Mike,
Too often we speak past each other, each unloading their important issues and seeking reaction but no always getting full attention. Here, however, we have complete and utter seeking and giving of ideas, experience, opinion and insight. It's worthy to note that we do not need to see
all of each component or subunit of a concept in a picture in order to build some reaction akin to the intent of the artist.
Mike Shimwell: Actor meets writer
The figure on the left, (the actor?) is intent on getting every nuance. His right hand is like a coiled spring a landmark from which to start moving away to his eyes and across to the right over the intervening "thought transfer domain" past the 3 fingers to the (? writer's) face and his words.
The construction is deceivingly simple but wonderfully effective.
Note that no color is needed, we are just reading a concept, a gestalt sense of attention, giving and gleaning between to men who value and savor this transaction.
Asher