The Wheel Of Fortune

By Mika Doll

The Wheel of Fortune is turning. In a climate of economic decline and an ever-growing divide between haves and have-nots, Claire and John are fortunate to belong to those the new time offers opportunities. While Claire begins her studies at med-school, John’s career takes a path leading him closer to the higher echelons of power. Consequently, for the two newlyweds, it becomes increasingly hard to find enough time for each other. But with the help of a new friend, the eccentric Kama Sutra instructor and sex counselor Aurora, Claire and John discover their ‘inner island’ again, in The Wild Side, which is more than a mere adult store. It is destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mika Doll
• Release date: Dec 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370001248

Mika Doll

Born and grown up behind the Iron Curtain, and after a decade-long stopover in West Berlin, Mika found a new home in Canada and now enjoys the laid-back country life in picturesque Nova Scotia, a paradise for writers and individualists. Besides raising two children and several chickens, as an outspoken advocate for permaculture, self-reliance and De-growth, Mika is also trying to raise awareness for the challenges of our time, and with a lifelong fascination for history, philosophy and anthropology likes to look in particular from this angle at the complex nature of human sexuality.

Book preview

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

An Erotic End-time Story

By MIKA DOLL

Book Three of the Destiny Series

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2017 by Mika Doll

Cover art by Mika Doll, use of tarot cards courtesy of Carl-W. Röhrig.

Copyright Tarot-Cards by Carl-W. Röhrig 2017, www.roehrigart.com

Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. The issues raised, however, are real.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - The Checkpoint

Chapter 2 - Time Of Opportunity

Chapter 3 - The Birthday Present

Chapter 4 - Day Of Surprises

Chapter 5 - Lessons

Chapter 6 - Kabbazah

Chapter 7 - The Challenge

Chapter 8 - The Investigation

Chapter 9 - The Wild Side

Chapter 10 - The New Year’s Eve Party

Chapter 11 - Master Or Slave

Chapter 12 - The Swap

Chapter 13 - Lure and Lust

Chapter 14 - Circumstances

Chapter 15 - The Invitation

Chapter 16 - Jaidee

Chapter 17 - Decisions

Chapter 18 - Foreboding

A Big Thank You To All My Readers

About The Author

Connect With Mika

Chapter 1

The Checkpoint

It was unusually quiet in the car. Leaving her hometown for good, Claire seemed caught in sentimental thoughts, while Erin and Alice had not said a word for more than ten minutes, since getting into the car. Ten minutes without bickering, that’s a first, John thought, remembering all the excitement and chatter each time when the family had gone on long trips.

Through the rearview mirror, he was watching both his daughters, each staring out their window in harmonious silence that it was almost eerie. Everything alright back there? John asked. He could see they were tired, but neither of them seemed to be eager to share with their father where they had been for the last 24 hours. New Orleans is great. Did you have fun? John made another attempt to get a conversation going and noticed a single tear running down Erin’s cheek. If you’re crying, I figure you must have had a hell of a time, he concluded.

She’s fallen in love, answered her sister for her.

Stop it, Alice! Erin warned her and was apparently easy to aggravate in her sour-sad mood.

Forget I asked, was all John replied to that. He knew better not to get involved.

For a change, the two did not get into a fight. Alice attention had shifted to the long line-up of trucks that occupied for more than a mile the right lane all the way up to the checkpoint at the border between Louisiana and Mississippi. Passenger vehicles were guided over to the left lane, and soon, it went only stop-and-go. What the fuck is going on here? Alice wondered aloud, got her phone out and began taking pictures of the endless convoy they passed.

You better put that away, her father said in a sharp tone.

Alice knew very well the sound in his voice and put the phone away, but not before she had shot a few more photos, out of protest. Dad, I’m just doing my job, she justified. And I’m completely in my rights to document this. The followers of my blog want to see some pictures of my trip. After all, you cannot blame people for wanting to know what’s going on in other parts of the country, can you?

Your block? What’s that? John asked and saw in the rearview mirror how Alice was rolling her eyes.

I don’t believe you just asked that, Alice replied, shaking her head. Dad, seriously, you don’t know what a blog is? It’s a website where you upload pictures, videos, and stories about yourself so people can follow up on what you’re doing.

