A cinema worker in Timaru who thought he was doing the right thing by updating the pre-recorded message on the information line probably wishes he hadn't bothered now.
People phoning up Movie Max Timaru's information line were greeted by a botched attempt to record the fact the cinema was now closed in level 4 - including some colourful language.
A video of the message has now gone viral.
In the video you can hear the employee clearly trying to record a message saying the cinema is closed until level 2, except he can't seem to get the right words out.
"Hello and thank you for calling Movie Max Digital Cinemas in Timaru, we are currently closed until," the voice says before presumably forgetting his lines and saying f#$k.
He then seems to have forgotten to delete the message and record a new one and has a similarly ill-fated second attempt, all again recorded.
"Hello and thank you for calling Movie Max Digital Cinemas in Timaru, we are currently closed until level 2," he says before once again forgetting the lines and saying "ah for f#$k's" sake.
Third time isn't lucky for the poor employee as, while he manages to get further through the message, he still resorts to swearing.
"Hello and thank you for calling Movie Max Digital Cinemas in Timaru, we are currently closed until we reach level 2, you can check our website for updates, for f#@k's sake."
With a voice showing increasing frustration he manages to nail the full message on the fourth attempt.
"Hello and thank you for calling Movie Max Digital Cinemas in Timaru, we are currently closed until we reach level 2, you can check our Facebook page and website for information on times and upcoming movies, thank you."
People were generally sympathetic online with one user saying: "I really feel the guy’s frustration, not a great time to be in the movie business."
Another one said "I find it really endearing."
The message has now been changed and Newshub approached Move Max for comment but didn't hear back.
