Yes signs does it with objects like with posters... Yes it is a script feature... It is actually pretty easy to do once you read the forums around here.... I highly suggest you go into the script area and try searching for character text or character talk or ai those should point you in the right direction.
As far as waiting a month to get a program that may or may not do what you want seems like a tremendious amount of down time to me when typically you can get your answer here if you search the same day get it into a working application within your game in the same day and then get used to it within that same day....
Well best of luck if your wanting a how to tutorial Trinity has already popped you up a good link for this.
Best of luck
If you think education cost so much you should see how expensive ignorance can cost you