Cleaning a permanent marker leak off a desk

Okay so i know permanent marker is called that for a reason, but i will not give up. My marker pen leaked onto a desk which does not belong to me, ive tried just scrubbing it with hot water and soap but it doesnt do the trick. Im getting frantic here as i can imagine the owners not being happy. Can anyone suggest anything which may help take it off? If anything can..
Thanks

Acetone or 100% ETOH. I would do the alcohol first and use acetone to get the last bits.

What eurovol says will work but is a bit radical and could damage the finish. Please try this first. Toothpaste, white kind. Rub in circular motion with a damp cloth, when paste is color of marker, replace.

What kind of material is the furniture made of and is it worth a significant amount? If its wood you might be able to get someone to repair it for a price. If is is a "plastic" type surface you probably have very little chance of getting rid of it but might be able to lighten it by dabbing some bleach carefully on it. If it isnt that expensive to replace and you are really concerned about the owners reaction then get yourself a replacement :-)

Thanks,
hmm ive never heard of either of those, and i don´t think theres any alcohol in this house. Its looks like i will have to confront them and search for those products and clean later

The material is wood, polished kind off.
I don´t know whether il be asked to replace it, its my au pair families and with a 60euro pocket money a month i doubt whether i can afford it either.
So il try to find a solution that will get rid of it..

I know there is one...When some kids used to write in marker in my park this man every so often would come along and clean it.

Il try now the toothpaste idea,

If you have nail polish remover then you have acetone.

Zemonkey you genious!
I thought you was kidding at first but no, it worked! You saved me alot of grief, thanks a lot.
And thanks to everyone else for your suggestions.

Your welcome glad to help out. I rarely kid about stains, but my kids do stains, so stains I undo. Or try.

So now theres no stain..Am i able to delete the thread?

No, it remains for posterity (and toothpaste won't remove it, either).

sure use toothpaste and if not succesful use acetone (annunciated ass-e-toneh in german). Post results...