What's with the "spike"?

Chadwick wasn't liking this one bit; what was supposed to be lunch with a planetary official was turning into a spectator show...something a man with a covert agent past wasn't comfortable with at all.

However, a bit of attention from one of the comely waitresses was a welcome relief. Chadwick smiled at her and smirked at the comment that the viewing public considered him "ruggedly handsome". But he quickly snapped back into business.

"Tell me, Mr. President", he said. "Why is it important for you to know how many people were watching the broadcast?"