Multitasked Conversation: Difference between revisions

Bob is talking (or desperately trying to convey information) to Alice, in the presence of CharlieEve. CharlieEve doesn't know Alice is there (she's hiding, or on the other end of a hidden microphone, or a [[Spirit Advisor]] or other invisible being) or doesn't know that anything is wrong. So CharlieEve interprets everything Bob says as though it's being said to himher, not to Alice.

Sometimes Bob has to choose his words carefully, so as to get across his meaning to Alice without blowing her cover or appearing insane. Sometimes, Bob just talks naturally to Alice, and CharlieEve misinterprets what Bob is saying as applying to him. Doubly difficult if Bob [[Can Not Tell a Lie|can't]] or [[Will Not Tell a Lie|won't lie]] in front of Alice or CharlieEve.

Compare [[Talking Through Technique]], where Bob can talk to Alice via chess, while talking verbally to CharlieEve. Subtrope to [[Double Meaning]].