I’m not going to lie to you – this is one of those times where I just had the hardest time putting the comic together. Everything from the set up, to the punchline to sitting down and drawing the characters. I actually had to sit down and draw this one twice because I wasn’t liking how it turned out. I think I must have written the punchline five times. Truthfully, the only panel I’m happy with is the third one. I just like the idea of time looking over the back of his chair earnestly and then WHAMMO!

Cami and I went to see Catch and Release on Friday night and this confrontation actually happened. We were sitting near the back of the theater and there were a group of teenage girls – probably no less than 10 – taking up most of the back row. They chatted INCESSANTLY. I had to say something. So, I flipped around in my chair and very loudly said “Are you guys going to talk through the whole movie or are you going to shut the hell up.” I wish I could have been a little more witty in the moment, but it’s hard to be clever when you’re blood is boiling. I got the end result I wanted. Cami said the girls looked pretty shocked. It was kind of funny, actually. She actually had to touch my arm in an attempt to try and “reel me in.” I got the “Okay, honey. That’s enough.” tap on the shoulder.

Look, a little cross-talk is fine. I can handle that. But I’m not exaggerating when I say they were having full-on conversations for more than 20 minutes. I’m talking like leaning over two or three chairs to talk to someone down the row. Take it outside! My attitude is, if you buy a ticket to see a movie in a theater, you have entered into a social contract that dictates you NOT act like an idiot! I have to wonder what must have been going through the heads of the couple sitting next to these girls. They didn’t appear to be with them. Why didn’t they say something? You have FULL clearance! If someone is being loud in a crowded theater, shame them into behaving! I would expect no less in return!

I know I’m kind of mining the same territory as a previous comic (even using the same character designs for the chatty girls). But I feel like every time this occurs to me in real-life, I need to address it in the comic. I know the people I admonished in the theater will never read this, but I want it to serve as a reminder. Or maybe a warning to someone else. If I’m in your theater, WATCH OUT!

I gotta wrap this up because I’ve stayed up way too late. But before I forget, I want to remind everyone to check out our weekly installment of The Triple Feature talkcast with Joe Dunn from Joe Loves Crappy Movies, Gordon McAlpin from Multiplex and myself at 9:00 pm CST. This week we’ll be talking about the recently announced Oscar nominations. Tune in and participate! We’d love to get your feedback! Quick shout-out to Joe, by the way, for referencing Theater Hopper and my Sean Bean Death Theory in his January 22 comic. Thanks, Joe!

Talk to you soon!