I know this makes no sense. If you don’t know Fargo, you’re wondering why I put in a random old smelly alley. Well, it’s Reed Lane, that’s why. In the middle of the block there’s an estuary between the street and the back of the buildings; I’ve no idea what purpose it originally served, but in the early sixties it was claimed by Reed Travel Agency, and rechristened Reed Lane. It seemed exotic and mysterious when I was an impressionable early-teen – a midblock street? It’s so European!

It’s been repainted, obviously, and whoever controls the property has enough of a sense of history to leave the sign hanging. And there’s more  . . .