Index: wp-includes/post-template.php
===================================================================
--- wp-includes/post-template.php	(revision 15292)
+++ wp-includes/post-template.php	(working copy)
@@ -654,6 +654,31 @@
 //
 
 /**
+ * Retrieve a single post meta value.
+ *
+ * @since 3.1.0
+ *
+ * @uses get_post_meta
+ *
+ * @param string $field The name of the custom field for which we'll retrieve the value.
+ * @param int $post_id Optional.  The ID of the post object with which this custom field is associated.  Defaults to current Loop object or queried object.
+ * @return mixed The custom value retrieved.
+ */
+function get_custom_value( $field = '', $post_id = 0 ) {
+	global $wp_query;
+
+	$post_id = (int) $post_id;
+	if ( empty( $post_id ) )
+		$post_id = (int) get_the_ID();
+
+	if ( empty( $post_id ) && is_singular() )
+		$post_id = (int) $wp_query->get_queried_object_id();
+	
+	return get_post_meta( $post_id, $field, true );
+}
+
+
+/**
  * Retrieve post custom meta data field.
  *
  * @since 1.5.0