Hickey absolutely does not get that Hannibal Lecter reference. Sorry buddy, he's from the 1840s. What he does get is that John's making a stupid little joke. He's making a stupid little joke about the situation and that, more than anything, annoys Hickey.
"Do you think your dumb little jokes will help?" he points out, eyes narrowing. "Will they make you feel better? If it will actually push you to do what needs to be done, what you need to do to live, then fine. Make your dumb little jokes. But if not? Keep your mouth shut."
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"Do you think your dumb little jokes will help?" he points out, eyes narrowing. "Will they make you feel better? If it will actually push you to do what needs to be done, what you need to do to live, then fine. Make your dumb little jokes. But if not? Keep your mouth shut."
Again, he offers John the strip of flesh.