[defluct]

I have no expertice in this, but; Watch stand-up comedy and observe. They are masters at pacing and story arcing. Observe how they bring the energy up and down. They start off with a premise that needs resolution, so that under the whole bit, the audience has the resolution on their mind, and much of the interest in the bit lies in the interest in the resolution. The resolution cannot be uncovered unless a new premise is brought forward or the story is finished.