From the NannyMUD documentation

LAST CHANGE

2001-08-12

FUNCTION

NAME
        query_contents - Show some things in a room only.


LOCATION
	Any room object.

SYNTAX
	string query_contents()

DESCRIPTION
	If this function is defined and returns anything but zero, that is
	written to the player looking at the room instead of the list of
	short descriptions that are usually presented.


NOTE
	The long/short description of the room is still presented as usual
	depending on if the player is in brief mode or not.