The Wheel of Fortune

Parlor walls could hardly contain my ambition for a second morning. Slipping out past the porch, I marched down the stone path to find a magnificent contraption propped against the gate—a towering black bicycle, its front wheel poised like a colossal carnival roulette. To leave such glorious machinery dormant was unthinkable! Striding right up to the chrome hub, I wedged the silver tip of my skull cane between two taut spokes and gave a fierce, downward yank. Whirrr-clack-clack! The wheel erupted into a shimmering metallic vortex, scattering spinning streaks of light across my hem. A wheel of destiny, set in motion entirely at my command.