That brought a smile to Madame Illusia's lips. "Polite and respectful even as a beast. I suppose that is too rare to lose. Come back here and stand on the stage."
As the young man obeyed, she looked out over the audience. Several members of the audience had been amused by the prospect of this young man ending up as steaks, and she focused on a rough-looking man in a plaid shirt. "You, sir. I need help with a castration. I want a steer instead of a bull for this demonstration."
The man stood up, grinning cruelly. He pulled out a large knife. "I can handle that for you!"
He pushed his way to the front and grinned at the dull-eyed young man. "Prepare to lose the family jewels."
The young man looked confused, as if he did not understand what was being said. Madame Illusia said "Our very bovine friend has only a limited knowledge of English now. He will function well as a custodian for cattle, but he is no longer able to think or act human. He will be a fine working bull and ranch hand for his owner."
"Working bull?" The rough man sneered. "Not when I am done."
"Oh, he is not the steer." Madame Illusia gestured and the man's clothing vanished, revealing a hairy, paunchy body. A moment later, coarse hair began to spread as the man swelled rapidly.
The man stared at himself in horror. "No! I don't want to be a damn meat animal!"
"But you will taste so good!" Madame Illusia laughed. "I heard your comment about checking the stores for his T-bones. Now you are the one who will provide steaks and hamburger for many cookouts."
"Noooooooo!" The man's shuddered and fell forward as his shout of protest turned into a lowing sound. He became huge, thick, covered with brown hide. Hands and feet hardened into cloven hooves, and then a terrified mature steer stood trembling on the stage. "You will act as the animal, but always remember who you were. And you will be aware, intelligent, and know what is happening right up to the point where you are slaughtered."
Madame Illusia turned to the very bestial bull-man who stood naked and calm by the new steer. "This animal escaped from your herd and wandered into town. You were sent to bring it back. Go home to your herd now, Bull."
Bull, the half-bovine freak who worked at a large ranch outside of town, nodded and shoved the steer towards the entrance. Although the steer's eyes were showing white all around, it plodded out obediently. The audience chuckled at the animal trying to sneak in for a free showing, remembering Bull as having been there for years, and the steer as an escaped animal.