When The Control Isn't Enough to Cover The Damage - Exhibit A with Austin Nichols

When cover-up for a deeply closeted individual is going to be needed, the battle plan should be proactively in place as well as effective. When all of the pieces are not in place however, the leaks in the dike of cover-up begin spouting everywhere so that witnesses are left with a puzzle as easy as....

We knew who was in New York City this past weekend. Anyone in Jake's fandom knew. Jake was in the Big Apple; he was rehearsing for Sunday In The Park With George for the NYC Center Gala held at the City Center, leading up to opening night last night, Oct. 24.  

So what started on Oct 22 with a beard-hosted Halloween pumpkin carving party...

Oh, wait - I'm sorry.  I forgot there wasn't a picture to post of the couple to document that particular event.  (The wonderful Frank Drebin in assistance.)

But then on Oct. 23 here came the Agents of Shield crew trying to place Austin at an LA Galaxy soccer game.  And just for GPS purposes, the timing is well documented:

#AgentsofSHIELD family at the #LAGalaxy game. @clarkgregg @JenniferGrey @ChloeBennet4 #fitz @YOSOYCORDOVA @AustinNichols @smaranda_luna pic.twitter.com/l6vcBhV1yB

— Gabriel Luna (@IamGabrielLuna) October 23, 2016

Let's see, you have half of the men photo'd with their SO's on their lap, and then there's Austin and Chlo......   oh.  Looks like Jennifer Grey isn't on her SO Clark Gregg's lap because she was needed at Chlo's side.  Yeah, I think that's what was going on there.  And Austin barely made it into the pic.   Amazing, isn't it?  Mgmnt had their money shot opportunity right there.  Put Chlo in Austin's lap like the other fellas.  But they didn't get it.

Now what was going on later that evening, on October 23?  The big season opener of The Walking Dead.  #1 rated show in television.  Number One.  Fans were excited enough about the event to trend The Walking Dead all day on Twitter. All day and all night.  The ratings knocked out Sunday Night NFL Football!  There was a red carpet premiere held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary in Los Angeles with major cast members.  Here's the group pic:

 Norman Reedus, Andrew Lincoln, Steven Yeun, all of the major actors were there.  Even Austin's buddy Chris Hardwick, remember him?  Austin supposedly attended his big wedding gala this past summer, complete with bolo tie.  Chris was there to host a Talking Dead event after the season opener premiered.

But someone's missing in that cast picture.  Austin is.  Perhaps he and Chlo were walking the dogs and grilling burgers with the Agents of Shield family.

So, in a nutshell.  Management would have folks believe that Austin and his 'gf' would rather attend an LA Galaxy game on Sunday afternoon followed by whatever, than attend an important career event like the premiere of The Walking Dead.  

Seems like this resulting puzzle might be more à propos now?

 sources:  Getty Images, Twitter, teamcarylmundial tumblr, Bill Butler
song:  Beneath the Damage and the Dust - Peter Himmelman