diff --git a/tron.lua b/tron.lua
index ef33723..18f46d3 100644
--- a/tron.lua
+++ b/tron.lua
@@ -604,9 +604,13 @@ local startCountdown = function()
 	scrollY = player[you].y - mathfloor(scr_y / 2)
 	for i = 3, 1, -1 do
 		render()
-		termsetCursorPos(mathfloor(scr_x / 2 - (#cMessage + #cName) / 2), mathfloor(scr_y / 2) + 2)
 		termsetTextColor(colors.white)
-		termwrite(cMessage)
+		for x = 1, #cMessage do
+			termsetCursorPos(-1 + x + mathfloor(scr_x / 2 - (#cMessage + #cName) / 2), mathfloor(scr_y / 2) + 2)
+			if cMessage:sub(x,x) ~= " " then
+				termwrite(cMessage:sub(x,x))
+			end
+		end
 		termsetTextColor(col)
 		termwrite(cName)
 		termsetTextColor(colors.white)