Funny / Dead Beat

• Harry's first description of the grown-up Mouse early on in the book.
  Mouse had gone from fuzz ball to fuzz barge.
• Thomas' complete and utter skepticism about Harry's Suspiciously Specific Denial about being attracted to Murphy and vice versa when she calls ahead to say that she's going to drop by.
• This exchange when Thomas admits to calling his sister and threatening her for information. As Harry's proxy.
  Harry: So you're telling me that I just engaged in blackmail against the ruler of the White Court. By proxy.
  Thomas: Yeah. You've got some great big brass balls on you to do something like that, Harry.
  • He even mentioned that Lara would laugh herself sick if she learned Harry's reaction to being asked out on a date.
• Doubling with the book's Moment of Awesome, Sue, the zombie T-Rex, stomping through Chicago. Particularly the reactions from the people who see her coming—the military, the Wardens, and the villains. Then there's when Dresden reminds Butters to keep the beat going.
  Butters: I know, I stop playing, no more dinosaur.
  Dresden: No, you stop playing, dinosaur does whatever the hell it wants.
  • Another one right afterward:
  Butters: My God, you're like a living wrecking ball! ....Hey, can we swing by my boss' house? He won't shut up about his new Jaguar.
  Harry: Maybe later.
  • And it even helps Harry make friends:
  Warden Ramirez: Everyone else who lets me ride their dinosaur calls me Carlos.
  • And later on, a funny-as-hell moment by implication. Said dinosaur was controlled by Butters' polka suit, right? Well, while Harry's off saving the day, Butters attends to Warden Luccio's wounds, and while he's doing that, Morgan takes over drumming for him. Just the image of stern, serious Morgan operating a one-man polka suit is hilarious.
• It turns into a Tear Jerker not long after, but Thomas challenges Harry to beat him in a race back to the car to give him some information.
  Harry: Of all the ridiculous, immature nonsense. [trips Thomas and takes off at a sprint]
  • Before this bit deserves a mention: Harry tells Thomas that Murphy went to Hawaii...with Kincaid. This distresses our Shipper on Deck so bad he stops running for several seconds.
• "Because I'm too stubborn to die. And Thomas is too pretty to die. And you aren't going to die, Butters, because tomorrow is Oktoberfest and polka will never die!"
  • Which turns into a Running Gag in Changes, when Harry once again reminds Butters that polka will never die.
  • The acronym for "Polka will never die" is PWND. Word of Jim suggests that this was intentional.
  • Even better is that in Cold Days, we learn that this is not a Firefly shout out (as Harry has no familiarity with that show).
• Building up to the book's climax fight, Ramirez gets one while he's discussing plans with Harry.
  Dresden: And if that wasn't enough, he's got an apprentice with him, called Kumori, who seems personally loyal. She's probably strong enough to be on the Council herself.
  Ramirez: Damn. She pretty?
  Dresden: She keeps her face covered. No idea.
  Ramirez: If she was pretty, I'd just turn on the Ramirez charm and have her eating out of my hand. But I can't take chances with that kind of power if I'm not sure she's pretty. Used recklessly, it could endanger innocent bystanders or land me in bed with an ugly girl.
  • Becomes even funnier given what we find out about two books later....
• "Life is a journey. Time is a river. The door is ajar."
• Butters guilting Harry into making sure they got his polka suit out of the morgue.
  "I'm not leaving it here for God-knows-what to mess with," Butters said. He grunted and threw a strap awkwardly over his shoulder. The bass drum rumbled.
  "Yes you are," I said. "We're not taking it with us. We don't have time for this."
  Butters turned to face me, his expression stricken.
  (Gilligan Cut)
  That stupid polka suit filled up most of the back of the SUV.
  • Even better in hindsight, given that the polka suit was critical to reanimating and controlling Sue, and thus to winning the final fight.
• The conversation between Harry and Malcolm Dresden, when Malcolm warns Harry of the Jabberwock and suddenly it becomes very clear just where Harry got his sense of humour from.
  Malcolm: No, I don't have a vorpal sword to lend you. (pulls out a Snickers bar) You'll have to make do with a Snickers snack.
• Early on in the novel, Harry is bringing Butters up to speed on necromancy, including the notion that they might be able to raise the dead.
  Butters: Jesus!
  Harry: No, I don't think they were responsible for that one.
• After Marcone sends Gard to rescue Harry from the ghoul Li Xian:
  Gard: Hubris. Mortals never understand.
  Harry: Tell me about it. Everyone makes that mistake but me.
  • Marcone actually comes close to smiling. Looks like Harry is more appreciated than he thinks.
• Harry is rescued from Cowl and Kumori by a pair of werewolves, one of whom pulls up in an SUV.
  Harry: Quick. To the Woofmobile.
• Did you know that a T-Rex can really haul ass? Something else you probably didn't know: They don't corner well.
• Harry, as always, being Sophisticated as Hell.
  Cowl: Again I will ask it. Give me your copy of the book.
  Harry: And again do I answer thee. Bite me.
• One of the running gags throughout the book is Harry being Mistaken for Gay, due to him living with Thomas and not having any visible relationship for the better part of three years. This reaches its Zenith after Harry, Butters and Thomas hole up in Murphy's house following the "Polka Will Never Die" incident, this happens:
  Butters: So how come if I'm your friend, you don't tell me important things?
  Harry: Like what?
  Butters: Well. That, you know... you're gay.
  Harry: Stunned Silence
  Butters: I mean, don't get me wrong. It's the twenty-first century. You can live your life how you want, and it doesn't make you any less cool.
  Harry: Butters-
  Butters: And hey, look at the guy. I mean, I'm not even gay, and I think he looks great. Who could blame you?
  (Cue a massive amount of Corpsing from Thomas.)
  • Made even funnier when Thomas then proceeds to give Harry the food he'd made...and then affectionately kisses him on the head just to make Butters continue thinking it's true despite Harry's denial. Harry rightfully punches Thomas in the ribs for the prank and Thomas pretends to sigh in a long-suffering fashion and telling Butters "he gets like this sometimes." Comedic gold.

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