 
         addChild(_player.getDisplay());
 
-        _mask = new Shape();
-        this.mask = _mask;
-        addChild(_mask);
+        var masker :Shape = new Shape();
+        this.mask = masker;
+        addChild(masker);
 
         addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, handleRollOver);
         addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OUT, handleRollOut);


    protected var _dragging :Boolean;
    
    /** Our mask, also defines our boundaries for clicking. */
    protected var _mask :Shape;

    protected static const PAD :int = 10;
    protected static const TRACK_HEIGHT :int = 20;
    protected static const TRACK_WIDTH :int = NATIVE_WIDTH - (PAD * 2);

        redrawHUD();

        // create the mask...
        var g :Graphics = masker.graphics;
        g.clear();
        g.beginFill(0xFFFFFF);
        g.drawRect(0, 0, NATIVE_WIDTH, NATIVE_HEIGHT);
