The Promise is about halfway up the block. The other buildings on both sides of the alley are similar to the flop-house, low—no more than the three floors—and pretty drek-kicked. Unlike some of the other gutted buildings I’ve passed, all are more or less intact, dark and probably filled with squatters. The original identities and purposes of the buildings have been lost to decay, except for one across the alley from The Promise and nearer the end of the block. What’s left of a sign over the rear door reads: Fi nes Que t. For a few seconds I try to puzzle it out, then the meaning hits me: Fitness Quest, it’s the only thing that fits.