Starship Titanic: asking gossipy DeskBot to continue yields "I don't understand" responses or crashes the game

[CahootsMalone]

General Information

• ScummVM version: 2.2.0 (Sep 14 2020 10:39:25)
• Bug details: please see below
• Language of game: English
• Version of game: GOG release; game files extracted from GOG installer using innoextract
• Operating system: Windows 10 Home, 64-bit, version 20H2, build 19042.1165
• Saved game: please see attached (steps to reproduce below)

Bug Details

After setting the Deskbot's cellpoint settings to their optimal values and asking her about one of the other characters (which results in a response that ends with a line like "I could say more" or "I could go on"), she doesn't elaborate when asked to continue. Also, one way of asking crashes the game.

Expected Behaviour

When asked to continue, the DeskBot should elaborate. For example, when asked about the BellBot, the following exchange should occur:

> what do you think about the BellBot?
Such a nice, young, lampstandy kind of bot . A little unreliable, sometimes, but ... I could say more.
> say more
He just needs a bit of artful sorting out. I could say more...
> say more
His eyes are everywhere. You want to know what's going on, you ask the BellBot. I could go on...
> say more
[DeskBot replies with one of the general gossip-related lines]

Saved Game and Steps to Reproduce

To reproduce the crash, load the attached save game (titanic-win.002) and perform the following steps (alternatively, visit the sculpture gallery, set the DeskBot's cellpoint settings to their optimal values, and immediately travel to the embarkation lobby):

• Click on the DeskBot.
• Enter "What do you think of the BellBot?" (or any other character).
• The DeskBot will reply with appropriate dialogue that ends with "I could say more" or "I could go on".
• Enter "please do".
• The game crashes.

To reproduce the DeskBot's failure to elaborate when asked, load the attached save game and perform these steps instead:

• Click on the DeskBot.
• Enter "What do you think of the BellBot?" (or any other character).
• The DeskBot will reply with appropriate dialogue that ends with "I could say more" or "I could go on".
• Enter "say more" or "go on".
  • "say more" always elicits one of the "I don't understand"-type responses.
  • "go on" elicits a mix of "I don't understand"-type responses and general gossip-related responses (e.g., "No, I mustn't." or "I'm such a dreadful gossip...").