"I don't know if trying to modify the one form of communication that works around here is a smart idea," he said and quickly held up a hand before Tony could protest his genius. "This place is keeping an eye on us right? It does it through these things, I bet. I'd rather we build a communication system outside its control."
The phones might be like bugs, listening in, trying to get at their personal feelings, their fears and other important information. They could leave the bugs and talk around them, hopefully build their own basic system.
He tucked the sketchbook back into his belt and crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay, so if they become a problem we don't know how many we're up again. I'd say we find a safe place, like a storm shelter, for everyone to meet when things get ugly."