I've been getting a lot of emails lately from previous and current readers who've learned of plans to make the whole Isabella V story into a movie. I think it's only fair to add my two cents to the whole story at this point so late in the game. But I need to remind everyone of the ground rules I agreed to in the beginning when the story first landed, so to speak, in my lap. It was a difficult time for me and The Agonist back then. And when I started writing about Isabella my credibility was challenged, for obvious (and quite reasonable) reasons. (I hasten to add that the quality of work here since then speaks for itself.) The contact who first approached me about Isabella laid out the ground rules for me: that I would not betray her identity, first and foremost and that I would not betray the identity of the contact either. I will honor those rules until such time as Isabella outs herself, or is outed by someone else. I may have faults, but when I give my word, it sticks. But I am not bound, nor was I ever bound by any rule that said I had to believe the entire story. I think some portions of her tale might be true. But too much of it is too far fetched and the evidence I've uncovered--remember, I know who she is, who her 'families lawyers' are, etc. . . And there is too much that is too fishy for my taste. I always assumed it was a ploy of sorts, based on a kernel of truth, to get a book deal, or a movie and create some notoriety and/or celebrity for a wealthy, attractive young woman with a rather unpleasant family life and far too much money and time on her hands. A perfect plan to break out and make a name, so to speak, for herself. And I certainly sympathize with that.

More after the jump.

But over the years my skepticism has only grown. I've gotten many weird emails along the way from people claiming to know her, or to have met her, or seen her (too much like Elvis sightings, if you ask me) but I believe one person actually did, which only confirmed my suspicions, as the emailer in question had info I'd never published before. (I neither confirmed or denied what the emailer claimed.) Remember, I do know who she is, or at least who she purports to be. And I do know who her contact/cutout is, lawyers are, etc. . .

All that being said, if you are unfamiliar with Isabella (and barring any quick miracle work by Jay to restore the archives regarding Isabella) the best story on the origins of the whole Isabella saga is by John Richardson, at Esquire, who is also writing the screenplay, I believe.

After three server moves and several software upgrades much of the original reporting I did on Isabella has disappeared. Perhaps that is for the best. I might be embarrassed by what I wrote at the time. And yet, perhaps Jay can help us recover some of what was lost. We're trying to do so now.

Last note: I did break this story. I also held my skepticism about her and the story as a whole in check at the time I originally reported on it. I probably shouldn't have, but I did. Furthermore, I've not been contacted by any media folk since I spoke with John Richardson at length several years ago. Will I be in the future? I could really care less. I'll be happy to share my thoughts about the story with any who inquire, but I won't break any confidence.

And still, I'll be interested in seeing the movie. Could be fun. The whole saga always had great potential for a movie. That much was always certain. The rest, well, it's pretty much speculation, isn't it?