We decided to visit Manhattan and everyone agreed that was a good idea. In the weeks before we left Scotland emails and telephone calls arrived telling us all the places which we absolutely must see, and all the things which we absolutely must do.

On arrival, we followed instructions and headed down towards the World Trade Centre like true tourists.

On the way, wandering through the streets of Manhattan we saw a sight not mentioned in any of the emails, phone calls or guide books. It was a building which by virtue of its imposing size announced its anonymous importance. It loomed above us, incongruously pink, with no signs and no windows. We walked around it, sure that some worker somewhere within would want a peek at the outside world, but it remained implacable and closed. In an unspoken agreement we did not take our tourist cameras out. Somehow we were sure that gun turrets would open in the featureless walls. We walked off, curious but not quite sure if we wanted our questions answered. What if we had been foolishly staring at photographic laboratory, a fireworks research company or an institute of sleep disorders?

In an unspoken agreement, we did not take our tourist cameras out. Somehow we were sure that gun turrets would open in the featureless walls. We walked off, curious but not quite sure if we wanted our questions answered. What if we had been foolishly staring at photographic laboratory, a fireworks research company or an institute of sleep disorders?

The questions remain unanswered.

**

Editor’s note, 2016:

The question has been answered.

“Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility.”

https://theintercept.com/2016/11/16/the-nsas-spy-hub-in-new-york-hidden-in-plain-sight/