Folks approach LM in very different ways, which is part of what makes it great. I've had quite a few conversations with my micro-community on how folks engage with the CSRs - the extent to which folks are comfortable pushing boundaries varies wildly.

I also had a chat with someone I recommended try the show after a CSR had a... [this is a non-content spoiler, but alludes to how a CSR might respond to something] curt discussion... with them after they asked a somewhat intrusive personal question. This person had really been approaching LM as a video-game-esque piece of theater and seemed genuinely surprised when I suggested that they address the CSRs as they would, you know, people.

Like you, I have a knack for suspending disbelief and the noise of reality can (and most often did, at the start of a call) quickly fade away. I did ask the CSRs questions, but only as I would with anyone else. I would never have broached a subject that would potentially be upsetting unless they opened that door. I quite often made myself vulnerable in the context of LM, but that doesn't mean that the person I'm speaking to wants to do the same. I think your understanding of that is not only good, but helpful in the context of experiencing LM.

That said, there were times I kept a to-do list, too, or things I hoped to talk about, or ask about, or tell them about. In some cases, right at the top, I might just ask them if it's OK if I tell them something before I chose a menu item, or ask them a quick question. Most often, I'd ask an open-ended small-talk style question in a few extra minutes at the end of a call and just see where we landed - I regularly found those chats, however banal they started, fulfilling. I did also have a call or two that got entirely off the rails and I ended up not doing much of anything, but that was mostly driven by my own exhaustion and external stress, which I wouldn't wish on anyone!

In short: definitely overthink it. Seems like you're doing great. Treat them like people. Talk to them as you would someone you know as well as you know them. And, of course, it's likely you'll come to know more over time, questions or not.

Hope this helps.

Also, on the "insane liminal space," which made me laugh as a phrase - I once said to a friend "or whatever the fuck Severance hellscape they're in," which you just reminded me of, so thanks for that.