On July 4, 2002 I was at Coney Island and found myself behind Nathan's just prior to the annual hot-dog eating contest. The contestants were lined near the bathrooms, waiting to go on stage--the contest was still 20 minutes off. I'd completely forgotten about the contest so I lurked. 1/4

One contestant--Takeru Kobayashi, the prior year's champ--was so young looking that he was there with his mother. He was complaining to her (in Japanese) and she disagreed with whatever his request was. Eventually she relented, went inside, and came back with... a hot dog, which he promptly ate. 2/4