WHO: Domino Maddox (Open for reactions or Scenes) WHEN: Saturday 8/24 WHERE:Hotel Roosevelt WHAT: A Self Help Seminar WARNINGS: Low/None STATUS: Narrative/Open
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Those who’d gotten a ticket for the seminar came in, each with a name tag as they took seats set up in the hotel conference room. Domino watched as the variety of people gathered. One of his followers helped to hook up his microphone as they reviewed the plan for the evening- trying to keep Domino on script. He often went off it, speaking his mind, his feelings over what had been outlined. “I know.” He said, placing a hand on the young woman’s arm. “Limit the stories, but don’t forget the bigger picture Millie, we’re here to help these people improve their life. That’s the point of this.” He smiled and moved to the side door of the room, ready to enter. He felt the nervous excitement, just as he did before he performed on stage. Afterall, this was just like performing, just the role he was playing was himself.
Turning his microphone on, Domino stepped through the doors and walked down the center isle between the seats and up to the podium set at the front. His microphone was a lapel one, so his hands were free. “Hello, and welcome.” He paused at one attendee on the isle and shook his hand. “Good to see you back.” He smiled before continuing his way to the front. Domino scanned the room. “I see a lot of new faces, and some familiar. Thank you for returning, hopefully things have been going well.” There were some nods in the audience. “For those who don’t know, my name is Domino Maddox, and I’m here to talk to you about… you.” That charming smile graced his lips as he leaned on the podium, standing next to it. “So, we’re going to get right into it.”
As Domino spoke a slideshow appeared behind him, showing images, text, graphics to accentuate the points he was making. The first thing he did was touch on accepting oneself. “I’ve seen so many people not reach their potential, they only give the bare minimum at work. Or they don’t try for the promotion. They ignore the cute girl or guy in line at the coffee shop. They miss out on opportunities. And you know what the one common thread I’ve found that exists between all these people? Well… let’s see if we can find out for ourselves.” Domino walked to the center isle and gestured to the audience. “Can I get a volunteer?” He asked. As he picked someone, a person with a microphone passed it to them. “What’s your name dear?” Dom asked the woman. “Hello Karla. Now, tell me… has there been a time in your life recently where an opportunity has come up, but you let it pass?” His voice was soft, caring as he spoke. Karla relayed a project at work that she could have volunteered for, but didn’t. Domino nodded, listening to every word. “That sounds like it could have been a great opportunity Karla.” He said. “I’m guessing that such projects can lead to more opportunities? Better reviews? Promotions?” Karla nodded. “So let’s talk about why. Why you passed on this chance.”
Domino beckoned her to join him up front, two stools were brought out so they could sit. He then proceeded to ask her questions. Questions about her confidence, her job, her personal life. He was guiding her to an answer he wanted her to figure out on her own. Then, he asked it. “So, Karla, why didn’t you volunteer?”
Karla frowned and took in a breath. “I didn’t think I could do it good enough.”
Domino placed a hand on her knee. “Oh Karla, why would you think such a thing?”
“Because I don’t think I’m good enough.” She said, almost starting to cry.
“No. No.” Domino shook his head and stood up. “This is what we need to fix. Karla, you don’t see what I see, what we see. You are good enough.” He then moved into a different realm of questions. He started to ask about what she did in her spare time, hobbies, talents. “Wait, you knit? Do you have an example of what you-” Karla pulled out her phone and showed Domino a picture. “Can we?” He asked her, gesturing to someone off to the side. They nodded and Domino sent them the picture and they put it up on the screen. It was a series of knitted animals. “My god Karla, you have your own little zoo there. Those are so wonderful.” He looked to the crowd and gestured to them. “Guys, don’t you agree? Those are so awesome.” Many, most, in the audience cheered and agreed. Karla blushed a little. “See, Karla, you have talent, skills. You have worth. Now, I bet that when you knit, you have to pay attention to the details. One pearl off and you can have to back up and fix a lot, right?” Karla agreed. “So, why do you think you’re not good enough to put the same attention to detail into a project at work? You need to see what we see. A smart, beautiful and talented woman who can do anything she puts her mind to. Until you can see yourself as a positive, you’ll only attract the negative.”
