Bartholomew, a reserved botany professor at a New York City college, receives a mysterious invitation to join a secret club with a name epitomizing wealth and privilege—2 things he lacks in spades. Weighing his humdrum life, the circumspect scientist throws caution to the wind and accepts the unsolicited offer. However, upon entering the Manhattan highrise clubhouse teeming with power brokers and glitterati, he discovers things are not as straightforward as the club's name implies. Membership in the Powers That Be's exclusive club requires abandoning his former life for good.