didn't i mentioned this is for a FastCGI environment? it's not a mod_perl environment and will not become one.

I was providing an example that could potentially work for both environments, not just for you, but for anybody on the internet who happens to come across your question and my answer.
That is beside the point anyways, as sharing variables willy-nilly and without care will lead to disastrous results. You don't have to believe me. Try it out for yourself. Don't take my word -- or anybody else's -- for what it's worth, I could be lying. This is the internet.