Domino, from the Latin dominio, means “favour, delight.” It’s also the name of a game, a set of rules for matching ends of flat rectangular blocks that bear from one to six pips or dots. A domino is a small, thumb-sized gaming piece; 28 of them form a complete set. Dominoes, which are often referred to as bones, pieces, men, or stones, come in many shapes and sizes and can be used for games of strategy.
A domino isn’t just a game, though; it’s a physical symbol of something that occurs naturally. Whether you compose your novel off the cuff or take your time with a detailed outline, plotting is all about creating scenes that build upon each other to form a chain reaction. Using the domino effect as an example, we can see how each scene in a story is inextricably connected to the next.
Hevesh, a self-taught domino artist, builds intricate displays that can include thousands of dominoes. Her YouTube videos have more than 2 million views. Hevesh has worked on projects for movies and events, including the album launch of pop star Katy Perry. Her largest installations can take several nail-biting minutes to fall. But once the first domino reaches its tipping point, it can be pushed over and trigger a whole series of other reactions.
Domino is also a mercenary and mutant. Her powers allow her to use the laws of probability in her favor; she’s a weapons expert whose staff fires projectiles and she is an excellent athlete and martial arts trainer. She is also a brilliant strategist and linguist. She was born an albino as the result of the U.S. government’s Project Armageddon. Her precognitive mutant abilities allowed her to escape the program. After her mentor, Milo Thurman, was killed by Donald Pierce’s cyborg Reavers, Domino helped G.W. Bridge’s S.H.I.E.L.D. incarnation investigate the clandestine Weapon X program. Later, Domino joined Cable’s X-Force team and helped oppose the ancient mutant-devouring Skornn entity.
Domino’s leadership structure focuses on championing its employees, which is evident in its leadership training programs and college recruiting system. It’s also clear that the company pays close attention to its customers’ feedback and responds quickly to any concerns or complaints. Its CEO has even been known to go undercover in a Domino’s restaurant to learn more about its operations and how employees interact with customers. He has also emphasized the importance of listening to Domino’s employees, which has led to positive changes in the workplace. It’s a lesson that any business can benefit from learning.
