"Figurative or...?" No, he thinks he probably knows the answer to that question, nevermind that it doesn't fit remotely inside his experience of reality. Neither does this conversation with Illumination, but it's definitely happening.

Which leaves him to ponder upon the idea that the locals mean literal beasts, as Illumination had mentioned. Tyler's brain had supplied him with a coping mechanism: maybe it was just a joke.

"Suddenly the festival makes a lot more sense."

There we go - he's finally caught up, as though his commentary is lagging, still catching up to the conversation.

"Do you think they're telling the truth and it's not some new weird reality show experiment?" He saw The Truman Show once at Fireweed and it messed him up for weeks after.