I've written a very nuts+bolts article on metaclasses (aka virtual
 classes or metaobjects), since they still lurk under a shroud of fear
 and enigma.

whytheluckystiff.net/articles/seeingMetaclassesClearly.html

 I'm hoping this will help uncover the truth.  If anything is unclear,
 please report it.  Shed a light.