Crying Wolf

This is Saturday, the day Jennifer Wilbanks of the Atlanta area was supposed to be married.

A big wedding, too. They expected like 600 people, with 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen.

But then Jennifer went missing. Huge manhunt, national headlines. Criminal action suggested, cold feet a theory but then dismissed because it was totally out of Jennifer’s character.

Today, Saturday, Jennifer showed up in Albuquerque, N.M. She contacted law enforcement there, identified herself, and said she got cold feet and needed some time alone.

My first thought when I heard that report: she’s going to write a book.

That is a dangerous first thought to have, but it has been coming for some time. The media is caught up in the old story of “Cry Wolf.” A kid cries “Wolf!” but there is no wolf. He’s having fun, kidding everyone, watching their reactions. He does it again and the authorities fall out to save him.

He does it a third time, and they don’t fall out. They are now convinced he is kidding again. This time, he isn’t. There is in fact a wolf, who eats the kid up.

Five years ago, when Jennifer showed up in Albuquerque, I would have thought hooray, sweet dear girl, all is forgiven, now there will be heroic efforts to fly her home in time for the wedding.

This morning I thought: she’s going to write a book.

Maybe she is, and maybe she isn’t. Jennifer may have simply been a confused, sweet girl who needed some time alone. It could very well be a true story.

But my reaction isn’t about her. I hope her story is true and that she is forgiven (in a reasonable amount of time) and lives happily ever after.

It’s the perception that worries me. Perceptions are as real as people. People have figured out they can use the media in many ways, including a way that might make them rich and famous. In our media-saturated age, particularly with television ready to pay big bucks for a “reality” story, who could put it past a young bride to set up a story, write the book (this is a perfect Oprah story), and walk down the aisle a millionaire?

The truth about Jennifer will probably be known as soon as tomorrow. Among those truths: I will bet there are at least 50 media producers and publishers with messages on Jennifer’s answering machine. I hope she doesn’t talk to any of them. If she does, it will be another story toward the time when the media cries “Wolf!” and nobody listens, and there is a wolf.