Ah, a challenge!
Well, let's check that value then!

Try adding this function to your script and let us know what numbers appear on the screen!

Code:
function alovelytestofalovelykey_startup() {
while(1) {
draw_text(str_for_num(NULL,joy_1),1,1,vector(255,255,255));
draw_text(str_for_num(NULL,key_pressed(256)),1,20,vector(255,255,255));
wait(1);
}
}


It should - in theory - display "0" and "0" if you don't press the joystick button, and "1", "1" otherwise.

Perhaps this post will get me points for originality at least.

Check out Dungeon Deities! It's amazing and will make you happy, successful and almost certainly more attractive! It might be true!