Sorry, at my age I cannot follow up on every upload anymore, John replied, but as so often, the joke died away unnoticed. It did not even seem to occur to Alice that her father had been just teasing her a little. So I have to visit your blog then if I want to know where you two have been yesterday and last night, he remarked with an amused side-glance at Claire.

Alice’s grin appeared in the rearview mirror. Good luck, dad!

A soldier came towards their car, which put an end to John’s last approach to squeeze something out of his daughters. It was the usual procedure. He asked for their ID’s and travel permits. Just out of curiosity, Corporal, can you tell me what’s going on here? John wanted to know.

It’s the interstate convoy, sir. We call it the ‘caravan.’ Goes twice a week now and is to increase the transport volume until the railways are open again, he explained and added, But I guess that won’t happen anytime soon. At least not all the way through to the North, as long as those radicals continue blowing up the rails again each time they’ve just fixed them.

And you are to protect the convoy? John asked.

Oh no, sir, not us. It’s a private security company that organizes the convoys and probably makes some big bucks on it. Those guys got it all, equipped with the finest, helicopters, APC’s, you name it. Makes one wonder who actually gave them all that shit. Sorry for my language, sir, the talkative young man apologized with a boyish grin at the ladies. Anyway, you’re lucky, sir. You just arrived before the caravan leaves. The interstate will soon be closed for two hours, he said, handed them their documents back and let them drive on.

After they left Louisiana behind, the conversation in the car didn’t want to pick up again, and so John turned on the radio. For 20 minutes they listened to country music until John had it. I’m a doctor, not a cowboy, he said and switched to another radio station, a political discussion. It was a repeat of yesterday’s nationally televised debate about the direction America had to take towards more stability and economic growth.

…For a year now, Europe has suspended the Euro. They erased all debt, started at zero and meanwhile have adopted successfully a cashless financial system that does not allow for any debt to be made any longer. After years of austerity measures and having exploited every other avenue, this economic concept, as I see it, is the only way forward, said a speaker for the liberal block and added, We cannot print ourselves out of the dilemma.

So, you practically want to abolish money altogether. And then, you want to call in a Day of Reckoning on which all debt has to be repaid and create a society of haves and have-nots, where the have-nots will be forever dependent on those that from this day on will own everything, the representative of the Freedom Party replied.

Next we will hear the word ‘modern slavery’ again, intervened a known economic expert of the Conservatives. Right now, nobody is better off. Those you call ‘have-nots’ will indeed have no debt any longer after that day. They will not have to worry how to pay their bills anymore, or how to pay for a doctor, or where to live because those that have will have to step up to their responsibility. They will have to make sacrifices; they will have to give back, have to take care of those less fortunate among us. And they have to get us going again economically. All these measures will stabilize America, will unify us as a country once more so that our children will grow up having enough to eat, a proper education, healthcare and a peaceful world in which they can prosper. Our generosity is what makes this country such a great nation, and I count on the people that they will give the future their voice in the upcoming poll.

John remembered now what it was all about. There was a nationwide opinion poll planned in order to ask the people what they wanted. The media had already invented the term ‘internet-democracy,’ and the poll was supposed to get all the different fractions out of their political deadlock.

They are running out of time, John commented. People are tired of polemics. If they don’t come up with a compromise very soon, they will have played away even the last bit of their credibility, and these guys all know that.

The debate was going back and forth and soon arrived at the question how to pay for all the projects that were to secure the social peace. We cannot continue wasting valuable resources on a war we’ve long lost. Our prisons are overflowing and have created a huge financial burden on society. By legalizing drugs and treating its abuse as a mental health issue rather than a criminal act, we would be going the right way. Let’s concentrate more on prevention, instead of trying to fight the violence related to the illegal trade, the representative of the Progressive Democrats suggested.

You want those junkies running around on our streets, being a threat to the public and leave the individual unprotected by taking away our right to bear arms? That’s ridiculous, one from the Patriot Block growled.

