plpgsql always returning null..

hi guys
I am trying out a simple plpgsql function on 702

drop function quantity_available(int4);
CREATE FUNCTION quantity_available (int4) RETURNS INT4 AS '
DECLARE
totq int4;
BEGIN
select INTO totq cast(quantity as INT4) from inventory
where exhibit_distribution_id=$1;
return totq;
END;'
LANGUAGE 'plpgsql';

select quantity_available(594);

is always returning null even when there is correponding data

arttoday=# select quantity from inventory where exhibit_distribution_id = 594;
quantity
----------
1
(1 row)

Can some one please explain this anamoly..

Thanks
Anand