"I'm engaged to a woman who works up close with tigers and carries brass knuckles in her bra," says Alex in a dry tone that can only be described as scholarly, but not without a good dose of sarcastic humor. "We actually did discuss the possibility of one of us being lost in an alternate reality as a potential relationship hurdle. I have to wait at least a year to be sure my grandmother isn't going to hop in and find me before I even consider looking at anyone else."

Again, this is all stated in an utterly matter-of-fact tone. "I mean, we were watching BBC sci-fi at the time, but my family does have a bit of a history with this sort of thing."

And, with very little segue: "I'm going to take the notes in shorthand, if that's OK."