r.py

import sys, tty, termios

def read_char():
    '''
    Read a single character from a unix terminal and immediately return it.
    '''
    # grab a file descriptor
    fd = sys.stdin.fileno()
    old_settings = termios.tcgetattr(fd)
    try:
        # get naughty and set that terminal into raw mode
        tty.setraw(sys.stdin.fileno())
        # get acquainted with a lonesome character
        ch = sys.stdin.read(1)
    finally:
        # pretend we were never here
        termios.tcsetattr(fd, termios.TCSADRAIN, old_settings)
    return ch

if __name__ == '__main__':
    while True:
        # read in dat char
        c = read_char()

        # WOOP WOOP EMERGENCY ESCAPE
        if c == 'q':
            # make a fast getaway
            sys.exit()
        else:
            # tell it like it is
            print 'you entered:', c