[ Joan has always been major supporter of communication and straightforwardness. Not to the point of being insensitive or even inconsiderate, but she knows from experience the kind of awkwardness that could be avoided by people simply talking to one another.

Two hands around her tea, the steam rising as it steeps, she looks at John and shoots as straight as she can: ] You've been here longer than I have, so I'm guessing you know about this whole multiple-people-being-the-same-person — thing.

[ Her eyebrows lift. See where this is going? ]