"Oh, please... people have skills, and they like using them. And if you give it to them as a challenge, I bet they'd LOVE to make a way for you to communicate better. Of course, there's always the option of someone making you a bit shorter, or something... I know people. Who know other people. I bet I could find something useful."
Ack... she didn't like telling someone their friends weren't here... it was hard enough to deal with without knowing familiar people weren't around.
"Maybe they're just not here yet? Sometimes people come at different times. Or they might be looking for you. I'd stay hopeful! But yes, a place to live might be good... New York is kind of... New Yorky."