I don't know about you guys, but when I read a book, I turn it into a movie inside my brain. Which is probably why, as I write this story, there seem to be several jump cuts in the narrative -- I just think, "Hm, in the movie, they'd just cut away to them sitting at the table," so that's how I write it.
I've no idea if this is normal or not.
Anyway, these pictures should help you with the visualization, if you're into that sort of thing. The actors involved were, at least in part, instrumental in the creation of each character.
In order of appearance:



Alan Cumming as Yevgeny / Yarrow

And special guest Eddie Izzard as Character Whom You Haven't Met
Bwahahahahah. Mine is an evil chortle.