A legalization would merely shift the costs from the justice system over to the healthcare system, which, as we all agree, should be accessible for all. This drastic step would jeopardize the funds required for our Family First Program, which I consider being of the highest national interest, added the woman from the Pro-Life fraction. It is now scientifically proven that the pandemic has caused a reduction in the sperm count found in men, which again we see reflected in the current numbers of births. We also cannot continue wasting our resources on fertility treatments for women that desperately want to have children while at the same time we go ahead with allowing the killing of innocent, unborn Americans by the thousands. We need to establish conditions for a steady population growth or I fear America will soon be overrun and ruled by foreigners, she said, aligning her opinion with the views of the Patriot Block.

If we are such generous people, what actually do we need a steady population growth for if on the other side of the planet people die by the thousands? Erin asked all of a sudden.

Everyone waited for the senior to reply, but John kept quiet, and so Alice answered the question. Because it is all a numbers game, sis. There are so many of them compared to us that we will not be able to withstand the flood if we don’t have the numbers to defend us. The country needs soldiers. Am I not right, dad?

Alice was too smart for her own good, John thought and feared that her quick tongue might get her in trouble one day. Of course, it was a numbers game. Nobody knew that better than he himself, who was working with those numbers every day. But he was not allowed to discuss them with anyone and answered instead, I hope you don’t publicize these views on your blog.

Dad, I’m not stupid. But, I’m not blind either. I can see where they are heading with this. Under the so-called Family First Program, they can force women to carry a child to term, regulate contraceptives and punish all those that don’t want children. Seems to me the Pro-Lifers get finally what they always wanted without having to ride around on God and the sanctuary of life any longer. No, now it’s even much better. Women’s rights can be demolished in the name of national security. These are really nice prospects for a happy future, Alice added sarcastically since such slogans were proclaimed in government ads, could be seen on billboards or heard on the radio.

Claire listened and began to wonder if any of that might be of some concern to her. Fortunately, she didn’t have to worry about getting pregnant. On the other hand, as a woman, she could not pretend to be indifferent to such issues. What surprised her though, that her husband apparently had no opinion to contribute, at least none he was willing to share with them.

To blame a slightly lower sperm count for the low birthrate was complete nonsense, John knew. The reason was too obvious that it just couldn’t be admitted, people were not eager to raise children in such difficult times. Many young families had broken apart after the pandemic, which had torn a huge hole in the most fertile generation. There was no quick fix unless someone wanted to breed people. And his daughter was right to suspect the Family First Program might serve indeed this rather sinister purpose of trying to do precisely that, to create a strong new generation of patriots. The proposed program was supported by all fractions. And basically it made sense to put more emphasis on helping families by building the necessary social framework, as well as offering various incentives to women to encourage them to become mothers, but it remained still a secret how far the government wanted to go with that.

The debate on the radio centered soon on the controversial topic of creating arms free zones in all urban areas with more than 100,000 inhabitants. After several bombings and shootings, cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and as of recently also Washington, had already begun to establish a security perimeter several miles outside the city. How those security screens were conducted, the four of them could see for themselves just 16 hours later at the last checkpoint before they were home.

There was a long lineup of cars in front of the regular army checkpoint where everyone was sorted out that had no Security Identity Card, a so-called SID-card. Most morning commuters, mainly government employees, just showed their SID and could pass unhindered. And so could have John, but none of his passengers had a SID-card yet, so John was asked to proceed to a second checkpoint.

Claire had seen John showing his SID a few times, but had not seen the card up close yet, which was about the size of a credit card and not much thicker. Is this like your driver’s license? she asked.

It’s my driver’s license, my healthcare card, a data storage device, pays my bills, opens doors, monitors my movements and lets me access the Internet from every newer computer. In short, this is the digital me in this brave new world, John said and let her have a look at his card. He himself was still in wonder about the latest example of nanotechnology that was introduced at a time where people were grinding their coffee by hand again, if they had any. And I would not even need this device anymore, John added, If I agreed to a microchip implant. Right now it’s voluntary, but I’m sure sooner or later someone will find a pretext for making it mandatory.

And you’re not the least concerned about that, dad? Alice asked, but got no answer.

John drove into a parking lot in front of two long prefab buildings. Military personnel assigned their vehicle a spot to be inspected by sniffer dogs while its passenger had to proceed to one of the two buildings, women to the right, men to the left.

