The minutes inside the blackness of the hot and boiling cloud of demon spirits was enough hell to last a lifetime. As the cloud thinned I had the uneasy feeling of not bring able to keep my balance.
Then Steven's friendly voice cut through the black mist and said, "Here lean on my shoulder's!"
I remembered the railroad man being told the same thing as his goat forelegs reached out of the mist and held his balance. Fear and terror of me being a black goat too raced in my mind.
Then Madame's voice, "Oh my he is a fine looking form, he should pay the rent for several months!"
As my sight returned I now looked down on the two people before me. If they had not gotten smaller than I grew much taller. I looked around and then Steven let my arms fall.
Thud I hit the stage like a ton of bricks. The shock ran up my arms and jolted my total body. As all again became calm I opened my eyes to view the world on multi shades of gray. This coupled with my wonder of what had happen made me ask a question. The lips and tongue did not respond as a few minutes ago they might. Insteaad a loud and urgent sounding whinny echoed the theater.
Madame' laughed, "Well you are on perfect looking two year old Arabian stallion! The young man is gone from this world and a stallion made for being a stud is now in your place. I shall call the Killingsworth Stud in the morning and let them know what I have for sale!"
In my mind I called and begged, "Please let me go!" Yet with a rope about my neck Steven led me to a waiting corral out and behind the theater building.
Steven gave a friendly pat to my hairy face and rubbing the soft nostrils he said, "I feel sorry for you and what life a person migh have had but as I look at you now, your a fine form of a stallion. The breeding stud will take great care of you and the fun of being bred will no doubt wipe away all fears. I've served the ole' lady for sixteen years since she made me a ram for two. I was happy to be me again but those two years were a lot of fun too. I'll try in time to urge her to change you back to your human self, but for the present I suggest you learn to be this horse!"
I whinnied in acceptance of this undeniable fact.