Karla nodded and Domino had her stand up and face the audience. “Look at them.” He told her, “Right now, they’re your biggest fans.” One person gave a little cheer. “See, he agrees.” Dom put his arm around Karla’s shoulders. “ Okay Karla, tell me. Who is smart?” Karla replied with a ‘me’. “Okay, I’m not sure I believe that.” He said, shaking his head. “Who is beautiful?” Another meek ‘me’. “Who is talented?” Another quiet ‘me’. “Oh Karla, I’m not sure we believe you believe that. Look at that again.” He pointed to the picture still projected to the wall. “Who’s responsible for making those?” Her reply was a bit stronger. “And who paid attention to all that detail?” A stronger reply. “And who is smart? Who is beautiful? Who is talented?” Each time the reply was more confident as the audience encouraged her. “And who’s going to volunteer next time they have the opportunity to help on a project at work?” Karla cheered a ‘me!’ “And why are you going to do that?”
“Because I’m smart and beautiful and talented!” Karla said, with a laugh as some people started to clap.
“That’s right.” Domino said softly with a smile. Karla hugged him and he let her return to her seat. “See, we are all worthy of greatness, but we’re held back by insecurity and feelings of unworthiness.” Domino moved the stool to the center, just in front of the podium as he took a seat. “Let me tell you about myself.” Domino shared a story about a time he felt low, unworthy. Granted, he didn’t feel that way a lot- the ego on him sort of didn’t allow for it. But he’d had a few defeats in his life. “I knew moving out to LA was a risk, that there was a chance I wouldn’t find ‘fame and fortune’. I thought I was prepared for all the rejection, but I was wrong. A dozen auditions, everything from TV, movie roles- even extras. Commercials, attempts at modeling. I couldn’t even find an agent. I thought I’d made the biggest mistake of my life, that I should have stayed at home. Then, one day I was sitting at home- well my friends couch I was sleeping on because my coffee shop job wasn’t enough to pay for an apartment of my own- and my friend came home looking absolutely dejected. It turned out his girlfriend had cheated on him, then left him. We talked all night. And the more we talked, the more I realized that my friend never felt worthy of the girl he’d been with. He thought she was out of his league. ‘It’s no wonder she cheated’. He was certain she’d wanted to be with a model or something. Someone more worthy. So, we looked him up. And you know what we found out?” Domino paused for effect. “He was a computer VFX guy. Just a guy, completely average except for one thing- he had confidence. You could see it in his posts, his pictures. He knew he was worthy. And that was the only difference between him and my friend.” Domino paused again for effect. “So, helping my friend, I took a look at my own life. I knew I had talent, charm, that I could bring something to a job. I was Domino Maddox, damnit. I could achieve anything I wanted. So I did. Sure, it took me a few more auditions. But I started getting callbacks at least. And I was confident and it showed. Confident because I loved myself.”
Domino had a few others in the audience share their stories and issues. He shared more about how to find worth in yourself and did a couple exercises with the group. Then, the Path of Ama te Ipsum sign was put on the slideshow. “So, everything we’ve talked about today is this, The Path of Ama te Ipsum- The Path of loving yourself.” He said, gesturing to the slide. “And before any of you say ‘screw this’ and bolt for the door know that we’re not trying to convert you, we just want you to be informed. The Path believes that in order to succeed, to make it in this world, you need to first love yourself. Find worth in yourself. And no, we don’t believe in alien lizard men, or god riding in on a spaceship to take us away.” Domino chuckled, most of the audience joined. “We believe in you.” He gestured out to the audience.
Domino got up from his stool and moved across to the side, facing one half the audience. “So, I’ve been up here talking for quite a while, and I hope I’ve not been too boring. We’re going to do one last exercise before we part for the day. I want everyone to share one thing they love about themselves, and one thing they’re not going to let that doubt hold them back from. Who’s first?” He asked, looking around. Domino approached one girl in the front, “how about you?” She shook her head. “Shy?” She smiled and blushed a little. “Don’t worry, there’s a lot of us here, no one will be forced to share if they don’t want. But how about I get us started? My name is Domino. I love that I’m blessed with the ability to sing. And I’m not going to let that doubt that I’m not good enough hold me back from going to an audition next Tuesday!” He gestured a hand to the audience and one woman stood up and shared and vowed. Then another, and another. About a third of the attendees shared. “Let’s hear it for all these beautiful people who’ve found love in themselves and are going to succeed in life.” People cleared.
Domino let things clam down and he moved his stool out of the way, raising a hand to everyone. “Thank you all for joining me, listening to me, and I hope you have all learned a little something about yourselves and will leave here with a more positive outlook on life than when you came in. If any of you do have any questions and want to learn more about The PAI, please stay behind and we can talk. Everyone else, have a wonderful day and a life full of love.” He waved and as everyone clapped he exited through the double doors.
People filed out, many smiling. A few stuck around and members of The Path met with them to talk about the group, answer questions and what not. A few interested were given an invite to the next service at ‘The Estate’. For an orientation of sort.