Colonel, I’m Major Callahan, a seasoned soldier addressed John and saluted. Sir, as SID-card holder you don’t need to be screened, he said and pointed at one of his men. This is Sergeant Williams, sir. He can show you where to get a decent cup of coffee around here.

Colonel McAllister thanked him and went with Sergeant Williams over to the canteen. When John looked back over his shoulder, he saw his wife and daughters grouped with two-dozen other women entering the building.

Inside the large mobile building, Claire felt reminded of the old airport security checks. And as it had been back then, here it was also a private security company that conducted them. Your name? Claire was asked, and she handed the security officer her in Louisiana issued ID-card together with her travel permit.

Claire McAllister, she answered, and a smile appeared on her face. For the first time she officially had to state her new name, and somehow it had a wonderful sound to it.

A smile could not warm the officer’s heart though. But your ID says your name is O’Neill.

O’Neill is my maiden name. Just got married. Since Monday I’m Mrs. McAllister, Claire explained. The name is also on my travel permit. I’m the accompanying spouse of a military member, Claire added, making him aware of his oversight, which did not earn her any sympathies though.

Very well, Mrs. McAllister, proceed to scanner room two, he said in a brusque manner before he asked the next in line, Name?

Erin McAllister.

The officer hesitated and gave Erin a closer look.

It’s no joke, dear. There are even more of us, Alice said from behind her sister, hiding her dark-ringed eyes behind her big flashy sunglasses. When Alice handed him her ID-card as well, she tried on him her charming smile and said sweetly, Hi, I’m Alice. Alice McAllister. And on our IDs it says my sister and I are from Washington, she couldn’t help teasing him.

The man was not amused. Please take off your sunglasses! he demanded, and Alice complied by sticking her sunglasses into the hair above her forehead. After he had scanned their IDs to verify they were indeed no ‘illegals,’ he looked up with an odd smile and all of a sudden became suspiciously friendly when he said, Welcome home. Please, both of you may now proceed to scanner room three.

The women had to line up in front of the doors to the assigned scanning rooms. Some knew what to expect, and many of those that had no idea yet were shocked to hear that the guards had the right to have them strip down to search for drugs, precious metals, gems or specific technical components like fuses for explosives or microelectronics that could be hidden inside their bodies.

The X-ray scanning itself was just a matter of seconds. It was usually the undressing and the getting dressed part, which took up the longest time and made the women wait with unease. When it was Claire’s turn to step into the scanning room, she did what she was told and was out again a few minutes later. Then she waited next to the exit door of scanning room number 3 for Erin and Alice to come out.

So, and you’re next, Alice was called in by the same woman who was just done with Erin. The woman was around thirty and reminded Alice of one of those Nazi-bitches as they were portrayed in movies, with no sympathies for the discomfiture another woman felt. And there was not much regard for any privacy either. Cameras were everywhere, monitoring everything.

Alice was not impressed and certainly not easy to intimidate either. The same way you are recording me without my party’s permission, so in return, I’m practicing my First Amendment’s right to record your conduct on my person for future legal purposes, she informed the female officer.

Turn that fucking phone off and put it in the box with all your other stuff, the woman insisted and to Alice’s surprise added, And then get ready to be strip-searched.

Alice knew her rights and how far she could push the envelope without giving them a pretext for arresting her. For the record, I’m not interfering with your work and will comply, yet under protest, Alice added bravely and the screen of her phone went black. She even showed it to the woman before she put it into the box and began to undress.

Although it looked like it, the phone was not turned off. It had an app that still allowed it to receive the images caught by an external camera connected to it and for as long as Alice’s phone remained nearby, it automatically continued uploading to the Internet everything Alice saw. Even if her phone would be seized, destroyed or all the data deleted, the content was already out in cyberspace.

Alice made sure she got a good shot of herself in the nude while she had to endure the humiliating treatment that soon followed after she had to step onto the two yellow circles on the floor. She had to bend forward to allow the woman a closer look at her body orifices. Alice even had to stick two fingers into her vagina to prove she would have nothing hidden in there.

Why’s it taking so long? Claire asked as soon as Erin joined her outside the scanning room.

Erin was visibly shaken and asked back, Didn’t they strip search you?

No, they just scanned me. What happened?

This disgusting woman touched me.

