Exasperated, a soldier finally threw a grenade, which burst with a pop and sent a thick green cloud of smoke into the air, obscuring the patrol and sending the reporters scurrying away.
One woman gave it a resounding thump, belying her frail appearance and sending reporters scurrying to see the action.
Then follows a period of full media mobilization, with reporters scurrying everywhere.
The first night was a triumph, with flowers thrown from the boxes, bouquets thrust into the hands of the doorman, reporters scurrying to their work before morning.
The two sides held dueling news conferences that left reporters scurrying from stage door to marquee, while tourists filed in for a show without an orchestra.
The statement, which dominated the national news and sent reporters scurrying to interview anyone even faintly associated with the couple, ended at least eight years of persistent rumors and speculation that the marriage was troubled.
Radio stations that used to go off the air during crises provided nonstop coverage of the latest events, with reporters scurrying all over the capital and many other parts of the country.
It interfered with her work, all those reporters scurrying after her.