The invention allows a user to select a text option displayed on a display device during playback of an interactive production. The action of the production continues regardless of whether the user selects an option. Options expire after an active time interval. After the active time interval the option can no longer be selected and is considered "expired." Expired options are eventually removed from the display and new options appear. A time indicator is used to alert the user that an option is going to expire. Any type of time indicator can be used including a numerical readout of the remaining active time for an option, an animation that shows that the option is about to expire, a symbol, color change, intensity change, animation, etc., can be used as a time indicator.