Claire understood right away where Erin was touched. Are they allowed to do that?

I don’t know. But please, don’t say anything. All I want is going home, Erin said.

By now, Alice had figured out what went on in scanner room 3. It seemed only selected females between 14 and 40 were considered prime suspects for smuggling and had to be that thoroughly strip-searched as not even the cars in the parking lot were checked. This farce was most likely just to the benefit of those behind the mirrored wall and the monitors of the cameras. And those watching would most likely be men, Alice was pretty sure of that.

To find women that went along and willingly did the dirty work for them was not difficult. Alice suspected her being a lesbian who even seemed to enjoy doing the men this particular favor. It was not hard to imagine that she otherwise would have to put up with a lot of bullying. This way though, she was part of ‘the team’ and could make other women do anything she wanted. As a security officer, she just made one significant oversight. Together with the rest of her colleagues, she obviously was more interested in looking at Alice’s crotch than paying attention to her sunglasses, which still stuck inconspicuously in her hair, aimed at the mirror ahead that was also reflecting the image of the mirror behind her, portraying her naked body from both sides simultaneously.

Revenge felt bittersweet and had to be dished out cold. The ‘dirty dream team’ had not the slightest clue yet that it would not take very long for those images of security officers abusing their powers to go viral. Alice had no doubts in this regard. This was true investigative journalism, self-sacrificing, and anyway, nudity always sold. Besides that, her shameless self-display was exciting her somewhat even, considering that such explicit shots would also result in a significant rise in the number of her online-followers, which might even crack the one-million mark. This could be indeed her breakthrough to fame, Alice thought, and with fame came influence. Soon she would have more illustrious net-friends than she needed, let alone all the indecent proposals she could expect to receive.

Are we done now or do you wish to finger me yourself, officer, just for due diligence? Alice asked and trusted she wouldn’t dare. On the other hand, maybe this security officer should touch her, for the entire world to see.

The woman was smart enough to realize that Alice was not so naïve and timid like the girl before, who had been like most, too shocked and embarrassed to say anything when they were getting their pussies felt up. This one, however, smelled like trouble. Get dressed and fuck off! she said, which Alice just did too gladly.

Let’s get out of here as quickly as possible, Alice said to Erin and Claire the moment she stepped out of the scanning room and rushed ahead.

They just had made it out of the building, when they heard a male voice calling after them, Hey, miss, may I ask you to return to the scanning building immediately!

What have you done now? Erin asked her sister with a bad feeling in her stomach.

Nothing other than they’re doing to us, Alice explained shortly and kept on walking as if she had not heard the security man.

Freeze! he yelled over the parking lot and eventually had their attention.

The three women turned around. One of them started walking straight towards him. Before you shoot us, may I ask you what this is all about? Claire said to him and positioned herself between John’s daughters and the man’s drawn gun.

I’d like to have a look at these sunglasses, he said and pointed at Alice before he took his gun down. He probably became aware how ridiculous his behavior was.

Alice expression showed defiance. Claire could see that she was not willing to part with them without a fight. Why would you be interested in her sunglasses? Claire wanted to know in order to gain time. She saw already a group of soldiers approaching and hoped that John wouldn’t be far either.

I have the suspicion that it has a built-in recording device. It is a criminal offense to use those on government premises without written permission.

And if she had a recording device on her, can you also prove it was used for any illegal purposes?

Now his anger turned against Claire. I don’t care if you’re a smartass lawyer or whatever? I will have you arrested for hindering a law enforcement officer doing his duty.

What’s going on here? Major Callahan asked with a loud voice.

Major, you’re right in time. Please escort the ladies back to the building.

Major, Claire turned to him as well. I’m Claire McAllister, would you by any chance know where Colonel McAllister might be?

The name rang a bell, and there was only one colonel around. Suddenly the major couldn’t hide a grin. Of course, ma’am. I will send for him immediately. Gilroy, get the colonel, on the double! he ordered, and one of his men started running over to the canteen.

The major made no secret of what he thought about his counterpart from the private firm. With malicious joy, he said to him, Well, I guess we have to wait.

What do we have to wait for? We have reason to believe there is a security breach and I want these three arrested for further interrogation, the security officer insisted.

