In what might be the greatest unintentional advertisement yet for Austin's ever-expanding Alamo Drafthouse movie theater chain (which owns Birth.Movies.Death., by the way), a local man is suing his date (for $17.31) for texting throughout a recent screening of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2.

The Austin American-Statesman scored some quotes from the gentleman in question (Round Rock's Brandon Vezmar, 37), and, uh, yeah - this guy ain't playing around:

“It was kind of a first date from hell,” he said. About 15 minutes after the movie began, his date started texting on her phone, Vezmar said. “This is like one of my biggest pet peeves,” he said. According to the petition, the woman “activated her phone at least 10-20 times in 15 minutes to read and send text messages.”

Vezmar goes on to explain that his date refused to stop texting when he requested that she do so. When he suggested that she step outside the theater to carry on her conversation, she obliged...and then promptly left the property completely, leaving Vezmar stranded without a ride.

So, how's Vezmar planning to plead this case? The specifics of that feel a touch shaky:

"According to the petition, the texting was a “direct violation” of the theater’s policy and that his date “adversely” affected Vezmar’s viewing experience and that of other patrons. “While damages sought are modest the principle is important as defendant’s behavior is a threat to civilized society,” the petition said."

Mmmmyeah, we're not so sure that's going to hold up in court, but we'll certainly be curious to see how this turns out for the plaintiff. If nothing else, a win would seem to establish quite the precedent regarding an issue that's very near and dear to our hearts.

By the way, if you're wondering what Vezmar's date has to say about all this:

“Oh my God,” she said. “This is crazy.”

Let's all take this opportunity to learn something from a very unfortunate situation: it's never okay to talk or text during a movie (the results can be most unpleasant), and we recommend visiting your local Alamo Drafthouse to avoid getting caught in the crosshairs of today's doomed couple.

(Header photo used with permission via Wikimedia Commons)