The tiny island nation of Fortunata is
dotted in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is made up of a
dozen or more major islands, almost all within sight of the main
island plus a number of smaller islands, some as small as a
football field. The capital city, Heureuse is the
administration, cultural and commercial centre of the group.
Other islands include Perturbia, Impedia, Indisgresso, Caverna, Verdancia and Portia.
Their system of Government is small, but largely, the people are
rich.
Unlike the huge Western Governments, Fortunata residents don't
pay taxes - well, not directly.
The island group has abundant natural resources probably born of
the volcanoes that created it tens of thousands of years ago.
The employment rate is high, and the incentive to work hard is
huge, because every penny earned, is kept by the worker. Most
workers opt for a 4 day week, working up to 9 hours per day.
Meal breaks are usually taken on the job and employers value the
high quality of their workers. All workers receive one month
paid leave per year, plus numerous declared holidays. Sick leave
is paid for up to 20 days without a doctor’s certificate. With a
doctor’s certificate, the Government pays the workers’ wages
indefinitely.
All businesses and households receive free water, natural gas &
electricity, as part of their natural right. Every business,
household and person has a free email address, telephone number
and mail service. All insurance is covered by the government,
Education to Degree Level (at least) is free and all Health
Care is provided free except for totally elective work such as
cosmetic surgery etc.
People are encouraged to grow their own food, use solar and wind
power, bank their money and invest.
At age 60, people may retire on a full pension, although many
avail themselves of a plan to work from home and contribute
their knowledge and labor back to the community. The pension is
equal to their last full year’s income, adjusted annually to
keep up with the cost of living.
There are many bicycles on the island. All bicycles are owned by
the government and distributed freely. No-one owns a bicycle,
but they are encouraged to use one whenever possible.
The Bicycle Factory exports bicycles all over the world.
Of course some things are expensive in Fortunata.
Alcohol is part of the culture of Fortunata, but public
drunkenness earns you a week at Perturbia for a first offence.
Habitual drinkers are moved to Perturbia and if complaints
continue they are then moved to Impedia. They may even be voted
out of Impedia and after a hearing at Portia, they may be
sentenced to a term at Indisgresso.
The local cocoanut rum is exported worldwide, bearing the
familiar Island Girl logo.
Fortunata has a liberal approach to sexuality. Youth are
expected to experiment with ‘same age partners’ and there is no
legal or social distinction between same sex or opposite sex
partners.
Marriage is common for graduates although many people remain in
semi-communal housing for some years after their degree. This
housing is usually privately held and rented, and is like an
upscale version of the communal dormitories available at the
university.
The marriage ceremony is based on the traditional tribal
marriages and includes the couple to be immersed in water by an
elder of the island and to be brought back to dry land by those
that approve of the union. The marriage ceremony is seen as a
social acceptance, and bears no legal or religious burden.
While marriages are theoretically monogamous, open affairs are
more likely to occur than secret trysts. The nature of the
people prefers infidelity to deceit, so it is not uncommon for a
short term third party to stay at a couple’s home to ‘work
through’ the infidelity. Divorce is rare, but as there are few
statistics on marriage, and an exact percentage of divorce is
unable to be given.
The government gives a gift package of a holiday at Caverna,
which is often upgraded by the couple or their families.