Writing for Fun
November 2018
In A Beat - Diane Silverston
There was tension in the air. An audible silence hung over the room, as the audience sat immobilized, as if scared to move and break the moment.
This was a momentous event, everyone was expectant. Straining every muscle to get the best view that they could, people in the auditorium were sitting on the edge of their seats, motionless, peering, watching every move occurring in the centre of the room, on the stage.
The experts were gathered around the huge table, looking carefully at the devise, cautiously moving dials and watching gauges. This could be the start of something incredible. Was it possible? Would it work?
A sound was heard as the experts moved back. The audience, almost as one, leant further forward, still holding their breaths, in fear that they could hamper the experiment, change the course of what was hopefully going to happen.
Was there a glimmer? Was there a change? Was something about to happen?
The experts moved forward again, huddled, discussing quietly what to do next. Once again the audience tensed and watched intently as one of the experts moved the dials.
Suddenly a faint sound broke through the silence, faint but regular. Slowly getting more distinct. A beat.
The experts stepped back again, looked at each other, smiled and shook each other’s hands.
The audience relaxed, sat back, smiled at each other.
The experiment had worked. The beat was louder and could be heard clearly. It was a success. There was a pulse.