Panel 1: For some reason that is probably ageism, Mike is perplexed by the fact that a man he'll always see as a doddering old wreck is in a band. Elly is less surprised because he always love the guitar.
Panel 2: When Mike belabors the point, Elly reminds him that it's an old-timers band playing old people music because as we all know, Jim is the conservative type.
Panel 3: Meanwhile back in Vancouver, Jim's holding a Stratocaster and telling the roadie to tell a Mrs Nettlesworth that the smoke bombs come on after the light show.
Summary: Elly wasn't paying attention when Jim made that joke about blowing the whole wad and traveling when Phil got married off. If she had, she'd have realized that the only reason he played it safe is that he had kids to worry about. Once they grew up, he and Marian intended to cut loose. This is lost on someone as afraid of the world as she is.
