Run: 2026-10-06-01M48VXVH6SEH8C1QR39C707M5

**VOICE SHEET: "The Language Barrier"** --- **SELVI:** *(softly, to herself, examining her camera screen)* "Yeh tasveer... yeh toh bilkul alag hai." *(This picture... this is completely different.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(approaching, badge visible, direct)* "Excuse me. Mind if I sit? I'm Detective Hunter. I'm looking into some disappearances in town, and I need to ask you a few questions." --- **SELVI:** *(startled, clutching camera to chest, eyes wide)* "Kya? Main samajh nahi rahi. Aap kya keh rahe hain?" *(What? I don't understand. What are you saying?)* --- **HUNTER:** *(frowning, leaning forward)* "I said I'm Detective Hunter. I need to ask you about last Tuesday. Were you near the old mill by the river? Around 6 PM?" --- **SELVI:** *(voice trembling, shaking her head frantically)* "Main wahan thi... par main kuch nahi dekhi. Kuch nahi! Aap mujhe pareshan kyun kar rahe hain? Main yahan padhne aayi hoon, bas." *(I was there... but I didn't see anything. Nothing! Why are you bothering me? I came here just to study.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(confused, slowing his speech)* "I... okay. Look, I don't know what you're saying, but you're clearly upset. Did something happen at the mill? Did you see someone?" --- **SELVI:** *(tears forming, whispering)* "Woh aurat... woh kho gayi. Main uski tasveer li thi. Uski aankhen... bahut darri hui thi." *(That woman... she disappeared. I took her picture. Her eyes... they were so scared.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(leaning in, concerned despite the barrier)* "A woman? You photographed a woman at the mill? What did she look like? Can you show me?" --- **SELVI:** *(shaking her head, pulling camera closer)* "Nahi. Nahi dikha sakti. Woh... woh ab nahi hai. Koi nahi sunega mujhe. Koi nahi samajhega." *(No. I can't show you. She... she's not here anymore. No one will listen to me. No one will understand.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(frustrated, pulling out phone)* "Ma'am, please. I need to understand. This is important. People are missing. I need your help." --- **SELVI:** *(standing abruptly, backing away)* "Chhodiye mujhe! Main kuch nahi jaanti! Main bas ek chhota sa ladki hoon jo yahan aayi hai... aur ab main darr rahi hoon!" *(Leave me alone! I don't know anything! I'm just a small girl who came here... and now I'm scared!)* --- **HUNTER:** *(phone buzzing, glancing at screen, sighing)* "Look, I get it. You're scared. But I need that camera. I need those photos. Can you at least tell me—in English, any English—what color was her hair? Her coat?" --- **SELVI:** *(staring at him, then at her camera, conflict warring in her eyes)* "Laal. Laal coat. Aur... aur uske paas ek kutta tha. Chhota, safed kutta." *(Red. Red coat. And... and there was a dog with her. Small, white dog.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(nodding, making notes)* "Red coat. White dog. That's something. That's really something. I'll be in touch, okay? My number—" *(holds out card)* --- **SELVI:** *(not taking it, already turning away)* "Main nahi chahti aap mujhse baat karein. Main bas apni tasveerein dekhna chahti hoon. Bas itna." *(I don't want you to talk to me. I just want to look at my pictures. Just that.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(standing, phone still buzzing)* "One more thing. The woman in your photo—was she alone? Or was someone with her? Someone... watching her?" --- **SELVI:** *(pausing at the door, not turning around, voice barely audible)* "Woh akela nahi thi." *(She wasn't alone.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(sharply)* "Who was with her? Selvi—what's your name? Your full name?" --- **SELVI:** *(glancing back, fear and something else in her eyes)* "Selvi. Bas Selvi." *(Selvi. Just Selvi.)* --- **HUNTER:** *(into phone, already walking away)* "Yeah, I got a lead. Red coat, white dog, Tuesday at the mill. And I need a translator. Fast." *(hangs up, calls after her)* "Selvi! I'll find someone who speaks your language. I promise." --- **SELVI:** *(to herself, clutching her camera, watching him leave)* "Koi nahi aayega. Koi nahi samajhega." *(No one will come. No one will understand.)* --- **[END SCENE]**