J is somewhat of a hypochondriac. He read a long time ago that randomly smelling burnt toast can be a sign of a stroke, so now he panics over any unexplained aromas! When the heating in a HVAC system turns on for the 1st time in the season it's often accompanied by an odd smell as the dust that's settled is burnt away. As it's me that mans the thermostat, it can sometimes give him a bit of a scare!
I wasn't too sure about this comic as there are several very specific pieces of information the reader needs to get the joke, but I figured those that DO get it would REALLY get it... and those that don't could still laugh at him freaking out! :)
I showed the 1st draft to J and his first reaction was "Oh. HA. HA." π
Then he pointed out that the last thing he does when he's having a stroke is run around and start shouting, Zoidberg style, and showed me the actual pose he does. (He's a good sport!) π