Can I call a toplevel function from within a threaded (runnable) object?

I'm trying to convert code that now exists within draw() as a timer that calls a function beat() which updates an array into a threaded object.  I can get it to compile but it doesn't seem that beat() is ever called from the threaded object.

So, because I probably just made a logic error, I need someone to confirm or deny that what I am trying to do, call an outside function from a runnable, should in theory be possible...

If i have an arbitrary function beat() shouldn't

draw(){
 beat();
}

and

some runnable(){
 run(){
   beat();
 }
}

produce the same result?