How Do I Simply Pass A Simple Variable??

I am simply trying to pass a variable to another page. I know my second
page can do Request("str") to retrieve that variable, but how do I pass it
in the first place?

I tried Server.Execute("P2.asp?str="hello") but I get errors.
I tried Response.Redirect("P2.asp?str="hello") but the variable is empty

I tried setting variables like you would in VB:

str="hello"
Server.Execute("P2.asp")

and hoping the second page would pick it up, but I don't know how to make
that str variable global.

I am not using forms, I am not using cookies, I was told not to use Session
or Application variables, it's a variable being passed just the first time a
page is accessed, after that links will send the variables.