In the sociology department at a southern university in the US, there lie several major groups of personality types. Their unique foibles and the activities they engage in all point to pitfalls endemic to such contexts. The consequences of these dynamics include unanticipated destructive impacts on the department, faculty, and university as a whole.

Central to this drama are Alistair and his friend Alex, observers on the sidelines, troubled witnesses to their colleagues who are on stage, acting out their routines with blind passion and disregarding the warning signs of ruinous consequences surrounding them. Struggling to remain sane in this disastrous swamp, the two friends attempt to warn their colleagues of the dangers ahead but with little success. The resulting devastation is a complete surprise to everyone involved.

The Leaning Tower paints a satirical portrait of academics and the behavior of those who work behind the scenes.