Trace

This is a ridiculous question but here goes. if I put this in my actions…first frame on the _root
[AS]num = 2
trace(num);[/AS]

I should get the number 2 in my output window right? I am trying to use it in a more complicated postion, but it won’t work so I tried this little test and it seems it won’t even work there. Am I missing something really rudimentary? I even looked for tutorials and I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong. Am I crazy? What am I missing? Probably something embarassing.
Please help.