function scr_text_counter()
{
    if (characters > 0 && characters < message_length)
    {
        current_char = string_char_at(message_draw, characters);
        switch (current_char)
        {
            case ".":
            case ",":
            case "?":
            case "!":
                counter_max = global.text_counter_max;
                break;
            default:
                counter_max = 1;
        }
        if (hold > 1)
            counter_max = 1;
        counter += 1;
        if (counter >= counter_max)
            counter = 0;
    }
    else
    {
        counter = 0;
    }
}