I think it was also meant to break the audience's tension, as much as theirs. 

Well, audience was not near so strained, as they were!
There's another little thing I've noticed... maybe someone already spoke about it, but it crossed my mind just recently:
Jack always spoke Ennis' name and it sounded so sexy and lovable! This particulary at the beginning!
What in the hell happened, Ennis?
Ennis, quit hammering and get in here!

Ennis, Ennis, you're alright, come on, come on!
And I can not remember even one situation when Ennis said Jack's name in that way (he only said Jack fu*king Twist!)... and that is also one way to express your feelings , to speak up your dear's name! Ennis couldn't even say "Jack"t the beginning, and we expect him to say "I love you, Jack Twist?!" No chance!
