Slow down. A man behind the trees. Something shiny in his hands. You ran. Got it. What else? Did you see his face? His clothes?" **SELVI:** *(shaking her head, eyes filling with tears)* "Nahi... nahi... main bas bhaagti rahi. Mujhe yaad nahi. Par woh jagah... woh jagah ajeeb thi. Ped... ped rote hue lag rahe the." *(No... no... I just kept running. I don't remember. But that place... that place was strange. The trees... the trees looked like they were crying.)* **HUNTER:** *(exchanging a glance with himself, frustrated but pressing on)* "Trees crying? Ma'am, are you sure about that? And this man—was he tall? Short? Any distinguishing marks?" **SELVI:** *(pulling her shawl tighter, voice dropping to a whisper)* "Woh... woh mujhe dekh raha tha. Jab main mud ke dekhti hoon... woh wahaan khada tha. Hamesha." *(He... he was watching me. When I turn to look... he was standing there. Always.)* **HUNTER:** *(straightening up, concern mixing with confusion)* "Always? Ma'am, has someone been following you? Stalking you?" **SELVI:** *(nodding rapidly, fear evident)* "Haan... haan... har subah. Mere window ke neeche. Main ab ghar nahi jaana chahti. Main yahaan safe samajhti thi. Alborn... yeh jagah... ab ajeeb lagti hai." *(Yes... yes... every morning. Below my window. I don't want to go home now. I thought I was safe here. Alborn... this place... now it feels strange.)* **HUNTER:** *(reaching for his notepad, then stopping)* "Okay. I need you to come to the station. Give a statement. We need to—" **SELVI:** *(suddenly standing, camera clutched to her chest)* "Nahi! Main nahi ja sakti! Woh... woh sunega. Woh jaanta hai ki main yahaan hoon. Agar main jaungi... woh mujhe maar dega!" *(No! I can't go! He... he will hear. He knows I'm here. If I go... he will kill me!)* **HUNTER:** *(firm but trying to be gentle)* "Listen to me. I'm a detective. Former Marine. I will protect you. But I need you to trust me and—" **SELVI:** *(backing away, cornered)* "Aap samajh nahi sakte. Aap meri bhasha nahi bolte. Aap nahi samajh sakte ki woh kya kar sakta hai." *(You don't understand. You don't speak my language. You can't understand what he is capable of.)* **HUNTER:** *(frustrated, running a hand through his hair)* "I don't need to speak your language to catch the guy doing this. I just need details. Times. Places. Descriptions." **SELVI:** *(quietly, desperately)* "Woh... woh jaanta hai ki main yahaan hoon. Usne mujhe ek sandesh bheja. Ek photo. Mere ghar ka. Raat mein." *(He... he knows I'm here. He sent me a message. A photo. Of my house. At night.)* **HUNTER:** *(phone buzzing in his pocket, pulling it out, glancing at the screen)* "Shit. I gotta take this. *(into phone)* Yeah, this is Hunter. What? Another one? *(to Selvi)* Ma'am, I have to go. But I'm leaving my card. You call me. Anytime. I will find someone who speaks your language. We will get you safe." **SELVI:** *(staring at the card as if it's a lifeline, voice barely audible)* "Aap wapas aayenge? Vaada?" *(You will come back? Promise?)* **HUNTER:** *(already turning, then pausing)* "I'll be back. And I'll bring help. *(beat)* You did good today. Real good. Stay inside. Lock your doors." **SELVI:** *(to herself, as he exits, clutching the card and her camera)* "Shukriya... shukriya, detective." *(Thank you... thank you, detective.)* --- **[END SCENE]**