A workaround for using a boolean (makes life easier cos you can just toggle it then) - attach the boolean to an object, like a text object.
1. Create A Text For "GAME PAUSED" message.
2. Give it a Boolean "PAUSED" instance variable.
3. On Press "P" Key or pause button - Toggle Text.PAUSED
4. Sub Event checks state of Text.PAUSED
5. Pause / UnPause using TimeScale accordingly :)