def _func_set_key(dict, key, val):
    dict[key] = val
    
def set_dir_flag(key):
    """set_dir_flag(key):  Return a new function which can set a simple
    key in a dictionary.  This basically takes the place of a function
    taking a mod_snake.FLAG type layout."""

    return lambda d,s,flag,key=key,fn=_func_set_key: fn(d,key,flag)