by-play
/ˈbaɪpleɪ; `baɪˌple/ n[U]
(theatre 戏) action apart from and less important than that of the main story 与主要情节无关的次要动作
(fig 比喻) While the chairman was speaking, two committee members were engaged in heated by-play at the end of the table. 主席讲话时, 有两名委员在桌子的另一边一个劲儿地搞小动作.