diff --git a/util.sh b/util.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fdc0fae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# prompt_char "prompt" <?timeout_sec>
+# Set REPLY to the next char the user types:
+prompt_char () {
+    exec < /dev/tty
+    if [ ! -z "$2" ]; then
+        read -t $2 -p "${1} " -n 1 -r
+    else
+        read -p "${1} " -n 1 -r
+    fi
+    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+        REPLY=n
+    fi
+    echo    # (optional) move to a new line
+    exec <&-
+}
\ No newline at end of file