>Okee, how about when you compile it to an exe. No longer works. But put (for testing) a messagebox directly after he says this is a test, then you see that the code works properly. This leads me to believe that there must be some other mechanism to slow merline down. WDYT?

Just this program to exe? Didn't test, but I believe that could be the similar reason. If you don't have READ EVENTS, .EXE ends before Merlin speaks up.