[ John reads this quickly, and his eyebrows shoot up. Now that was unexpected! But hey, it explains, y'know... the lack of talking. he goes ahead and types below what Dave said, because that's easier than dealing with his fucking notebook ]

dave hi!!!!!!!!
oh!
i guess that's why you weren't talking.
i'm used to lip reading?
uh...
...
i can't hear.
so we're sort of down one communication sense together, i guess?
it's good to see you!
i have no idea what's going on, there were tall people blocking my view.
what's happening?