You can have multple "events" which are the characters and have no script in them, just name them after your characters and then have "master" event on the map that controls everything. This way you can use the 'move' function to move alex and then ben. This way everything is scripted in one place and it moves everything else. This elimates switches and the dialogue can be all in one event as well so you dont confuse yourself about what comes first.

I'm gonna summon BlueCube so he can show you using code.

*SUMMONS BLUECUBE*

"why I've gotta be one of the cool kids just to walk by/
- without being tripped, thrown down on the ground and kicked/
Insulting me for no reason, I was treated like shit/
The teachers let it happen/
I've even seen some of them teachers laughing/
That's why I had a smile on my face when I started blastin/" - Ill Bill - The Anatomy of a School Shooting