"The University of Chicago?" Malcolm asks. "That's a pretty good school." If he got a full scholarship, it means that he's probably pretty smart, at least on paper. That wasn't the impression Malcolm got initially, so he shifts his profile a bit to include that information. Probably smarter than he seems.

"Sometimes, yes," he replies with a smile. "Mostly we whistle to each other. She knows a few words though." Malcolm pokes a finger through the slats in the cage and gently touches Sunshine's back. He whistles to her and the bird whistles back. "Hey Sunshine? Can you say hello?"

'Hello,' the bird warbles back.