Huh. I didn't know that was what that button did, I always just walked around until I got an encounter if I wanted one. I finally get what the encounter toggle NPC in Transylvania meant. Also, thanks!
My new problem is that the Logbook has "hang out with Cassie and Alyssa" but there doesn't seem to be any options anywhere that would allow interacting with them; unimplemented or am I missing something? (The sex option in bed is entirely grayed out.)