flash actionscript: stop();

function ftest(){
this._x+= 10; //this test function executes ok from button.
}

THis actual second function does not execute the condition statement???
// code is on main timelilne BUT how do I target to code located onClipEvents
attached to mc2 ?
// field and variables located inside mc mc2. files read ok!
// function call executed from button. ok!
// but, condition statements locasted here on maintimeline code not
executed...
// even though on same timeline and mc2???

path = _root.mc2;
function fpause(){
countdown = 2000;

//condition
if (path.c <= path.countdown){//if < var timeer c = 2000 etc
trace("count <" +path.field);
}else{
trace("count > c =" +path.c); // when exceeds > 2000 etc
path.gotoAndStop(10); //
}
path.field = path.vTxt1; //evals mc field

}

Thank You

mc2.a = 2000;

b = "mc2";
c = "a";
d = this[b][c];
e = 1999;

if(d >= e){
this[b].tracer.text = (d+" >= "+e);
}else{
this[b].tracer.text = (d+" < "+e);
}
stop();