SOOKIE STACKHOUSE (ANNA PAQUIN, ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER FOR ?THE PIANO?) WORKS AS A WAITRESS AT THE RURAL BAR MERLOTTE'S. THOUGH OUTWARDLY A TYPICAL YOUNG WOMAN, SHE KEEPS A DANGEROUS SECRET: SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO HEAR THE THOUGHTS OF OTHERS. HER SITUATION IS FURTHER COMPLICATED WHEN THE BAR GETS ITS FIRST VAMPIRE PATRON - 173-YEAR OLD BILL COMPTON (STEVEN MOYER, "QUILLS") - AND THE TWO OUTSIDERS ARE IMMEDIATELY DRAWN TO EACH OTHER.