Wheel of Misfortune: Science Fiction

[penthius]

"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Pull the lever, set the wheel in motion! You never know what you might get! It ain't called the Wheel of Misfortune for nothing! But," the barker paused dramatically, "maybe you'll win your freedom! Maybe it's really the Wheel of the Unfortunate!" Mary's line-partner hesitated, looking over his shoulder at the wheel. He'd once been strong and tall and young, but six months in the mines had made his back hunch, and any non-essential muscles wither away. His eyes didn't look young anymore, and the coal dust ground into his skin had the same aging effect as the wrinkles--

Inspiration: "Wheel of Misfortune" game.
Story Potential: High.
Notes: Again, this starts out li9ke something else but my brain wants to turn it into science fiction. Alien enslavers who are obsessed with games of chance? Sounds possible.