Lupine, I am not sure if it can be done in direct mode.
This example ought to work.
For more examples see thus:
http://people.haptek.com/clint/vftests/# Script to load a second figure in a scene.
# This script assumes that a single
# 'standard' figure is already loaded
\setname [figure= standard name= numberOne]
# now load a second 'standard'
# all of these lines are necessary
# to load another figure right now!
\load [file= data\standard\puttyFigDef.hap]
\setperson[figure= standard]
\load [file= data\standard\standardPose.hap]
\load [file= data\standard\safe_moods\safemoodsload.hap]
\load [file= data\standard\standardMood.hap]
# then name it numberTwo
\setname [figure= standard name= numberTwo]
# the end