[rothko]

[ QUOTE ]
You missed the punch on first read, didn't you rothko?... maybe it needs to be easier to catch...

[/ QUOTE ]

yes, i didn't notice the word "signed" and had no idea jackson is deaf. when john mentioned that i was like, "huh, he is? oh, right, but who cares? that's just dumb and distracting."

however, with closer consideration, i likey. it adds to the "fortune" and his reaction. at first, the reader thinks jackson smirks at the message, because he's not superstitious, but then we learn that it's the word "hear" that provides the catalyst.

it doesn't need to necessarily be clearer that he is deaf. it's not solo's fault that some of us missed the word "signed" and any other clues. with short pieces like this it's okay and often better if the reader has to go back and reread it.