The group suddenly gets quiet. I wonder to what degree they understand what I'd said.

They look at each other.  Max looks at Tennessee Trucker, "I don't want to hear all this!  Casey just entered the building.  He usually goes to the bathroom for seven minutes, then we're back to the same kind of ridicule and degrading attitude that has driven us down our whole lives.  We all know that Trucker could take care of Casey.  Or all of us together could take care of him, but we all know what would come of that.  They would put us all into lockdown, not worry whether we get fed, and force us to urinate on our floor."