Harry Dresden sat at his work bench with potion ingredients spread out before him. The Wizard ran a hand through his dark hair and then sat, elbow resting on the table, chin on his palm. He hated this part.
"Bob?" He asked the spirit.
No response came from the skull to his right. He sighed. Still getting the cold shoulder from his departed comrade. Figured.
"Bob, I can't continue unless you give me the instructions." His tone was matter-of-fact.
Usually Harry had no trouble figuring his way through a problem - even if the solution was unorthodox - but this was a very delicate situation and he needed Bob's help. The ghost was ignoring him because of a sarcastic statement he had made the day before about 'voices from skulls doing too much unhelpful talking' or something...he had forgotten already. Whatever it had been, Bob had taken it personally. Not unusual in the least, simply frustrating.
"Oh...Fine!" A heavy sigh followed the irritable exclamation. "I'll help you, but I expect a 'thank you' this time and..and...some outside time!" It had taken the familiar voice a moment to come up with an appropriate compensation. "A park...yes."
Harry smiled. "Sure, Bob." He promised.
Finally, they were in business. Spirits - couldn't live with 'em, couldn't live without 'em. The Wizard shook his head in bemusement.
-THE END