The Domino Cascade

I slipped back indoors before the patio door was bolted for the night. On the smooth hardwood beside the coffee table, a handful of heavy domino tiles lay scattered from an open wooden box. I picked up five of the black-and-white blocks, setting them upright on their narrow edges in a tight, curving row. Getting each piece evenly spaced took steady fingers and a bit of patience. Once the curve held its balance, I tapped the lead tile with my fingertip. Click-clatter-clack—the whole line tumbled in a sharp, effortless ripple, slapping the floorboards one after the other. No drills, no patrols. Just a clean, satisfying chain reaction.