Sorry, can’t make the decision, Major Callahan said. We have to wait for my superior officer.

Your unwillingness to cooperate with a civil law enforcement agency will not reflect well on your career, Major, he warned, but the empty threat was rather meant to impress his three colleges who just joined him. Now there were four of them, and it made him bolder. Okay, then we have to do it ourselves.

The security officer motioned to two of his colleges, and they moved towards Alice and Erin. They were just about to arrest the sisters when John arrived on the scene.

Except for Claire, nobody had any idea that the two suspects were the colonel’s daughters. She put a finger to her lips and signaled Alice to shut up when her father asked, What problem do we have here?

We are arresting three suspects, sir, for espionage. One is carrying a secret recording device, the officer blew the case out of proportion and with a triumphant look at the major, he added, And I hereby officially request military personnel to assist us.

Espionage, secret recording devices? Didn’t you just screen them? How is that possible? John roared. He knew it was always an embarrassing question if someone screwed up and did not want to admit to it. Then his expression turned softer. Of course we’ll assist you, officer. I’m going to take care of it myself, John assured him before he called out, Major Callahan! John just hoped he remembered the name right. Take the two suspects into custody for interrogation, he ordered.

Without hesitation, the major complied and relayed the order to his men. Alice and Erin did not resist and followed voluntarily the four soldiers that took them over to an army building. They never imagined they would be so glad to get arrested.

What about the third suspect, sir, he whispered over to his superior officer, in the assumption that she would be his daughter and a friend of the other two.

Arrest her. I want to question her too, the colonel answered, and the major asked Claire politely to accompany him. The security officer seemed confused. Before he could say something though, John remarked, I know the procedures are still new for all of us. And all I can say is, you guys are doing an awesome job. I assure you, in the future, we will make every effort to improve the cooperation between our services, the colonel promised, shook hands with them and dismissed the security people with a respectful salute.

John took a deep breath. As he walked back to the canteen, nobody noticed how much he was fuming inside. There, the three ‘suspects’ were already treated to coffee and breakfast. Erin looked still timid and held herself to Claire, while her sister seemed to have recovered quickly from the scare and already chatted with the men. Oh, that wasn’t the end of it yet, John vowed. He did not mind his daughters having their little secrets, but this was something else. The two would have to tell him exactly what had gone on in that scanning building, but for that, it was neither the time nor place and had to wait until they were in private.

I owe you one, Major, John said to Callahan.

Don’t mention it, sir. Was my pleasure, Callahan replied with a grin. I can’t stand those arrogant bastards that bit by bit take over everything. We were lucky, sir. In a week or two, the Privates are running the show here. Then it was the last time they let us get away with such tricks.

Hardly that the car left the parking lot, John asked the tongue-tied rear benchers, Who wants to go first?

Dad, they systematically harass women, Alice said.

John looked at his wife. Claire’s stumped expression told him that she was unable to confirm that. That’s a serious allegation, Alice. What happened? Did you cause them any trouble? he asked.

No, dad, I didn’t do anything wrong.

And why were they so hell-bent to have you arrested for espionage? Out with it now! I want to hear the truth. This is not a game. It can have serious repercussions. And next time, ladies, I might not be able to get you out of it so easily anymore.

Is it true what the officer said, are there such things like recording devices in sunglasses? Claire asked with a softer voice. Alice nodded and handed her carefully the quite expensive piece of technology that many investigative journalists used as a hidden camera.

There is a micro camera in each of the temples, Alice explained since Claire didn’t seem to see them.

Now Claire noticed them. Oh, these little dots are the cameras. And I guess you’ve filmed them how they harassed you, Claire concluded, and Alice nodded again, suddenly feeling embarrassed about what she believed was the right thing to do at the time.

I want to see what they have done to you, her father said. His anger had shifted from his daughter to the staff of the security company, which Callahan had called Privates. It was a term the major surely did not associate with an ordinary soldier.

Alice hesitated. This was the last thing she wanted that her father got to see the video and watched his naked daughter having to go through such a mortifying experience.

Claire suspected almost as much. John, don’t make it worse. I wouldn’t want my father to see something like this either. She turned around to Alice and offered her a compromise. Would you feel comfortable showing it to me?

Alice