apart from the one female member , there was also a greenhorn judging by all appearances a trainee who was eagerly jotting down all his observations in a standard-sized notebook , as well as a somewhat older man whose facial expression suggested complete indifference toward the topic of discussion ; he was looking away in silence , whether out of disinterest or in an attempt to avoid the missiles of spit that the presiding officer forcefully discharged through his whisper , since as the last person to approach his desk , he had no other choice but to position himself directly across from the presiding officer , whereas the other two members had cleverly assumed side positions moments earlier .