Forums mIRC Help $read help

Hi there. need some help with a script that i cant make work
i have
on *:text:*as:?:l*if ($read(asl.txt, w, * $+ $nick $+ * != $null) halt } | /msg nick blablablalbal dont asl me.

if nick is in the asl.txt i will not msg him "blablablalbal dont asl me."
what is wrong with that ?