AS3 mask over dynamic text within a mc help!

I have an mc which contains 5 mcs which all contain dynamic textfields. All fonts have been embedded, and all of the individual mcs have the bitmap at runtime selected as well as the mask and main mc. Within the code as well I have holder_mc.mask = mask_mc;… The mask_mc is a gradient at both ends (within the gradient window there are 4 boxes 2 at the ends that are set to alpha = 0 and 2 in the middle set to alpha = 100 all of the same color), yet when testing it appears as though it is a solid. What is not being done here?

Thanks for any and all help…