...Taking down a large book, Runsiman placed it on the table and sat down. Neiwil stood before him, full of anticipation, Runsiman clasped his hands together and muttered something in a low tone. The book opened and the pages began to turn themselves, Runsiman's eyes scanned the text. After several minutes he looked up and said, " Yes, what you need is quite possible, by selective breeding and controlled conditioning you could make a pig with ample gastric capacity, combined with human intellect of above average IQ. It would also have the required manual dexterity to operate your flying machine and even articulate speech and deductive reasoning". Neiwil beamed, "Marvelous" he said. Runsiman held up a hand and said, "there is of course the singular possibility that, equipped with these new faculties, once made aware of 'it's purpose', the pig may tell you to ' Sod off ' ". Neiwil thought about this and asked, "How long ?", Runsiman stroked his beard and said " about five feet like any other pig!". Neiwil frowned "No! how long to make it ?", Runsiman looked down at the book and the page turned, he muttered under his breath " average lifespan.........enerations....average increase per......." and he announced " 1,000 years....give or take a decade......provided we start today ". Neiwil scratched his chin and said " Ohhh, I was rather hoping to take it with me ". Runsiman smiled and said " Evolution can't be rushed, all things in good time ". Neiwil cocked his head and winked as he said, "Couldn't you...you know! ?". Runsiman stood up going red in the face, "Certainly NOT! you cannot go chucking magic into Mother Natures cooking pot, the last time somebody tried that we ended up with Trolls and look what a bloody nuisance they are.......I was nearly 'struck off ' "......... he said something else but as the words entered Neiwils ear they ran into an avalanche of crumbling hopes and dreams. Picking their way through the debris they finally landed in Neiwils brain "Whoooaa!! hold the bus, what did you just say ?" Runsimans eyebrows rose up so high they almost pushed his hat off, he was not accustomed to repeating himself.....but said " it would be far easier to turn your friend into a pig !" Neiwil's brow furrowed as he asked " and you could do that...TODAY? " Runsiman smiled, " Yes, I have what you'd need here ", with that he went to the bookcase and tilted a book. With a 'click' a section of the bookcase swung open, to reveal a dark passageway. While I'm at it I'll get something for your weight problem ", he added. Neiwil sucked in his stomach and clasped his hands across it, " I'm in peek condition....maybe a little water retention !", he protested. Runsiman shook his head, " I was referring to the weight problem with your flying machine!". With that he picked up his staff, the end of which began to emit an ethereal light, and he entered the passageway.The sound of Runsimans footsteps on wet stone grew fainter as did the light, Neiwil was tempted to peek through the door but the light began to increase as did the sound of footsteps. Runsiman emerged, closing the door behind him he announced, " further along than I thought, I almost ended up at the pool room !". Turning to Neiwil he extended his hands, in one was a small tin pot, in the other, a tiny glass vile containing a luminous liquid. Neiwil pointed at the tin, "What's that ?" he enquired, "Blue Obsidian Paint" came the reply, Neiwil pointed at the label and stated, " It says 'Magnolia'!". Runsiman sighed, " an additive, it allows it to coat any surface without clashing with other colors". Turning the pot, Runsiman indicated to the label and said "Federal Statute requires me to draw this to your attention", moving his finger along the text he read out loud..........