"Um, this is really embarassing." Max suddenly blushed.
"We've heard it all. I mean all," the old lady consoled, "go ahead, baby. Tell us what you want."
"Yeah, man." Ralph encouraged.
"I... I have this little gecko. Like this little pet gargoyle gecko. I love her very much, and I just... well, she's best friend. I just want to talk to her."
"Hmm." Ralph considered thoughtfully. "Yeah, I've got lots of stuff on tap that can help with that. So, you just want your little lizard gal to be able to talk to you? You want to keep her body the same?"
"There's a lot of things you should think about. See, intelligence is both a gift and a curse to a pet, depending on which way you go."
"Mmmm," Ralph agreed, nodding deeply and slowly. "Yeah, you have to think that you've got this little caged gecko, and you're gonna suddenly make her able to think and reason, right? You follow?"
Max's eyes widened. "Oh... yeah."
"Will you have to hide her?" The old lady said thoughtfully. "Does she have to be a secret? Because we can brew you up a potion that will make your lizard's intelligence come and go at your will. Or... make her a lady lizard the same way."
Max blinked in consideration of the possibilities. "You mean... make her... humanoid?"
"Thing is," Ralph continued, "she might resent being switched off and on or having to be hidden. Maybe she'll hate being self-aware and forced to stay in a cage. You're creating a new life, so you have to think about how her needs will change. Like far out heavy stuff."
"No..." Max whispered in reverence. "No, I see what you mean."
"Do... you want her love? Companionship?" The old lady leaned in, smiling gently at the lad's twinkling eyes.