Using a toothpick, a sardarni (madam) cleans teeth of her one of many girls that she uses for prostitution. Often sardarnis start their life in brothels as sex workers themselves, but as they grow old and find it difficult to attract clients, they start employing other younger children for the work instead. It is in their advantage to keep children they use for prostitution clean so more clients get attracted. Depending on their age, seniority, financial and political status, Sardarnis keep as many as ten children. These children are paid little more than food, clothing and basic shared shelter. Any additional income depends on tips from clients. Kandhapara Brothel. Tangail. (July 2002)