Original idea works like this:
mob/proc/checklists()
usr << "Your lists contain:"
var/check = 0
for(var/O in list1)
usr << O
check = 1
for(var/O in list2)
usr << O
check = 1
for(var/O in list3)
usr << O
check = 1
for(var/O in list4)
usr << O
check = 1
for(var/O in list5)
usr << O
check = 1
for(var/O in list6)
usr << O
check = 1
for(var/O in list7)
usr << O
check = 1
if(!check) usr << "Nevermind, there's nothing here."
So, now, I'm looking for ways to improve this, since this is really sloppy looking!
This falls apart if you have to check for different types, like var/obj/weapon/O and var/obj/food/O, though there might be other ways to deal with that.
Lummox JR