should be simple - have movement controls apply to object i select with my mouse

I'm glad it worked!

1: You can use a counter. Counters are used for holding one single value. You can set it to Hidden in its properties so it wouldn't be a visual object. However, using active objects like that is not a bad idea either. It might actually be better in situations where you have lots of similar counters. It helps keeping your frame editor clean. If you use actives, it is important to rename the alterable values you use (in the properties of the active object).

2: The String object has an action called "Change Alterable String" which lets you change the text at runtime.

3: There is. I think that if you give all the buttons the same qualifier (in the object's properties -> Events tab), you can use the same approach as I explained in the above post.

thanks again popcorn! that clears up much.