She missed the built environment of New York City. It was only in an urban landscape, amid straight lines and architecture, that she could situate herself in human time and history. She missed people. She missed human intrigue, drama and power struggles. She needed her own species, not to talk to, necessarily, but just to be among, as a bystander in a crowd or an anonymous witness.
The protagonist reflects on her connection to the urban setting of New York City, expressing a longing for the built environment that offers a sense of human history and time. The structured lines and architectural elements of the city provide her with a context in which she feels grounded and connected to the past.
Additionally, she yearns for the presence of other people and the complex dynamics of human interaction. Although she doesn't seek direct communication, the mere act of being among others fills a void, allowing her to experience the intrigue and drama of life from a distance, highlighting her desire for community and connection.
