I found something called The Bureau of Unknown Destinations. I’m now working with them. I don’t know where it will take me, but I’m going to be writing about it the whole way. Check out the preview of this week’s article about receiving my assignment below, and the rest up at The Inclusive. And tune in in two weeks for the riveting conclusion.

A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon something online called The Bureau of Unknown Destinations. It immediately grabbed my interest. I’ve always looked at train maps with interest, wondering what the end of lines looked like. Airport terminals always fascinate me; all the stories, beginnings, middles, and ends, the where-you’ve-beens and the where-you’re-goings. Everywhere I could go has always held more fascination for me than everywhere I’ve been. It’s all the possibilities, the roads I could go down but never will.

The Bureau of Unknown Destinations seemed to be made for someone like me. The name alone immediately brought to mind a secret underground bunker, black suits, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. The Bureau was located out in Gowanus, far off the beaten path in Brooklyn (at least for someone from Queens), in something called “Proteus Gowanus”. It was only open certain times throughout the week, and its website was stark, simple, and formal. The only information was its location and when one could expect its doors to be open, all other inquiries had to be sent via email.

I emailed immediately.

After some back and forth, I finally worked out just what the Bureau could do for me, and I for it. They would prepare a package for me. In this package would be a round trip train ticket to somewhere outside the city, a notepad, and a task to do once I arrive. I was to complete the task and report back. All I had to do was get down to the Bureau to pick up my supplies. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it while the Bureau was open, but they had a system set up for such a problem. I was told where I could find my package, and when it would be there. Were I late, they couldn’t guarantee that it’d stay there for long.

So yesterday, after work, I hopped the R line deep into Brooklyn, further then I’ve ever been before. I got off and came above ground to…