Maya comes to understand Kendrix's anger only when she sees a storefront display of birthday cakes. Since she's an alien from another planet, she shouldn't be able to read English; being a "jungle girl," as well, suggestively reinforces the notion of her being functionally illiterate. In addition, she states that her culture does not recognize birthdays; yet, standing before the storefront, unable to read the signs, and unfamiliar to the idea of birthday celebrations and their trappings, she somehow gains insight into Kendrix' upset.