Yesterday, while romping around the Monastery, I found the answer I was looking for. I don't remember which thread provided the answer as I was so excited when I found it, I lost it somehow. So I'll post the snippett in hopes that the person will take credit, so I can thank them. Sometimes the answer your looking for is right under your nose...

system('/usr/bin/stty', '-echo');
  chomp($password=<STDIN>);
  system('/usr/bin/stty', 'echo');
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