Minutes into a conversation with the smartest, funniest person you’ve ever met, he asks your opinion on the policies of some two-bit congressman from a fly-over state. What do you do?

a) Feign illness.
b) Make like a candidate, emphasizing words like unity and change.
c) Whip out your cell phone.

If you answered c, you know about ChaCha’s text-messaging service. The search engine offers a personalized answer to any question you can text.

Wondering more about this handsome devil? Just text ChaCha his name and get a custom response from a real person in just a couple of minutes.

When we gave it a whirl, guides were able to suggest an ice cream flavor, teach a knock-knock joke, and name an obscure actress from several mediocre ’90s teen flicks.

Think of it as an ace in your pocket (or purse).

Text ChaCha at 242242. For more information, go to chacha.com.