my ($tries, $success) = (0, 0);
{ 
  last if ++$tries > 10;
  print "Flocking file: attempt # $tries ... \n";
  # attempts to flock file, prints a warning if that fails
  # warning -- the following relies on operator 
  # precedence (&& binds tighter than or -- 
  # use parens if that might confuse you)

  flock(FILE, 2) or warn "Can't flock file: $!\n" && redo;
  # rest of stuff
  $success =1;
}
die "Gave up after", --$tries, " attempts." unless $success;