*sigh*  I have discovered the ellipsis balloon and now I can’t stop using it.  It keeps standing in for the beat frame I would use if I had four panels to work with.  I have wished over and over for more panels in this strip but I can’t think of a good way to change the format that would leave it consistent with the 3-panel archives.  I am going to have to swear off the ellipsis balloon for at least a few strips.  I can’t let it become a crutch.