To kill a text messager

Thursday night I went to the Lewis Family Playhouse at Victoria Gardens to watch a stage version of "To Kill a Mockingbird," part of Rancho Cucamonga's Big Read book event. Before the play started, the theater manager climbed the stage to welcome everyone and warn the unwary about language and themes that might be unsuitable for children.

He also advised everyone in the audience -- which was composed mostly of teenagers and younger children -- to turn off their cell phones.

"That means no texting, no photos, no games," he elaborated. "You have no idea how distracting it is to be in a darkened theater and see 100 little lights. Texting has been a particular problem the last two days. That's why our ushers tonight are being especially vigilant."

I stayed through intermission and didn't see any little lights, so perhaps everyone got the, er, message. (I hated to leave, but I haven't quite finished the book, and besides, I didn't want to miss "The Office.")