Original Commentary

Al is Al Fletcher, the loud guy from shipping. He was probably there to complain about how they've run out of sugar for the coffee or something. I wasn't too sure about the punch line when I wrote it, but Isabel likes it so we kept it. Alternate line for Brisbane in the third panel - "No, that wasn't what he said at all - Oh". - Terrence

Modern Commentary
I'm sure we'll mention it in comics and commentary soon, but the reason for the whole thing - Brisbane not being able to perform with Peter, Brisbane not being mentioned in the playbill - is because Kimberly was mad at him at the time. She'd rather not start a conversation with "Remember that dumb fight we had a few years ago? Turns out it has actual consequences" - Terrence