QUOTE : The word “beat” in drama tends to be somewhat vague. Actors sometimes use the term to designate a pause, as in “I want to take a beat after I pick up the knife but before going after my victim.” Writers may use the term to define a series of events, big (a murder) or small (taking a tomato out of the refrigerator). For example, a writer might decide to create six beats to show a meeting between the two soon-to-be lovers: Beat #1: A cute guy comes into a café. Beat #2: A gorgeous waitress asks him if he wants a cinnamon cappuccino or a mint latte. Beat #3: She brings him his coffee. Beat #4: She knocks it over. Beat #5: They both jump to clean up the mess. Beat #6: They bang heads; their eyes meet under the table, and it’s clear this is love at first sight.