The TIFF Bell Lightbox is the sparkling new, state-of-the-art headquarters of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on King Street, near John Street. As the name strongly suggests, the Bell Canada is entitled to some of the credit for the magnificence of its design, for the comfort of its screening rooms, for the appeal of its exhibitions, for the courtesy of its staff, for its handsome bar and for the attractive young ladies who serve exotic drinks there.
Naturally, it must also take the blame for the consequence of one of its decisions, which violates a fundamental human right.
The large majority of visitors to the Lightbox belong to Group X, whose members have cell phones. Member of Group Y don’t. No scientific method is required to establish that many of Group Y are over sixty.
Representatives of Bell must have participated in the decision-making on the design and equipment of the building. One of these decisions deprives visitors of access to public telephones. Bell’s representatives may even have introduced the subject. They may have felt that maintaining and servicing pay phones isn’t worth the trouble. Or that reminders of an obsolete technology would mar the pristine beauty of the shiny new house. After all, Lady Gaga does not wear crinolines, does she?
In places frequented by the public, members of Group Y have access to pay phones all over the civilized world, except in the TIFF Bell Lightbox. By now, this is considered a fundamental human right.
Indignant readers of this blog with a sense of justice, whether they are members of Groups Y or X , will no doubt wish to take up this matter with the appropriate authorities – with alacrity.
Eric Koch’s book, The Weimar Triangle, is available at Indigo-Chapters and in your local bookstore. 
Alas, Erich, it is no longer the case that there are pay phones “all over the civilized world.” Indeed, it is a rarity to find one. Bell—and other telephone companies–have clearly made the decision to pull them out of circulation, likely as being too costly to maintain, given their small use.
I agree with the sentiment behind your… concern: there needs to be a way to make telephone calls (I’d say, to send emails as well) if you happen to find yourself momentarily or permanently without a mobile phone. I suggest internet booths, something like the ones I’ve seen in Holland, where you could telephone via VIOP (voice over internet protocol) or even tweet, if the urge took you.
Some things are so delightfully silly. ‘Nuff said.