IT WAS A DARK and stormy night. We were meeting a friend to see a movie. As we parked we noticed a worrying knot of people at the door. Friend is located, rolls his eyes. More friends are hovering. They roll their eyes. Only single seats left and those in the front row. Is the evening ruined?

NO, BECAUSE we immediately text message Google's Short Message Service. Google finds a slightly later showing of same movie at nearby theater. Evening almost saved (not totally saved because the movie was only mediocre).

GO TO GOOGLE'S SMS page and register your phone number. Set your default location to make things easier. Then send a text query to 466453 (I know, it has too few digits -- but it spells Google and it works).

DO YOU WANT sports scores, weather, stock prices, directions or flight status? Do you want to translate a word, or find a place to order pizza from? Google SMS. In about 15 seconds, Google will text you back. (It helps to have phone service with unlimited texting.)

CLICK TO: www.google.com/sms/