Before the experiment that led to his hyper-intelligence, Barry Shirley was an outcast among his ape brethren. While the other apes were climbing trees, he'd be harvesting ants with sticks for his lunch. While the other apes were harvesting ants with sticks for their lunches, he'd be climbing trees. Once, when left alone in a room with a typewriter, he randomly typed up the complete text of The Importance of Being Barbra by Tom Santopietro.

Post hyper-intelligence, Barry is every ape's best friend. He's just darling to look at, and a real joy to be around.